A political scientist says Queensland can expect to see stronger focus and investment in the state over coming years now that it is home to three key political leaders.
Newly elected Opposition Leader Peter Dutton retained the north-western Brisbane seat of Dickson and David Littleproud, who holds the southern outback seat of Maranoa, was yesterday elected the new federal leader of the Nationals.
Labor Treasurer Jim Chalmers is also a Queenslander and was re-elected to the seat of Rankin, which includes Logan and Brisbane's western suburbs.
Maxine Newlands, from James Cook University, said the concentration of key leaders in Queensland meant state issues such as housing, climate change and rural health and aged care would be thrust into the spotlight.
"I definitely think that we'll be hearing a lot more about the needs of regional and rural Australians," Dr Newlands said.
"Issues like infrastructure and putting funding towards our farming communities.
"Peter Dutton as the former defence minister, as well – defence is massive in Queensland and in Townsville – the biggest garrison city, and you've got the big barracks down in Brisbane.
"So those kinds of issues are going to be at the forefront because that's what they [the leaders] are used to, that's what their electorates are talking about.
Mr Dutton yesterday indicated his intention to give an increased focus to the needs of suburban voters.
The former police officer is the first Queenslander to lead the federal Liberal party and the second leader not from New South Wales.
"Our policies will be squarely aimed at the forgotten Australians in the suburbs across Australia," Mr Dutton said.
"Under my leadership, the Liberal party will be true to our values that have seen us win successive elections over the course of the last quarter of a century."
The LNP retained 70 per cent of federal seats in Queensland.
The Nationals kept all 16 seats in the lower house but suffered large swings against the party in some electorates.
Challenges ahead for new Coalition leaders
Dr Newlands said the new Coalition leaders faced a difficult task rebuilding the party after its election battering.
"It's going to be really interesting because he [Dutton] doesn't have the best PR, if you will," she said.
"I think they'll have a lot of work to do because gender and climate's been an issue.
"We know these days women tend to vote towards Labor so they've got to get those audiences back."
Mr Littleproud said reviews were already underway into the party's election performance.
"We need a journey towards 2025," he said.
"There were some strong messages within those results that show there are emerging threats.
"There's reviews that will start as we speak – both in the Liberal party, the National party and state divisions."
Former Labor treasurer dismisses Brisbane's 'green wave'
Meanwhile, former Labor treasurer and federal ALP president Wayne Swan conceded there were lessons to be learnt after Labor lost three Brisbane seats to Greens candidates.
"Labor in Queensland still had strong swings to it … across the state," Mr Swan told ABC Radio Brisbane.
"It's not a disaster for the Labor party.
"We've ended up in government with a strong showing, including in metropolitan Brisbane in seats such as Lilley, Moreton and many others."
However, Mr Swan dismissed claims that the two-party system was nearing an end.
"There hasn't been a 'green wave' … there's been a wave against the Liberals in some of their safest seats in the country," Mr Swan said.
"What there has been is a massive realignment where a large section of the Liberal base left the Liberals and elected some teal members of parliament around the country.
"In Brisbane, lifelong Liberal voters voted Green and that partly explains some of the trends in the Brisbane seats.
"I wouldn't be declaring the two-party system dead just yet."
