Queensland Premier Peter Beattie has called an election for September 9.
The announcement was made at a press conference in Brisbane at 11am today. The election is being held six months early and follows the premature ill-health retirement by the member for Townsville, Nita Cunningham.
Since the last election on February 7, 2004, the Queensland Labor government has lost 3 seats in by-elections but still retains 60 seats in the 89-seat Legislative Assembly. The Nationals have 16, the Liberals have 7, there are 5 independents and 1 One Nation. The Oppostion would need to win at least 15 seats in the election to oust the government.
- Listen to Peter Beattie’s Press Conference (30m)
