This was published 9 years ago
Queensland election 2015: Likely Premier Palaszczuk waits to claim victory
By Amy Remeikis
Annastacia Palaszczuk was still hesitant in claiming her victory on Sunday morning, despite indications Labor would pull off an historic political comeback.
In a calculated move, Annastacia Palaszczuk's first public appearance following the election's shock result, which on Sunday had 43 seats returned to Labor in a landslide swing against the LNP, was at a thank you barbecue for volunteers in Burpengary, where Mark Ryan took back the seat of Morayfield with an 18 per cent swing.
Ms Palaszczuk arrived to cheers, slow at first, but louder as more supporters caught sight of the Labor leader.
But while Campbell Newman, who remains Premier until the government moves forward from care taker mode, cleaned out his office at the Executive Building early on Sunday morning, Ms Palaszczuk was being cautious in declaring anything but her thanks.
"We all know that counting is still underway, we are still hopeful, we are optimistic," she said.
"But we still have a couple of days until we probably will know the final result."
With arrogance considered one of the key factors in the likely downfall of the Newman Government, Labor is being careful not to move forward until the last vote has been counted.
But that didn't stop Ms Palaszczuk from celebrating, at least a little, the position she has found herself in after being reduced to a leader with just six MPs only three years ago.
"It's just been absolutely amazing, the support right across the length and breadth of Queensland, it is extremely humbling and we are going to restore good governing to this state," she said.
"Good, stable government and a government that works for all of Queensland. It doesn't matter where you live across this state. We will govern for all of you. That is my commitment and the commitment of my entire Labor team."
While the wash up from the election result is on-going, with blame being levelled at Mr Newman's leadership style, the federal government and "broken promises", Ms Palaszczuk narrowed it down to one issue.
"Clearly Queenslanders have sent a message," she said.
"They have sent a message. They do not want their assets sold. And what is clear, it doesn't matter who leads the LNP.
"Whether it is Tim Nicholls, whether it is Scott Emerson, whether it is Lawrence Springborg, whether it is Jeff Seeney, they want to sell your assets. That is their only plan, their only plan is to sell your assets and Labor will stop that sale."
Ms Palaszczuk did not take questions, instead heading straight into the crowd of supporters.
With four seats still in doubt - Mansfield, Whitsundays, Maryborough and Redlands - no one is willing to claim victory.
Labor is predicted to win Mansfield, held by Ian Walker, and Maryborough, which Anne Maddern won for the LNP last election, but each will come down to a handful of votes.
The LNP's Jason Costigan was ahead in the Whitsundays by just 84 votes as of Sunday afternoon.
But while Ms Palaszczuk did not take questions, the LNP had completely gone to ground, with MPs still struggling to take in what had happened.
"We reflect, analyse, discuss, work out a strategy and act from there," one said.
"What else can we do?"
The leadership question still looms over the conservatives, but the "Plan B" front runners are understood not to be keen to take on the role as Opposition Leader.
But given the lack of policy detail Labor released during the campaign, many in the LNP are wondering how they will move forward.
"It's the old story about the dog chasing the car," one said.
"What are they going to do now that they've caught it?"
Judging by the reaction of hopeful people milling around a Burpengary park, about 40 minutes outside of George Street, for the moment it didn't seem to matter.