Rockhampton – Queensland 2024

This seats margin is interesting because at the 2012 election it was one of seven seats held by Labor yet the margin now is only 8.62%. You’d expect a traditionally safe seat to have a higher margin but the margin here only seemed to recover at the 2015 election before declining again. In 2015 Labor got a 9.92% swing to them for a TPP margin of 63.87% but at the 2017 election got a 8.8% swing against them to have a TPP of 55.2%. The difference between Labors TPP in 2012 and 2017 was only 1.25% and the TPP difference between 2012 and 2020 was only 4.67%.
I don’t think this seat is in play because it strikes me as a seat with a strong stubborn Labor vote but the decline in the Labor margin and lack of their lack of increasing TPP after 2012 compared to other Labor seats is interesting.

@North East honestly I expect there to be a swing to the LNP in most (if not all) regional seats. This includes Gladstone, Mackay and Rockhampton.

The LNP is tipped to win the 2024 election and regional seats look to be the ones that the LNP gains. The LNP is looking more and more likely to win in each new poll. The latest one has the LNP at 52% TPP, 40% primaries and Crisafulli ahead of Palaszczuk as preferred Premier. Labor looks likely to lose.

Western Sydney decided the 2023 NSW state election, with most of its seats being won by Labor. Maybe regional cities will decide the 2024 Queensland state election.

@Nether Portal Agreed. The LNP will probably campaign hard and look to pick up seats in regional cities such as Cairns, Townsville and Bundaberg and seats like Keppel, Cook and Hervey Bay

NE, agree except for Cairns the LNP candidate is under fire over that grant that involved the former PM and her husband who is Warren Entsch, this will cost the LNP Cairns unless they find a new candidate.

Rockampton shouldn’t fall unless it’s a landslide loss for Labor and even a less severe defeat than 2012 in 2024 woukd cost them Rockampton

@Daniel T Thanks for the info. When i was talking about Cairns and Townsville i wasn’t just talking about the seats name but all of the seat in those regional cities. The LNP would like their chances in the seat of Barron River.

Sitting MP Barry O’Rourke announced his retirement on Monday citing health issues. I already thought Labor may face issues here given Rockhampton has shifted sharply to the right in the past decade and the lack of an incumbent won’t do them any favors.
Additionally, Labor turned Independent ex-mayor Margaret Strelow, who polled 23.5% of the primary vote in 2017, has announced she will be running again.

While Rockhampton does have a relatively comfortable margin and Labor did withstand the 2012 landslide here, I don’t think they should be too comfortable, especially given the LNP’s strategy of going after regional seats that were safe for Labor until the past decade or so.

Ex Mayor Strelow this time has been campaigning since November 23 compared to 2017 when she only had a six week campaign. Labor has not even announced their candidate yet and once again this just shows Labor’s contempt for the Rockhampton Community. Strelow has had some huge endorsements including previous Labor MP BIll Byrne and most community groups. Even the Dean of the Anglican Church came out in the Courier Mail 2017 and endorsed Strelow and gave a glowing report of her commitment to Rockhampton. Strelow is not of the Anglican faith so this proves her community support is real . This time the One Nation Vote may not even get to 10% Also this time Strelow has a preference deal with the LNP. In 2017 Strelow let voters make their minds up. Strelow was Mayor for 16 years and has a very impressive resume and with LNP preferences she is probably the favourite to beat Labor . Even in the Newman swing of 2012 the LNP did not win Rockhampton. Strelow still has a huge following in Rockhampton and with the support of ex Labor MP BIll Byrne this well may be enough to get her across the line. There are still plenty of Labor voters in Rocky who want change but their hands still shake in the ballot booth. Strelow makes it easier for these rusted on voters to perhaps ditch Labor and back her. This could very well be a sleeper seat on the night.

Craig Marshall is the Labor candidate. He’s a biomedical engineer from Hillcrest Private Hospital.

http://www.margaretstrelow.com

I don’t think the LNP will get this seat with Margaret Strelow on the Ballot as she took a good chunk of both LNP & Labor votes back in 2017.

@caleb i think youll find that was in a year when labor did well she pulled more votes from labor then she did the lnp i think now that the lnp are expected to do well and with a retiring labor member the chuck that came from the lnp went to onp she’ll pull votes from the left but not the right so id say this is in play

It depends on the where the receding Labor votes go, and possibly One Nation’s too. If she is running a formidable campaign, then I can see the LNP backing out and perhaps offering preferences instead. As an independent, she could pull in preferences from most directions. ALP and LNP might want to preference her before each other. ON and Greens may want to preference her ahead of Labor. Preferences are no use if her primary vote is too low and she’s well behind the majors.

Margaret Strelow had her campaign office opening Friday 19 April. The office was opened by former Labor MP and Cabinet minister Bill Byrne. At this stage,she is the only candidate to have a full time campaign office and a team of volunteers on the ground everyday.
The office is in one of Rocky’s busiest shopping centres. Strelow is getting extensive media support, community support and it’s across the political spectrum.
In Gracemere which is usually ON heart land she is clearly getting support from all age demographics and is campaigning relentlessly for a high school and Police station upgrades.
Anyone who really knows Rockhampton politics will tell you , this time the mood for change is real and do not be surprised if the Labor primary is well below 30%. Both Strelow and The LNP have been seriously campaigning since November 2023.
The new Labor candidate is barely visible and is relying on the Labor base. I know this seat and I know it well. Strelow will poll second at worst on primary and will more than likely win with the help of LNP and ON preferences. Rockhampton has not forgotten what she delivered in local infrastructure and her love for her community is unquestioned.
If you don’t live in Rocky and understand the neglect Labor has inflicted on this town , you cant accurately predict the result.

This statement from Margaret Strelow’s website margaretstrelow.com

EXONERATED
It’s been a long and tough three and a half years but I am happy to announce that I have been completely cleared of the allegation of misconduct that led to my resignation as Mayor in 2020.

QCAT ( Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal ) have laid aside the 2020 Councillor Conduct Tribunal decision and made a new finding that I did not engage in misconduct.​

Obviously I’m pleased with the result , however things should never have gotten to this stage and serious questions need to be answered and the involvement of the CCC should be examined.​

But for now , I need to thank family and close friends who have walked the last few years with me and without whose support I could not have made It. I have been deeply conscious of the unwavering support in the broader community too and I am grateful for each one of you who stood up for me and with me.​

I’m glad It’s over and I can focus on my campaign for the 2024 Queensland State Election.

I can see Margaret getting some really good preference deals. She’s not far left or teal or far right.

LNP and ON would likely preference her ahead of Labor with the hope that Labor loses it. The Greens and Labor will likely preference her ahead of LNP to minimise LNP’s chances of winning it. She does need to get a high enough primary vote in order for the magic of preferences to work in her favour.

She needs to beat a major party or not be too far behind the second placed major party to win.

This will be one of the most fascinating contests in the 24 election. I think Labor’s vote will tank to the low 30s, LNP will poll quite similarly, Strelow will poll low 20s and the last 20 will be shared amongst the minors.

On those numbers, I can see a pathway for Donna Kirkland to win. She’s by far the LNPs best hope of ever winning Rocky – with such a strong profile and if you look at her socials, she’s clearly campaigning to win. Too close to call right now, but leaning LNP gain.

PRP unless you live in Rockhampton, you can not feel the genuine momentum that Strelow has. She will poll a minimum of 35% primary and Kirkland will run second and Labor will poll under 25%.
Since January 2024, 47 Labor branch member’s have left the Party and joined the Strelow campaign.
In 2017 when Strelow ran as an Indi she had a 3 week campaign with no web site, campaign office, not many volunteers and a lack of time.
Strelow is taken very seriously in this town, especially after she was exonerated of trumped up misconduct allegation’s.
I have never seen a campaign that voters are coming in to her office, and saying welcome back, go get them, labors gone etc etc etc. This happens every day and will only grow as the election drags closer.
Ex Labor members are now confident of placing Strelow signs on there property where in 2017 they were scared of retaliation.
I can assure you when it comes to a candidate who understands policy its Strelow.
Labor seems to be running dead in Rocky. Their can has 345 FB Followers, no website, hardly attends community events and seems uninterested.
You must remember in 2017 first time can Barry O’Rourke only polled 31.5 % primary and the Labor Govt was not in the serious trouble they are in now they are now.
One Nation are not the force they once were in Rocky and the seat of Rockhampton has never voted Liberal or LNP in high numbers.
Kirkland is a good can but not experienced enough or a hardened campaigner to beat Labpr at there own game.
Labor voters who want real change will go to Strelow before they go to Kirkland and that is a fact that private opinion polls are showing.
Strelow is running a very smart ground game and she knows how Rocky thinks. Her major tactical advantage is that she can pivot and campaign with out having to check with Party HO before she can answer voters questions. Her FB campaign is far superior than the other two and Strelow and her team is door knocking every day, rain , hail or shine.

What has been the difference and what has helped her campaign immensely is that when she came back to to public life after 3 years , voters have noticed the perceived average performance of the current Council. Voters are treating her campaign office as the defacto MP’s office as they can directly deal with Strelow or phone her anytime and this has also been a major factor.

Any one who thinks Strelow will run third or is running to help elect the LNP candidate needs to take a cold shower.
Strelow wins.

You’ve raised some good points arry O – It’ll be fascinating to watch and I wish Strelow well. Be good to see a shake up and have a decent crossbench of normal MPs.

I haven’t seen anything from the Independent candidate here at all, although judging from some of the above comments and her being a former mayor she may not need flyers, campaign posters, etc.

I was only seeing LNP/Donna Kirkland and One Nation material until about two weeks ago when Labor began ramping up their campaign. I at least know what the guy looks like now, but can’t say I remember his name just yet. It’ll probably be an IND/LNP gain considering the current mood across QLD and despite Rockhampton being such a Labor stronghold throughout history, but who knows yet really.

When Labor loses this and Mackay in October it’ll be historically significant. Working-class voters in industrial cities in regional Queensland deserting the party they voted in for decades.

LNP gain along with Mackay.

This seat is a four-way contest between Labor, the LNP, One Nation and Strelow. Most likely will be an LNP or Ind gain, but depends on who comes second and whose preferences go where.

If One Nation and Labor direct their preferences to Strelow, and this ends up being an LNP vs IND contest, then it’s an IND gain. If it’s ALP vs LNP, then One Nation preferences make it an LNP gain.

@AA what are Stretlow’s policies? Where is she on the political spectrum? Those are the questions that will determine where Labor and One Nation preferences go.

She’s an ex Labor member I believe. Now a very community-focused independent. Labor will put her above the LNP, to try and stop the LNP from gaining this seat. One Nation will likely put Labor last (or second last, with The Greens being last), although I’m not sure whether they’d put Strelow above the LNP

@AA I guarantee this will be One Nation’s HTV:

1. One Nation
2. LNP
3. Stretlow
4. Labor
5. Greens

And the LNP’s will likely be:

1. LNP
2. One Nation
3. Stretlow
4. Labor
5. Greens

Yes, that’s the likely HTVs.

I also did a bit of research on Strelow. She was a member of Labor’s right faction, and was backed by factional ally Palaczcuck to contest preselection for this seat in 2017. This seat has been in the hand of the left-aligned Old Guard (unity) faction for decades, and she subsequently lost preselection to unity’s Barry O’Rourke. Because she lost preselection, she quit Labor and ran as an independent in 2017, coming second on first preferences but getting beaten by third-placing One Nation on TPP with the help of LNP preferences. She didn’t contest the 2020 election but is back in 2024.

One Nation’s Candidate David Bond was the independent candidate for Rockhampton’s 7th Division & polled at 21.12% with 1337 votes, that’s at least 4.46% of state seat vote.

@Caleb I think it might be higher than that.

Also, before anyone asks why I’m awake at 3:54am, I’m watching the Matildas play at the Olympics.

*Not in Paris from home.

Independent politicians get nowhere in the parliament the political party in power don’t listen to them, if they hold the balance of power it can make a difference but it’s rare. The party in power has the best chance of getting things done.

David Rickertt (CMCA member and Grey Nomads travelling Australia)
Saying Independents get nowhere in Parliament is simply not true. You didn’t whinge when Strelow got you free camping at Kershaw Gardens? You actually are on the public record of thanking her. David any one who knows you , understands your a 34 year member of The Rockhampton South Labor Party branch.
Comrade Barry O’Rourke was against the free parking but Strelow fought hard for you. Maybe time to leave Labor and back a candidate who will get Rocky back on track.

Rockhampton will be won by One Nation candidate David Bond. Bond is a well known and very respected local business owner and is very well connected to the Rockhampton and Gracemere Asian community. His wife is of Chinese heritage and both her and Bond have been working tirelessly in the Asian community for over 15 years.
In 2017 One Nation came very close to winning Rockhampton and ran second on prefences.
The LNP and One Nation have agreed to a preference deal . With Strelow running 4th her preferences will elect Bond.

As a representative of the Rockhampton Muslim community we are concerned at the lack of support for the citizens of Palestine.
The Australian Labor Party have not taken our concerns seriously and we as a community feel very badly let down by their elected MPs.
As a community we understand that Queensland State MPs have very little control over the policies of their Federal Representatives. We have asked for responses of support from the 4 major candidates and have only received a response from the One Nation Candidate Mr. David Bond. His response did not address any of our concerns.
This is very disappointing for our community and therefore we can not endorse any off the so far declared candidates.

@Usman what sort of support would you like?

@Usman unsurprising that no Muslim candidates are running given that Rockhampton’s Muslim community is quite small. In fact Queensland in general has quite a small Muslim community outside southwestern Brisbane and Logan.

@Nether Portal. With all due respect , we are a small but very proud and vibrant community. Our votes count.

@ Usman Muktar
The Greens are Pro-Palestine i am surprised you havnt reach out to them. There are actually running a Muslim candidate in Condamine.

@Usman Muktar I understand that I was just saying it is unsurprising.

As Nimalan said, the Greens are aggressively pro-Palestine. But they are also woke so, you make your choice. I live in the seat of Bonney and as usual will be voting LNP.

Looks like things are getting tight in Rockhampton.
According to the COUIER MAIL In November 2023, the LNP and Independent Margaret Strelow had done a preference deal.
It now seems that the LNP have backtracked and have now done a deal with One Nation.
Both Strelow and the LNP have been campaigning nonstop since JANUARY one month before Labor had announced their new candidate.
Would make sense as its more than likely that Strelow will run top two on primary same as she did in 2017. In 2017 Labor were not going any where as badly as they are now and again according to the Courier Mail 25 September, Regional Labor MPs and candidates have given up.
The Labor candidate is barely visible and seems to be hoping that by Facebook bashing Strelow they can nullify her vote. Labor can’t rely on the Green vote as its always under 4%.
Looks like it will be either Strelow or the Donna Kirkland.

Gina Rinehart has donated to One Nations Rockhampton candidate David Bond. Her generosity has enabled David Bond to have 12 TV ads on Channel 7 from October 11 and 65 4RO radio ads from October 7.
Also her help has meant that David has been able to man election day booths and deliver a leaflet by Australia Post in all 4 weeks of the campaign .
Gina’s help will ensure that the seat of Rockhampton is finally lost by Labor. Donna Kirkland LNP has agreed to a presence swap and this will seal the deal.

Not an indication of the results by any means, but I do find it interesting going through town and taking note of all the candidate’s signs. I’d say the LNP has the most, closely followed by Labor, then Strelow after that, and oddly enough Family First after her. There’s an occasional One Nation sign too, but nothing from the LCQ or Greens.

Right now I think the primary vote order will be:
*LNP
*Ind
*Labor
*One Nation
*Legalise Cannabis
*Family First
*Greens
The actual results may be a little different. FFP could easily come ahead of LCQ, although the latter performs decently in some regional areas because it’s single-issue and not explicitly left-wing like the Greens.

@laine your suggesting that the lnp gains at least 10% and Labor loses at least 10% on the primary vote. I can’t see Labor falling from 1st to 3rd. Not on a previous primary vote of 44%. I see this as a lnp win vs Labor. Strettlow would likely pickup all othe preferences other the lnp and onp who are referencing lnp in every seat that I’m aware.

Interestingly the last time a liberal held this seat was back when it was a multi member electorate back in 1912. They have never held it as a single member in any of its existences going backup 1865

@John yeah, it could easily turn out an LNP victory instead. Donna Kirkland is a former councilor and she’s really active on the ground here. Strelow has also been in politics for a long time now so that may drag her down.

And yeah the LNP have never won the current seat. Although the Liberals held Rockhampton South from 1960 to 1969.

@lain in 2017sheran second but didn’t make the 2cp. I can’t see her stripping enough votes off liberal and Labor to make it. Usually an independent running second is enough but they usually rely on left of centre votes to get them over. It would be highly unlikely she knocks the lnp out of the count given they will have onp to prop them up into the 2pp and I doubt she can strip enough votes off Labor to knock them out. She might be better off running once the lnp are out of favour as an alternative to labor

Independent win or alp retain

this is AEF’s first preference projections and two candidates would look like https://www.aeforecasts.com/seat/2024qld/regular/rockhampton

Aef methodology not intended to list seat results.

I’m currently visiting Rocky and simply wish to say that I hope whoever wins the seat is able to rejuvenate the CBD.

After walking around the past few days I am saddened to seen how quiet the place is. Quay Street on the River Side has some stunning heritage buildings but East Street is full of empty shops, and most of what’s left is pretty downmarket stuff.

I don’t know if this is all due to WFH or COVID-19, or if it’s a long term trend due to shopping centres in the suburbs draining retail dollars away.

If anyone from Rockhampton knows what is planned to rejuvenate things, I’d love to hear about it.

Her canditure will make the seat uncertain as I suspect the seat is a 3 candidate marginal
Labor could retain!