Rankin: Chalmers firms for Treasury job after ‘collapse’ in LNP vote

Queenslander Jim Chalmers is set to become Australia’s second most powerful man – with arguably the toughest job – as treasurer in an Anthony Albanese government.

Queenslander Jim Chalmers is set to become Australia’s second most powerful man – with arguably the toughest job – as treasurer in an Anthony Albanese government.

Mr Chalmers will hold the nation’s purse strings after Labor secured a historic victory last night.

“I think we’ve seen the end of Scott Morrison,” he told jubilant supporters at the Logan Rec Club as the LNP vote crumbled.

Mr Chalmers, the shadow treasurer and MP for the Logan-based seat of Rankin, entered his election party with his family just before 8pm as results for the ALP began to look favourable.

Jim Chalmers at his post-election party at Logan Rec Club, Logan Central. . Picture Mark Cranitch.

There was growing optimism in the room after a big swing away from Scott Morrison and the LNP – although Mr Chalmers said the strong vote for minor parties and independents was a concern.

“I’ve got some good news and some bad news,” he said.

“The good news is that I think we’ve seen the end of Scott Morrison. It will be very difficult for the LNP to form a majority given the substantial losses they have borne all around Australia.

“The more difficult news is there’s a lot more to count still before we know whether this will be a majority Labor government or whether it’ll be a minority situation.

“It’s going to be one of those times when we might not know tonight, or we might not know for a day or two.

“There are a lot of votes to be counted but we are still in with a shot of forming a majority in our own right, depending on how those seats unfold.”

Mr Chalmers thanked his supporters for delivering another swing to Labor in Rankin, helping him comfortably retain the seat he has held since 2013.

The born-and-bred Logan local made a final pledge to supporters as he prepares for the ‘immense honour’ of becoming treasurer.

“I will not consider myself a treasurer who happens to be from Logan, I will always consider myself to be a Logan kid who happens to be the treasurer,” he said.

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Originally published as Rankin: Chalmers firms for Treasury job after ‘collapse’ in LNP vote