Two Qld state electorates to be abolished after review

A Brisbane Labor-held seat and a north Queensland electorate held by the Katter's Australian Party (KAP) will be abolished following a review of the state's electoral boundaries.

The independent Queensland Redistribution Commission (QRC) has made moderate to significant changes to 50 of Queensland's 93 electorates

It was the first review since 2017, analysing each seat to determine any out of quota, which means there were too many or too few living within the boundaries, or projected to be in the next seven years.

The changes will come into effect for the next Queensland election in 2028.

Labor's James Martin electorate of Stretton in Brisbane's south will be absorbed into the surrounding seats.

KAP representative Shane Knuth will lose his seat of Hill, encompassing areas north of Townsville and stretching west.

It is the third time Mr Knuth has lost his seat through redistribution.

The report noted the decision to axe the two seats was "not proposed lightly".

Two new seats will be created in the rapidly growing corridors of Ipswich, west of Brisbane, and Moreton Bay, north of Brisbane, named Springfield and Caboolture, respectively.

'Political hit job'

Mr Knuth was scathing of the changes, labelling them a "disgrace for north Queenslanders".

"It's nothing but a political hit job," he said.

"This is a big slap in the face for north Queensland, where we're seeing 13 seats in north Queensland reduced to 12."

He said he had not yet decided whether to run in a neighbouring electorate.

Before the release, Premier David Crisafulli claimed the two new seats, which had previously been proposed, were in "Labor party heartland".

"We weren't exactly dancing in the aisles when you heard that, but it's an independent body, and that's their job to put it forward," he said.

"Whatever the boundaries look like, we have to go to the people of Queensland and say, this is what we spoke to you about before the last election, this is how we have sought to address those issues, this is our vision for the future."

The review highlighted the state's population growth was largely concentrated in the south-east, making equitable redistribution a challenge.

Significant changes to the boundaries of Gold Coast electorate Gaven could spell trouble for high-profile Labor MP and shadow attorney-general Meaghan Scanlon.

The ABC has contacted Ms Scanlon for comment.

Name changes for clarity

Under the review, 17 electorates named after prominent figures will be changed to reflect their location in an effort to prevent confusion.

McConnel will become Brisbane Central, Maiwar will be renamed Indooroopilly, Oodgeroo will be changed to Cleveland, Traegar will be known as Flinders and Nicklin will become Nambour.

"The Commission considers that voter recognition of an electorate's location is essential," the review stated.

"Electorate names which do not identify or suggest the location of an electorate may cause unnecessary confusion."

Call for more electorates

The redistribution in effect axes a seat in north Queensland to add one in the south-east, to account for its exponential growth.

The review conceded the size of several electorates in north Queensland was challenging for the local MPs.

"The Commission was conscious of the geographical area of these districts and the challenges this creates for local representatives servicing large and diverse areas and constituencies."

It observed one way of addressing the disparity would be to increase the number of electorates or give greater support for regional MPs.

Mr Knuth said more seats in north Queensland was overdue.

"That would have resolved the issue and all the issues in regards to population increase."