Political sources tip November 25 as date Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will go to polls

QUEENSLANDERS and Gold Coasters could go to the State election polls late November, political sources say after a shock Labor councillor’s resignation.

LATE November is the likely date Queenslanders and Gold Coasters will go to the polls, with a Brisbane city councillor’s shock resignation a State election signal, top political sources say.

Labor’s Shayne Sutton today announced her intention to resign as councillor for Morningside but would stay in the role until a State election was called.

The resignation of Labor Brisbane City councillor Shayne Sutton is a signal Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk could to go to the polls late November, some top political sources believe. Picture: Richard Walker

Political sources from both sides of the fence have told the Bulletin her resignation is a signal the Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk could call a late November State election, possibly for November 25.

One source said: “That would be a very smart conclusion to draw.

“That is the thing that gives the Premier a trigger to call a State election by late November. “Everyone is now saying that is the only time — you have to do it before school holidays because otherwise everyone buggers off.”

It is understood Premier Palaszczuk was planning call an election for late February after a lacklustre fortnight in Parliament and a disappointing recent poll result.

But it is understood party strategists are now keen to go earlier to prevent the LNP from building up a campaign war chest in the coming months.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. (AAP Image/Jono Searle)

Labor Party officials are also concerned about inherent risks attached to a 2018 election, most notably the prospect of power shortages over the summer months.

A Gold Coast political source said signs were pointing to a late November election date.

“She is clearing the decks and the smart money is this will be the last sitting of Parliament.”

A senior LNP figure told the Bulletin the party was on a “war footing” ready for an imminent visit by the Premier to the State Governor by the end of this week.

In a curiously worded response to the speculation, a State Government spokesperson told the Bulletin: “The third anniversary of the 2015 election is next year.

“When the election is called, the Premier will not be citing Shayne Sutton's retirement as the councillor for Morningside in her decision for 4.9 million Queenslanders.”