QLD: Bligh to announce new Qld cabinet line-up this week
22 Mar 2009 2:47 AM
BRISBANE, March 22 AAP - Queensland's triumphant Premier Anna Bligh will announce her new cabinet line-up this week after her historic election win, while the Liberal National Party (LNP) searches for a new leader.
Despite the apparent loss of between five and eight seats for Labor, the election fell well short of the predicted photo finish and a hung parliament.
At the close of counting on election night, Labor appeared to hold between 50 seats and 53 seats in the 89-seat parliament, down from 58.
The LNP looks set to take 35 seats, up from 25. Four independents, from a group of six crossbench MPs, are expected to keep their seats.
"You have given me a mandate to protect your jobs and build a stronger Queensland and I am ready for the task," Ms Bligh told a cheering crowd on Saturday night after claiming a fifth consecutive term for her party and becoming the first female premier in Australian history to be elected in her own right.
Ms Bligh is expected to elevate a significant number of new faces to cabinet, with the line-up to be unveiled in a few days.
LNP leader Lawrence Springborg used his concession speech to stand aside and pave the way for a new fresh leader after his third consecutive election loss.
The final declaration of the election results is expected in two weeks, after all postal votes are counted.
Counting will resume on Monday.
