State election 2020: Inside story of LNP members furious over poll loss
“You took us backwards,” an ardent LNP supporter shouted as Deb Frecklington appeared on screens to concede. This is the moment voters decided they had enough.
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IT’S 9.25pm at Hope Island’s Boardwalk Tavern and the mood is turning sour at the post-election party of David Crisafulli.
Pizzas are out on wooden platters, sushi is sitting untouched but the beer is flowing freely as polling results flood in, spelling yet another conservatives electoral defeat.
The trademark blue shirts of the LNP are everywhere as the party faithful kicked back and enjoyed a drink after a hard day on the hustings.
Results are not going their way, with Annastacia Palaszczuk’s Government on the way to re-election with a surprise increased majority.
Mr Crisafulli is shaking hands, thanking supporters and keeping spirits up as he takes call after call, ducking into a back corner near the bar where more than 20 blue and gold balloons are tucked away ready to be released to celebrate a new government.
The moment never comes.
Two big-screen TVs bring bad news, including fears up to four Gold Coast seats could be in play, jeopardising futures of rookie Currumbin MP Laura Gerber and veterans Michael Crandon, Michael Hart and Mark Boothman. Some volunteers are privately delighted.
“We’ve got too much dead wood, maybe this is what we need to finally get some generational change,” one said watching the results. “We can’t keep doing the same thing over and over again.”
It’s a bittersweet night, with joy at Mr Crisafulli’s strong personal vote but despair at the party’s third straight loss.
An hour later as leader Deb Frecklington appears on screens to concede, the frustration finally tips over.
“You took us backwards,” one party supporter heckles.
Mr Crisafulli doesn’t look up as keeps his eyes glued on his phone and the future.
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