Queensland Election results 2017: Labor seeing red on the Glitter Strip

LABOR’S Gold Coast glory days when it held a “sixpack” of Glitter Strip seats are long gone, but the celebratory beers could again flow as it pulled off a bold grab for two key coast electorates.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Pallszczuk with Labor candidate for Bonney, Rowan Holzberger, at the Arundel State School voting booth. Picture: Jerad Williams

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LABOR’S Gold Coast glory days when it held a “sixpack” of Glitter Strip seats are long gone, but the celebratory beers could again be flowing as the party makes a bold grab for two key coast electorates.

In a battle which could help decide whether Annastacia Palaszczuk or Tim Nicholls rules Queensland, Labor was last night in an arm-wrestle with the LNP for the new seat of Bonney and another northern Gold Coast seat, Gaven.

Both marginal seats have been heavily targeted by the rival major parties in what was expected to be a cliffhanger contest.

Labor has no Gold Coast seats, despite delivering the Coast the Commonwealth Games and major infrastructure like the light-rail, and despite the savage anti-Campbell Newman backlash at the last election.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Pallszczuk with Labor candidate for Bonney, Rowan Holzberger, at the Arundel State School voting booth. Picture: Jerad Williams

With power potentially hinging on the outcome in Bonney, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk began election day in the pivotal Coast seat, joining ALP candidate Rowan Holzberger at the Arundel State School polling booth to make a final pitch for votes.

Ms Palaszczuk even made one last campaign announcement – revealing Stage 2 of the light-rail, due to open in January, would be up and running before Christmas.

Gold Coast meter maids Felicia Aden and Camille Shakespeare cast a vote at Surfers Paradise State School. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“I’ve always said the Gold Coast is critical,” the Premier said.

“We have the Commonwealth Games coming here next year. I’m really excited about that. Yesterday, I just hopped on the second stage of light rail.”

In Gaven, sitting LNP MP Sid Cramp was locked in a fierce fight with young Labor lawyer Meaghan Scanlon.

Mr Cramp was almost disendorsed by the LNP over an ugly stoush with his neighbours which was captured on camera.

Former Newman Government Minister David Crisafulli was expected to comfortably hold the seat for the LNP. In Currumbin, veteran LNP member Jann Stuckey was facing a tough challenge from Labor’s Georgi Leader who ran a strong campaign.

Originally published as Queensland Election results 2017: Labor seeing red on the Glitter Strip