PROPOSED changes in the state electoral redistribution may see the LNP seat of Redlands become notionally Labor.
The seat is held by the LNPs Matt McEachan but it will see major changes, with the conservative areas of Cornubia, Sheldon, Carbrook and Mt Cotton moved out of the electorate under boundary changes.
Mr McEachan said he had always considered Redlands a marginal seat, with former LNP MP Peter Dowling winning it by 32 votes and Labor having held it before that.
Although Mr McEachan lost areas in the redistribution that had LNP booths, he picked up part of Thornlands which should balance out the Mt Cotton loss.
Mr McEachan said he would stand again but he was disappointed at the loss of Mt Cotton because it meant the state electorate would not be aligned with council boundaries.
“I’m pretty comfortable with the redistribution overall,’’ he said. “Now I’ll just have to make myself known in the rest of Thornlands.’’
Mr McEachan said he had expected Redlands boundaries to be redrawn because of the area’s rapid population growth.
The redistribution which adds the seat of Macalister also will impact the seat of Springwood to the west, peeling away some of the Labor advantage in that area.
With the creation of Macalister and the weakening of Labor in Springwood, it might tempt someone like Redlands Cr Julie Talty to put her hand up for LNP preselection in one of those seats.
This could put her and someone like Labor’s Mick de Brenni (Springwood) battling it out in Macalister or Springwood.
Cr Talty has been asked for comment.
It appears minimal changes made to the seats of Cleveland (Oodgeroo) and Capalaba will not largely influence electoral outcomes.
Labor’s Capalaba MP Don Brown might lose about 2 per cent of his 7.1 per cent margin as he picks up areas around the Birkdale train station and Montgomery Park at Wellington Point..
Mr Brown said he did not see that it would make for any major change.
“There’s a long way to go with this yet (in regard to final boundaries),’’ he said. “I think it’s fantastic that Cleveland has been renamed Oodgeroo.’’
Ms Palaszczuk said the redistribution – released on the recommendations of an independent panel - included four new electorates.
Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls said the LNP would abide by the umpire’s decision.
Cleveland renamed Oodgeroo, Page 3
