Federal election 2016: Central Queensland emerges as campaign ground zero

By Cameron Atfield and Tony Moore
Updated June 30 2016 - 10:28pm, first published 9:28pm
Labor's Capricornia candidate Leisa Neaton is considered the party's best shot in Queensland to take a seat from the government. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Labor's Capricornia candidate Leisa Neaton is considered the party's best shot in Queensland to take a seat from the government. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Labor has Longman MP Wyatt Roy firmly in its sights. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Labor has Longman MP Wyatt Roy firmly in its sights. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Senior sources from both the LNP and the Labor Party think it's likely the Coalition's Trevor Evans will join Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on the government benches. Photo: Andrew Meares
Senior sources from both the LNP and the Labor Party think it's likely the Coalition's Trevor Evans will join Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on the government benches. Photo: Andrew Meares
Despite having the Coalition's narrowest margin in Queensland, party insiders tip Luke Howarth (left) to hold Petrie. Photo: Andrew Meares
Despite having the Coalition's narrowest margin in Queensland, party insiders tip Luke Howarth (left) to hold Petrie. Photo: Andrew Meares
Senior Labor sources are resigned to the likelihood of Pauline Hanson winning a Senate seat. Photo: Tertius Pickard
Senior Labor sources are resigned to the likelihood of Pauline Hanson winning a Senate seat. Photo: Tertius Pickard

The central Queensland coast has emerged as the state's key election battleground, as both major parties turn their attention to Rockhampton, Gladstone and Mackay.