David Kempton claims victory for LNP in seat of Cook

The new member for Cook has claimed victory in the north for the LNP, but the frontrunner for Mulgrave is not yet prepared to declare a win as the counting of absentee votes gets underway.

New Far North MP David Kempton and front runner in Mulgrave Terry James.

The new member for Cook has claimed victory in the north for the LNP but the frontrunner for Mulgrave is not yet prepared to declare a win as the counting of absentee votes gets underway.

For the second time, David Kempton has been elected as the member for Cook after first being made an MP in 2012.

He served for one term before being unseated by the controversial Labor member Billy Gordon, who defected to become an independent in 2015 soon after being elected.

A slim margin of less than one per cent of the primary vote separated Mr Kempton and the sitting member Cynthia Lui.

LNP David Kempton greeted voters at the Mareeba State School Polling Booth on Saturday afternoon. Picture Emily Barker.

But the official first preference count had the former chair of Regional Development Australia on Tuesday afternoon ahead by 10 per cent after the counting of 20,426 ballots.

Similar to regionally held Labor seats throughout Queensland, there was a 12 per cent swing toward the LNP in the Cook electorate.

Mr Kempton could not be reached on Tuesday but he thanked all involved in his campaign on social media.

“I am back,” he said.

“I promised safe hands, a strong voice and to turn up every time.

“That starts today, now the dust has settled and the real work begins.”

LNP candidate for Mulgrave Terry James, new Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber and Premier David Crisafulli visited the Southside Comet's grounds during the Far North election campaign. Picture: Brendan Radke

In the Mulgrave electorate former Cairns mayor Terry James is in the box seat, though he was reluctant to claim the win.

“I would like to see it in writing first,” he said.

“There is a notice on the (QEC website) that says the final preference count won’t be released until next week.

“They are still counting the absentee votes and the DFO booth now.

“Everything is heading in the right direction, I have been in this situation before and I would like to wait until we get a clearer picture.

“It’s an anxious wait for the family.”

LNP candidate for Mulgrave Terry James participates in a Q&A session at the 2024 Meet the Candidates: State Election Forum Lunch. Picture: Brendan Radke

Asked if new Premier David Crisafulli intended to upgrade freshly minted northern MPs to the front bench Mr James was unassuming.

“I’m just happy to be the member for Mulgrave, there is a lot to do in terms of cost of living but the number one issue is crime,” he said.

At the last count Mr James held a 2.6 per cent official first preference margin over nearest rival and Labor candidate Richie Bates while holding a 25.99 per cent of the primary vote to Mr Bates’ 23.81 per cent.

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Originally published as David Kempton claims victory for LNP in seat of Cook