Penny Allman-Payne set to become Greens’ second senator in Queensland

The Greens will have political representation in the resources heartland of Central Queensland for the first time, with Senator-elect Penny Allman-Payne declaring it was “clear” people in the regions understood the transition away from fossil fuels was under way.

The Greens will have political representation in the resources heartland of Central Queensland for the first time, with Senator-elect Penny Allman-Payne declaring it was “clear” people in the regions understood the transition away from fossil fuels was under way.

Senator-elect Penny Allman-Payne. Picture: Adam Head

Ms Allman-Payne, a teacher by trade and a long-time union member, is set to become the Greens’ second senator in Queensland and confirmed she would be based in Gladstone where she has lived on-and-off for more than a decade.

“It’s actually very exciting to be a senator based in this part of the world,” she said.

“(There’s been) a real shift in the last six months, it’s very clear that there’s a very strong growing acceptance in the community that change is coming and it is coming more quickly than people were expecting. People are wanting to take advantage of the opportunities that transition (away from fossil fuels) brings.”

Ms Allman-Payne grew up in Cardwell in the state’s far north before studying in Brisbane and working as a teacher in Gladstone, Cape York, and a year overseas in London.

She and her husband also lived in Bundaberg for a few years, as she travelled back and forth to Brisbane to study law. The pair moved back to Gladstone in 2018.

It is expected One Nation’s Pauline Hanson will take up Queensland’s sixth Senate spot.