In an indication of his finely-tuned political instincts, the Queensland Premier, Peter Beattie, has warned the ALP against complacency, following its defeat in the Maryborough by-election.
The by-election was caused by the resignation, due to ill-health, of John Kingston. Kingston won the seat as a One Nation candidate in 1998, resigning a year later to sit as an Independent. He was re-elected in 2001. Maryborough has previously been held by Labor and National party members.