Queensland election 2015: Annastacia Palaszczuk close to forming government

ANNASTACIA Palaszczuk has achieved what many, including her own party, thought unthinkable in 2012, taking Labor to the brink of victory against an overwhelming LNP majority.

ANNASTACIA Palaszczuk has achieved what many, including her own party, thought unthinkable in 2012, taking Labor to the brink of victory against an overwhelming LNP majority.

Characterising the effort as a David-and-Goliath struggle, she told supporters tonight: “It’s still too close to call, but I am very hopeful that we will be able to form government.”

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Several seats are still in doubt, but Labor is within striking distance of governing outright or forming a minority government with the support of Independents and Katter’s Australian Party.

The LNP had heavily focused during the campaign on the prospect of a hung Parliament to convince voters to “just vote 1” - a strategy popularised by former Labor premier Peter Beattie.

But a concerted “number every square” and “put the LNP last” campaign run was to counter it by Labor and minor parties.

The latter appears to have been the more successful, with both Labor and the LNP staring at the prospect of having to break earlier commitments to not form minority governments.

A series of polls had indicated a hung Parliament was a real possibility for some time.

A number of Independents and minor party figures have been elected, meaning both major parties will have to consider talking to them in a bid to form government.

Campbell Newman ruled out doing deals, while Ms Palaszczuk said: “I’ll make it very clear - no, no, no, no deals.”

Congratulations to Annastacia and the Labor team on a hard fought, courageous campaign. You can rightly be proud of your efforts. JG.

— Julia Gillard (@JuliaGillard) January 31, 2015

More to come