Latest poll shows Newman set for defeat

Updated

A second poll this week predicts LNP leader Campbell Newman will fail in his bid to become the next premier and not even win his seat.

The Galaxy poll, two weeks out from the election, shows Mr Newman behind Labor incumbent Kate Jones in the key Brisbane electorate of Ashgrove.

Mr Newman must win the seat of Ashgrove if he is to become the next premier of Queensland.

It would be an historic victory, but Saturday's poll suggests he is set for defeat.

"In the seat of Ashgrove, what the poll shows is that Kate Jones and Campbell Newman are locked at 45 per cent primary vote each, and that means it's looking to go down to the wire," Galaxy spokesman David Briggs said.

"If that result was observed at the ballot box, Green preferences would probably see Kate Jones returned."

Polling shows after the distribution of preferences, Ms Jones would win the inner western Brisbane seat 51.5 per cent to 48.5 per cent.

Mr Briggs says across the state the LNP looks set to claim victory with the two-party preferred swing around 10 per cent.

But he says it is a different story in Ashgrove.

"What Kate Jones would appear to have done is limit the two-party preferred swing to around about 5.6 per cent and that just isn't enough for Campbell Newman, he needs 7.1 per cent in order to win the seat," he said.

Bowing out?

Mr Newman told Sky News this morning there is no back-up plan if he loses.

"I won't be going further in politics. I mean, I'll return to the private sector and pursue another career," he said.

"I know my opponent has been ringing people in the electorate and telling people, 'he'll be parachuted into another seat so you can vote for me as well'.

"That's not the case. My career in politics will be over."

Ms Jones says she is buoyed by the latest poll.

"It's very heartening, this poll result, but I do realise that I am still a long way away from polling day itself," she said.

"I've worked really hard with my local community and I'm very pleased that people are looking and making sure our local community continues to have a strong voice.

"Campbell Newman has not ever shied away from the fact that he was only using Ashgrove as a stepping stone to power."

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh says the LNP is not being fair to voters by refusing to say who would be leader if Mr Newman fails to win Ashgrove.

Ms Bligh says Queenslanders are entitled to an answer two weeks out from election day.

"I think the LNP has frankly pussy-footed and danced around this question for long enough," she said.

"Enough is enough. Queenslanders want to know who the leader will be. We are facing now a possibility that an LNP government will have no leader."

The LNP leader has consistently refused to say who would become premier if he lost Ashgrove.

Labor state secretary Anthony Chisholm says the party should now reveal its leadership alternatives.

"The LNP has had 10 leaders in 10 years and I think that this poll now proves that the LNP need to come out and say who would be leader if Mr Newman failed to win Ashgrove."

Topics: elections, government-and-politics, state-parliament, states-and-territories, parliament, ashgrove-4060, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

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