20 Facts About Liz Cunningham

Liz Cunningham was an independent member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland from 1995 to 2015, representing the electorate of Gladstone.

Liz Cunningham was involved in local politics prior to entering state politics, serving on the Calliope Shire Council from 1988 to 1995 and serving as its mayor from 1991 to 1995.

Liz Cunningham ran an unexpectedly strong campaign on "back to basics" issues, in particular concern about the downgrading of Gladstone Hospital.

Liz Cunningham narrowly lost to Labor candidate Neil Bennett in 1992, reducing the notional Labor majority from a comfortably safe margin of 12 percent to an extremely marginal two percent.

Liz Cunningham sought a rematch against Bennett in 1995, and defeated him after National preferences flowed overwhelmingly to her.

Liz Cunningham became the first non-Labor MLA for Gladstone in 63 years, and only the third in 80 years.

Liz Cunningham's victory was especially significant in the light of the extremely close result of the 1995 state election.

Liz Cunningham announced that she would support the Coalition on matters of confidence and supply in the Legislative Assembly, citing their having won the popular vote in the general election.

Liz Cunningham declined an offer from the new government to become Speaker, insisting that it would compromise her ability to represent her electorate.

Liz Cunningham nevertheless insisted that the government consult with her on most legislation, including budgets and, she was able to exercise significant power.

Liz Cunningham increased her primary vote at the 1998 state election, but her political influence severely declined when Peter Beattie formed an ALP government with the support of newly elected independent Peter Wellington.

Liz Cunningham held her seat with an increased majority at the 2001 election even as Labor won its biggest victory ever in Queensland.

Liz Cunningham actually won enough primary votes to clinch reelection without the need for preferences.

Liz Cunningham refused on the grounds of suffering asthma, and was charged.

Liz Cunningham received her highest primary vote yet at the 2004 election, again with enough votes to win without going to preferences.

Liz Cunningham raised allegations of bullying against the management of the Gladstone Hospital in 2005, going to Rockhampton to testify before the Forster Review of the state's health system.

Liz Cunningham was a strong favourite to retain her seat at the 2006 state election, which she held coming into the election by a margin of 11.2 points.

However, after a strong local Labor campaign focusing on Liz Cunningham's perceived support for controversial federal industrial relations laws, she came close to defeat, with her eventual victory over Labor candidate Chris Trevor being one of the last results declared of the election.

Liz Cunningham retained her seat in the 2009 state election, despite a 4-point swing to Labor, and she was easily re-elected at the 2012 state election, achieving a swing of 8 points towards her after preferences were distributed.

In early 2015, Liz Cunningham confirmed she would retire after the 2015 state election.