Electoral redistribution and the 1986 Queensland state election: Confirming 1983

The 1986 Queensland state election, though uncommonly noisy, did not take place in as dramatic circumstances as that of 1983. Nevertheless, its significance may be as potentially enduring. For years the Nationals had struggled for a metropolitan base, and had long coveted the opportunity of governing the state without the Liberals. Those achievements, secured in the special circumstances prevailing in 1983, were on trial in 1986, as was the record of the National party government The 1986 election provided an opportunity to confirm a political realignment amongst the state's conservative voters. Significantly, too, that election took place following a redistribution of seats and accompanying enlargement of the parliament.