Super majority of Gold Coast councillors back light rail being built on coastal route south to Coolangatta
A plan is in the works to prevent the resumption of homes along the contentious light rail route in the south of the city. DETAILS
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The traffic solution for light rail going through Palm Beach could be to reduce the tram system to one line instead of two or remove some street side parking.
Potential engineering changes for the stage four section of the planned coastal track from Burleigh to Coolangatta were revealed for the first time after a super majority of councillors backed funding for a business case study.
Only Palm Beach-based Councillor Daphne McDonald and veteran Councillor Bob La Castra opposed the move, citing concerns about community support and viewing other public transport options as being better alternatives.
Cr McDonald told councillors the light rail in stage four going through Palm Beach would “destroy a community”.
COUNCIL STUDY SHOWS MOST RESIDENTS BACK LIGHT RAIL
But Mayor Tom Tate was strongly backed by Hermann Vorster, Gail O’Neill, Pauline Young and Darren Taylor who spoke out in support for the coastal tram route.
Asked if it was possible to keep the existing two lanes of traffic on both sides of the Gold Coast Highway, Mayor Tom Tate told the Bulletin: “That’s to be discussed this afternoon.
“I’ve had a good look at it. I guarantee you we will have two lanes each side,” he said.
Mr Tate said he had spoken to Transport Minister Mark Bailey on Tuesday and he had agreed about starting the business case early. It would take three years.
Mr Tate rejected that large numbers of property resumptions would need to occur.
“I want a solution with minimal resumptions,” he said.
“There should be hardly any. I would rather have one lane light rail, while they wait as the other one (tram) goes past, than resume anyone’s home.”
Asked if some parking lanes could be sacrificed, Mr Tate replied: “Yeah, I think you have to accept your priorities, parking or traffic flow.
“I always go for traffic flow first,” he said.
Mr Tate told councillors design work for tram bridge crossings at the Tallebudgera and Currumbin creeks would be technical and “we have to start that as soon as we can”.
Councillors had been asked to back a recommendation where the city reaffirms its commitment to light rail stage four to Coolangatta along the highway and reaching the airport “supporting a design outcome that maximises traffic lanes”.
Council would make $7.5 million available in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 budgets to contribute to a detailed business case “in equal share with the state government”.
The aim was to complete the business case allowing for “the earliest possible start of construction of the next stage”.
Stage four would follow on once stage three from Broadbeach to Burleigh was completed 2025.
Super majority back light rail on coastal route
Earlier: A super majority of councillors have backed light rail being built on a coastal route to Coolangatta.
Only Councillor Daphne McDonald and Cr Bob La Castra at a full council meeting on Tuesday opposed the move.
Cr McDonald has had concerns about surveying and the level of support, while Cr Bob La Castra supports alternative public transport systems.
Councillors were asked to back a recommendation where the city reaffirms its commitment to light rail stage four to Coolangatta along the highway and reaching the airport “supporting a design outcome that maximises traffic lanes”.
LIGHT RAIL: WHAT RESIDENTS THINK OF THE PROJECT
Council would make $7.5 million available in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 budgets to contribute to a detailed business case “in equal share with the State Government”.
The aim was to complete the business case allowing for “the earliest possible start of construction of the next stage”.
Cr Hermann Vorster along with councillors Darren Taylor, Gail O’Neill and Pauline Young spoke in support of light rail.
Transport directors said the coastal route was the best option.
In an earlier announcement, Gold Coasters will have a chance to put forward their “legacy wish list’’ from the 2032 Olympics as the city moves fast to gain benefits from Queensland’s biggest ever event.
Mayor Tom Tate on Tuesday at a full council meeting confirmed council will explore what “post-Games legacy can be achieved for the coast’’.
“We know how to have long term legacy especially through the Commonwealth Games. We’re not on first base, we’ve had a home run,” he told councillors.
“In December this year, a wide-ranging 2032 Legacy Strategy will go to public consultation. As a city, we have a chance to add to that legacy list. I have advised all councillors a workshop on our legacy opportunities will be held before June 30.
TOWERS ON THE LIGHT RAIL ROUTE
“This workshop will give every councillor the opportunity to detail what they want to see as legacy outcomes from the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics.”
Mr Tate urged residents to contact their divisional councillors with their post-2032 legacy wishlist “well before the June workshop.’’
Super vote on light rail through Palm Beach
Earlier: Mayor Tom Tate predicts today’s vote on reaffirming council support for light rail through Palm Beach will be a super majority by councillors.
“I would be surprised if not by at least 14-1, so it will be a super majority. After talking to some councillors, everyone is keen to have the project in time to start shortly after stage 3 is completed,” Mr Tate said.
Only Palm Beach-based councillor Daphne McDonald, at the full council meeting which starts at the Evandale Chambers at 10am, is expected to oppose the move.
Mr Tate believes the vote in three Palm Beach booths at the weekend’s federal poll shows the community wants light rail along the coastal route.
The swing against McPherson MP Karen Andrews was 5.97 per cent in Palm Beach south, 5.5 per cent in Palm Beach and 2.97 per cent in Palm Beach south
Ms Andrews did a policy backflip on election eve, and despite support for the coastal route by three tiers of government, opposed it joining protest groups.
“So the member of McPherson waking up the day after the election, she probably felt like she had been hit by a tram,” Mr Tate said.
Save Our Southern Gold Coast leader Kath Down, on the eve of the council vote, has urged councillors to have a rethink about public transport options.
Ms Down said heavy rail should be completed from Varsity to the airport, and a fleet of high service “zero emission buses” created.
“We are dismayed that the Government’s fixation on the $2.5 billion GCLR4 will result in a huge opportunity cost for the residents of the northern Gold Coast, Robina and other areas,” she said.
“They are being denied access to better, urgently needed public transport because GCLR4 will consume the finite funds available for the foreseeable future.
“We consider that a strategic rethink coupled with a reallocation of available transport funds will produce a far better outcome across the entire Gold Coast.”
Tate turns up the pressure
May 23: Mayor Tom Tate has turned up the pressure on the Gold Coast’s re-elected federal LNP MPs demanding they fight for $5 billion worth of major projects from the Opposition benches.
Mr Tate on Monday after the election wash-up which saw large swings against the Liberals offered some key advice to Fadden’s Stuart Robert, McPherson’s Karen Andrews, Moncrieff’s Angie Bell and Forde’s Bert van Manen.
He said it was now “their collective role and responsibility to fight for our city in Canberra’’.
“The federal election was brutal for some sitting MPs, both Labor and Liberal, but the overarching message I got from the poll was that local issues matter,’’ he said.
“I will approach the federal Labor government with the same diplomacy we apply to discussions with state Labor.
“Given the re-election of all five Federal LNP members in the city, residents will want to see them fighting for funding on key city-changing projects.
“This council has listed our three priorities from a federal perspective – light rail stage 4 all the way to the airport and Coolangatta, federal financial support for the final stage of our HOTA precinct and federal funding towards our 220-hectare Green Heart parklands.”
Mr Tate said he would write to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese regarding these projects. Council was unable to get commitments from any of the major parties prior to the poll.
“These projects aside, our council will remain focused on what matters to coast residents – cost-of-living and protecting our lifestyle,” Mr Tate said.
The Mayor said the city’s budget, due to be delivered on June 14, was being finalised and he was determined to keep any rate increase at, or below, CPI.
“We have achieved that for the past 10 years. It would be a challenge for any other council in Australia to match that record,” he said.
“Tomorrow’s full council (meeting) will debate the need for specific funding on the Stage 4 light rail business case.
“We want to partner with the state to re-examine the entire Stage 4 coastal route but with a key focus on the section through Palm Beach. My aim is to retain four vehicle lanes and still have light rail run down the centre corridor.
“I believe that can be achieved. The aim is to be shovel-ready in time for the completion of stage three in 2025.’’
‘Every confidence’: What Albanese will do for light rail
Earlier: Anthony Albanese will be Australia’s next prime minister after a swing against the liberals saw Scott Morrison’s government lose seats across the nation.
Incumbent MPs were returned on the Gold Coast – however all of them saw their votes decline.
Our reporters and photographers have been on the ground all weekend, covering all things election-related.
Follow our updates below.
SUNDAY, 6PM: WHAT ELECTION MEANS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE
City leaders say they have renewed confidence that almost $5bn worth of major infrastructure projects on the Gold Coast will forge ahead under the incoming Albanese Government.
Business and civic powerbrokers have welcomed the change of federal government as a new day for the city and the chance to re-establish its relationship with Canberra.
Labor is poised to support extending the light rail south to the airport and the Coomera Connector project in what is seen as a massive political win. Despite holding all seats in the region, the Coast’s relationship with the outgoing Morrison Government had become troubled in recent months.
The city missed out on a $1.8bn funding deal for southeast Queensland which excluded any local projects while McPherson MP Karen Andrews told her own government just two weeks before polling day to reject funding the proposal to run along the Gold Coast Highway through Palm Beach.
Federal funding for the Coomera Connector was also called into question by the state government.
While Labor failed to secure any new seats in the lower house, the Gold Coast is still expected to be represented at the Cabinet table with Southport-based Senator Murray Watt on track to stay on the ALP frontbench in the move from Opposition to government.
Senator Watt said on Sunday that federal Labor had “a strong track record of supporting infrastructure projects on the Gold Coast”.
“I am sure this will continue under the Albanese Labor Government,” he said.
Mayor Tom Tate has welcomed Anthony Albanese’s rise to the prime ministership as a win for the city.
Cr Tate, a LNP life member, said he expected his relationship with the new federal government to be unchanged from that of the outgoing one.
He said it would mean the light rail would go ahead.
“I have every confidence the new Labor federal government will back Stage 4 of light rail. I hope council on Tuesday votes to support funding for a detailed stage 4 business case so we can partner with the State to re-examine the section through Palm Beach,” he said.
“My aim is to retain four vehicle lanes and still have light rail run down the centre corridor.
“My working relationship with federal Labor will be exactly the same as with the former federal government. Diplomacy will be key.”
Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce president Martin Hall said the first change of government after nearly a decade marked a time of renewal for the city but urged Labor to consult closely with the business community.
“It will be good to see if the election promises are supported and the shackles take off these major projects which we need more than ever,” he said.
“Growing inflation and a rise in the minimum wage will hurt some businesses but as long as we get measured consultation then we will be able to work together.”
In a weekend of high drama, the Gold Coast’s three LNP MPs were all re-elected to their normally safe seats despite suffering swings against them on both primary and two-party preferred votes.
* In Fadden, Employment Minister Stuart Robert withstood a 6 per cent swing to Labor.
* Angie Bell hung on to her ultra-safe Liberal seat of Moncrieff, securing more than 60 per cent of the vote despite a 5 per cent swing against her.
* Ms Andrews was re-elected to the southern Gold Coast seat of McPherson on the back of a 3.35 per cent swing against her as an anti-light rail campaign failed to resonate.
Labor senses it is within “striking distance” of finally securing a federal Gold Coast seat if the new Albanese Government takes the right steps on climate change.
Senator Watt said the ALP was “encouraged” by some of the swings in Coast seats after the party vote dropped by up to eight per cent in the 2019 poll.
The ALP is now focused on the southern end of the Coast, given the growing Green vote, targeting McPherson at a federal level and Currumbin in future State polls.
Labor had hoped with this federal poll at best to win the seat of Forde in the north, or at least making it marginal again.
LNP MP Bert van Manen had a 7.1 per cent swing against him in the primary vote but Labor’s Rowan Holzberger also sustained a 1.43 per cent swing.
Labor was unable to make gains on voter dissatisfaction with the Morrison Government with those former LNP voters choosing the minor parties like One Nation and Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party.
“There was some encouraging swings towards Labor in some parts of the Gold Coast but clearly many Gold Coasters decided to go with minor parties,” Senator Watt said.
“There’s a message there for both the major parties that we have to reach out and demonstrate that we have the interests of Gold Coasters at heart.”
Labor made a gain in Fadden with a 1.12 per cent swing, was slightly down by 0.13 per cent in Moncrieff and again had a small swing against the party of 0.63 per cent in McPherson.
Senator Watt believes the strong Green vote in the south on the Coast could help Labor gain more State seats other than Gaven held Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon.
“The recent State and federal results show there is a growing environmental vote on the southern end of the Gold Coast,” he said.
“Labor will now have the opportunity to show that we have a strong position on climate change and the environment. That should benefit us at the State level as well.”
Senator Watt was buoyed by the result for Labor in Forde where the party stood Mr Holzberger, a renowned doorknocker and hard worker, because it puts the seat within reach.
“With Forde, our vote has recovered from the wipe-out we had in 2019. And this result puts us within striking distance for the next federal election,” he said.
Senator Watt said an analysis of the result in McPherson showed Labor’s vote remaining the same with the LNP voters turning against the Morrison Government and their MP Karen Andrews voting with the Greens.
“I think that the big message from the election is the LNP has paid a price for its inaction on climate change. If you look at the seats they lost around the country, whether it be to us or the teals, it’s been in areas where climate change is a big issue. You could link that into McPherson and rise of the Greens,” he said.
11.35AM: ANDREWS DOESN’T RULE OUT LEADERSHIP TILT
OUTGOING Morrison Government MP Karen Andrews has refused to rule out a tilt at replacing Scott Morrison as Liberal Party leader as the Coalition grapples with its fall from power.
Ms Andrews said the result of Saturday night’s election was “devastating” and admitted there were lessons to be learned, including the need for the Liberal Party to return to its traditional values.
“The election result was very disappointing for us as a party but this is an opportunity for us to look at the needs of Australians and what their expectations are from politicians and their expectations of the Coalition government,” she said.
“The political landscape has changed overnight but I am confident we have worked hard in the best interests of all Australians.
“We need to go back to the values of the Liberal Party … we need to go back and look at our values and make sure we are properly representing them.”
Outgoing Defence Minister Peter Dutton is considered a front runner for the Liberal leadership but is yet to declare his candidacy.
Ms Andrews refused to rule out running for a leadership post.
“It is way too early at this stage to even have a discussion about leadership,” she said.
“At some point the Liberal party room will meet to decide a new leader but that is not a discussion for today.
“I will not enter into a discussion about the leadership of the Liberal Party.”
Ms Andrews refused to be drawn on what specifically went wrong for the Morrison Government after nine years in power.
– Andrew Potts
9AM: TATE WELCOMES CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT
GOLD Coast Mayor Tom Tate has welcomed Anthony Albanese’s rise to the prime ministership as a win for the city.
Cr Tate, a LNP life member, said he expected his relationship with the new federal government to be unchanged from that of the outgoing one.
He said it would mean the light rail would go ahead.
“I have every confidence the new Labor Federal Government will back stage 4 of light rail. I hope council on Tuesday votes to support funding for a detailed stage 4 business case so we can partner with the State to re-examine the section through Palm Beach,” he said.
“My aim is to retain four vehicle lanes and still have light rail run down the centre corridor.
“My working relationship with federal Labor will be exactly the same as with the former federal government. Diplomacy will be key.”
Cr Tate’s relationship with the Morrison Government turned sour in recent months over its lack of support for critical Gold Coast projects.
It descended into open warfare last week after McPherson MP Karen Andrews told her own government to reject funding the proposal to run along the Gold Coast Highway through Palm Beach.
Her stance outraged both the state government and Gold Coast City Council.
Cr Tate said the triumph of Labor, the greens and teal independents showed the importance of local issues.
“Elections are the ultimate litmus test for any political party or independent,” he said.
“Both major parties suffered losses to their primary vote with the so-called teal and independent candidates gaining momentum. Equally, the greens polled well in a suite of seats across Australia.
“What I take from the election is that local issues matter and the teals and independents really honed in on their local electorate issues and voters responded.”
– Andrew Potts
SATURDAY
9.28PM: KARENS ANDREWS COULD SEE MARGIN HALVED, SOURCES SAY
Karen Andrews could see her margin halved by a massive swing towards the Greens in her McPherson electorate, political sources say.
Scrutineers say the Home Affairs Minister is facing a swing against her of more than 9 per cent.
The Greens vote has seen a surge in McPherson, where candidate Scott Turner holds onto 17.3 per cent of the preferential vote as of 9pm on election night.
Ms Andrews is predicted to retain her seat, however sources have told the Bulletin her margin could drop to just 6 per cent.
She has held the electorate since 2010. If correct the shift could see it change from a secure LNP seat to a marginal seat at the next election.
The Labor Party on its primary count has its vote down by 1.4 per cent.
Labor’s McPherson candidate Dr Carl Ungerer has 39.7 per cent of the two-party preferred count at 9pm on election night.
Celebrating the end of the campaign with supporters in Tugun, Dr Ungerer told the Bulletin: “The tide has gone out on the LNP on the Gold Coast.
“There was a real sense in this election nationally of a move away from the majors, people are disillusioned.
“Climate conscious people are looking for governments to do much better, and they’re walking away from the LNP in droves.
“They want Labor to do better and if Labor does form government tomorrow they’re going to have to be much more conscious of how green preferences and interests must be incorporated into national policy and decision making.
“I think we’ve got to be better at articulating Labor’s climate policy agenda because there were some really forward leaning policies in there that were sensible for the economy, that grew jobs, that could make Australia a renewable energy superpower.
“If Labor forms government people will start to see what a Labor government can do across all of these climate policies.
“Ultimately that will help bring back some of that primary vote to Labor.”
– Brianna Morris-Grant
8.56PM: ROBERT: ‘EXTRAORDINARY TIMES – SWING AGAINST BOTH BIG PARTIES’
THE Gold Coast’s incumbent LNP MPs have all retained their seats despite swings of more than five per cent against them.
Senior Morrison Government ministers Karen Andrews and Stuart Robert, and first-term LNP backbencher Angie Bell were all ahead on a primary and two-party preferred basis at deadline last night.
The swing was consistent during early stages of the vote count and as high as almost eight per cent.
Mr Robert, a close personal friend of Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he did not believe the next government would be known on Saturday night and slammed the result of polling which he insisted had wrongly shown Labor to be ahead nationally.
“We will not get a result on government tonight,” he said.
“We are living in extraordinary times. Who would have thought there would be a swing against the government and Labor in the same breath.
“It shows how awfully bad the polling is. This may be the greatest failure of polling we have seen in some time.”
In the southern Gold Coast seat of McPherson, Mrs Andrews had a swing of more than five per cent against her on primary votes on the back of a controversial campaign when she spoke out against the extension of the light rail to the airport via Palm Beach.
The other trend is the minor parties, particularly the Greens, are picking up the swing vote rather than Labor.
In Moncrieff, Ms Bell faced a swing against her of 7.88 per cent.
Mr Robert, the Employment Minister, in Fadden has his vote down by 7.52 per cent
In Forde in the north, the LNP’s Bert van Manen’s primary vote is down by 7.51 per cent.
But Labor’s Rowan Holzberger’s vote for the ALP is also down by 3.21 per cent.
The United Australia Party vote in Forde is up by more than five per cent.
The big shock performance so far by the minor parties is the Green vote in McPherson. Their candidate Scott Turner has 17.98 per cent of the vote, up by 5.45 per cent.
– Andrew Potts
8.39PM: ANTI-GOVERNMENT VOTE GOING TO GREENS RATHER THAN LABOR ON THE GOLD COAST
Labor on the Gold Coast appears to have failed to pick up votes after a major swing against the Morrison Government.
The ALP is doing much better than 2019 when the swing against the party reached eight per cent in some seats.
On results so far this evening, the swing against Labor ranges from 0.74 per cent in Fadden, 2.84 per cent in McPherson, 1.98 per cent in Moncrieff and 3.21 per cent in Forde, the region’s most marginal seat.
The big winners on the night so far are the Greens candidates.
In Moncrieff, the Greens vote is up by four per cent, and by 2.14 per cent in Fadden.
The stunning result is in McPherson where the Green vote is almost 18 per cent, up by 5.45 per cent.
Labor will benefit from the improved Green vote when preferences are counted.
– Paul Weston
8.05PM: REPORTS OF MASSIVE SWING AGAINST KAREN ANDREWS IN EARLY VOTE COUNT
Swing against LNP MP Karen Andrews could be as high as 9.6 per cent, political sources are saying.
The Bulletin have spoken to scrutineers who are saying there is an initial swing towards the Greens and other minor parties.
If the numbers are correct it will be the biggest swing against the LNP on the Gold Coast so far.
However the current vote count shows Ms Andrews is leading the race and will retain her seat.
The Labor Party on its primary count has its vote down by 1.4 per cent.
Just over 18 per cent of the vote had been counted as of 7.59pm on election night.
After more than 8700 votes were counted, the swing against the LNP is 9.2 per cent.
Ms Andrews has held the seat – considered a very safe LNP electorate – since 2010.
On a two-party preferred basis, the LNP vote is 60.8 per cent, down from 62 per cent in 2019.
– Brianna Morris-Grant
8.05PM: MORRISON GOVERNMENT MPS FACING SWING AGAINST THEM ON THE GOLD COAST
The federal blue political heartland of the Gold Coast is facing a sizeable swing against its longstanding Liberal MPs.
The swing is consistent at this early stage of the vote count and as high as almost 8 per cent. The other trend is the minor parties are picking up the vote rather than Labor.
The Greens with some fresh candidates have been standout performers in some electorates.
In Moncrieff, Angie Bell is facing a swing against her of 7.88 per cent. Stuart Robert in Fadden has his vote down by 7.52 per cent and Karen Andrews in McPherson has lost at least 6.4 per cent of her margin.
In Forde in the north, the LNP’s Bert van Manen’s primary vote is down by 7.51 per cent. But Labor’s Rowan Holzberger’s vote for the ALP is down by 3.21 per cent.
The United Australia Party vote in Forde is up by more than five per cent.
The big shock performance so far by the minor parties is the Green vote in McPherson. Their candidate Scott Turner has 17.98 per cent of the vote, up by 5.45 per cent.
– Paul Weston
7.41PM: SPIRITS HIGH IN MONCRIEFF
SPIRITS are high for supporters of Moncrieff MP Angie Bell despite the incumbent weathering a near-10 per cent swing against her on primary vote.
Ms Bell is expected to secure a second term in the ultra-safe LNP-held seat.
Supporters are carefully watching returns come in, with Ms Bell topping more than 60 per cent of the two-party preferred results.
LNP supporters are carefully watching for any trends nationally as Ms Bell mingles with supporters.
– Andrew Potts
7.38PM: KAREN ANDREWS FACES SWING AGAINST HER IN VOTE FOR MCPHERSON
Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews on early figures is facing a swing against her in the vote in the southern Gold Coast electorate of McPherson.
Sources from both parties earlier today predicted a swing would be on.
After more than 8700 votes were counted, the swing against the LNP is 6.7 per cent.
Labor’s vote is up by 3.68 per cent for their candidate Carl Ungerer.
The United Australia Party vote is up by 4.9 per cent.
On a two-party preferred basis, the LNP vote is 56 per cent, down from 62 per cent in 2019.
The booth counts are real mix from Bonogin south to Currumbin and Burleigh.
– Paul Weston
7.31PM: STUART ROBERT FACES EARLY SWING IN VOTE AGAINST HIM
VETERAN Morrison Government Minister Stuart Robert is facing an early swing against him in his northern Gold Coast seat.
The LNP vote in Fadden is down by about seven per cent. Only 4967 votes have been counted. The booths are at Coombabah and Carrara.
The United Australia vote is up by 3.27 per cent and Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party up by 3.27 per cent.
On a two-party preferred basis, Mr Robert’s vote is 56 per cent, compared to 64 per cent in 2019. Fadden is a very safe government seat.
– Paul Weston
7.23PM: LNP FACING SWING AGAINST IT WEST OF GOLD COAST
Some early votes have arrived in the seat of Wright, which takes in some Gold Coast hinterland suburbs, west of the M1 stretching to Beaudesert. Sitting LNP MP Scott Buchholz is facing a swing of 2.14 per cent. Labor’s vote is up by almost two per cent. Only about 11,000 votes counted.
– Paul Weston
7.17PM: EARLY TALLIES
As of 7.17pm, there is:
2.6 per cent of votes counted in Moncrieff.
1.1 per cent of votes counted in McPherson.
1.7 per cent of votes counted in Fadden.
3.3 per cent of votes counted in Forde.
Forde remains the only Gold Coast electorate to have any official numbers released, showing a swing away from the LNP.
– Brianna Morris-Grant
7.02PM: FIRST RESULTS GOLD COAST SHOW SWINGS AGAINST BOTH MAJOR PARTIES
The first results are in for a Gold Coast federal seat which show a swing away from the Labor Party and the Liberals.
Only 232 votes have been counted in Forde, in a booth at Meadowbrook in Logan City.
LNP MP’s Bert van Manen’s vote is down 2.21 per cent.
Labor’s Rowan Holzberger’s vote at that booth is down for the ALP by 7.16 per cent.
The United Australia Party vote is up by 3.65 per cent.
Forde in the northern Gold Coast is the city’s most marginal seat held by Mr van Manen since 2010. He is considered to be on a safe margin of 8.6 per cent.
Labor was confident of winning the seat in 2019 with its candidate Des Hardman but suffered a shock 8 per cent swing. Traditional ALP voters turned against the party on the day.
On the 2019 results, on a two party preferred basis, the LNP secured 58.6 per cent of the vote, compared to Labor with 41.4 per cent,
Labor’s candidate for this poll, Rowan Holzberger, is confident of gaining a stronger vote having doorknocked numerous homes during the lead-up to pre-polling.
Labor strategists believe the seat is “in play” and at worst will become marginal again. Voters at pre-poll said they were voting for the minor parties.
– Paul Weston
6.17PM: COUNT UNDERWAY
Polls have officially closed and the count is now underway – watch this space for the latest numbers for the Gold Coast seats of Fadden, Moncrieff, McPherson and Forde.
5.12PM: LAST MINUTE VOTERS RUSH TO POLLS
Last minute Gold Coast voters are making a mad dash to the polls before they close at 6pm.
The Australian Electoral Commission will begin the official count at 6pm – though it’s unknown whether anyone will know the result tonight.
Almost 3 million people have voted via postal vote.
All votes cast today, as well as the majority of pre-poll votes, will be counted tonight. The vote count will stop at midnight.
Postal votes will not be counted tonight.
– Brianna Morris-Grant & Paul Weston
5.06PM: FINAL HOURS OF VOTING
LESS than an hour remains until polling booths close and counting begins for the 2022 federal election.
Booths across the city have been quiet throughout the day, with estimates that more than 50 per cent of people pre-polled or postal voted rather than wait until Election Day.
The Bulletin spoke with a number of booth workers across multiple parties who said that today had been quieter than most days of pre-poll voting.
“It’s got a totally different vibe from any other election I’ve worked but also 2009,” one told the Bulletin.
“The Labor and minor parties presence has been much bigger than past years while we have seen almost nothing from the Greens which is unusual.”
LNP strategist said the number of voters taking each party’s how to vote cards had been significantly lower than previous years.
“This will be quite a difference from previous years and will make it hard to predict how the preferences will flow on the night,” one told the Bulletin on condition of anonymity to speak on campaign matters.
“This hasn’t just been specific to the Gold Coast, we are seeing it in seats all over Queensland today.
“We are expecting to take a hit in McPherson tonight but it is hard to see any path to victory there for Labor.”
– Andrew Potts
4.53PM: MP WARNS ‘PEOPLE-SMUGGLERS’ TARGETING AUSTRALIA
Gold Coast MP Karen Andrews has taken to social media on election day to warn of “people-smugglers targeting Australia.
The McPherson MP wrote on Twitter: “Today, Operation Sovereign Borders intercepted a people smuggling vessel off Christmas Island.
“Labor’s flip flopping on border protection risks our border security. You can’t trust them.”
Her statement comes just under an hour before voting closes on election day.
People smugglers are targeting Australia. Today, Operation Sovereign Borders intercepted a people smuggling vessel off Christmas Island. Labor’s flip flopping on border protection risks our border security. You can’t trust them. https://t.co/5b8XL4wtXV
— Karen Andrews MP (@karenandrewsmp) May 21, 2022
Prime Minister Scott Morrison earlier today breached his own rule against commenting on “on-water matters” to confirm an asylum seeker boat from Sri Lanka had been intercepted.
Voters on the Gold Coast have also reported receiving last-minute text messages urging them to vote Liberal to “keep our borders secure”.
– Brianna Morris-Grant
3.57PM: LABOR BACKS PALM BEACH FOUR-LANE LIGHT RAIL ROUTE
Labor is backing a solution which will see four lanes retained when light rail goes through Palm Beach.
Meanwhile McPherson MP Karen Andrews, who opposes the coastal route, has welcomed talks to discuss changes in the planning.
The Bulletin revealed on Friday that council planners will work with state government transport experts to prevent traffic being reduced to one lane each way south of the Tallebudgera Creek Bridge.
It’s understood state and council will commit $10-15 million to probing how to pull off trams to the airport without highway lane reduction.
It comes after Mrs Andrews last week urged her government not to back the proposed $2.7bn coastal route.
Mrs Andrews said: “It’s great they are being flexible but Mark Bailey needs to make sure he is consulting with people down here on the southern Gold Coast.”
“I have spoken personally to mark bailey and his need to be here talk to people and that is a very important next step,” she told the Bulletin while speaking with voters at Palm Beach Share and Care Centre.
“There is no proposal from the state government for the federal government so now is the idea time to come to Palm Beach and listen to people.”
Dr Ungerer, who backs taking the light rail through Palm Beach, said he was pleased there was an alternative design.
“That is a fantastic outcome from the community because they were concerned that parts of the highway will be cut to one lane.
“This is a real win for the community.
Mrs Andrews spoke to media about an asylum seeker boat which was intercepted off Christmas Island.
– Andrew Potts
3.50PM: ‘HARD TO TELL’: MPS WEIGH IN ON VOTING DAY
Gaven Labor MP Meaghan Scanlon has spoken to Bulletin reporter Paul Weston outside a Gold Coast booth.
Ms Scanlon said it was “hard to tell” how people were voting.
“It’s a different feel to last time, I think we learned a lot from the last federal election,” she said.
“But there’s a lot of minor parties that are playing a stronger role so it’ll really be interesting to see how the preferences flow.
“There are a lot of people taking how to vote cards but they’re taking them from everyone.
“I think there’s a lot of people still feeling a bit of trauma from that last result so we’re hoping to see a better result this time.”
– Brianna Morris-Grant & Paul Weston
2.31PM: ANDREWS HOLDS PRESS CONFERENCE
Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews holding a presser on the #goldcoast. She says boats have been stopped attempting to come to Australia and raising the spectre of boat people coming to Australia @GCBulletinpic.twitter.com/MosC478ZGU
— Andrew Potts (@GCS_Pottsy) May 21, 2022
1.25PM: VOTES IN: AND THE WINNER OF THE GREAT DEMOCRACY SAUSAGE COOK-OFF IS?
So who has won the polling booth cook-off for the best democracy sausage?
If it is based on cooks and number of serves, Labrador State School in the city’s north deserves to win. Their parent volunteers brought in some pollie celebrity chefs.
Bonney MP Sam O’Connor taking a break from talking to voters told the Bulletin there had been a steady number of people waiting to enter both the booth and remaining to buy a snack. He even offered the Bulletin a free sample.
The verdict was go with his advice and take the onions and extra sauce. The cold rainy weather on federal poll day was a bonus for school charities after some coin.
“It’s very proudly one of the only booths around here where you can get a democracy sausage which is very important,” Mr O’Connor said.
He and area councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden were kept busy on the barbecue for the local parents and citizens group feeding a hungry line-up of parents and children waiting under a shade cloth area outside the booth protected from the rain.
“It’s the only one in my electorate. This is all for the Labrador State School. It’s normally a Labor booth but we have had pretty strong support (for the LNP) this morning,” Mr O’Connor said.
“There is a full array of parties here. There is solid support for us. It’s basically the same (as pre-poll).”
Mr O’Connor said there was no sense of negativity at the booth for the Morrison Government.
The area is changing with the school population reducing, families moving north as property prices increase.
“I don’t know if it will impact on the votes. People just want to get in and get the job done. There is not as many conversations as you normally have (due to the rain),” he said.
Mr O’Connor said Fadden MP Stuart Robert had his office in the suburb and enjoyed strong support.
“It felt pretty good on the pre-poll and around here. So I would be surprised if there any large swings (against him). We are getting the same reports from Runaway Bay (booth).”
– Paul Weston
12.23PM: ‘GOING TO BE CLOSER THAN WE THINK’: STATE MPS WEIGH IN ON ELECTION DAY
City MPs are sceptical whether we’ll know the election outcome before the end of the night.
State LNP MP Michael Hart told the Bulletin while he was “very confident” of a Liberal victory, Gold Coasters could be waiting days to know the final outcome.
“I’m not overly confident we’re going to see a result tonight,” he said.
“I think it may take a few days, I think it’s going to be closer than we think.
“I don’t trust polls, I think the only polling that counts is (election day).”
“There’s been a bit of mixed reaction but there’s definitely people taking everyone’s how to vote cards so it’s a bit hard to tell which way they’re going to vote.”
A long line was forming outside Palm Beach Currumbin State High, where Mr Hart said there had been a “steady” stream of people since the early morning.
A Labor volunteer on site said: “There’s been one anti-light rail person through but other than that it’s been pretty positive.”
– Brianna Morris-Grant
11.37AM: HOPING FOR A ‘MIRACLE’
Moncrieff MP Angie Bell is voting at Nerang PCYC this morning. She’s says she’s “confident†PM Scott Morrison can pull off a second “miracle†win @GCBulletinpic.twitter.com/3KQAhI3CLR
— Andrew Potts (@GCS_Pottsy) May 20, 2022
11.27AM: ‘AWESOME CREW’
Out and about. Awesome crew at Labrador.
— Letitia Del Fabbro - Labor for Fadden (@letitia4fadden) May 21, 2022
Cannot thanks my volunteers enough. It’s raining and very uncomfortable outside, but we’re doing it for democracy, for a better future.
Vote Labor. #IfNotNowWhen#MakeItCount#auspol#ausvotes#AlboForPM#GoldCoast#WeCare#ElectNursespic.twitter.com/ChShyGIJql
10.31: BELL CONFIDENT OF MORRISON SECOND MIRACLE
MONCRIEFF MP Angie Bell says she is “confident” Prime Minister Scott Morrison can pull off a second “miracle” election win tonight.
Ms Bell voted this morning at Nerang PCYC where there were few people in line because of the wet weather.
The first-term MP said she had received positive feedback from pre-poll and early visits to polling booths this morning.
“Fantastic, a very warm reception, so people have been coming out in droves,” she said.
“I am very confident that Moncrieff will get across the line and I am confident that Australians will vote for a stronger economy and stronger future for Scott Morrison.
“I am confident the prime minister will pull off a second miracle. Australians have watched him do a great job for our country.”
Meanwhile, voters have been lining up at polling booths across the city this morning, though booth workers have told the Bulletin that numbers are down significantly on previous years because of pre-polling.
LNP strategists are preparing for a long day after the final Newspoll of the election showed Labor in an election-winning position.
Speaking to the Bulletin on condition of anonymity, the LNP figures said they expected the party’s vote to take a hit in the Gold Coast seats.
– Andrew Potts
10.07AM: PM TARGETED IN SIGNAGE AT BOOTHS
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been the prime target in messaging from political opponents at the polling booths.
One Nation’s Pauline Hanson has not pulled any punches. Her “Don’t Risk Morrison” placard headline includes the quote “He is a bully”.
Labor’s Rowan Holzberger in Forde has his ute parked outside the main southern election booth at the Upper Coomera State College.
On the tray next to his corflute is another with a “grumpy” head shot of the PM which says “Don’t let him fail us again”.
But long standing LNP MP Bert van Manen has fired back with his spin on the campaign.
His signage include “It won’t be easy under Albanese” accusing Labor leader Anthony Albanese of “weak economy” and “weak leadership”.
Mr van Manen also promoted his wins on getting federal funding for “fixing the M1”.
– Paul Weston
9.36AM: CANDIDATES HAVE HAD A SLEEPLESS NIGHT
Candidates have had as little as an hour’s sleep as they face voters this morning in the federal poll.
Liberal Democrats Forde candidate Tobby Sutherland could be excused for falling asleep. Instead he was helping voters dodge the water on the footpaths outside the Upper Coomera State College booth after a downpour.
“I slept in my swag at Beenleigh Showgrounds this morning. Averaging four hours each night this week for all the pre-polling,” Mr Sutherland said. But he was grinning despite the conditions.
“We are doing really well at the pre-polling especially around Beenleigh, Slacks Creek. Things are looking really, really positive for me.”
Forde in the northern Gold Coast is the city’s most marginal seat held by the LNP’s Bert van Manen since 2010. He is considered to be on a safe margin of 8.6 per cent.
Labor was confident of winning the seat in 2019 with its candidate Des Hardman but suffered a shock 8 per cent swing. Traditional ALP voters turned against the party on the day.
Labor strategists believe the seat is “in play” and at worst will become marginal again. Voters at pre-poll said they were voting for the minor parties.
Mr van Manen made a brief appearance at the major booth early this morning.
But Mr Sutherland is buoyed by being put second on preferences from some of the other minor party candidates.
“LNP has got me number two as well. I don’t have all my booths covered today, there are three not covered this morning. But things are going really well for us,” he said.
– Paul Weston
9.26AM: LAST MINUTE TEXT CAMPAIGNS
Candidates are feeling the pressure on voting day as MPs push last minute promotions. Voters in MP Stuart Robert’s electorate of Fadden received a text message shortly after 9am.
The text was a stern reminder: “This election will be close. Your vote counts.”In uncertain times, don’t risk Labor.”
Vote 1 LNP for a strong economy and a stronger future.”
Fadden in the northern Coast which includes Hope Island through to Pimpama, has been held by Mr Robert since 2007.
The senior Liberal MP has a margin of 14.2 per cent, making it a very safe seat for the Morrison Government.
Mr Robert had a swing against him of 0.7 per cent at the 2019 poll. The ALP also lost votes, facing a swing of 3.5 per cent.
After preferences, on a two-party preferred basis, the LNP had 64.2 per cent of the vote at the last poll compared to 38.8 per cent for the ALP.
– Brianna Morris-Grant
8.53AM: HEAVY RAIN HITS BOOTHS
Heavy rain and biting cold haven’t been enough to deter voters and volunteers from polling booths in Moncrieff.
Lines were already forming outside Broadbeach State School just after 8am on voting day.
Volunteers were in high spirits despite voters ducking and diving to avoid torrents of rainwater falling off the top of campaign tents outside the school.
– Brianna Morris-Grant
7.41AM: RAIN TO COOL DOWN ANY HOT HEADS AT GOLD COAST BOOTHS
Volunteers are predicting peace on the polling booths after hours of setting up last night in the drenching rain.
A Labor volunteer at Pacific Pines at a booth just before polling started at 8am told the Bulletin: “I started at 5am but I did seven hours set up last night. That was at 4pm and ran through to 11pm.”
In electorates like Wright west of the Coast volunteers have to contend with more than 60 booths in all sorts of remote locations.
“It’s been really uncomfortably wet and we anticipate it’s not going to change for the entire time,” the volunteer said.
Labor believe they will be okay with booth volunteers but admit “it is always going to be a challenge” in the wet.
There was no arguments about position of corflutes by the volunteers. The LNP and Labor members arrived at first light.
“We are all very friendly. I think it’s the weather. We are all in the same position,” the Labor volunteer said.
“It’s good if you can start off friendly that has been the indication so far.”
– Paul Weston
brianna.morris-grant@news.com.au
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