Queensland election 2024: Exclusive early voting revealed for Rockhampton

Former long-time mayor Margaret Strelow is facing a knife-edge battle to win the seat of Rockhampton in the Queensland election, according to exclusive exit poll results. Preference swaps with be key if the independent is to win.

Rockhampton could be one of the tightest election battles in Queensland, according to exclusive exit poll results.

Former long-time mayor Margaret Strelow is facing a knife-edge battle to win the seat of Rockhampton in the Queensland election, according to exclusive exit poll results.

 The Courier Mail and its sister publications asked more than 1000 Queenslanders who had just voted who they voted for at early voting booths in 10 key seats on Tuesday

The results reveal across Queensland he LNP’s primary vote is at 48.2 per cent compared with Labor’s 30 per cent, the Greens’ 9.4 per cent and One Nation at 7.4 per cent.

But the battle is far tighter in Rockhampton with the former mayor’s high profile and a strong One Nation vote meaning it will likely come down to preferences.

Labor’s Barry O’Rourke won the Rockhampton seat in a Labor landslide in 2015.

But in November last year he revealed health issues would prevent him from recontesting.

In Tuesday exit poll, Labor candidate Craig Marshall’s primary was at 22 per cent, well behind the LNP candidate Donna Kirkland’s 33 per cent.

Ms Strelow, a former Labor Party member but now running as an independent, was also polling 22 per cent, marginally ahead of One Nation candidate David Bond on 18.

Independent candidate Margaret Strelow at Rockhampton Hospital. Picture: Aden Stokes

She served as mayor of Rockhampton before amalgamation and later as the mayor of Rockhampton Regional Council mayor for more than sixteen years.

Ms Strelow says the Rockhampton exit poll results shows she has a realistic shot at winning the Labor stronghold seat.

“Those numbers are very encouraging and put me within striking distance of winning the seat,” Ms Strelow said.

“I have been very encouraged again this morning (at pre-poll campaigning) as people are going past.

“I am hoping that some who are voting first for One Nation, Family First or the Greens will give me their number two vote.”

Despite the positive exit polling for Ms Kirkland, she said she was ‘not concerned’ by the early vote.

She said she was concerned about the numbers when it came to ambulance ramping at Rockhampton Hospital (48 per cent), the public housing wait list and the number of victims of crimes across the state.

The businesswoman and former Rockhampton Region councillor of four years said even though she led the exit poll results the numbers showed there was still much work to be done.

LNP candidate for Rockhampton Donna Kirkland and LNP leader David Crisafulli.

“We’re still the underdogs, make no mistake,” she said.

“There’s 113 years of Labor in Rockhampton on the northside, 53 years of Labor on the south side, so that’s over 100 years of Labor representation (for Rockhampton).

“People want a fresh start. I’m talking to people at the booths and it’s still neck and neck.

“There is a couple of weeks to go and I’m working hard to see it through.”

Ms Kirkland believes that Rockhampton is “in a state of crisis when it comes to cost-of-living, housing availability and affordability”.

She said crime was the number one election issue raised by people as she canvassed the community.

“I’ve been out there for over 400 days now, phone polling, door knocking, thousands of people, in the shops as well and crime is the primary concern across the region.”

The LNP is preferencing One Nation numbers 2, Margaret Strelow number 3, Family First number 4,Legalise Cannabis Queensland number 5 and Labor number 6.

Premier Steven Miles visits Rockhampton with Labor candidate Craig Marshall and plays a bit of soccer with the kids. Pics Adam Head

Mr Marshall said he wasn’t reading anything into the exit poll results.

“The only poll that matters is on election day,” he said.

“I’ve spoken to thousands of local residents and the feeling I’m getting is a very positive one.”

He said cost of living was the biggest election concern for residents.

“It’s 100 per cent the number one issue that has been raised with us,” he said.

He says Ms Strelow and Ms Kirkland’s higher public profiles put him at a disadvantage in that area at the start of the campaign.

“Even if I don’t get in this time I know I’ve already made a positive impact on the community with some of the stuff that I’ve achieved helping people out (while door knocking). ”That’s been really rewarding for me.“

Ms Strelow describes herself as a fighter who is “strong enough to stand up for Rockhampton without fear or favour”.

She quit the Labor Party seven years ago.

“Officially I left the Labor Party in 2017 but in reality the Labor Party left me,’’ Ms Strelow says in her election profile.

“My values haven’t changed, but the Labor Party no longer lives those values.

She argued Labor had not served Rockhampton well.

Rockhampton Labor Candidate Craig Marshall. Picture: Aden Stokes

“Loyalty has not earned us favour but patronising disinterest.

“And the pragmatic reality is that Rockhampton doesn’t vote LNP and at any rate we would be just swapping one party for another.”

Mr Marshall, the Labor candidate, is a healthcare worker, husband and father with over 10 years of experience working with, and caring for, children at risk in the Rockhampton community.

Mr Marshall has lived, worked and raised a family in Rockhampton over the past 30 years.

Working in the healthcare sector for nearly 18 years, he says has seen first-hand the benefit of a Labor Government in hospitals.

He has also spent time working as a contractor at various mine sites throughout Central Queensland.

He says he will “stand for good quality healthcare, great local schools, safe and secure housing, and a fair go for local families.”

One Nation candidate David Bond spent time working as an aircraft technician for the British Army.

Rockhampton One Nation candidate speaks out after Premier Steven Miles fails to show to make an education announcement, set to benefit the Gracemere community.

Since coming to Australia he has managed several businesses including a successful pest control company.

Green Party candidate for Rockhampton seat Mick Jones was born and raised in Mount Isa prior to his move to Rockhampton.

Fredy Johnson in running for Family First. He was born and raised in India and also lived in New Zealand assisting with youth programs through Youth With A Mission.

He believes “strong families, freedom for faith, and protecting the most vulnerable are critical for the future of our community our state and our nation.”