Liberal MP Luke Howarth concedes Brisbane seat of Petrie

The Liberal member for Petrie has conceded his outer suburban Brisbane seat, five days after Labor claimed victory.

Luke Howarth, pictured with Angus Taylor in 2023, has conceded his seat of Petrie. Picture: Matthew Poon

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Liberal MP for Petrie Luke Howarth has conceded his outer suburban Brisbane seat of Petrie five days after Labor claimed victory.

In a message to branch members and volunteers, the party confirmed the longstanding politician had lost the seat to Labor’s Emma Comer following a 5.5 per cent swing against the incumbent.

“We understand that this news brings deep disappointment to many of you,” the message read.

“It has been a hard-fought campaign, and the outcome is not what we had hoped for.

“Luke has served the people of Petrie with unwavering passion and integrity. Over his time as our federal member, he has worked tirelessly to represent our values, advocate for our community, and deliver for local families and businesses.

“His contribution has been immense, and he leaves behind a legacy of public service that we can all be proud of.”

Emma Comer, the new MP for Petrie, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Labor Party’s caucus at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: Martin Ollman/NewsWire

Mr Howarth is yet to publicly concede the seat, with no posts on his social media channels since election day.

Petrie was held by Mr Howarth for 13 years, after he ousted Labor’s Yvette D’Ath in 2013. The mortgage-belt seat had been considered a bellwether held by the government of the day since 1987, until the LNP was re-elected in 2022 despite Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s victory over Scott Morrison.

Ms Comer, a former army cadet, was preselected just six weeks before the May 3 election. Last week, she travelled to Canberra for the government’s first caucus since the election.

The contest for the seat of Longman, positioned north of Petrie encompassing Caboolture and Bribie Island, remained too close to call on Monday, with about 300 votes separating Liberal incumbent Terry Young and Labor’s Rhiannyn Douglas. Absentee ballots are still rolling in and are expected to decide the vote.

Labor increased its lower house representation in Brisbane from five to 12 – including winning former opposition leader Peter Dutton’s seat of Dickson – and gained an extra Senate spot.