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Griffith byelection under way Griffith byelection under way
(7 months later)
A byelection is under way in Kevin Rudd’s former Queensland seat of Griffith, posing the first federal electoral test since Tony Abbott’s Coalition government was elected last September.A byelection is under way in Kevin Rudd’s former Queensland seat of Griffith, posing the first federal electoral test since Tony Abbott’s Coalition government was elected last September.
The Labor candidate, Terri Butler, is still favourite to take over Rudd’s old seat in Brisbane as voters head to the polls.The Labor candidate, Terri Butler, is still favourite to take over Rudd’s old seat in Brisbane as voters head to the polls.
Butler, an employment and industrial relations Butler, an employment and industrial relations lawyer, will have history on her side given a federal government has not claimed an opposition seat in a byelection since 1920.
lawyer, will have history on her side given a federal government has not A total of 97,857 people are enrolled to vote in the Brisbane-based electorate on Saturday. Rudd quit parliament after Labor lost power in the September 2013 Australian general election.
claimed an opposition seat in a byelection since 1920.
A total of 97,857 people are enrolled to vote in the
Brisbane-based electorate on Saturday. Rudd quit parliament after Labor lost power in the September 2013 Australian general election.
The Liberal National party’s (LNP) Bill Glasson is running again, having unsuccessfully contested the seat against Rudd at the general election. He beat Rudd on the primary vote but lost on preferences.The Liberal National party’s (LNP) Bill Glasson is running again, having unsuccessfully contested the seat against Rudd at the general election. He beat Rudd on the primary vote but lost on preferences.
Political analysts have said Glasson has the higher profile of the main candidates and could Political analysts have said Glasson has the higher profile of the main candidates and could benefit from an expected low turnout typical of byelections but it is unlikely to be enough to get him over the line, with the flow of preferences running against him again.
benefit from an expected low turnout typical of byelections but it is Glasson has sought to distance his byelection campaign from the budget cuts being imposed both by Abbott federally and by Campbell Newman, the LNP premier of Queensland. “It’s not about changing the government,” Glasson told residents in a campaign speech. “It’s not about changing the prime minister; it’s not about changing the treasurer; it’s about electing the new member for Griffith.”
unlikely to be enough to get him over the line, with the flow of preferences running against him again.
Glasson has sought to distance his byelection campaign from the budget cuts being imposed both by Abbott federally and by Campbell Newman, the LNP premier of Queensland. “It’s not about changing the government,” Glasson told residents in a campaign speech. “It’s not about changing the
prime minister; it’s not about changing the treasurer; it’s about
electing the new member for Griffith.”
Butler, though, has pegged the byelection to contentious issues including a $6 fee for bulk-billed GP visits that has been recommended to the Abbott government. The Labor candidate argued it would result in people putting off visiting the doctor, with potentially fatal results. Griffith going to Glasson would mean another “rubber stamp” in government for LNP cuts, she has argued – while hitting back at Glasson’s characterisation of her as “another Labor union lawyer” by pointing out he is the former head of the doctors’ union.Butler, though, has pegged the byelection to contentious issues including a $6 fee for bulk-billed GP visits that has been recommended to the Abbott government. The Labor candidate argued it would result in people putting off visiting the doctor, with potentially fatal results. Griffith going to Glasson would mean another “rubber stamp” in government for LNP cuts, she has argued – while hitting back at Glasson’s characterisation of her as “another Labor union lawyer” by pointing out he is the former head of the doctors’ union.
Polling booths are open from 8am to 6pm Queensland time.Polling booths are open from 8am to 6pm Queensland time.
AAP contributed to this reportAAP contributed to this report