FORMER agriculture minister and Labor candidate Leanne Donaldson last night conceded defeat in her Bundaberg electorate after a tight race with LNP candidate David Batt.
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With 83 per cent of the votes counted, Ms Donaldson received 9589 votes (34.67 per cent) and was narrowly behind Mr Batt who received 9876 votes (35.71 per cent).
One Nation candidate Jane Truscott polled third with 6194 votes (22.4 per cent).
When it came down to the two party preferred votes, Mr Batt eclipsed Ms Donaldson with 54 per cent of votes compared to her 46 per cent.
Ms Donaldson publicly announced her defeat on Facebook last night and said she now intended to spend time with family and friends and make decisions about her future plans.
Mr Batt, a former police officer, also wasted no time in posting to his social media.
“Thanks to the people of Bundaberg for voting to make me your State Member for Bundaberg! I WON’T LET YOU DOWN!,” his post read.
Ms Donaldson was named Agriculture and Fisheries Minister in December 2015 but 11 months later she was forced to resign after scrutiny over failing to pay almost $8000 in rates on her house over three years.
