After serving three terms over nine years, Bruce Saunders has been defeated in his bid for re-election as the member for Maryborough. The seat now belongs to the Liberal National Party’s (LNP) John Barounis.
Mr Barounis secured the seat for LNP for the first time since 2012. Mr Barounis campaigned alongside Owen Davies.
The LNP’s strong stance on addressing youth crime resonated with voters on the Fraser Coast, leading to a substantial swing of 13 per cent against the incumbent. This shift effectively erased Mr Saunders’ lead, allowing the LNP to claim victory in the seat.
Under Saunders’ leadership, the State Government promised to establish a new train manufacturing facility in Maryborough, designated to produce trains for the upcoming 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games. The region also welcomed new enterprises, including a munitions factory operated by Rheinmetall.
He was a staunch advocate for the Heritage City, committing to revitalising jobs and manufacturing. He famously highlighted the area’s struggles, noting it had earned the moniker “Detroit City” due to the decline of its once-thriving manufacturing sector.
Despite these advancements, Maryborough faced significant hurdles. The city dealt with two floods within weeks in 2022, as well as two tragic car accidents that resulted in three fatalities. One of these incidents involved a 13-year-old driving a stolen Mercedes, while the other occurred at the Walker Street intersection on the Bruce Highway. The LNP had previously pledged to enhance safety at this location by constructing a roundabout.
Over the weekend the unofficial indicative result revealed Barounis led by 51.78 per cent with Saunders on 48.22 per cent of the vote.
Source: Courier Mail.
