State Election 2017: How election night unfolded on the Gold Coast as seats and fortunes changed

THE eyes of Queensland have turned to the Gold Coast as two critical seats hang in the balance. This is how Labor and the LNP saw their fortunes change.

ABOUT 100 people who had crammed into a small function room peppered with red balloons at the Parkwood Tavern on Saturday night had only one name on their lips.

“Meaghan, Meaghan, Meaghan,” they all chanted as the young lawyer and Labor candidate for Gaven, Meaghan Scanlon, stood to address them.

Meaghan Scanlon with her Mother Margaret Scanlon, brother Callum Scanlon and supporters at her election night party at Parkwood. Picture Mike Batterham

The joint Labor post-election day party for the Gaven and Bonney electorates was wild with jubilation.

Celebrations were made by not just the thought of Labor finally breaking the LNP’s “blue block” in Gaven but also by pulling making up enough ground in previously safe seats such as Burleigh and Theodore.

“It really shows people on the Gold Coast are sick and tired of wall to wall LNP,” Ms Scanlon told the crowd to cheers.

Kilometres away at the Nerang RSL the mood was grim.

Incumbent Gaven MP Sid Cramp was sitting in a small function room with his eyes glued on his smartphone, watching the latest results come in.

Sid Cramp watching the results roll in. Photo by Richard Gosling

Pausing briefly for hugs from family members and supporters, the shell-shocked MP kept his own counsel, walking the room and occasionally turning his eyes towards two televisions broadcasting live coverage.

Just before 9pm the mood lifted briefly as television political analysts turned to Gaven and declared Mr Cramp to be slightly ahead on the primary vote. A crowd of around 50 supports clapped.

Sid Cramp. Photo by Richard Gosling

The mood of young LNP colleague Sam O’Connor, in the neighbouring seat of Bonney, as more upbeat.

Knocking back half a glass of beer before a TV cross, Mr O’Connor responded positively to text messages showing voting trends.

About 80 “blue” volunteers erupted when Mr O’Connor told the assembled crowd at the

Sam O'Connor at his election night party at Labrador. Picture Mike Batterham

Labrador AFL Tigers Club he had taken the Labor-leaning booth of Labrador State School convincingly. Soon after, he reminded them it could take a few days before the result was known.

His Labor rival, Rowan Holzberger, quietly addressed the crowd back at Parkwood early in the night before slipping out.

Media were told he had just stepped away to gather his thoughts.

Mr Holzberger did not return and his mobile phone was turned off.

Queensland Election day. Labor candidate for Bonney, Rowan Holzberger. Picture: Jerad Williams