An early election has been called in Queensland.
The state is heavily reliant on the mining industry, as export demand falls and unemployment rises.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh sought a dissolution of parliament on Monday for an early election.
Polling day is 21 March.
The State Treasurer revealed on Friday that the current financial year is expected to end $A1.6 billion in the red, with even bigger deficits to come in the next three years.
The ABC reported this was is a $A2.4 billion turnaround since a budget forecast in June.
The latest economic update predicts a drop of $A12 billion in state revenue over the next four years.
That will contribute to a $A1.6 billion deficit this financial year, doubling to $A3.2 billion next year.
