Kempton steals back Cook as LNP takes the State

Queensland Election 2024

Bryan Littlely

Journalist

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The LNP's David Kempton will be the new member for Cook, taking the seat for a second time as the only LNP member to have held it. Picture: David Kempton Facebook
One of the most important jobs on election day is cooking the "democracy sausages" and Mossman CWA's Maree Rutherford, Debbie McPaul and Valerie Geary did a great job as part of their monthly market. Picture: Bryan Littlely

David Kempton has enjoyed an 8.1 per cent swing to steal back the seat of Cook as the LNP swept to power in the Queensland State Election to end a decade of Labor government.

With 66 per cent of the vote counted at 9am Sunday, the LNP had secured 48 seats, with 11 seats remaining in doubt, and former Labor Premier Steven Miles called LNP leader David Crisafulli to concede defeat.

In Cook, Mr Kempton, the only LNP candidate to have won the Labor stronghold, at the 2012 election, enjoyed a swing of 8.1 per cent (12 per cent on preferences) while the swing away from Labor incumbent Cynthia Lui was -6.7 per cent.

Ms Lui visited both the Port Douglas and Mossman polling stations on Saturday morning before attending through the afternoon at Mareeba and then to Cairns to join other Far North candidates as votes were counted.

Labor's Cynthia Lui in Port Douglas with daughter Lizabel and niece Tyisha on voting day. Picture: Bryan Littlely
Katter's Australian Party candidate for Cook Duane "Mossy" Amos with his wife, Cathy, at Mossman for election day. Picture: Bryan Littlely

“Whatever the outcome, I’ve given it everything,’’ she told Newsport.

“This is my third election and I think it was quite respectful and fair. All candidates are driven by the same overall goals and to get the same outcome.’’

Katter’s Australian Party candidate for Cook, Duane “Mossy” Amos, was onsite at Mossman with wife Cathy and speaking to voters.

“I’m a people person,’’ he said.

“The people come up with the products and it is up to the politicians to get the job done of putting them in place.’’

Mr Amos said the Cook electorate had suffered an “absolute absence of leadership” for far too long and he hoped his campaign drives a change. The decorated police officer secured 21.9 per cent of the vote, a gain of 4.7 per cent for KAP.

Bree James also enjoyed a small swing - 2.1 per cent and 7.3 per cent on the preference count - to claim the hotly contested neigbouring seat of Barron River from Labor’s Craig Crawford (-6.5 per cent).

But Michael Healy held on to retain Cairns despite an -8.0 per cent drop in his vote and a 2.9 per cent swing to the LNP on the preference count.

 

* Newsport will continue to update this article as fresh results are available and candidates make comment.

Bree James took the seat of Barron River for the LNP. She's pictured here on the campaign trail. Picture: Bree James.

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