Groom MP Garth Hamilton appears on Paul Murray’s Our Town Toowoomba special, Suzie Holt questions exclusion

Toowoomba’s federal MP Garth Hamilton has appeared on national TV to outline his vision for the region — an opportunity that his main opponent says wasn’t afforded to her.

Groom MP Garth Hamilton has been given a chance on national television to lay out his vision for the Toowoomba region — an opportunity his main opponent tried to get into.

Mr Hamilton, who is facing a stiff challenge from independent Suzie Holt and a number of other candidates in the once safe-conservative electorate, joined Sky News host Paul Murray on Sunday night as part of his latest round of Our Town shows.

The five-year federal MP enjoyed a casual chat with Mr Murray and mayor Geoff McDonald, with the host asking Mr Hamilton how he believed Toowoomba would develop over the coming decade.

“In this town, we are face-to-face with all the things you need – we’ve got wonderful hospitals, wonderful schools,” Mr Hamilton replied.

“I think what we’re turning into is a place that’s going to have the things you want.

“We’re going to turn into a really special city, a genuine regional city, sitting up and looking across that Brisbane Valley.”

Groom MP Garth Hamilton and Toowoomba mayor Geoff McDonald on Paul Murray's Our Town taping in Toowoomba.

Mr Murray also used the Sunday show to spruik Toowoomba to the nation, particularly in light of the city securing the equestrian events for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.

Ms Holt attempted to speak Mr Murray as he toured Toowoomba, after being declined a spot on the panel or in the audience.

“I would have liked that seat at the table to have that conversation from even a bipartisan (perspective), given that it’s an election,” she said.

“It would have been a really nice gesture from Paul Murray to have embraced a broader base in terms of that panel.”

Ms Holt praised Mr Murray for his support of various Toowoomba charities as part of the taping, including Protea Place and Adapt Mentorship.

Mr Hamilton said his appearance on the show was as the region’s elected representative.

“I’m just really happy to spread the good word about our great region,” he said.

When asked again about how his vision for Toowoomba could be achieved, Mr Hamilton believed it required no major changes from a strategic level.

“People always talk about Toowoomba having its own economy, we have so many industries that support us and I am genuinely optimistic about our future,” he said. 

“We’ve got the great framework in place, the Inland Rail is a huge project to deliver, but that speaks to our strengths as a region.

“We’re not a place that needs to be reinvented or saved — it’s about supporting the organisations already in place.”

It comes as both camps start to flex their volunteer numbers in the early days of the 2025 election campaign.

Ms Holt said she would have as many as 300 people on polling booths and doing community outreach, while Mr Hamilton said he had grown his volunteer base since the 2023 Voice referendum.