The opposition party at the federal level has dismissed the government’s attempt to diminish its victory in the recent by-election and instead framed their win as a response from the voters to the increasing cost of living under the Labor party. Cameron Caldwell, a former Gold Coast City councillor, emerged victorious in the seat of Fadden for the Liberal National Party (LNP), defeating Labor candidate Letitia Del Fabbro and twelve other contenders. Caldwell emphasized the issue of living expenses during his campaign and expressed confidence in his party’s direction and their eventual return to power. The Australian Electoral Commission data indicates a 2.5 percent swing in favor of the LNP in the two-party preferred basis, solidifying the LNP’s position in the coalition seat. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles was quick to comment on the outcome, describing it as lackluster and unfavorable for coalition leader Peter Dutton. Marles dismissed any notion that Dutton, a Queenslander leading the Liberal Party, would find comfort in the result. Treasurer Jim Chalmers also chimed in, noting that the coalition fell short of the historical average swing of four percent against a sitting government in a by-election, particularly considering that Fadden is predominantly LNP territory. Chalmers added that the LNP outspent Labor by ten times in the seat. Deputy Leader Sussan Ley held a different perspective, stating that the result was strong for Caldwell and the LNP in Queensland. She anticipated that postal votes and pre-polls would further support their cause. Ley acknowledged the influence of cost of living concerns leading up to the by-election, believing it sent a clear message to opposition leader Anthony Albanese that his policies were neglecting ordinary Australians. Caldwell will replace Stuart Robert, a former minister in the Turnbull and Morrison governments, who resigned from federal parliament in April. Labor attempted to make the robodebt scandal, connected to Robert’s involvement during the previous coalition government, a focal point during their campaign against Caldwell. Despite her defeat, Del Fabbro considered it a respectable outcome for Labor, reminding the LNP not to take the Gold Coast for granted. The seat of Fadden has only been won by Labor once, in 1983 during the election of the Hawke government.