UPDATE: The Queensland Redistribution Commission has just announced a major overhaul of the state’s electoral map, proposing to scrap two seats, which raises uncertainty for non-government MPs. This urgent development, released on March 10, 2026, could reshape the political landscape ahead of the crucial 2028 state election.
The draft proposal indicates that the Labor-held seat of Stretton, located in southern Brisbane, will be divided and absorbed into neighboring seats, both held by the same party. Additionally, the northern seat of Hill, governed by Katter’s Australian Party and centered around Innisfail, will be integrated into surrounding electorates.
Significant changes include the creation of two new electorates: the Caboolture seat, which will encompass areas including Morayfield and Pumicestone, and the Springfield seat, designed to accommodate the rapidly growing population in its namesake area. This redistribution marks the first significant boundary changes since 2017, maintaining the total number of seats at 93.
The commission emphasized that these alterations were not made lightly, stating, “These changes, particularly where districts are proposed to be absorbed into the surrounding districts, are not made lightly.” The goal is to ensure that the number of enrolled voters in each electorate stays within 10 percent of the average of roughly 40,000 voters. Currently, over a dozen electorates are outside this range, highlighting the urgent need for adjustments.
Public consultations have been ongoing since mid-2025, inviting community feedback on the proposed changes. The Liberal National Party (LNP) had earlier requested the abolition of both the Hill and another Labor seat, while the Greens advocated for a new seat in the Logan-Ipswich corridor. Meanwhile, Labor leader Steven Miles voiced concerns over potential political influences in the process, stating, “Queenslanders cannot have any trust in this process.”
The response from political leaders has been swift. KAP leader Robbie Katter criticized the proposals as “piss weak,” asserting they benefit southeastern areas at the expense of the north. LNP state director Ben Riley pointed out that the draft could lead to new Labor seats emerging in areas traditionally held by the party.
Electoral analyst Ben Raue has calculated that the LNP’s proposed adjustments could flip six Labor-held seats to be notionally held by the LNP. The changes aim to balance voter populations in electorates, especially in Brisbane’s southern regions, where Stretton and Toohey are below the minimum voter levels.
The commission has set a deadline for public submissions on the draft proposal until April 9, 2026. After this date, all feedback will be published for further public comment. As the political landscape in Queensland takes shape, all eyes will be on how these changes affect future elections and representation.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as public opinion and political maneuvers unfold in the coming weeks.
