THE POLL BLUDGER
Queensland Legislative Assembly Election 2006

MOUNT ISA
Labor 14.2%

RegionNorthern Outback
FederalKennedy/Maranoa
Outgoing MemberTony McGrady (Labor)
CandidatesRoy Collins (Nationals)
Merlin Manners (Family First)
Betty Kiernan (Labor)

The electorate of Mount Isa was created at the 1972 election, with the town previously having been in the Labor electorates of Burke and Carpentaria. Only on Tony McGrady's watch has Mount Isa been a safe seat for the Labor Party, which previously won it only in 1972 and 1983. It is therefore highly significant that McGrady is retiring after being diagnosed with a benign brain tumour in March 2006.

ASSESSMENT: Labor retain