Newman claims election victory
8.45PM: Campbell Newman has claimed an extraordinary victory in the 2012 Queensland election.
Following an unprecedented move in March 2011 to announce his intention to take over the leadership from outside parliament, Mr Newman won his Brisbane seat of Ashgrove from incumbent ALP member Kate Jones and oversaw what is destined to be the most decisive state election victories of all time.
On the numbers so far, the LNP looks to have won 75 seats, with the Labor party being left with just six.
"I want to thank all Queenslanders for voting for change," he said in his acceptance speech.
"I want to thank the people of Ashgrove for voting for change.
"We said all along this election was about you ... the people who wark hard every day to raise their families.
"I thank you for your trust and we will not let you down."
The state's new premier said while the victory had been decisive, he did not plan to rest on his laurels.
"We don't for a moment underestimate the task ahead," he said.
"It will be long, it will be hard, but we're going to get on with the job, starting tomorrow."
Mr Newman congratulated all the LNP candidates who had won seats in parliament.
He also paid tribute to the leadership of outgoing Premier Anna Bligh, in particular her "inspirational" leadership during the summer floods of 2010/11.
