This was published 6 months ago
Former reporter to take on Housing Minister at Queensland election
By Cloe Read
Former television reporter Bianca Stone has been picked by the LNP to run against Queensland Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon in the upcoming state election.
Stone, a former Sunrise reporter, was selected on Saturday to be the candidate for Gaven, on the Gold Coast. It comes after Stone resigned from Sunrise last year.
LNP opposition leader David Crisafulli said as a journalist for more than two decades, Stone had shown a passion for people and communities.
“Today she has chosen to put a successful career to one side and stand with us as we show Queenslanders there is a better way for our state, instead of the constant chaos and crisis from Labor,” he said.
In the announcement, Stone said it was clear people were worried about their physical and economic security under Labor.
Stone, the wife of Queensland Police Detective Inspector Mark Mooney, pointed to how crime had skyrocketed under Labor, which she said was because of fewer police and weaker laws.
“Community safety should be the top priority of any government and we shouldn’t feel anything other than completely secure in our homes,” she said.
Former Sunrise reporter Bianca Stone will run at the next election.Credit: Instagram/Bianca Stone
Stone’s plan to move into politics was revealed by Nine News earlier this year. After leaving Seven, Stone had been filling in on 4BC Radio.
Stone, who was the Queensland Sunrise correspondent before her resignation, worked for the network for 18 years, covering major news across the state. She told media at the time of her resignation that Sunrise was a dream job.
She made the news herself while covering a political press conference during COVID-19, where she had a heated debate with former Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, in which Palaszczuk labelled her “rude” when she asked questions.
Miles on Saturday backed Scanlon, who has held the Gaven seat since 2017. She remains popular in the community, but has recently come under fire amid the housing crisis.
“I certainly wouldn’t want to be going up against her,” Miles said.