[6] The division has largely been a safe seat for the Liberal National Party and its predecessors since its creation, with only one period of Labor representation between 1983 and 1984.

[7] Robert had been involved in several scandals prior to his resignation from the seat, including allegedly intervening in contracts to sign up corporate clients to a lobbying firm he had links to,[8] billing taxpayers $3,000 per month for his home internet[9] and his role in the Morrison Government’s illegal Robodebt scheme.

The United Australia Party and Liberal Democrats were de-registered with the Australian Electoral Commission after the 2022 election and did not run in the by-election.

[12] Key dates in relation to the by-election are:[13] The table below shows candidates according to the Australian Electoral Commission, listed in the order they appeared on the ballot.

[26] On 8 May it was reported that Gold Coast councillor Cameron Caldwell and Fadden Liberal National Party branch president Fran Ward had both sought preselection.

Alongside Caldwell and Ward, the shortlist included Craig Hobart, wealth manager Owen Caterer, and Order of Australia recipient and disability advocate Dinesh Palipana.

[28] Other speculated candidates included former senator and current Sky News host Amanda Stoker,[29] and Queensland state MP for Bonney Sam O'Connor.

[36] The Liberal Party campaigned on the rising cost of living, opposing the Indigenous Voice to Parliament[37][38] and the unpopularity of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.