QUT sessional justice academic and former Speaker of the Queensland parliament, John Mickel, says it is possible that the outcome of the 2015 Queensland election will be determined in a by-election in the seat of Ferny Grove.
Mr Mickel said if the allegations against the minor party candidate in the seat of Ferny Grove are proven then the matter would be referred to the Court of Disputed Returns.
"Ferny Grove could be the 2015 election's Mundingburra," he said.
In 1995 the Goss Government lost power following a by-election in the seat of Mundingburra in Townsville, called by the Court of Disputed Returns after administrative difficulties prevented a number of military personnel, enrolled in the electorate but serving in Rwanda, from voting.
Mr Mickel said it was highly likely that a result in Ferny Grove would be declared, just as was the case in Mundingburra.
"The result will have to be declared because you can't have a government in limbo," he said.
"A government will need to be formed. The makeup of that government and whether it survives may come down to a by-election."
Media contact: Rose Trapnell, QUT media team leader, 07 3138 2361 or 0407 585 901 rose.trapnell@qut.edu.au
