JAMES Lister is set to take his place in the new Queensland parliament representing the LNP.
With 75 per cent of the vote in at the close of counting on Saturday night, Mr Lister was well ahead of One Nation’s Joshua Coyne.
The Electoral Commission of Queensland had Mr Lister’s primary vote on 42.52 percent ahead of Mr Coyne on 20.74pc, Joel Richters form Labor on 17.23pc, and independent Rob Mackenzie on 15.34pc.
The final outcome will be determined on preferences under the compulsory preferential voting system, introduced by the Palaszczuk government.
Mr Lister replaced long time, popular politician Lawrence Springborg, who had represented the LNP in the seat since being first elected to Parliament in 1989 at the age of 21.
Mr Lister and his wife Belinda both served in the RAAF and now live in Stanthorpe.
Southern Downs stretches from Warwick to Weengallon and also include the major centres of Goondiwindi and Stanthorpe.
