Redcliffe by-election: New MP Yvette D'Ath says Labor win proves voters 'angry' with Campbell Newman

Updated

New Redcliffe MP Yvette D'Ath said voters were far more angry with Queensland Premier Campbell Newman than with disgraced former MP Scott Driscoll, as she claimed victory in the by-election for the Queensland seat.

LNP candidate Kerri-Anne Dooley conceded defeat in the Redcliffe by-election, north of Brisbane.

ABC election analyst Antony Green said Ms D'Ath "easily" won the by-election, calling it about 7:20pm (AEST).

He said that with more than 56 per cent of ballots counted, the projected two-party preferred swing was more than 16 per cent.

Ms Dooley said she has called Ms D'Ath to congratulate her on Labor's win.

"This has been a tough campaign, it's been hard fought, but I'm very proud of the positive campaign that we have run," Ms Dooley told the cheering crowd of LNP supporters.

Mr Newman said he acknowledges the people of Redcliffe had been let down.

"While they haven't got Kerri-Anne Dooley as their representative, we appreciate they were let down by the former member and we understand that the scars of that will take some time to heal," Mr Newman said.

"I hope they can see we care deeply about Redcliffe, that we're passionate about this community... and the very significant commitments we made to them over the last two months will be delivered, irrespective of this outcome.

"But I want to say as well that I take responsibility for other factors this evening as the LNP Leader and as Premier.

"We understand that many of you feel that we perhaps haven't listened enough, that we have perhaps moved too quickly, that we haven't consulted you.

"I pledge this evening to listen to that message - we hear it.

"We will observe it, and we will do things differently as we go forward.

"In 12 months' time there will be a state election [and] we must all get the message out that Queensland is being turned around."

At Labor's victory celebrations, Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk said Mr Newman does not understand Queensland.

"Finally, Redcliffe has an honourable member," she said.

"Tonight I welcome Yvette D'Ath to our team."

Ms D'Ath said the by-election result sends a strong message to the LNP.

"Today, Redcliffe sent a very clear message to Campbell Newman and his Government," she said.

"In 12 months' time, I ask all Queenslanders to send a very clear message to Campbell Newman and his Government."

It was a dramatic day of campaigning, during which Mr Newman was heckled and jeered at one polling booth.

The by-election was held to elect a replacement for disgraced former MP Scott Driscoll.

The LNP-turned-independent MP was forced to vacate his seat in November and was fined $90,000 by Parliament for being dishonest about his business dealings.

Ms D'Ath's win boosts Labor's ranks in State Parliament to eight out of 89 seats.

Topics: elections, alp, liberal-national-party, state-parliament, redcliffe-4020

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