Queensland’s youngest ever female MP brings a breath of fresh air

The energetic young MP says she is focused on representing her community just as much as she is on completing her dual Bachelor of Environmental Science and Business from Griffith University.

At just 22, Ariana Doolan is the new LNP member for the hotly contested southeast Queensland seat of Pumicestone. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

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Newly elected Ariana Doolan plans to finish off her double degree as she learns the ropes of parliament as Queensland’s youngest ever female MP.

The 22-year-old won the seat of Pumicestone from Ali King, one of former premier Steven Miles’s closest parliamentary friends, in a Liberal National Party sweep at Saturday’s election that could result in them picking up as many as 21 Labor-held seats.

Ms Doolan’s seat north of Brisbane – which encompasses Bribie Island and part of Caboolture – has changed hands at the past four elections.

The LNP won a swag of regional and outer metropolitan seats that delivered David Crisafulli power after almost a decade of Labor government.

The tyro MP says she is focused on representing her community just as much as she is on completing her dual Bachelor of Environmental Science and Business from Griffith University.

“I’ve got statistics to complete, then hope to graduate this year,” she said.

“I’ve always been able to juggle three jobs and full-time study. We need young women in our parliament … (and I’ll be) listening to locals, finding out what are the issues that matter to them, and be the voice of Pumicestone in Brisbane.”

The LNP has won at least 17 new seats in parliament to form a majority government, with a regional rebellion against Labor leading to a double-digit swing in some electorates and a number of shock results.

Counting is continuing by the Electoral Commission of Queensland, with the LNP now holding 51 seats in the 93-seat parliament. Labor is on 32 seats, Katters’ Australia Party has three, the Greens have one and there is a single independent.

There are five seats that are still too close to call. Former Labor minister Bart Mellish is behind in Aspley, while his colleague, Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon is ahead in Gaven. The count is tightening in Maryborough as more One Nation preferences flow to Labor, and the party is slightly ahead in Macalister. The count it still tight in Mirani between KAP and LNP.

Labor picked up two seats, recovering Ipswich West after it was lost to the LNP in a March by-election.

Doctor Barbara O’Shea managed to unseat the Greens’ Amy MacMahon to return the electorate of South Brisbane to Labor after it was lost in 2020. The win marks the first time the minor party has lost a seat it had previously claimed at a general election.

Ms Doolan believes the United Workers Union attack against her age and decision to live at home with her parents and younger sister ultimately helped her win the seat. The leaflet drop and social media ads questioned her life experience, asking “Can a 22-year-old who still lives at home stand up to cuts?”.