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Queensland State Election Photographs 2015

By JOL Admin | 11 June 2015

At the last Queensland State Election in 2012, voters delivered an unprecedented result in the State’s history. Not only was Labor removed from office, but it was left with only 8 percent of seats in the State’s single chamber, whilst the Campbell Newman-led Liberal National Party (LNP) experienced a 13.7 per cent two-party-preferred swing to take government outright.

Fortunes change. From the collection 29750 Dean Saffron 2015 Queensland State Election Photographs 30 January-1 February 2015

Fortunes change. From the collection 29750 Dean Saffron 2015 Queensland State Election Photographs 30 January-1 February 2015

When former Premier Campbell Newman announced a snap election for January 31st 2015, not many predicted the final outcome.

Democracy and the power of the people. From the collection Brian Cassey 2015 Queensland State Election Photographs

Democracy and the power of the people. From the collection Brian Cassey 2015 Queensland State Election Photographs

Labor, under the leadership of Annastacia Palaszczuk, went on to win 44 seats amidst some to-ing and fro-ing which required the Electoral Commission of Queensland to make declarations around seats.

What a swing! From collection Peter Fischmann 2015 Queensland State Election Photographs and Moving Images

What a swing! From collection Peter Fischmann 2015 Queensland State Election Photographs and Moving Images

To form minority government; however, Labor required 45 seats and with the support of long-term independent Peter Wellington MP, went on to form government – proving that we play our politics like we play our footie, to the last breath!

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The political phoenix. From the collection 29750 Dean Saffron 2015 Queensland State Election Photographs 30 January-1 February 2015

The political phoenix. From the collection 29750 Dean Saffron 2015 Queensland State Election Photographs 30 January-1 February 2015

Although short lived, the 2015 Queensland State Election saw some fantastical results, revelations and close calls including: the disqualification of a Palmer United Party (PUP) candidate for being an undischarged bankrupt; the son of a former premier, John Bjelke-Petersen, having a go as the State Leader for PUP (he was the PUP candidate for Callide); Campbell Newman losing his seat in Ashgrove (and hence the leadership) back to former sitting member, Kate Jones MP; and Pauline Hanson coming close to winning the seat of Lockyer.

Blast from the past. From collection 29216 Hamish Cairns 2015 Queensland State Election Photographs

Blast from the past. From collection 29216 Hamish Cairns 2015 Queensland State Election Photographs

It was an election won largely on preferences and one which saw pre-poll and postal votes playing a key role in the result.

Free and fair elections. From the collection Peter Fischmann 2015 Queensland State Election Photographs and Moving Images

Free and fair elections. From the collection Peter Fischmann 2015 Queensland State Election Photographs and Moving Images

Did you miss the circus or do you long to revisit a not so distant past?  Well State Library of Queensland has you covered. A wonderful motley crew of photographers - Hamish Cairns, Dean Saffron, Brian Cassey and Peter Fischmann - were out and about, documenting various aspects of the 2015 Queensland State Election for posterity and their collections are available for viewing through our online catalogue.

It's a gas. From the collection Brian Cassey 2015 Queensland State Election Photographs

It's a gas. From the collection Brian Cassey 2015 Queensland State Election Photographs

Have a look. You know you want to! See our online catalogue for the 2015 Queensland State Election Photographs

Four thumbs up. From the collection 29216 Hamish Cairns 2015 Queensland State Election Photographs

Four thumbs up. From the collection 29216 Hamish Cairns 2015 Queensland State Election Photographs

Zenovia Pappas – Contemporary Collecting Coordinator, State Library of Queensland

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