Sportsbet backs LNP to retain Hinkler, Wide Bay federal seats at election

Voters and candidates aren’t the only ones with an eye on what will happen at the federal election, with gambling house Sportsbet laying out its odds for the Wide Bay and Hinkler seats. These aren’t in line with what one publican is hearing on the ground.

Election Day will deliver winners and loses across the Wide Bay and Hinkler electorate but according to one publican there’s a disparity between what punters are hoping for and bookies expect.

Empire Hotel owner Craig Mylrea said the prevailing vibe among his Gympie patrons when it came to the election was primarily disinterest.

Any interest that did exist was directed towards the independent candidates and minor parties, with a general prevailing consensus when it came to the subject of either of the major parties.

“They think it’s same s***, different day,” Mr Mylrea said.

While Mr Mylrea’s customers might be hoping for a shake-up in their seat at the election those setting the odds are predicting little will change in the Wide Bay or Hinkler, though at least one is expected to be a close race.

Gambling house Sportsbet has incumbent LNP candidate Keith Pitt favourite to retain his seat at $1.22.

Gympie Empire Hotel owner Craig Mylrea said customers were largely disinterested in the election, but the interest that was there was directed away from the major parties.

It’s predicting a close challenge from independent (and Bundaberg Mayor) Jack Dempsey, which the group has at $4 to win.

Labor’s Jason Scanes is a distant third at $18, with United Australia Party’s Kristie Nash close on Mr Scanes heels at $21.

The Greens’ Andrew McLean and One Nation’s Zak Menhennett are long shots at $51.

No odds are listed for the Animal Justice Party’s Amy Byrnes.

South, along the Bruce Highway at the Wide Bay, incumbent LNP candidate Llew O’Brien is expected to have a much easier fight to keep his seat.

Gambling house Sportsbet has incumbent Hinkler candidate Keith Pitt favoured to retain the seat, although not without competition from independent and Bundaberg mayor Jack Dempsey. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Mr O’Brien, who was voted into the seat in 2016, is at $1.01 odds to be returned on May 21.

Labor’s Geoff Williams is his closest competition at $14.

Sportsbet has independents Tim Jerome and Kelli Jacobi as equal third favourites at $34 odds, followed by the Greens’ Craig Armstrong and One Nation’s Nathan Buckley at $51.

Tracy Bennett of the United Australia Party remains the longest of long shots to take the seat at $101.

Sportsbet has incumbent LNP candidate Llew O’Brien heavily favoured to retain the Wide Bay federal seat. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

No odds have been given for Australian Values Party candidate Daniel Williams or Informed Medical Options Party candidate Andrea Newland.

Voters will get to have their own say on who will win on May 21.

The cost of living is expected to be a major factor in Gympie, Hervey Bay, Maryborough and Bundaberg.

Mr Mylrea said this was a factor not only for customers but also his own business saying it was “an issue for us in this industry” and a big part of why about 90 per cent of drink sales were now takeaway, instead of 90 per cent from behind the bar as it once was.

“The cost of living is hurting everyone,” he said.