A Labor minority government in Queensland will be on a constant knife-edge but must use the situation as an opportunity to restore the public's faith in politics.
QUT political scientist Professor Clive Bean said those elected to the new Queensland parliament had an opportunity to truly be seen to be putting the interests of the people first to create stability for families as well as business and industry. He said the government had to be seen as listening to the community, in contrast to the perceived arrogance of the previous government.
However with a majority of just one, Professor Bean said the Labor government would be under enormous pressure.
"In time, a by-election for any reason in any one of a vast number of now marginal seats could potentially bring about a change of government," he said.
QUT economist Dr Mark McGovern said asLabor did form government it has an opportunity "to make a fresh start. Good government takes insight".
"Labor has made few promises so they can take advantage of that to take time to plan some sensible policies and not be rushed into making the same mistakes previous governments have made in the past," he said.
"They can properly take stock by drawing on available expertise, particularly in the universities. Restorative actions can be prudently undertaken once the full financial situation of the State is understood.
"There is no point in planning how to fix something you don't adequately understand - or that you cannot really influence. Unemployment is a Commonwealth responsibility and the new State government needs to be realistic and honest about what it might achieve."
Professor Bean said even if there were to be a by-election in Ferny Grove, he doubted the result of the election would change.
"Historically voters in by-elections, when they come on the back of a general election, tend to go with the swing and in the case of the Queensland election there has been a large swing to Labor.
"We saw this in Mundingburra in 1996, when the swing in the 1995 election was decidedly away from the Goss government."
He also said the next term of government would not be an easy one.
"We've seen in the federal parliament under the previous government how difficult it can be for governments to get on with the business of governing when they are leading a minority government.
"The same can be said of the present federal government in relation to the Senate."
But Dr McGovern said that even if the new government did have a difficult term, their policies need to be sensible and responsible - and to be seen as such.
"Labor has to work as if it is there for the duration and will be responsible and diligent for the duration," he said.
"We need to improve the standard of public reporting and dialogues so we can all understand where Queensland is at and where its strengths and weaknesses are. The next government has a great opportunity to make a real difference."
Professor Bean said the Katter Australia Party representatives were set to play a crucial role in determining the relative stability of the new government.
"Labor will have to provide a Speaker and if that person comes from within Labor's ranks it will mean the remaining Labor members with Peter Wellington will make up 44 seats, exactly half the number of seats in the parliament.
"Although the speaker is allowed a casting vote, it is highly unusual, and not something that we have generally seen in practice.
"It will be interesting to see whether Annastacia Palaszczuk nominates a Labor member, Peter Wellington or even one of the Katter Australia Party members and then of course whether that nomination is accepted."
Media contact: Rose Trapnell, QUT media team leader, 07 3138 2361 or 0407 585 901 rose.trapnell@qut.edu.au or Rob Kidd on 07 3138 1841.
