"So this evening I say to those people we've heard you,we understand how you feel and I pledge this evening to continue to work hard – in fact,we will redouble our efforts – to improve this state and to take it forward to a bright future."
Jubilant Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk told supporters at the Brothers Leagues Club – just a few hundred metres from the LNP function – that while the"Driscoll factor"had won the Redcliffe by-election for Labor,the"Campbell Newman factor"had seen it win Stafford.
"This is about Campbell Newman not listening to Stafford,"she said.
Dr Lynham said he was proud,humble and thankful to be elected to Parliament.
"Today,we have sent Campbell Newman a very strong message,"he said.
"It's a clear message that our community deserves to be heard,a clear message that it's not OK to cut services and sack workers that we rely on every day."
The defeated LNP candidate put on a brave face,despite the massive swing his party had just suffered.
"There's no gilding the lily,"Mr Andersen said.
"We have had a huge swing against us tonight,but nevertheless we should reflect on what we have achieved.
"In a very short time,we put together a credible campaign and we've done so fighting against not just the Labor Party,but union third-party campaigns and also the damage that was done to us by the former member."
The Greens'vote was also up 0.6 per cent to 11.9 per cent,but with Labor candidate attracting 50.4 per cent of the primary vote,their preferences would not be needed to see the ALP increase its representation in Parliament from eight to nine.
The two-party preferred swing to Labor was 18.6 per cent,with Dr Lynham leading Mr Andersen 61.5 per cent to 38.5 per cent on a two-party preferred basis.
If such a swing was replicated across Queensland at next year's state election,the LNP would lose 46 seats – and government.
The LNP also suffered a significant swing in February's Redcliffe by-election,which saw former federal MP Yvette D'Ath swept into office with a 17.2 swing away from the Newman government.
While the stench of disgraced former LNP MP Scott Driscoll aided that result,the Driscoll factor could not be blamed for the party's poor showing in Stafford.