Writs issued for 2012 Queensland election

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 

Queensland voters will go to the polls on March 24.

The 2012 Queensland election has been officially set as Premier Anna Bligh advised Governor Penelope Wensley to issue the writs — the formal announcement of the election.

"Absolutely looking forward to it, the 24th of March," Ms Bligh told reporters, referring to the date of the election.

To lose the ability to govern in its own right, the currently governing Australian Labor Party (ALP) would need to lose sevens seats in Queensland's unicameral legislature.

The Current Parliament

Australian Labor Party — 51
Liberal National Party — 31
Independents — 5
Katter's Australian Party — 2

Total seats — 89

The ALP, of which Ms Bligh is leader, holds 51 seats. The opposition Liberal National Party (LNP), being lead in this campaign by the yet-to-be-elected Cambell Newman, currently holds 31 seats. Two seats are now held by the Katter's Australian Party (KAP). Five independents make up the 89 Members of Parliament.

Preferences

The KAP does not plan to direct preference to the major parties, but to consider for individual seats amongst independents and minor parties. "We will look at the merits or otherwise of their policy positions and what they believe in," said Aidan McLindon.

While the Greens haven't announced any preference directions, they point out that it is up to the voter how to direct preferences. "If I’m unsuccessful [in being elected in Mt Coot-tha], their vote flows at full value to their second preference," Greens candidate Adam Stone said. 

The leaders

• 
  Cambell Newman, LNP leader and Ashgrove seat candidate
  Image: U.S. Navy.
• 
  Anna Bligh, ALP leader and current premier
  Image: Flickr user 'djackmanson'.
• 
  Aidan McLindon, Katter's Australian Party leader in the Queensland parliament
  Image: Bernard Gaynor.
• Adam Stone (right), lead candidate for the Greens. Here with party members
  Video: Patrick Gillett.

Local government elections

The selection of March 24th as the election date drew criticism because it ultimately forced the rescheduling of local government elections — originally scheduled for March 31.

"Why are 73 local government elections around Queensland being pushed back? That adds more months of uncertainty when she has had a year to separate out the two elections," said Leader of the Liberal National Party, Campbell Newman. Newman will have to win the seat of Ashgrove if he is to become premier.

Local government elections are now scheduled for late April.

Related news

• "Queensland state Premier announces March 24 election date" — Wikinews, January 26, 2012

Sources

• "Member list - Queensland Parliament" — Queensland Parliament, February 20, 2012 (date of access)
• "Bligh officially sets Queensland election date" — ABC News (Australia), February 20, 2012
• Nathan Paull. "Katter party won't preference ALP or LNP" — The Sydney Morning Herald, February 19, 2012
• AAP. "Queensland Premier triggers election for March 24" — Herald Sun, February 19, 2012
• Press Release: "Greens welcome the chance to bring somereal long term vision to QLD." — Queensland Greens, February 19, 2012

DISCLOSURE: This article's primary contributor, Patrick Gillett, is a member of the Queensland Greens, one of the parties contesting this election.