Remember when: Federal MP Eric Robinson called for new state election before Double-D poll

ERIC Robinson, the Liberal Member for McPherson called for an early state election.

Gold Coast History: Gold Coast Bulletin 1974, August 29. Front page.

Gold Coast Bulletin, Thursday August 29, 1974

ERIC Robinson, the Liberal Member for McPherson called for an early state election.

Mr Robinson, who was state president of the Liberal Party for five years until his successful entry into federal politics said an early election was both desirable and justified.

“My own personal assessment is that the present Queensland Liberal-National government will be returned with a substantially increased majority,” Mr Robinson said.

“Seats will be won from Labor right throughout the state including Albert.

Mr Robinson was addressing the annual meeting of the Surfers Paradise branch of the Liberal Party.

Surfers Paradise was the largest branch in the state.

Mr Robinson had attended Liberal Party state campaign talks earlier that week.

He told Surfers Paradise branch members: “There is a degree of instability at the national level causing concern to us all”

“We have consistently seen a Prime Minister faced with a divided cabinet and mutinous caucus.

Gold Coast Bulletin 1974, August 29. Front page.

“We have consistently heard speculation of another double dissolution and the possibility of an early federal election.

The Bjelke-Petersen Government was re-elected in 1974, seizing the Gold Coast seat of Albert from Labor, something it did not regain until 1989.

The federal Whitlam Labor Government also held a double dissolution election which it won.

Mr Robinson got his wish — the conservative government would remain in power for a further 15 years.

But he did not live long enough to see them\removed from office by voters in 1989 — Mr Robinson died in office in 1981.