Currumbin Election 2020: Race heats up between Kaylee Campradt, Laura Gerber

Candidates in the Currumbin by-election face a nervous wait, with new figures this morning suggesting the LNP are in trouble. But the final result remains too close to call.

CANDIDATES in the Currumbin by-election face a nervous wait, with new figures this morning suggesting the LNP are in trouble but the final result still too close to call.

Latest figures released by the Electoral Commission this morning show, with 37% of the vote counted, the LNP’s Laura Gerber leading with 42.28% versus 39.36% for Labor’s Kaylee Campradt.

However there has also been a strong vote for Greens candidate Sally Spain, who is on 11.73%. Her preferences would be expected to flow strongly to Ms Campradt.

One Nation candidate Bettany Nicholls sits on 6.62%.

Labor Currumbin candidate Kaylee Campradt pictured at Elanora Community Centre. Picture: Nigel Hallett.

LNP's Laura Gerber. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Speaking yesterday, Ms Campradt said she had approached the campaign as “an underdog” and was pleased to see the race become so close.

“We think we’ve run a really hard, clean campaign and that was our goal,” she said.

“I just think we’ve done everything that we can, we’ve got nothing left in the tank and (now it’s) que sera, sera.

“Because we came from so far behind, the fact that it’s going to be so close is really positive.”

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Laura Gerber said she “was not focused on the polls” when asked yesterday if she believed the numbers had swung in her favour.

“I’m focused on the issues,” she said, after casting her vote in Elanora yesterday morning.

“It is a bit strange (seeing no volunteers or staff at the polls) and it’s surreal even talking about it while we’re in the midst of this health crisis.”

Signage from the LNP outside Currumbin polling booths. Photo: Paul Weston

It comes after LNP signage at polls and on billboards across the city accused Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk of being “weak” and referred to Jackie Trad as “dodgy Jackie”.

Signage for Ms Campradt in the same locations promised to “protect the village” atmosphere of the Currumbin area, while Ms Gerber promised to create jobs and crack down on crime.