LNP loses stronghold on Sunshine Coast with Labor on track to pick up multiple seats

This beautiful stretch of coast has been painted blue for years. But after last night, it now has several big speckles of red.

The LNP’s stronghold on the Sunshine Coast has come to an end, with Labor set to pick up as many as four seats in the Queensland parliament.

The ALP has declared victory in Caloundra and Pumicestone, while Nicklin hangs in the balance.

LNP MP Andrew Powell is clinging on to his seat of Glass House, but only 50 per cent of the votes have been counted.

READ MORE: LNP seats on knife’s edge as voting continues

At the other end of the coast, independent Sandy Bolton has been returned as the member for Noosa.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk spent time in the seat of Caloundra with Labor candidate and soon-to-be elected representative, Jason Hunt (left). Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Griffith University political expert Dr Paul Williams said while the Sunshine Coast was traditionally an LNP bastion, he wasn’t overly surprised by Saturday’s result.

“It’s not Gregory or Warrego,” he told NCA NewsWire on Sunday. “It’s not unmoveable.”

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Dr Williams said it was not unknown for Labor to make inroads in the tourist destination, referring to when it secured the seat of Noosa in 2001.

“When the Labor tide is coming in it can also come in on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast,” he said.