BLIGH SETS BRISBANE CENTRAL BY-ELECTION DATE
Published Sunday, 16 September, 2007 at 03:00 PM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Premier Anna Bligh will face her first electoral test after calling an October 13 by-election for the seat of Brisbane Central vacated by outgoing Premier Peter Beattie.
Ms Bligh said writs would be issued for the by-election after a special meeting of Executive Council at Government House in Brisbane today that she attended with Deputy-Premier Paul Lucas.
The decision means that the people of Brisbane Central will be represented in the Parliament within a month of Mr Beattie’s resignation.
Ms Bligh has asked ALP secretary Milton Dick to accept nominations for the inner-Brisbane seat up until Friday.
“This will be my first electoral test and it will be a tough one,” Ms Bligh said.
“After 18 years representing the seat, nine of them as Premier, Peter Beattie has commanded an extremely high personal vote. Combine that with the anti-Government swing traditionally recorded in by-elections and we are up against it.
“The margin looks good on paper but in reality , it’s considerably thinner than a lot of people would think.”
Ms Bligh has called on the ALP to unite behind her choice Grace Grace, the 49-year-old who was born in the electorate and has lived there all of her life.
“Grace is a perfect fit for Brisbane Central and I want her on my team,” Ms Bligh said.
“She has a well-rounded career in jobs as varied as stenographer, working in a supermarket and her current role as the General Secretary of the Queensland Council of Unions.
“She is an energetic, high-profile woman who as well her union work has brought a commonsense approach to a impressive array of boards and community organisations.
“Grace is a busy working mum who understands the challenges of bringing up a family.
“She’s an advocate for families and is widely regarded for her intelligence, passion and fairness. “
The electoral rolls for Brisbane Central voters will close on Saturday, September 22. Nominations for the seat will close on Tuesday, September 25.
September 16, 2007
More information: Premier’s Office, Scott Dixon (0448 614420)
Ms Bligh said writs would be issued for the by-election after a special meeting of Executive Council at Government House in Brisbane today that she attended with Deputy-Premier Paul Lucas.
The decision means that the people of Brisbane Central will be represented in the Parliament within a month of Mr Beattie’s resignation.
Ms Bligh has asked ALP secretary Milton Dick to accept nominations for the inner-Brisbane seat up until Friday.
“This will be my first electoral test and it will be a tough one,” Ms Bligh said.
“After 18 years representing the seat, nine of them as Premier, Peter Beattie has commanded an extremely high personal vote. Combine that with the anti-Government swing traditionally recorded in by-elections and we are up against it.
“The margin looks good on paper but in reality , it’s considerably thinner than a lot of people would think.”
Ms Bligh has called on the ALP to unite behind her choice Grace Grace, the 49-year-old who was born in the electorate and has lived there all of her life.
“Grace is a perfect fit for Brisbane Central and I want her on my team,” Ms Bligh said.
“She has a well-rounded career in jobs as varied as stenographer, working in a supermarket and her current role as the General Secretary of the Queensland Council of Unions.
“She is an energetic, high-profile woman who as well her union work has brought a commonsense approach to a impressive array of boards and community organisations.
“Grace is a busy working mum who understands the challenges of bringing up a family.
“She’s an advocate for families and is widely regarded for her intelligence, passion and fairness. “
The electoral rolls for Brisbane Central voters will close on Saturday, September 22. Nominations for the seat will close on Tuesday, September 25.
September 16, 2007
More information: Premier’s Office, Scott Dixon (0448 614420)