Labor candidate for Albert Melissa McMahon has conceded to the LNP, acknowledging she can’t win

LABOR has conceded in Albert acknowledging it cannot win the race for the northern Gold Coast seat as counting of votes continues today.

CMNEWS_Queensland Opposition Leader Anna Palaszczuk pictured her at a press conference this morning with nominated Labor candidates Criminal Lawyer Peter Russo, Skin Cancer Dr Anthony Lynham and Police Officer Melissa McMahon Tuesday April 15, 2014. Pictures: Jack Tran

LABOR has conceded in Albert acknowledging it cannot win the race for the northern Gold Coast seat as counting of votes continues today.

Sitting LNP MP Mark Boothman is set to be returned with one of the smallest margins across the city’s electorates.

Mr Boothman has about 51 per cent of the vote on a two party preferred basis.

The LNP will boast nine MPs on the Coast with only the seat of Gaven to be decided.

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Mark Boothman will retain the seat of Albert.

Labor’s Michael Riordan and the LNP’s Sid Cramp are waging a close battle as the counting of preferences and postal votes continues in Gaven.

Albert ALP candidate Melissa McMahon this morning advised her supporters and sent a message out on her Facebook site.

“Counting continues this afternoon of postal votes still coming in. However we are still a few hundred votes behind which will be difficult to bring in from postal votes, short of some electoral miracle,” Ms McMahon said.

“In order to return to work today I have placed a call through to the sitting member to provisionally concede Albert.

Labor candidate Melissa McMahon has conceded.

“I’d like to thank all my volunteers and supporters over the past eight months. We have been a small team and without the resources of the big campaigns but I am proud that we have made talking to people our primary focus over the past few months.”

Ms McMahon told the Bulletin it was important for her to return to work and restore normal family life after weeks of campaigning.

“I’d been happy if we have managed to pull a 10.4 to 10.5 per cent swing. It’s basically been myself and two others working in the past year. We didn’t have the resources of some of the other major campaign teams on the Coast,” she said.