Politics

Little 'encouraged' by Queensland result

18:41 pm on 1 February 2015

The New Zealand Labour Party says it will be talking to its counterpart in Australia after its incredible comeback in the Queensland state elections.

The Australian Labor Party is on track to claim 45 or 46 of the 89 seats in the state's parliament, after going into the poll holding only nine seats.

Andrew Little Photo: RNZ / Demelza Leslie

It is a major blow for Queensland's ruling Liberal National Party, and a reflection of the unpopularity of the country's Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

New Zealand Labour Party leader Andrew Little said the result is encouraging but it would not necessarily be reflected here.

He said that was because the issues which contributed to the result were unique to Queensland, and New Zealand is still three years out from an election.