2025 Hinchinbrook state by-election
29 November 2025
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Electoral district of Hinchinbrook in the Queensland Legislative Assembly | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Registered | 39,818 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Turnout | 77.81% ( 10.15) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 2025 Hinchinbrook state by-election was held on 29 November 2025 to elect the member for Hinchinbrook in the Queensland Legislative Assembly, following the resignation of Katter's Australian Party (KAP) MP Nick Dametto.[1][2]
Dametto, who had served as the member for Hinchinbrook since 2017, announced his resignation on 26 September 2025 in order to contest a by-election for Townsville mayor.[3][4] Under Queensland law, candidates running for local government positions cannot be a member of a state or federal parliament.[5][6]
Liberal National Party (LNP) candidate Wayde Chiesa won the by-election. It was the first time a sitting Queensland government has gained a seat in a by-election since Mulgrave in 1998.[7]
Background
2024 election results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Katter's Australian | Nick Dametto | 15,351 | 46.42 | +3.88 | |
| Liberal National | Annette Swaine | 9,331 | 28.22 | +3.28 | |
| Labor | Ina Pryor | 4,639 | 14.03 | −5.41 | |
| One Nation | Ric Daubert | 1,523 | 4.60 | −2.52 | |
| Legalise Cannabis | Kevin Wheatley | 1,181 | 3.57 | +3.57 | |
| Greens | Jon Kowski | 1,044 | 3.16 | −0.27 | |
| Total formal votes | 33,069 | 96.57 | +0.02 | ||
| Informal votes | 1,175 | 3.43 | −0.02 | ||
| Turnout | 34,244 | 87.96 | +0.97 | ||
| Two-candidate-preferred result | |||||
| Katter's Australian | Nick Dametto | 20,889 | 63.17 | −1.59 | |
| Liberal National | Annette Swaine | 12,180 | 36.83 | +1.59 | |
| Katter's Australian hold | Swing | −1.59 | |||
Candidates
Candidates are listed in the order they appeared on the ballot.
| Party | Candidate | Background | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal National | Wayde Chiesa | Former RDA North Queensland CEO | |
| Independent | Steven Clare | Former One Nation candidate for Thuringowa (2024) | |
| Labor | Maurie Soars | Former Townsville councillor | |
| Greens | Aiden Creagh | Locomotive driver and baker[9] | |
| Katter's Australian | Mark Molachino | Former deputy mayor of Townsville | |
| Family First | Amanda Nickson | Former candidate for Burdekin (2024) and Dawson (2025) | |
| One Nation | Luke Sleep | Coal miner | |
Katter's Australian
On 8 October 2025, the KAP announced its candidate would be Mark Molachino, a former deputy mayor of Townsville who served as the councillor for Division 4 from 2016 until losing his seat in 2024.[10] Molachino was previously a member of the Labor Party.[10][11] The People First Party has endorsed Molachino.[12]
Dametto resigned from the KAP to contest the mayoral by-election as an independent.[13] He has not endorsed a candidate in the Hinchinbrook by-election, saying "I don't really care if it's Katter that holds that seat afterwards, or the LNP or Labor Party, who knows, independent".[14] However, Dametto confirmed on 21 November 2025 that he would vote for the KAP.[15]
Liberal National
Wayde Chiesa, the former Regional Development Australia (RDA) Townsville and North West Queensland CEO, was preselected as the Liberal National Party (LNP) candidate on 14 October 2025.[16]
Labor
The Labor Party confirmed on 14 October 2025 that it would contest the by-election.[17] On 3 November 2025, it announced former Townsville councillor Maurie Soars would be its candidate.[18]
One Nation
Pauline Hanson's One Nation announced Lisa Buchtmann, a small business owner and former Australian Army truck driver, as its candidate on 15 October 2025.[19] One week later, she withdrew her candidacy because of a personal health matter.[20][21] Coal miner Luke Sleep replaced Buchtmann on 11 November 2025.[22]
Others
The Greens announced Aiden Creagh as its candidate on 8 November 2025.[23]
How-to-vote cards
Candidates can provide how-to-vote cards with recommendations for voters on how to preference other parties. Independent candidate Steven Clare did not submit a how-to-vote card.[24]
The Katter's Australian Party issued two alternative cards, varying in the position of the LNP and Labor.[25] One Nation recommended preferencing the LNP above the KAP; One Nation member and former federal MP George Christensen subsequently supported preferencing the KAP higher.[26]
| Candidate | How-to-vote card (read column top down) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LNP | IND | ALP | GRN | KAP | FFP | ONP | ||
| Liberal National | 1 | N/a | 5 | 4 | 5/6 | 6 | 3 | |
| Steven Clare (Ind.) | 6 | N/a | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
| Labor[27] | 5 | N/a | 1 | 2 | 5/6 | 5 | 6 | |
| Greens | 7 | N/a | 3 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 7 | |
| Katter's Australian | 4 | N/a | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 5 | |
| Family First | 2 | N/a | 4 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | |
| One Nation[28] | 3 | N/a | 7 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 1 | |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal National | Wayde Chiesa | 12,271 | 41.23 | +13.01 | |
| Katter's Australian | Mark Molachino | 8,964 | 30.12 | –16.30 | |
| One Nation | Luke Sleep | 4,011 | 13.48 | +8.88 | |
| Labor | Maurie Soars | 2,490 | 8.37 | −5.66 | |
| Greens | Aiden Creagh | 1,046 | 3.51 | +0.35 | |
| Family First | Amanda Nickson | 646 | 2.17 | +2.17 | |
| Independent | Steven Clare | 333 | 1.12 | +1.12 | |
| Total formal votes | 29,761 | 96.06 | –0.51 | ||
| Informal votes | 1,221 | 3.94 | +0.51 | ||
| Turnout | 30,982 | 77.81 | −10.15 | ||
| Two-candidate-preferred result | |||||
| Liberal National | Wayde Chiesa | 15,982 | 53.70 | +16.87 | |
| Katter's Australian | Mark Molachino | 13,779 | 46.30 | –16.87 | |
| Liberal National gain from Katter's Australian | Swing | +16.87 | |||
Results are not final. Last updated at 13:39 AEST on 10 December 2025.
By polling place
| Polling place | Primary vote | 2CP vote | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LNP | KAP | ONP | ALP | GRN | FFP | IND | LNP | KAP | |
| Bluewater | 171 | 207 | 118 | 58 | 34 | 16 | 4 | 44.08% | 55.92% |
| Burdell | 481 | 271 | 144 | 141 | 67 | 37 | 17 | 56.56% | 43.44% |
| Burdell North | 309 | 293 | 99 | 94 | 67 | 34 | 15 | 49.51% | 50.49% |
| Cardwell | 273 | 102 | 104 | 23 | 23 | 13 | 4 | 66.61% | 33.39% |
| Deeragun | 409 | 367 | 124 | 93 | 51 | 16 | 10 | 50.37% | 49.63% |
| Forrest Beach | 124 | 77 | 51 | 15 | 13 | 7 | 1 | 57.64% | 42.36% |
| Halifax | 79 | 51 | 28 | 18 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 58.29% | 41.71% |
| Ingham | 272 | 130 | 86 | 36 | 29 | 20 | 7 | 58.45% | 41.55% |
| Kennedy | 81 | 31 | 56 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 63.04% | 36.96% |
| Long Pocket | 83 | 34 | 14 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 65.10% | 34.90% |
| Lower Tully | 208 | 200 | 113 | 42 | 31 | 7 | 4 | 47.77% | 52.23% |
| Lucinda | 45 | 29 | 12 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 56.70% | 43.30% |
| Macknade | 41 | 14 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 68.49% | 31.51% |
| Murray Upper | 75 | 80 | 52 | 12 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 47.01% | 52.99% |
| Northern Beaches | 326 | 347 | 124 | 80 | 38 | 25 | 14 | 48.85% | 51.15% |
| Returning Officer Hinchinbrook | 2,900 | 1,326 | 513 | 329 | 85 | 109 | 33 | 62.93% | 37.07% |
| Rollingstone | 113 | 113 | 80 | 27 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 44.82% | 55.18% |
| Rupertswood | 460 | 510 | 217 | 112 | 39 | 30 | 14 | 46.38% | 53.62% |
| Toobanna | 37 | 16 | 22 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 65.43% | 34.57% |
| Trebonne | 63 | 9 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 83.95% | 16.05% |
| Victoria Estate | 30 | 16 | 11 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 61.54% | 38.46% |
| Deeragun (early) | 3,610 | 3,238 | 1,331 | 898 | 313 | 206 | 125 | 49.87% | 50.13% |
| Declaration votes (in-person) | 77 | 67 | 31 | 26 | 11 | 5 | 2 | 50.23% | 49.77% |
| Declaration votes (Postal) | 1,857 | 1,321 | 581 | 411 | 176 | 84 | 54 | 53.81% | 46.19% |
| Mobile polling | 28 | 12 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 71.15% | 28.85% |
| Telephone voting | 10 | 11 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 47.06% | 52.94% |
| Telephone voting (early) | 109 | 92 | 72 | 42 | 14 | 10 | 11 | 55.14% | 44.86% |
See also
References
- ^ Raue, Ben (2 October 2025). "Hinchinbrook by-election incoming". The Tally Room. Archived from the original on 9 October 2025. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
- ^ McGuire, Nikita (3 November 2025). "Crisafulli announces Hinchinbrook by-election date alongside party's candidate". The Courier Mail. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Charles, Caitlan; Singh Mann, Arun; Mercer, Josh (26 September 2025). "Townsville mayor race heats up as suspended Thompson plans comeback". Townsville Bulletin. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ McKay, Jack (19 October 2025). "North Queensland by-election to provide snapshot of state's politics a year on from LNP victory". ABC News. Archived from the original on 20 October 2025. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
- ^ Loney, Georgia; Dansie, Meghan (26 September 2025). "Queensland MP to run in Townsville council by-election following mayor's resignation". ABC News. Archived from the original on 26 September 2025. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
- ^ Fellows, Taylah (26 September 2025). "Embattled Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson resigns, following an 18-month saga". The Courier Mail. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Comments on the Hinchinbrook By-election Result". Antony Green's Election Blog. 1 December 2025. Archived from the original on 1 December 2025. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ "Hinchinbrook – QLD Electorate, Candidates, Results". abc.net.au. 30 November 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ "For those who don't know me, I'm Aiden Creagh, your Greens candidate — and yes, it surprised me too!". Facebook. Tablelands and Northern Queensland Greens. 18 November 2025. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ a b McGuire, Nikita (8 October 2025). "Mark Molachino announces Katter's Australian Party candidacy for Hinchinbrook by-election". Townsville Bulletin. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "MARK RAYMOND MOLACHINO". Electoral Commission of Queensland. 14 February 2024. Archived from the original on 9 October 2025. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
- ^ Rennick, Gerard [@RennickGBR] (19 November 2025). "One Nation have betrayed Queenslanders by preferencing the Liberals in front of the Katter Party in a by-election for the state seat of Hinchinbrook on 29th November that is currently held by the Katter Party" (Tweet). Retrieved 19 November 2025 – via X (formerly Twitter).
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Davis, William; Strohfeldt, Catherine; Hall, James (26 September 2025). "Bid to boost power in Katter Country revealed in mayoral race". Brisbane Times. Archived from the original on 26 September 2025. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
- ^ Burns, Chris (6 October 2025). "KAP courts Townsville's former deputy mayor Mark Molachino for Hinchinbrook". The Courier Mail. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Johnson, Hayden (21 November 2025). "Premier's high-stakes battle to win back Hinchinbrook from Katter's Australian Party". The Courier Mail. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Bates, Cameron (15 October 2025). "Wayde Chiesa, former North Queensland RDA CEO named LNP by-election candidate for Hinchinbrook". Townsville Bulletin. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Scott, Mackenzie (14 October 2025). "Labor bows to pressure on Hinchinbrook contest". The Australian. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Bates, Cameron (3 November 2025). "Maurie Soars Labor candidate for Hinchinbrook by-election". Townsville Bulletin. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Lisa Buchtmann to stand for One Nation in Hinchinbrook". Pauline Hanson's One Nation. 15 October 2025. Archived from the original on 15 October 2025. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
- ^ "WHO WILL BE THE NEXT MEMBER FOR HINCHINBROOK?". Hinchinbrook Life. 23 October 2025. Archived from the original on 24 October 2025. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
- ^ "Lisa Buchtmann exits Hinchinbrook by-election for One Nation". Herald Sun. 22 October 2025. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Luke Sleep to stand for One Nation in Hinchinbrook". Pauline Hanson's One Nation. 11 November 2025. Archived from the original on 11 November 2025. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
- ^ "HINCHINBROOK BY-ELECTION ANNOUNCEMENT". Facebook. Tablelands and Northern Queensland Greens. 8 November 2025. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "2025 Hinchinbrook state by-election candidate information". Electoral Commission of Queensland. 29 November 2025. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "VOTE 1". Facebook. Mark Molachino - KAP Hinchinbrook. 14 November 2025. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "To my ONE NATION friends in Hinchinbrook: PREFERENCE Katter's Australian Party before the LNP". Facebook. George Christensen. 19 November 2025. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "How to vote Labor". Queensland Labor Party. Archived from the original on 30 November 2025. Retrieved 30 November 2025.
- ^ "Early voting is now open in Hinchinbrook". One Nation Queensland. 19 November 2025. Archived from the original on 29 November 2025. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
