QUEENSLAND ELECTION 2009

MURRUMBA Labor 12.1%
Region: Outer Northern Brisbane Federal divisions: Longman/Petrie
	RODNEY BLAIR Greens PETER FLANNERY Liberal National (bottom) SALLY VINCENT Family First DEAN WELLS Labor (top)

Murrumba covers outer northern Brisbane suburbs to the east of the Bruce Highway, dominated by Deception Bay north of the Redcliffe Peninsula. Rapid development in this area left the seat substantially over quota going into the redistribution, resulting in the loss of 8000 voters at Murrumba Downs west of the highway to Kallangur and 3800 around the Kippa-Ring industrial area to Redcliffe in the east. It has been compensated only with an extension into lightly developed areas in the north, adding 1000 voters from Pumicestone. The electorate has had an uninterrupted existence going back to 1912, and in keeping with its original rural orientation was held by the National/Country Party from its creation until 1977. Joe Kruger held the seat for Labor from then until 1986, when he was succeeded by Dean Wells.

Wells was previously member for the federal seat of Petrie during the first term of the Hawke government, having won the seat from the Liberals in 1983 before losing in 1984. He served as Attorney-General in the Goss government, Education Minister in the first term of the Beattie government, and Environment Minister in the second. After the 2004 election he lost the support of the Labor Forum faction, and he has since been on the back bench. It was reported in August last year that the faction was considering a deal in which his seat would be sacrificed to the Left.

PREDICTION: Labor retain