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THE POLL BLUDGER ASHGROVE
Ashgrove was held by the Liberals from its creation in 1960 until the 1989 election which brought the Wayne Goss government to power. It then fell to Labor's Demetrios "Jim" Fouras, who had been member for South Brisbane from 1977 until his preselection defeat in 1986. An 8.0 per cent swing brought Fouras to within 1.3 per cent of defeat in 1995, but solid swings in 1998 and 2001 returned the seat to safe Labor status. Fouras's cause at the 2004 election was assisted by troubles surrounding Liberal candidate Terry Mendies. In the last week of the campaign, Channel Ten aired a report which revealed his involvement in a failed roof repair business that was being chased through the courts by the Building Services Authority, which included interviews with disgruntled customers. Mendies nevertheless picked up a slight 0.3 per cent two-party swing. Fouras is now retiring. ASSESSMENT: Labor retain | |