The election resulted in a fourth consecutive victory for the National-Liberal Coalition under Joh Bjelke-Petersen.

In 1977, the Government had passed a law making it illegal to march in the street without a permit, which were rarely given.

The Coalition argued that this prevented traffic disruption and other inconveniences to the people of Brisbane, while the ALP claimed that it was a curtailment of civil liberties.

Joh Bjelke-Petersen also no longer had the Whitlam Labor Government (which was unpopular in Queensland) to use as a campaigning tool.

The Labor Party gained twelve seats from the Coalition and Independents, making something of a recovery from its disastrous 1974 performance.