November 28, 2017
All the TV experts have called it – and the numbers look certain – but LNP candidate Deb Frecklington was being coy about claiming victory in the Nanango electorate on Monday.
The Deputy Opposition Leader said she was humbled by the election results “so far”.
“While the initial results appear positive, with a swing in our electorate towards the LNP, it’s important to wait until the seat is officially declared,” she said.
At 6:00pm on Monday, Mrs Frecklington had secured 48.33 per cent of the primary vote, followed by Douglas Grant (One Nation) on 27.09 per cent, Ben Rankin (ALP) 19.47 per cent, and John Harbison (Greens) 5.11 per cent.
On a two-party preferred basis after the distribution of preferences, Mrs Frecklington had secured 63.86 per cent ahead of Mr Grant on 36.14 per cent.
On the booth-by-booth count, Mrs Frecklington enjoyed a clean sweep of all booths, except Cherbourg where Mr Rankin attracted the most votes.
Mrs Frecklington also topped the pre-poll voting.
In Kingaroy, 4400 people pre-poll voted and 2280 of these voted LNP; in Nanango, there were 2177 pre-poll votes with 927 going to Mrs Frecklington.
If these voting percentages hold, this will be the second election in a row that Mrs Frecklington has increased her margin.
She was the only LNP candidate in Queensland to increase her margin at the 2015 election which swept former Premier Campbell Newman from power.
As the 2017 vote counting continues, Mrs Frecklington has 48.33 per cent of the primary vote, compared with her 47.11 per cent result in 2015.
So far, 77.98 per cent of the roll has been counted.
