LNP leader David Crisafulli has promised a “fresh start” for Queensland as he claimed election victory, but Labor’s outgoing Premier Steven Miles has fallen short of conceding defeat.

Crisafulli, who will become the state’s 41st premier, vowed to start work right away to implement the policies he promised during the campaign.

After nearly ten years in opposition, counting on Saturday night indicated a Liberal National Party majority with 49 seats to Labor’s 30.

Labor went into the election holding 51 seats to the LNP’s 35.

With almost 40 per cent of the vote counted, there was a 6.0 per cent swing to the LNP — more than the 5.7 per cent uniform swing it needed to form government.

“We get to work and we do what we say we were going to do,” Crisafulli told the party faithful.

“We have a contract with Queenslanders and we intend to honour it.”

The grandson of Italian immigrants to north Queensland cane farms led a campaign focused on crime, health, housing and the cost of living.

He has vowed to legislate his controversial “adult time for adult crime” policy that would see youth offenders jailed on lengthy sentences for committing serious crimes.

Crisafulli also plans to introduce a 100-day review of 2032 Olympic Games infrastructure, deliver real-time health data and scrap a payroll tax on general practitioners.

Crisafulli said Queenslanders had voted for hope over fear.

“They have voted for a fresh start, and they have voted for a majority LNP government,” Crisafulli told supporters.

“To borrow a phrase from a different era and a different political movement, ‘It’s time’ — it’s time.

“It was a time for a fresh start for Queensland.”

No congratulations

The premier-elect began by thanking Miles for his service as premier.

Earlier, Miles said Labor had lost its majority, but in a surprise move he did not formally concede defeat.

Miles cast doubt on whether the LNP could form a majority government.

“Watching the results … tonight has not been enough to secure a majority of seats for Labor and it is unlikely that the LNP is likely to have a majority,” he said.

Outgoing Premier Steven Miles did not concede defeat on Saturday night. Photo: AAP

Miles’ speech did not include a concession nor did he congratulate the premier-elect.

“Queenslanders know what I believe and what I stand for, while David Crisafulli ducked and weaved and tied himself into the tiniest, small target Queensland has ever seen,” he said to a room of cheering supporters at a tavern.

“This election finishes with many more questions about the LNP’s plans than answers.”

Crisafulli will become just the second Queensland Liberal leader this millennium after Campbell Newman held power from 2012 to 2015.

The parliament’s makeup is yet to be cemented as votes continue to be counted but it appears to hold the LNP majority, with three Katter’s Australian Party members and one independent.

The Greens, who held two seats in the last parliament, appear to be wiped from the crossbench with Michael Berkman’s seat of Maiwar still too close to call.

Miles and Labor narrowed the two-party preferred vote right up until election day.

Miles made up last-minute ground in public opinion.

Deputy Premier Cameron Dick said his party had made an enormous improvement after facing an “absolute wipeout” in 2023.

Labor Party National President Wayne Swan said Miles had put up a good fight and he hoped he remained as opposition leader.

“It has been a first-class campaign which has avoided what could have been a landslide four months ago,” he told AAP.

-with AAP