Queensland Election 2024: date, candidates, polls and everything you need to know

But a fourth term for Labor remains unlikely as the electorate tires of a cost-of-living crisis, youth crime, hospital expansion and the flips and tumbles of Olympic infrastructure.

Both leaders launched a desperate race to win marginal seats in the final week of the campaign and will meet in the final leaders’ debate tonight.

But many Queenslanders will already be voting long before the sausages start sizzling on Saturday.

The LNP’s lead is shrinking but still ahead – 53 to 47 on a two-party basis, according to a new poll.

That would mean a swing of 6 percent, which in a 93-seat parliament would see Labor lose 13 seats to the LNP, enough to give Crisafulli a slim majority.

Queensland is generally considered a conservative state, despite the fact that the Labor Party has been in power for most of the last 25 years.

Most of the population lives outside of Brisbane and these regions can be a fierce and unpredictable battleground.

For example, the Whitsunday region is home to the Great Barrier Reef, a major employer and economic driver worth $1.5 billion.

But it is also home to large agricultural industries, including sugarcane and cattle production, and neighbors the mining regions of the Bowen and Galilee basins.

Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) holds four seats in the north and will be looking to expand its ranks.

The Greens will run one candidate for each seat, but their main focus will be Greater Brisbane.

It has two locations in the city center and will be looking to expand into the outer suburbs.

Andrew Lofthouse and Melissa Downs will be joined on the panel by Nine political editor Charles Croucher and Queensland political editor Tim Arvier, former Labor MP Kate Jones, health minister Shannon Fentiman, former LNP premier Deb Frecklington and shadow sports minister Tim Mander.

You can also follow the news on the live blog 9news.com.au.

Who are the candidates and what are their policies?

Miles is hoping to win his first full term in office.

He otherwise remained neutral or supported many of Labour’s policies, including the introduction of a 50-cent fare, and committed to sticking to Labour’s budget for the next four years.

What about minor parties?

The Greens are hoping to win four more seats while holding on to Maiwar and South Brisbane.

They are campaigning for a rent freeze, an end to no-fault evictions, curbs on food price increases, and free school lunches.

CAP leader Robbie Katter has given the LNP a stretch by promising to introduce a bill to abolish abortion in Parliament after the election.

Queensland decriminalized abortion in 2018, and leaders of both major parties have promised there will be no changes to the laws.

But if Crisafulli is elected prime minister, he may have to contend with a group of newly elected LNP MPs with anti-abortion views.

He would not confirm whether he would allow LNP members to “vote their conscience”.

Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party, which currently has no active member, campaigns on youth crime, the cost of living and housing, and federal issues such as immigration and foreign ownership.

The party lost one seat it had held since the 2020 Queensland state election when they ousted Mirani MP Stephen Andrew from the party.

There’s also a mix of other minor parties in the mix that are unlikely to make a significant impact.

When will we know the winner?

Polling stations close at 6:00 pm AEST and vote counting begins.

The official count of mail votes takes up to 10 days, but analysts usually do it overnight.

The leader of the losing party usually calls on his opponent to concede, and both make speeches on television.

How to vote in Queensland elections

Voters can go to the polling booth from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm on Saturday, October 26th. You do not need to carry ID with you.

Queensland has compulsory preferential voting.

In order for your vote to count, you must number all boxes in the order you prefer.

Volunteers representing political parties will likely give you cards with voting instructions.

You don’t have to follow these cards and you can vote for whoever you want.

Where to vote in Queensland elections

Polling places are usually located in local schools, churches and public buildings.

Early voting has begun and ends Friday at 6 p.m.

Applications for voting by mail are closed. Completed postal votes must be received by the Board of Elections by 6:00 pm on Tuesday, November 5.

What happens if I don’t vote?

Voting is compulsory for eligible citizens aged 18 years or older.

Records are reviewed after the election and if you did not vote, you will receive a no-vote notification.

If you cannot prove that you voted or provide a good reason why you did not vote, you will receive a fine.

The current fine is $161.30.