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Queensland poll setback for Australian PM Tony Abbott | Queensland poll setback for Australian PM Tony Abbott |
(34 minutes later) | |
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott's coalition appears to be heading for an embarrassing electoral defeat in the northeastern state of Queensland. | Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott's coalition appears to be heading for an embarrassing electoral defeat in the northeastern state of Queensland. |
The Liberal National Party's (LNP) huge majority in Queensland's state assembly was wiped out, with Premier Campbell Newman losing his own seat. | The Liberal National Party's (LNP) huge majority in Queensland's state assembly was wiped out, with Premier Campbell Newman losing his own seat. |
With most of the votes counted, the opposition Labor party seems set to gain control of the state. | With most of the votes counted, the opposition Labor party seems set to gain control of the state. |
Coalition MPs described the result as catastrophic for Mr Abbott. | Coalition MPs described the result as catastrophic for Mr Abbott. |
Liberal MP Jane Prentice told ABC News the party "can't continue as we are". | Liberal MP Jane Prentice told ABC News the party "can't continue as we are". |
"All we are talking about now is the timing and method of execution," one unnamed Queensland MP told the broadcaster. | "All we are talking about now is the timing and method of execution," one unnamed Queensland MP told the broadcaster. |
The LNP's defeat is being blamed on unpopular privatisation policies and public sector cuts. | |
But Mr Abbott's personal popularity has also plummeted in recent months, most recently because of his decision to award a knighthood to Prince Philip, the Queen's husband. | |
Labor is expected to have at least 44 seats in the 89-seat assembly, with the LNP set to hold on to at least 33. | Labor is expected to have at least 44 seats in the 89-seat assembly, with the LNP set to hold on to at least 33. |
"My political career is over, " Mr Newman said as he accepted defeat in his Ashgrove constituency. | "My political career is over, " Mr Newman said as he accepted defeat in his Ashgrove constituency. |
Mr Newman has not yet conceded the overall result, as nine seats are still undetermined. | Mr Newman has not yet conceded the overall result, as nine seats are still undetermined. |
The LNP made history in 2012, winning 78 seats and the state's largest ever majority in an election. | The LNP made history in 2012, winning 78 seats and the state's largest ever majority in an election. |