Brisbane

BARNES, J - IND
* BEVIS, Arch - ALP WINNER
CONTARINO, Nick - CEC
NEWINGTON, Charles - FFP
NIELSON, Richard - GRN
SCHRADER, Tracy - DEM
TALL, Ingrid - LP
WITHYCOMBE, Nick - NP
WYNTER, Coral - SAL

* incumbent

Current Results
Past Results

About Brisbane

This seat covers an area of 77 sq km running north of the Brisbane River to Keperra on the west, Newstead on the east and Stafford at the north.Other suburbs within the seat are Newstead, Bowen Hills, Windsor, Kelvin Grove, Newmarket, Enoggera, Red Hill, Bardon, Ashgrove, Alderley, Mitchelton, Keperra, Everton Park, Grovely and Ferny Grove.

Seat Background

The city of Brisbane, from which the seat takes its name, was called after Sir Thomas MacDougall Brisbane, the governor of New South Wales in the mid 19th century. The seat of Brisbane has existed since Federation and has normally been held by the Labor Party. It was last held by the Liberal Party between 1975 – 77. The seat is primarily residential, and also contains the Queensland Parliament House and Brisbane City Council Chambers. It has one defence forces establishment, the Enoggera Military Camp.
Parliament House, Brisbane City Council Chambers, the Enoggera Military Camp and government offices throughout the area.

Commentary and Analysis

The recent redistribution in Queensland has made Brisbane an even more marginal giving sitting ALP member, Arch Bevis a scant 1% buffer.

Bevis is a former ALP frontbencher who was originally elected in 1990. During the 1996 election wipe-out, Bevis was one of only two ALP members to be returned in Queensland. Bevis has been campaigning on issues relating to education and health.

The Liberals have preselected high profile, former Queensland AMA president, Dr Ingrid Tall. Tall is not your typical Liberal candidate and questions have been raised by some of her conservative opponents about her commitment to family issues after she openly stated she was a lesbian. This may cut both ways given the diverse nature of the electorate.

The National Party have selected Army soldier, Nick Withycombe. In 2001 the National Party polled a mere 2% and has no hope of winning the seat. Instead his campaign is probably more about trying to assist National Barnaby Joyce elected to the Senate.

Traditionally the Democrats and Greens poll above average with a combined vote of 17% in 2001. Their preferences favoured the ALP over the Liberals on a 75/25 basis.

Other parties contesting Brisbane are the Socialist Alliance, the Citizens Electorate Council and new kids on the block, the Family First Party. Their preferences may be crucial in determining the who wins Brisbane.

Tall will be hoping that her high profile and energy will translate to enough primary votes to get her across the line. Bevis will be hoping that preferences will continue to favour him.

Expect a close result with a possible upset Liberal gain.

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