LNP accuses Labor and Katter's Party of 'secret deal' over by-election preferences

The LNP claims it faces a ‘two against one battle’ in Hinchinbrook as Labor preferences a former party member now running for Katter’s Australian Party.

Queensland Treasurer David Janetzki with LNP candidate Wayde Chiesa. Picture: Nikita McGuire

Queensland Treasurer David Janetzki has accused Labor and the Katter’s Australian Party of striking a “secret deal” over preferences at the Hinchinbrook by-election.

Speaking in Townsville alongside Liberal National Party candidate Wayde Chiesa on the first day of pre-polling, Mr Janetzki said the LNP was facing a “two against one battle” to win the seat.

The LNP’s pointed campaign against Katter’s Mark Molachino highlights his former Labor membership. The small businessman claims his membership following his ejection from Townsville Council last year, where he worked alongside Labor’s candidate Maurie Soars.

Labor lists Mr Molachino second on its how-to-vote cards. This is not reflected in Katter’s preferencing, which suggests voters put Labor and the LNP fifth or sixth on their ballot depending on political alignment, behind One Nat­ion, Family First and the sole independent candidate.

Preference votes from KAP candidate for Hinchinbrook Mark Molachino.

Preference votes for Labor candidate Maurie Soars. Picture: Supplied

“This how-to-vote card is a smoking gun of the secret deal between Katter’s Labor candidate and the Labor Party,” Mr Janetzki said. “It’s here in black and white as people go in to vote today.”

Both Labor and Katter have denied any deal.

Labor state secretary Ben Driscoll said the by-election was always a contest between the LNP and Katter’s. “It’s David Crisafulli’s to lose, and the LNP’s ridiculous posturing about preferences just shows they’re getting desperate,” he said.

“If the LNP want to talk about preferences, they should come clean about their dirty deal with One Nation.”

The LNP has preferenced Family First candidate Amanda Nickson and One Nation’s Luke Sleep ahead of Mr Molachino, with Mr Soars in fifth position.

A vacancy was opened for the regional seat north of Townsville following the resignation of KAP deputy leader Nick Dametto, who is on track to secure the mayoralty of the garrison city.

He was elected to state parliament in 2017 off the back of Labor preferences.

KAP state leader Robbie Katter said the accusation was unfounded. “We aim to get people to think independently and to think on policy,” he said. “We expect the minor parties on the right side of politics to come to us as well.”

Family First’s candidate, social worker Amanda Nickson, has preferenced Mr Molachino second. One Nation has yet to lodge a how-to-vote card with the Electoral Commission of Queensland.

Counting for the Townsville mayoral race continued on Monday, with Mr Dametto achieving 63 per cent of the first-preference vote by the evening, with 60 per cent of the ballots checked.