Qld Labor MP confirms she will recontest seat after electoral redraw

Queensland Labor frontbencher Meaghan Scanlon has confirmed she will recontest her Gold Coast seat after speculation she may move to a safer electorate after a substantial redraw.

There will be significant changes to the boundaries of her Gaven electorate for the 2028 state election following a review by the Queensland Redistribution Commission released in June.

The redraw raised questions about whether Ms Scanlon, who reclaimed it at the last state election with a margin of less than one per cent.

Opposition Leader Steven Miles announced Ms Scanlon would stand again in Gaven in his speech at the Labor state conference on Saturday, noting there had been "a lot of speculation". 

"I know there has been many in Meaghan's ear trying to encourage her to look to a safer seat elsewhere, but to be honest I don't think Meaghan ever really entertained that idea," he said. 

"I am very confident, not only can she win but she will win." 

Ms Scanlon, who many consider a future party leader, is Labor's only MP on the Gold Coast, with all the other seats held by the LNP.

She was first elected to Gaven in 2017 and served in the Palaszczuk and Miles governments as environment minister and housing minister.

The commission noted in its report it was required to make significant changes to Gaven because it was below quota and projected to fall further under quota. 

Ms Scanlon said she was committed to remaining in the seat where she grew up. 

"I've been underestimated every time I've run," she said. "My focus is getting the support of Gold Coasters to win.

"I don't give up when things get tough, I'm going to stay and fight."

Ms Scanlon narrowly defeated LNP candidate and former television journalist Bianca Stone at the 2024 election. 

Now chief of staff in police minister Dan Purdie’s office, Ms Stone said she had not turned her mind to the next poll, and was happy in her current role. 

When questioned whether he could guarantee he would lead the party to the 2028 election, Mr Miles said: "Of course".  

Former Labor MP and political analyst John Mickel said if Ms Scalon had abandoned her seat, the LNP's "enormous advantage" on both the Gold and Sunshine Coasts would have grown. 

"If she had abandoned that, the maths for Labor to win a state election are simply enormous," he said. 

"It is sending a signal that Labor is serious about the Gold Coast, particularly that northern end."