Progressive, trendy, divided: CBD seat is up for grabs

When their LNP Member’s drag queen mates helped him out at the last federal election, voters were left scratching their heads. This time, the novelty of an openly gay MP might not be enough.

The federal seat of Brisbane is so progressive its openly gay LNP Member called on his drag queen mates to help him get the vote out at the last federal election.

And his Greens rival, former senator Andrew Bartlett, celebrated his third place at a Goth festival being held at a local pub on election night.

But this time around Trevor Evans’ credentials as an incumbent MP — who also happens to be the youngest person in the House of Representatives — might not be enough to retain his seat.

On paper, he has a comfortable 5 per cent margin, but Labor hardheads recently named Brisbane as a seat they think the party can win this time.

Trevor Evans (right) at an International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia rally. Picture: AAP/Dan Peled

Brisbane was one of only three Queensland seats to record a swing (-2 per cent) against the Government in the 2019 ScoMo-slide.

Labor’s biggest hurdle, however, won’t be beating Mr Evans, who has held on to the chameleon-like electorate since 2016.

ALP candidate Madonna Jarrett, a business professional who grew up with seven siblings in a worker’s cottage in Paddington when it was a rough and tumble ’burb, needs to stop the Greens leapfrogging over her.

Bartlett turned in a creditable 22 per cent of the primary vote last time, just shy of Labor’s 24 per cent, in a continuation of long-term gains the party has made in Brisbane at the ALP’s expense.

Aidan Borg-Smith says the Greens have his vote.

Thirty-year-old Aidan Borg-Smith is the sort of voter who could see Mr Evans replaced by Brisbane’s first Greens representative.

“I usually split my vote between Labor and the Greens. I think I will do the same again this time because I feel they are more in line with my ideals,’’ he said.

Climate change is a big issue for him and, as a renter, so is housing affordability.

“It a lot more tricky. If you want a house you need to get another job or a different (lower) lifestyle,’' he said.

He was unaware of Mr Evans, but said despite the MP’s youth and relatively progressive ideals he would not be voting LNP.

Libby Perkins was intrigued by an email from LDP candidate Campbell Newman, but says she will stick with Team Scomo.

Retiree Libby Perkins, 66, sits on the opposite end of the political park bench.

A lifelong voter, an email from Liberal Democrats candidate and former LNP Premier Campbell Newman did get her thinking about her options, however.

“He did some good and an awful lot of bad — I know quite a few people who were laid off because of him,’’ she said.

“But ScoMo hasn’t lost my confidence and I don’t like Albanese at all — he doesn’t stand up for himself.

Hayden Lee's vote will be decided by mandatory vaccination after he lost his resources job.

There is one issue towering over all others for mines worker Hayden Lee — mandatory vaccination.

He lost his job because of it and is furious with both major parties as a result.

“I went through all my savings and have only just got a new job,’’ Mr Lee said.

“If people had been given more options it would have been different.’’