LNP MP for Petrie Luke Howarth ‘humbled’ by huge amount of support

Last Federal Election the LNP won the southeast Queensland seat of Petrie with a swing of 1.12 per cent — this time around the same politician has retained the seat with a swing of almost 6 per cent.

Federal LNP MP for Petrie Luke Howarth is back in the office after re-claiming the seat of Petrie in the 2019 Federal Election. Photo Erin Smith

Last Federal Election the LNP won the southeast Queensland seat of Petrie with a swing of 1.12 per cent — this time around the same politician has retained the seat with a swing of almost 6 per cent.

Federal LNP MP for Petrie Luke Howarth said he was “humbled” by the support.

“It was not just Redcliffe, we won booths we had never won before,” Mr Howarth said.

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On the two-party preferred Mr Howarth collected 57.61 per cent of the votes, leaving Labor candidate Corinne Mulholland with 42.39 per cent.

Mr Howarth said the huge swing was unexpected.

While not going as far as to say he thought he might lose the seat Mr Howarth did say he never “took his job for granted”.

Federal LNP MP for Petrie Luke Howarth at Mango Hill State school polling booth, on Saturday. Picture AAP/ David Clark

“I take this job and this seat on a term by term basis,” he said.

“In this seat you have to work hard all the time and I enjoy that.”

The LNP made several big promises to people in Petrie, including $10 million to upgrade the emergency department at Redcliffe Hospital, millions towards road upgrades, sport infrastructure and investment into schools.

ELECTION PROMISES FOR PETRIE

Mr Howarth said many of these projects relied on the State Government and Moreton Bay Regional Council to either contribute the remainder of funding or to commission the works.

He said he was happy to work with both levels of government to ensure these promised projects were completed.

Mr Howarth said he planned to continue running his job seeker boot camps in a bid to reduce the unemployment rate across the electorate.

During the campaign Mr Howarth also promised to help save the North Lakes Golf Course — which is at risk of being developed into a retirement village.

Mr Howarth said he would continue this work and would also be asking Moreton Bay Regional Council to vote down and change of use application lodged for the site.