Pentecostalism and the LNP’s fight for its soul in Queensland’s Darling Downs

The LNP’s John McVeigh retained Groom, centred on the city of Toowoomba, at the 2019 election with more than 70% of the two-party preferred vote, but quit politics the following year. Photograph: aeropix/Alamy

A bastion of conservative Christian politics, the electorate of Groom has become a frontline in the battle for the soul of the Coalition.

And while religion barely rates a mention in the official campaign for Groom, there are concerns about the rising influence of pentecostalism, which could explain why the second safest seat in the country has suddenly become seen as one to watch.