Inala has consistently been a safe seat for Labor, often the safest for the party in the state. In the 2012 Queensland state election Inala was one of only 7 seats retained by Labor. Palaszczuk experienced a significant decline in her primary vote and a 14% swing against her in the Two-party-preferred vote, this being the first time since the seat's establishment where Labor did not obtain a majority in the primary vote. Her margin of victory was reduced to 6.2%. Palaszczuk was subsequently appointed as Labor leader[3] and led the party back to government in the 2015 Queensland state election.
Under the Palaszczuk government, Inala reverted to its traditional status as a comfortably safe Labor seat. Palaszczuk was re-elected in Inala in 2015 with an increased majority of 25%, making it the second-safest seat in the state. Her lead was increased in the 2017 and 2020 elections to 26.1% and 28.1% respectively.
Demographics
Inala is located in the southwestern suburbs of Brisbane. According to the 2021 Australian Census, the electorate has a median age of 34, which is lower than both the state and national averages. 18.8% of the electorate hold a Bachelor's degree, which is lower than the state and national averages. The average personal weekly income is $659.
The electorate has a racially diverse demographic, including a significant percentage of Vietnamese Australians. Approximately 15.6 percent of households speak the Vietnamese language, and 14.4 percent of residents identify as having Vietnamese ancestry.[4]
Former teacher and policy advisor to Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick
Labor
William Bowe from the Poll Bludger and the "Feeding the Chooks" column in The Australian, suggested Jon Persley, Annastacia Palaszczuk's deputy chief of staff, as a potential successor candidate for the 2024 Inala state by-election. However, concerns arose about representation due to the multicultural demographics of the electorate, a point highlighted by The Australian.[11] In January 2024, Persley told The Australian that he would not be contesting for preselection due to Labor's gender quota rules being a 'big factor'. Margie Nightingale, a former teacher and current policy adviser to TreasurerCameron Dick,[12] won the preselection instead and was elected as the new MP for Inala at the by-election.
^Miller, Owen (21 February 2024). "Fusion Backs Heath McKenzie for Dunkley By-Election". Drummoyne NSW: Fusion Party. Archived from the original on 17 March 2024. In Queensland, Fusion is also endorsing an Independent candidate - Ed Carroll - who comes from the Australian Progressives, as a candidate in the Inala state by-election on 16 March 2024.
^"2024 Inala by-election". lcqparty.org. Legalise Cannabis Queensland. Archived from the original on 17 March 2024. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
^Johnson, Hayden (2 February 2024). "Premier's bureaucrat to run for LNP in Inala as Palaszczuk dodges hustings". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 3 February 2024. 28-year public servant Trang Yen, who worked in the Department of State Development under Mr Miles, was on Friday endorsed as the LNP's Inala candidate.
^Bowe, William (10 December 2023). "Annastacia Palaszczuk resigns". pollbludger.net. Archived from the original on 12 December 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
