QUEENSLAND ELECTION 2009

ROCKHAMPTON Labor 17.8%
Region: Regional City Federal divisions: Capricornia/Flynn
	SAM CLIFFORD Greens DON KANE Liberal National (bottom) GAVIN FINCH Independent ROBERT SCHWARTEN Labor (top)

The city of Rockhampton is located on the Bruce Highway about 650 kilometres north of Brisbane. The electorate contains the entire city except the eastern suburbs of Norman Gardens and Koongal, which are in Keppel, along with the town of Gracemere six kilometres to the south-west. The latter area, along with the southern Rockhampton suburb of The Range, has been added from the abolished seat of Fitzroy, from which it gains 7300 voters. Two adjustments have been made to the boundary with Keppel, the more significant of which deprives it of 2500 voters in Frenchville. Rockhampton has existed as an electorate without interruption since 1865, except from 1960 to 1972 when it was split into Rockhampton South and Rockhampton North (the latter survived until 1992 when it was succeeded by Keppel). Rockhampton South had a Liberal member from 1960 to 1969, but otherwise the area has been represented exclusively by Labor-identifying members. The member for Rockhampton from 1972 to 1984 was Keith Wright, who was Opposition Leader from 1982 to 1984 and subsequently the federal member for Capricornia until 1993, when he was compelled to resign to fight child sex charges that ultimately led to his imprisonment.

Rob Schwarten entered parliament as the member for Rockhampton North in 1989, but was defeated in 1992 when the redistribution forced him to contest Keppel against the Nationals member for the similarly abolished Peak Downs. Schwarten became member for Rockhampton at the 1995 election upon the retirement of Paul Braddy, and was promoted to the shadow ministry when the Goss government lost office seven months later. Throughout the current government's years in office he has served as Public Works and Housing Minister, along with varying minor portfolios (currently information and communication technology, created in the wake of the 2006 election). Schwarten is a member of the Labor Unity faction.

PREDICTION: Labor retain