Federal Labor takes heart from Queensland election result but gas still a thorn in its side

ALP sees Annastacia Palaszczuk’s third electoral win as a sign of recovery but as yet has set no short-term emissions target

Federal Labor has let out a sigh of relief after the Queensland state election win, admitting it can take “a lot of heart” from the victory – but its position on gas continues to cause ructions.

The party has looked at the Palaszczuk government’s third electoral win – which included strong primary vote results in central and north Queensland regions that abandoned Labor at the last federal election – as the beginning of its recovery in the state.

Related: Queensland election: Annastacia Palaszczuk wins historic third term

Related: Net zero: what if Australia misses the moment on climate action?