The Australian Labor Party currently holds the three Queensland Parliamentary seats covering The Westerner region.

Labor has held all three seats – Everton, Pine Rivers and Ferny Grove – for the past 20 years.

But if the results of the last State election are anything to go by, its main political rival the Liberal National Party (LNP) could be confident of breaking up the Labor stranglehold on the region come election day on 24 March.

The LNP made notable inroads into Labor’s winning margins for the local seats – Everton (a 11 per cent upward swing, before preferences), Ferny Grove (9.4 per cent) and Pine Rivers (6.2 per cent) – at the 2009 ballot.

The Electoral Commission of Queensland has received a total of 430 candidate nominations across the 89 electoral districts across the state. This compares with only 397 candidates at the 2009 election.

The average age of all candidates across Queensland is 47, with the oldest being 83 and the youngest 18.

Voter assistance is available through the Electoral Commission’s website or by phoning the Voters’ Helpline on 1300 881 665.  

Queensland Election 2012 - Electorate Overviews and Candidate Profiles

EVERTON

Australian Labor Party (ALP) seat since 1977

Sitting member: Murray Watt (since 2009)

2009 election result: Murray Watt (ALP) won by 735 votes

The Westerner suburbs covered: Albany Creek, Bunya, Eatons Hill, Everton Hills

Profile: The seat has been held by the ALP for 37 of the past 40 years.  The Liberal Party’s Brian Lindsay held the seat from 1974 to 1977

2012 election candidates (click on name to view candidate profile): Bruce Hallett (Greens), Tim Mander (LNP), Murray Watt (ALP), Denym Witherow (Australian Party)

FERNY GROVE

Australian Labor Party (ALP) seat since 1992

Sitting member: Geoff Wilson (since 1998)

2009 election result: Geoff Wilson (ALP) won by 2359 votes

The Westerner suburbs covered: Arana Hills, Bunya, Camp Mountain, Cedar Creek, Closeburn, Draper, Ferny Hills, Highvale, Mt Glorious, Mt Nebo, Mt Samson, Samford Valley, Samford Village, Samsonvale, Upper Kedron, Wights Mountain, Yugar, parts of Cashmere

Profile: Sitting member Geoff Wilson is one of two MPs to have held the seat since it was formed in 1992. The other was Glen Milliner (1992–1998), who previously served as Member for Everton from 1977 to 1992.

2012 election candidates (click on name to view candidate profile): Howard Nielsen (Greens), Dale Shuttleworth (LNP), Geoff Wilson (ALP)

PINE RIVERS

Australian Labor Party (ALP) seat since 2009

Sitting member: Carolyn Male (since 2009)

2009 election result: Carolyn Male (ALP) won by 2270 votes

The Westerner suburbs covered: Armstrong Creek, Bray Park, Brendale, Cashmere, Clear Mountain, Dayboro, Joyner, King Scrub, Kobble Creek, Laceys Creek, Lawnton, Mt Pleasant, Mt Samson, Ocean View, Rush Creek, Samsonvale, Strathpine, Warner

Profile: In the 20 years between 1972 and 1992, the first incarnation of the seat of Pine Rivers was never held by same party for more than two consecutive terms.

2012 election candidates (click on name to view candidate profiles) : John Alexander (Australian Party), Patrick Bulman (ALP), Di Clark (Greens), Seath Holswich (LNP)