LNP’s Garth Hamilton wins by-election

There was a 4 per cent swing to Labor in the two-party-preferred vote, but it was not enough to reverse the result, with Mr Hamilton capturing a solid 66.3 per cent.

Mr Hamilton, a mining engineer, said he would focus on inland rail and water security from the outset, as well as working on the economic recovery from the pandemic.

He said the region’s agricultural, mining and transport industries presented big opportunities to build on.

Groom, which encompasses the city of Toowoomba, has been held by the LNP since the seat was created in 1984.

The Labor candidate was Chris…