Annastacia Palaszczuk has been confirmed as Queensland premier after Labor formally secured enough seats to be able to form a minority government.
“This afternoon the Governor has invited me to form government. I have accepted that offer. It is an extremely humbling experience and tomorrow the interim ministry will be sworn in here at Government House and I look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow morning. Thank you,” Palaszczuk announced outside the gates of Government House on Friday afternoon.
The Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) confirmed on Friday that Labor had secured 44 seats in January’s poll. With Sunshine Coast independent MP Peter Wellington pledging his support to the ALP, Palaszczuk has the numbers to assume power.
The LNP are likely to finish on 42 seats. There was a chance they could form a government with the support of the two Katter MPs and a win in Ferny Grove if it was recontested.
Palaszczuk will be sworn in as premier at a ceremony on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the (ECQ) is considering a recount request by Pauline Hanson after she lost to LNP candidate Ian Rickuss by a mere 184 votes in the seat of Lockyer.
IMAGE: New Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk leaves Government House on February 13, 2015 in Brisbane, Australia. Palaszczuk takes power in Queensland after the ALP gained a parliamentary majority with 44 seats and the support of one independent. (Photo by Robert Shakespeare/Getty Images)