Winners in Coast seats may be unknown for weeks

EARLY preference distributions have Clive Palmer ahead in Fairfax and Mal Brough well clear in Fisher, but there is still a long way to go before winners are declared in the two Sunshine Coast seats long considered safe for the LNP.

Mr Palmer was on 53.93% and the LNP's Ted O'Brien had 47.07% after distribution of 56.37% of the total vote in Fairfax.

In Fisher the LNP's Mr Brough was on 57.31%, well clear of Palmer United Party's Bill Schoch on 42.49%, but that is after the distribution of preferences for 12.44% of the total vote.

Returning officer David McKenzie said it would be three weeks before an official result was delivered after the full distribution of preferences.

Candidates may make their own judgment before then.

Yesterday was given over to doing two-party preferred distributions between the LNP and PUP in Fairfax as well as the recount.

THE COUNT

FAIRFAX

Two-party preferred distribution of 56.37% of the vote

PALMER: 26,930 (53.93%) O'BRIEN: 23,945 (47.07%)

First preference vote count

PALMER: 19,084 (27.39%)O'BRIEN: 28,569 (41%)

FISHER

Two-party preferred distribution of 12.44% of the vote

BROUGH: 5964 (57.31%)\ SCHOCH: 4443 (42.69%)

First preference count

BROUGH: 28,008 (43.9%)\ SCHOCH: 11,593 (18.17%)