There has been a dramatic statewide swing to Labor with Premier Campbell Newman losing his seat of Ashgrove and announcing his departure from politics. Among those putting their hands up for the Liberal-National (LNP) leadership is Fiona Simpson, who Wendy Francis from the QLD branch of the Australian Christian Lobby describes as a strong Christian. If Simpson were to be selected, it would be the first time two women would go head to head in government in Australia, after the ALP’s Annastacia Palaszczuk won the election at the weekend.

The landslide victory has stunned many observers, who didn’t expect the backlash to dislodge the LNP from power, only to wound the party’s majority.

Many have blamed federal issues for the larger-than-expected swing, but a lack of trusted and strong leadership in QLD is considered the number one factor.

The impact of the swing on Christian MPs across the state has been marked. Wendy Francis thinks around half the Christians in Parliament have lost their seats.

Overall, the LNP has gone from 76 seats (out of a possible 89), to 39 – a massive drop. Francis believes around 12 Christians remain in Parliament, including three ALP members.

Crucially, she says two Katter Party MPs who will likely hold the balance of power are both Christian. Shane Knuth, the Member for Dalrymple and Rob Katter, son of Bob Katter and MP for Mt Isa, are expected to look after regional Queensland.

“I think Christian voices are really helpful just for stability. They are the most stable as far as economics go, and they really care about the individual,” says Francis.

“For me, the Christian voice is the one that will care about everyone in Queensland, not just the city dwellers… I always think that Christians are going to be more equitable and caring of every single person.”

She also cites abortion law as another area where it will be useful to have Christians in the balance of power.

“Christians aren’t there to win at all costs. Their whole motivation is not towards winning, but towards serving. So to have Christians in the balance of power whose motivation is to serve is great. That’s the example we were given in Jesus.”

Among those who have lost their seats in the whitewash is Steve Davies, a former CEO of the Queensland Bible Society. Elected MP for Capalaba in 2012, this week he lost his seat to union stalwart, the ALP’s Don Brown.

Others who’ve been dislodged include Trevor Ruthenberg (LNP – Kallangur), Reg Gulley (LNP – Murrumba) and Dale Shuttleworth (LNP – Ferny Grove).

Christians who’ve won seats include former Australian Rugby referee and former CEO of Scripture Union Queensland Tim Mander (LNP – Everton). Others include Mark Robinson (LNP – Cleveland), John Grant (LNP – Springwood), Trevor Watts (LNP – Toowoomba North), Mark Furnur (ALP – Ferny Grove), Leanne Linard (ALP – Nudgee), Rick Williams (ALP – Pumicestone).