A once and future king

Newman: a future local MP?

Here is an interesting possible twist to Queensland politics in the aftermath of what is looking like an LNP bloodbath that should see a dramatic resurgence of Labor and Premier Newman losing his seat of Ashgrove this Saturday.
Said William Bowe in Crikey: "Whichever way preferences are sliced, present indications are that the overall swing will be well beyond Newman’s 5.7% margin."
And here is where its gets interesting, could Newman have a cunning plan?

In an opinion article by Anne Twomey, Professor of Constitutional Law at University of Sydney looked at the legal framework and concluded:

"In the short term, ... it would be possible for a premier to remain in office, without holding a seat, if his or her government held the confidence of the lower house and the premier was seeking election in a by-election.
"This assumes that a compliant MP would resign to permit Newman to run for his or her seat and that Newman was prepared to do so."    

Take your pick of possible safe seats that may be targeted. The ABC's swing calculator is probably a good place to start. Local electorates Cleveland and Redlands are regarded as safe on a current margins of 7.3% and 10.3% respectively and could be targets if either of the LNP candidates, if they win, were "compliant" and resigned.

As I said: interesting.

Redlanders line up to cast early votes in Victoria Point,
They ran the traditional gauntlet of  party faithful pushing how to vote cards.

Stop start motoring for Redlands

South of Benfer Road is becoming
 more of a traffic snarl

Just so it won't be lost...  Outgoing State MP for Redlands , Peter Dowling before the current LNP Government landslided its way to power in 2013 wrote on his website:

Traffic lights confirmed for Anita Street intersection - another sweet victory.. 

LNP State Member for Redlands Peter Dowling today confirmed that Labor has announced that traffic lights are going in at the Anita Street and Cleveland-Redland Bay Roads intersection at Redland Bay.

Mr Dowling said that after a tireless fight and campaign to have the intersection upgraded and his continued badgering on behalf of residents to the Minister for Main Roads, the fight has been won and the impact from the local community should be nothing short of victory celebrations.

"This section of road has caused a great deal of trouble for Main Roads. Between the failure to deliver the duplication from South Street to Boundary Road in the late 90’s and early 2000’s and skimping on the road surface medium creating a noise problem, but now the tired Labor Government have finally come to their senses for the safety of the Redland Bay community." Mr Dowling said.

The Government announced today that the intersection design is already underway and works are planned to start early next year. The project is expected to be completed by May 2012, weather permitting.

"I will be requesting a copy of the plans from the Minister to ensure that the best outcome for the Anita Street intersection is delivered."

 "The Redlands has been so neglected by the Labor Government over the past 20 years and I can now say that the many Letters to the Minister, numerous Questions on Notice, Petition, several Public Meetings and raising this issue over and again in Parliament has paid off with the community getting safer roads that they deserve."

 "I also have to thank the residents of the Anita Street community who have been proactive and an enormous support in collecting signatures for the petition and setting up the public meetings." stated Mr Dowling.

 A CanDo LNP Government will ensure that Queensland has safer roads and stop the excuses and delays.

Don't look for links to this article from the media releases page of the website, They have been removed and only six of the many articles written by Peter Dowling are presented in the menu.)
But to continue, shortly after the CanDo crowd were installed the project was subjected to excuses and delays. It was put on hold. The Redland Times had the story on 3 May 2012.
Now, on the eve of what is becoming a tight election, the project is back on. See another article in Redland City Bulletin.

Hard sell at Pipeclay Creek on election eve promising four lanes
...if Redlanders vote LNP

Locals are not impressed with the key campaigner for the lights, Leeann Lillicrap pointing out that "the promise was nothing more than vote buying."
According to the Bulletin writeup  the State Minister for Transport, Craig Emerson said the project, would only occur if the LNP was returned to government.
Meanwhile, traffic continues to grow and so do the accidents.