Premier Steven Miles concedes Ipswich West by-election could be painful for government

Premier Steven Miles has conceded he is bracing for a “double-digit swing” in a key by-election, as the government again moved to spruik its credentials in the battler heartland of Ipswich.

Premier Steven Miles has conceded he is bracing for a “double-digit swing” in a key by-election, as the government again moved to spruik its credentials in the battler heartland of Ipswich.

Mr Miles is set to face the first major test of his leadership when more than 75,000 Queenslanders head to the polls on Saturday to elect a new MP in the seats of Ipswich West and Inala.

Premier Steven Miles in Ipswich on Monday. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

While both are very safe seats on paper Labor is increasingly worried in Ipswich West.

Mr Miles confirmed he had “no doubt” the government was likely to see a “double-digit swing” against it in Ipswich West, just as they had experienced in the 2020 by-election for the neighbouring seat of Bundamba.

Labor ultimately held on to Bundamba despite a 12 per cent swing after preferences against them — though the electorate swung back at the general election.

“We’re working hard of course, to convince as many locals to vote for Labor as possible,” he said.

Mr Miles, along with Deputy Premier Cameron Dick and Health Minister Shannon Fentiman, spent Monday afternoon in Ipswich spruiking the government’s $710m expansion of Ipswich Hospital.

Premier Steven Miles and Health Minister Shannon Fentiman were among those in Ipswich spruiking the government’s $710m expansion of Ipswich Hospital. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

He rejected any notion the government was using announcements in Ipswich, backed by taxpayer dollars, as a way to shore up support for Labor.

“There’s nothing shameless about building a $700m hospital expansion,” he said.

It was the latest in a string of appearances for the government’s highest-ranking ministers in the area, with Mr Miles also heralding an improvement in crime statistics in the area on Sunday.

The week before the government had pledged $10m to redevelop the North Ipswich Sport and Entertainment Precinct.

Meanwhile the Opposition has been calling for voters to back the LNP in Ipswich West as a way to send a message to the government amid spiralling public anxiety over youth crime.

Senior LNP members say a win remains unlikely – but a decent swing would place them in a strong position to campaign hard to October, and seize a seat which had previously looked out of reach.

The stage 2 of the Ipswich Hospital expansion project was on track according to Health Minister Shannon Fentiman, with main construction expected later this year.

The expanded facilities will provide 200 new beds.

Originally published as Premier Steven Miles concedes Ipswich West by-election could be painful for government