QUEENSLAND ELECTION 2009

SANDGATE Labor 15.3%
Region: Northern Brisbane Federal divisions: Petrie/Lilley
	KEVIN STILLER Independent KEITH SKELTON Greens MIKE CROOK Independent LENARD GAFFEL Liberal National (bottom) MARK GRUNDY Family First VICKY DARLING Labor (top)

Sandgate covers the northernmost coastal areas of the City of Brisbane, from Shorncliffe north through Brighton to North Pine River, extending inland across the Gateway Motorway to Bracken Ridge. The electorate has existed in one form or another since 1923. Labor has had an uninterrupted hold on the seat since 1960, the previous members being Neville Warburton (1977 to 1992), who led the party from 1984 to 1988, and Gordon Nuttall (1992 to 2006). Nuttall's retirement followed a tumultuous final term in which he was dumped as Health Minister due to fallout over the “Dr Death” scandal, and he was eventually convicted and imprisoned over payments he received from Macarthur Coal chief executive Ken Talbot. He was succeeded in Sandgate by Vicky Darling, a member of the Labor Unity faction and daughter of Elaine Darling, federal member for Lilley from 1980 to 1993.

PREDICTION: Labor retain