Qld state election 2024: Labor’s Tom Smith wins Bundaberg

Bundaberg Labor MP Tom Smith will keep his seat for a second term following an election battle which ended with a last day controversy requiring the courts to step in.

Incumbent Bundaberg MP Tom Smith will retain his seat for a second term following an election battle which ended with a last day controversy requiring the courts to step in.

Mr Smith, who won the seat in 2020 by nine votes, appears to have increased his margin on October 27, 2024 thanks to a 1.4 per cent swing in his favour.

The Electoral Commission Queensland’s unofficial count has him ahead by more than 800 votes after preferences, but final confirmation is not expected until next month, with postal votes still eligible to be counted until Tuesday, November 5.

A win on the current figures would give him a 1.43 per cent margin, up from 0.01 in 2020.

Preferences from voters of four of the seat’s candidates – Greens’ Nat Baker, Legalise Cannabis Queensland’s Ian Zunker, and Independents Alan Corbett and Geoff Warham – appear to have largely gone to Mr Smith over his LNP competitor Bree Watson at a rate of almost two-to-one.

One Nation’s Alberto Carvalho was the only candidate for which preferences heavily favoured Ms Watson.

Bundaberg MP Tom Smith is likely to retain his seat, although the battle is still expected to be days away from formally ending amid and campaign controversy which required a court intervention.

Mr Smith’s win comes amid controversy over campaign signage at some election booths which forced the LNP to seek a court injunction.

One of these included false claims Ms Watson had criticised ambulance officers.

Labor’s sign campaign on abortion in Bundaberg raised eyebrows as well, with one sign, authorised by the United Workers Union, telling voters to “protect abortion rights. Vote Labor” prompting one Twitter user to ask “how on earth did this become a union issue?”.

Labor’s sign campaign on abortion in Bundaberg raised eyebrows as well with one, authorised by the United Workers Union telling voters to “protect abortion rights. Vote Labor” prompting one Twitter user to ask “how on earth did this become a union issue?’

Returning Nanango MP Deb Frecklington said during election coverage on Channel 9 the sign campaign against Ms Watson was “disgusting”.

Mr Smith and Ms Watson have been approached for comment.

Ms Watson did not address her personal stance on abortion during the campaign after the possibility a private members bill seeking to overturn the laws, would be introduced by a Katter Party member was raised in its second week.

Bundaberg LNP candidate Bree Watson, pictured casting her vote Saturday at the Avoca booth, is expected to fall short of taking the seat with preferences from all other candidates.

An LNP spokeswoman ultimately addressed the questions saying the party had ruled out any changes to the laws following questions to Ms Watson’s office.

A win by Mr Smith leaves Bundaberg as Labor’s only seat across the Wide Bay Burnett following the ousting of Adrian Tantari in Hervey Bay, and the shock ousting of Bruce Saunders in Maryborough.

Gympie LNP MP Tony Perrett was comfortably returned, as was Callide LNP MP Bryson Head.

Originally published as Qld state election 2024: Labor’s Tom Smith wins Bundaberg