Worst result since 1946: Labor’s Qld Senate chances grim

As if losing the House of Representatives wasn’t bad enough, Labor is staring down the barrel of its worst Senate election result in Queensland since World War II.

LABOR is staring down the barrel of its worst Senate election result in Queensland since World War II.

As counting continues, Labor’s vote for a second Senate spot has fallen behind One Nation, Greens and the LNP’s third candidate Gerard Rennick.

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It is almost unprecedented for Labor to only have one senator elected, with two still elected in 1996 and 2013 when it faced electoral bloodletting.

LNP senate candidate Gerard Rennick is firming up to win election. Picture: Facebook

The last time it had one or less senator elected was in 1946 when there were no successful Labor candidates in Queensland.

There are still four candidates in play for the final three Senate spots which remain undecided.

LNP figures say Mr Rennick’s chances of securing one of these are “good and getting better daily”.

According to one pundit watching the counting process there appeared to be a surge in votes for the LNP and One Nation yesterday when votes from some regional booths came in.

On the primary vote so far, the LNP will have at least two new senators elected, Paul Scarr and Susan McDonald, while Labor will have its left-faction candidate Nita Green over the line.

Those three candidates already have the numbers on the primary vote to be elected, with the final three spots to come down to preferences.

Greens Senator Larissa Waters is leading in the race to hold one of the final spots, followed by One Nation’s Malcolm Roberts.

Mr Rennick has inched out Labor’s Senator Chris Ketter who could fall in a shock upset.

Labor strategists had been confident going into the election that there was no chance the party would win less than two seats in the Senate.

Queensland senator Chris Ketter is at risk at losing his spot.

ALP insiders continue to watch the count closely, pointing out that there are still large numbers of postal votes and pre-polls to come in.

While Labor remains behind, preferences could put Senator Ketter back over the line.

Preferences in the Senate are only counted 13 days after the election to give postal votes the time to arrive.

There was controversy with Ms Green’s preselection for the top Labor Senate spot, which was intended to go to a regionally-based candidate.

Ms Green lives in Brisbane, having promised to relocate to Cairns if elected.

This saw some branches from Cairns to central Queensland, during preselection in August, pass motions demanding the executive back a “genuine” regional candidate for the Senate.

Originally published as Worst result since 1946: Labor’s Qld Senate chances grim