LNP claims victory in by-election of safe seat Groom

A small swing to Labor was not enough to wrest the safe Queensland seat of Groom from the LNP, which has held it since 1984.

The Liberal National Party has easily won a by-election in the safe federal Queensland seat of Groom, with candidate Garth Hamilton declaring victory on Saturday night.

There was a 4 per cent swing to Labor in the two-party-preferred vote, but it was not enough to reverse the result, with Mr Hamilton capturing a solid 66.3 per cent.

Mr Hamilton, a mining engineer, said he would focus on inland rail and water security from the outset, as well as working on the economic recovery from the pandemic.

He said the region’s agricultural, mining and transport industries presented big opportunities to build on.

Thanks to the people of Groom for supporting our @LNPQLD candidate Garth Hamilton so strongly today. As an engineer, I’m looking forward to having Garth’s practical problem solving experience on our team in Parliament. We’ve got a lot to work to do. See you in Canberra soon. pic.twitter.com/68ldbsuQ4d

— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) November 28, 2020

Groom, which encompasses the city of Toowoomba, has been held by the LNP since the seat was created in 1984.

The Labor candidate was Chris Meibusch, a lawyer who has represented community groups in the area and also pushed infrastructure as well as aged care in his election bid.

Neither the Greens nor One Nation fielded a candidate in the race.

Sustainable Australia received 8 per cent of the overall first preference vote and the Liberal Democrats secured 5.5 per cent.

The by-election was prompted by the resignation of John McVeigh, who stepped down from politics in September to care for his ill wife.

Originally published as LNP claims victory in by-election of safe seat Groom