Dr Dinesh Palipana reveals why he ran for Liberal Party Fadden nomination

In his first public comments about the Fadden pre-selection battle, Dr Dinesh Palipana reveals why he ran for nomination, the remarkable way he spent the day after the vote, and one thing he says was ‘non negotiable’. Read the full interview.

Dr Dinesh Palipana says he will take time to consider whether he will run for political office again in future after coming second to Cr Cameron Caldwell in the race to become the Liberal Party’s candidate for Fadden.

However Dr Palipana, who was back at work in the Emergency Department of Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH) on Sunday, said he was keen to see more people put their hands up for politics, which he said needed to be a forum for respectful debate, not personal attacks.

“Regardless of which side of the spectrum you sit, I just think we need more people to participate in the process,” Dr Palipana said.

“Especially in our country, in Australia. Where else in the world could someone who came from a war-torn country get educated, finish high school, go through law school, go through depression, get into medical school, go through a spinal cord injury and then have an opportunity to participate in the democratic process? This is that country.

“If you have an interest, if you have a particular passion in society, this is a country where you can put your hand up. And I think that’s worthwhile.”

Dr Dinesh Palipana at Runaway Bay Community Centre for the Liberal Party pre-selection vote on Saturday. Picture: Mike Batterham.

In his first public comments since losing Saturday’s pre-selection battle by 88 votes to 56 in the final round of voting, Dr Palipana said he had “learned a lot” from the process, and was “really grateful” for the people from all sides of politics “who were kind, respectful and wished me well”.

The former Queenslander of the Year said he had been determined to ensure he conducted himself with “integrity” throughout the pre-selection campaign, describing it as “a non negotiable”.

“That (integrity) is the one thing I think that our society needs the most,” he said.

“At one point I thought, maybe I’m too idealistic for this, but then I thought if we can’t be idealistic about the government of our country, what can we be idealistic about?

“Politics historically was where people with life experience and expertise came together across the spectrum to have a respectful debate about ideas, and improve the human condition and improve our country.

“I think we need to keep holding it to that standard, and that’s where we need to head to.”

Dr Palipana said he wished Cr Caldwell “the best of luck” in the upcoming by-election, called after the resignation of former Morrison government minister Stuart Robert.

“I actually met Cameron before pre-selection, before the campaign started and before I put my application in. I wanted to meet him and say, ‘I haven’t put my application in yet, but I wanted to see you before I did and let you know’, because I just didn’t feel right without talking to the candidates beforehand,” he said.

“Cameron and I had a great conversation.

“That’s the way we started and that’s the way we’ll exit. As gentlemen.”

Dr Dinesh Palipana arrives at the Liberal Party pre-selection meeting with supporters including his mother Chithrani. Picture: Mike Batterham.

Dr Palipana said his motivation in running for election was the opportunity to help people. He said was happy to be back at work at the busy GCUH emergency department on Sunday – where he also had that chance – and had no plans to take any time off.

“I was reflecting on this (on Sunday),” he said. “I feel like I have a really good life where I got to be part of this democratic process on Saturday, and then go to work as an emergency doctor on Sunday. That is so incredible.

“ … One of the things I love about medicine, and one of the things my mum said, and I quote her all the time, is that by helping one person you might not change the world, but you’ll change the world for them.

“And that’s something I love about my existing job.”

The Fadden by-election takes place on July 15. Nominations close on June 22.

In addition to Cr Caldwell, candidates announced so far include Labor’s Letitia Del Fabbro, Sandy Roach for One Nation and independents Kevin Young, Stewart Brooker and Belinda Jones.

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Originally published as Dr Dinesh Palipana reveals why he ran for Liberal Party Fadden nomination