LNP Claims Victory in Hinchinbrook By-Election Amidst Heated Campaign
Townsville, QLD – The Liberal national Party (LNP) has declared victory in the Hinchinbrook by-election, marking a important win for the first-term government in a contest marred by escalating tensions and accusations. The result, finalized Saturday, sees the LNP successfully defend the seat previously held by Andrew Cripps, who resigned in March.
The by-election was closely watched as a test of Premier David Crisafulli’s leadership and the LNP’s popularity, particularly in a traditionally Labor-leaning electorate.While the outcome won’t alter the balance of power in state parliament were the LNP holds a agreeable majority, the win is being touted as a demonstration of the government’s strength and a rebuke of the opposition.
Labor candidate Maurie Soars, a former Townsville councillor who served alongside independant candidate Mark Molachino, faced an uphill battle in a seat where the ALP secured only 14 per cent of first preference votes at the 2023 state election. The campaign became increasingly fraught, with both sides engaging in aggressive tactics.
The LNP released a video last week showing soars in a heated exchange with a Liberal staffer in Deeragun. Meanwhile,the Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) threatened legal action against Premier Crisafulli over comments comparing Molachino to Troy Thompson,a disgraced former mayor.
Almost half of the expected ballots were cast early, according to the Queensland Electoral Commission, indicating high voter engagement. The result underscores the intense focus on the traditionally safe LNP seat and signals a potentially shifting political landscape in regional Queensland.
