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| 2009 Queensland state election | |
|---|---|
| Election name | 2009 Queensland state election |
| Country | Queensland |
| Type | parliamentary |
| Previous election | 2006 Queensland state election |
| Previous year | 2006 |
| Next election | 2012 Queensland state election |
| Next year | 2012 |
| Election date | 21 March 2009 |
| Seats for election | 89 seats in the Legislative Assembly |
| Majority seats | 45 |
2009 Queensland state election The 2009 Queensland state election was held on 21 March 2009 to elect members to the Legislative Assembly of Queensland in the Australian state of Queensland. The contest returned a second term for the incumbent Labor Premier Anna Bligh after a campaign involving the opposition leader Lawrence Springborg, the Liberal National Party (Queensland), and smaller parties such as the Australian Greens and Pauline Hanson's One Nation. The election followed a redistribution and notable defections, producing significant coverage across media outlets like the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Nine Network.
The 2009 contest occurred in the context of the 2006 Parliament, during which Labor leader Peter Beattie resigned and his deputy Anna Bligh succeeded him as Premier and leader of the Australian Labor Party (Queensland Branch). The state had seen high-profile figures including former Nationals leader Campbell Newman (who was Lord Mayor of Brisbane) influence debate, while opposition unions such as the Australian Workers Union and civic groups engaged with policy debates. Federal politics—led by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and subsequent Treasurer Wayne Swan—also shaped perceptions, alongside events like the global Financial crisis of 2007–2008 and infrastructure projects such as the Brisbane River flood mitigation discussions and the proposed expansion of the Gateway Bridge.
Queensland uses full-preferential voting for single-member districts in the Legislative Assembly of Queensland, with elections called under the state's constitutional arrangements derived from the Constitution of Queensland 2001. Ahead of the 2009 poll a redistribution by the Electoral Commission of Queensland adjusted boundaries, affecting electorates like Brisbane Central, Ipswich West, South Brisbane, and Mudgeeraba. Redistributions altered margins in seats previously held by members such as Kev Lingard and Darryl Briskey, influencing campaign strategies by parties including the Liberal Party of Australia (Queensland Division) and National Party of Australia – Queensland prior to their merger.
Major participants included the incumbent Australian Labor Party (Queensland Branch), the recently merged Liberal National Party (Queensland) under leader Lawrence Springborg, the Australian Greens led federally by figures such as Bob Brown and featuring state candidates like Bob Irwin's environmental advocates, and minor groups including Family First and One Nation. Independent members such as Ray Hopper and former ministers who crossed the floor featured as candidates in seats including Darling Downs and Toowoomba South. The candidate lists encompassed high-profile personalities from local councils like the Brisbane City Council and community leaders from regional centers including Cairns, Townsville, and Rockhampton.
The campaign saw debates hosted by broadcasters such as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Seven Network, with policy standoffs over infrastructure spending on projects like the Clem Jones Tunnel, health funding in hospitals such as Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, and education investments affecting universities including the University of Queensland. Labor emphasised continuity under Anna Bligh and highlighted delivery on promises made under former Premier Peter Beattie, while the Liberal National Party (Queensland) targeted marginal seats with promises shaped by fiscal conservatives and rural interests from regions like the Darling Downs and Sunshine Coast. Campaign controversies touched on cabinet reshuffles, ministerial resignations, and local issues in electorates like Mulgrave and Kurwongbah.
Polling by organisations such as Newspoll and the Australian Election Study tracked voting intentions, showing volatility affected by national trends tied to leaders like Kevin Rudd and opposition federal figures including Tony Abbott. Key issues included responses to the Global financial crisis of 2008–2009, public health policy following pressures on hospitals like Princess Alexandra Hospital, infrastructure commitments for the Bruce Highway, and environmental management in areas around the Great Barrier Reef. The Australian Greens campaigned strongly on climate change measures aligned with policies discussed at forums such as those involving Tim Flannery, while rural elector concerns included agricultural water allocations linked to projects like the Murray–Darling Basin Plan discourse.
Labor, led by Anna Bligh, was returned with an overall reduced margin but retained government, winning a plurality of the 89 seats in the Legislative Assembly of Queensland. The newly formed Liberal National Party (Queensland) made gains in some regional and suburban seats, while the Australian Greens increased their vote share in inner-city electorates such as Brisbane Central and South Brisbane. Independents and minor parties affected outcomes in electorates including Cairns and Ipswich, with preference flows from parties like Family First and One Nation influencing final two-candidate preferred results. Media coverage by outlets such as The Courier-Mail and ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) provided analysis of swings and seat-by-seat changes.
Following the election, Anna Bligh was sworn in for a second term as Premier, forming a Labor ministry that included figures previously promoted by Peter Beattie and ministerial reshuffles to address portfolios such as health, education, and transport. The opposition under Lawrence Springborg reorganised within the Liberal National Party (Queensland), while federal actors including Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard observed implications for national politics. Subsequent by-elections and the evolving dynamics of parties like the Australian Greens and One Nation shaped the lead-up to the 2012 Queensland state election and influenced long-term debates over electoral reform by the Electoral Commission of Queensland.
Category:Queensland state elections Category:2009 elections in Australia