Live results: Inala, Ipswich West by-elections

Labor’s heartland of Ipswich West is expected to fall to the LNP amid a savage swing against the third-term government, while the news isn't much better in Inala. FOLLOW LIVE RESULTS

Premier Steven Miles at the Inala by-election after party, Picture: Steve Pohlner

Labor’s heartland of Ipswich West is expected to fall to the LNP amid a savage swing against the third-term government, while there has also been backlash from voters in Annastacia Palaszczuk's former seat of Inala.

FOLLOW LIVE RESULTS BELOW

Live Updates

10:56 pm March 16, 2024 Highlight

Crisafulli praises swings with one eye on October

James Hall

David Crisafulli has declared the emphatic swings recorded in two Labor heartland seats show voters believe “enough is enough” as the Opposition forges ahead with grasping power in the October state election.

“We have created history,” he said.

“We have created history because Queenslanders have heeded the call in two seats to send the government a message.

“The results in these seats give comfort to people who are looking for a better way, who are looking to be listened to, who are looking for an end to the youth crime crisis, the housing crisis, the cost of living crisis and the health crisis.

“Tonight, residents in two Labor Party Heartlands said ‘enough is enough’.

"Tonight, we are humbled by how many Queenslanders for the first time voted for our side of politics."

10:03 pm March 16, 2024 Highlight

The numbers

Hayden Johnson

Here's where we stand at 10pm.

IPSWICH WEST: The government is expected to lose the seat with a mammoth 15.2 per cent swing against it.

Labor's Wendy Bourne holds 34.9 per cent of the primary vote compared to LNP candidate Darren Zanow's 39 per cent.

Preferences from the Legalise Cannabis party are not expected to save the government while Pauline Hanson's One Nation is tipped to favour the LNP.

INALA: Labor has suffered a brutal 30.9 per cent slice to its primary vote, but it will retain the seat.

Labor's Margie Nightingale has 36.6 per cent of the first preference vote ahead of Trang Yen's 29 per cent.

9:39 pm March 16, 2024 Highlight

'Deceit and lies biting Labor': Deputy LNP leader claims

Rose Innes

Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie said a strong message had been sent to Premier Steven Miles and the Labor government, with LNP candidate Trang Yen taking a chunk out of its vote.

“Treng has taken what was one of the most safest seats in labor, to what is likely going to be a marginal seat within a swing of election winning status in October," he said.

“Treng and the team should be immensely proud of what they've done and it shows that people of Inala are unhappy with the cost of living crisis, the health crisis, the youth crime crisis, housing crisis, all the things that Treng the LNP have been talking about.

David Crisafulli at the Ipswich West by-election event in Brassall with Darren Zanow and supporters.

Mr Bleijie noted the LNP had to win 14 seats to win government.

"It's a long road ahead and many, many months and the Labor Party, what we saw today with their deceit and lies and union tactics and campaigning where they were putting out fake how to vote cards, misrepresenting political parties, it just shows Labor will do and say anything to get reelected because they are addicted to power…but the people have had enough Queenslanders have enough, they want to change and they started that change."

9:20 pm March 16, 2024 Highlight

'All over' Labor insiders say Ipswich West is lost

Hayden Johnson

Labor Party insiders are privately convinced the LNP's Darren Zanow has won the Ipswich West by-election.

Deputy Premier Cameron Dick is publicly declaring the vote "too close to call" – but operatives say the primary vote is too low.

Wendy Bourne arrives at the Ipswich West by-election after party.

Labor's Wendy Bourne trails Mr Zanow 35 to 39 per cent on the primary vote.

It appears the government's only hope is a strong preference flow from the Legalise Cannabis party – which is unlikely.

9:10 pm March 16, 2024 Highlight

Inala's likely new MP to seek Palaszczuk's advice

Rose Innes

Labor's Margie Nightingale holds a primary vote lead in Inala of 39 per cent to 28 per cent over the LNP.

Ms Nightingale said if she won tonight, she would be “crazy” not to lean on the advice of former member Annastacia Palaszczuk who was “someone who’s been such an inspiration to so many people”.

8:44 pm March 16, 2024 Highlight

Deputy Premier welcomes Wendy

Treasurer Cameron Dick has told the Labor faithful the result in the Ipswich West by-election remains too close to call.

The Deputy Premier welcomed candidate Wendy Bourne to raucous cheers.

8:32 pm March 16, 2024 Highlight

'Always hard': Miles thanks Labor faithful as defeat looms

Rose Innes

Premier Steven Miles has thanked the Inala Labor members for how hard they worked on the campaign.

"I was proud of our volunteers who worked so hard and talked to so many people, proud of what we did today on the booths and proud that we were talking about issues in the campaign that we know people care about the end of the day," he said.

“Only Labor knows and understands and cares about communities like Inala and Ipswich West.

“We'll keep listening to Queenslanders and keep delivering on those things.

"No matter what the results are tonight, particularly Ipswich West was always going to be a very hard seat for us.

“David Crisafulli signed that preference deal with Pauline Hanson's One Nation… we will keep listening and keep delivering every day right through till October.”

8:20 pm March 16, 2024 Highlight

LNP parties in Ipswich West as Zanow pulls ahead

James Hall

The atmosphere five minutes down the road at the LNP function is significantly more buoyant as the party’s victory in Ipswich West appears more likely.

Inside at the MiHi Tavern, a separate party is billowing out ‘Eye of the Tiger’ on karaoke while the LNP faithful are glued to the televisions and phones in the beer garden, engrossed in the early swing for the party for Darren Zanow in the Labor heartland.

At the Labor function, only one MP was spotted early, Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon, with Treasurer Cameron Dick later attending.

Across town tells a different story, however, where Opposition Leader David Crisafulli, Shadow Treasurer David Janetzki and about half a dozen MPs are in attendance.

8:18 pm March 16, 2024 Highlight

First Inala results are returned

Hayden Johnson

The first results from Inala indicate a mammoth swing against the government, but it is almost certain to retain the seat.

With 11 per cent of votes counted across Inala, the government's Margie Nightingale has 39 per cent of the primary vote compared to 27 per cent to the LNP's Trang Yen.

There are more candidates in the Inala by-election, which is likely contributing to the swing against the government.

7:56 pm March 16, 2024 Highlight

Labor one vote ahead

Hayden Johnson

Larger booth results are starting to return and it's better news for Labor.

Of course things will change, but we couldn't miss the opportunity to point out, with 22 per cent of the vote counted, Labor's Wendy Bourne leads by one vote.

She has 2792 votes compared to the LNP's Darren Zanow's 2791.

Labor has clawed the primary vote back to 35.1 per cent compared to the LNP's 30 per cent.