It’s bringing a new meaning to ‘hot seat’. With the pendulum in full swing for political parties, it seems Queensland will be the final election battle ground.

Laura Lavelle reports.

TRANSCRIPT

In an election predicted to be fought seat-by-seat, the race to win over voters is nearly at a close.

But Queenslanders in the marginal seats could hold the key, in the chase for power.

Professor Clive Bean, QUT Political Scientist: “A marginal seat is a seat that’s vulnerable to be won by the opposition, and it’s often measured by needing less than 5% swing, sometimes less than a 6% swing. ”

Queensland has nearly a dozen marginal seats up for grabs.

Liberal heavyweight, Peter Dutton holds his seat of Dickson by only 1.8 per cent.

Professor Clive Bean, QUT Political Scientist: “I think Peter Dutton’s seat will be of particular interest because although there are some reasons why there’ll be a strong vote against him, he does actually have a lot of popular local support as well.”

Having held Dickson for 17 years, Mr Dutton is still in in for the fight of his life.

He’s not the only one.

Griffith, long held by Labor, has a rocky future.

Professor Clive Bean, QUT Political Scientist: “The government will be out to grab seats like Griffith.”

Former Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, held Griffith safely for 15 years.

Labor’s Terri Butler, is the current member for Griffith.

But, she only has a margin of 1.4 per cent and could be vulnerable.

Of the government’s top 10 marginal seats, five are in Queensland and Labor is out to get them.

But the most marginal seat in the whole of Australia is the Labor-held Townsville seat of Herbert.

Kathy O’Toole needs a swing against her of just 0.1 per cent.

Professor Bean says this time, nothing is guaranteed.

Professor Clive Bean, QUT Political Scientist: “I think they’re all vulnerable to being lost by the government or won by Labor.”

Laura Lavelle, QUT News.