LNP, ALP and Greens candidates jockey as Australian Federal Election looms

Major parties have named candidates for the Wide Bay and Hinkler Federal seats as an election announcement looms.

The race to Canberra is on, with several parties announcing the candidates that will contest the seats of Wide Bay and Hinkler at the federal election, which could be called as early as December 2021.

The Wide Bay electorate covers the area from Noosa, Gympie, Cherbourg, Maryborough and Fraser Island and is currently held by the LNP with National Party MP Llew O’Brien.

The Hinkler electorate covers Hervey Bay, Bundaberg and the area north of Bundaberg and is currently held by the LNP with National Party MP Keith Pitt.

Incumbent MP for Wide Bay Llew O'Brien confirmed he will seek re-election.

“My commitment to the people of Wide Bay remains rock solid, and I will recontest the seat so to build on the strong results I have achieved for our region,” Mr O’Brien said.

If re-elected, he promised effective representation to achieve results into the future.

Incumbent MP for Hinkler, Mr Pitt has confirmed he will stand for re-election.

“It is a privilege to once again put myself forward to represent the people of this region having been endorsed by the LNP and the membership to stand for re-election for the seat of Hinkler,” Mr Pitt said.

HINKLER ELECTORATE: The red outline designates the electorate of Hinkler

Geoff Williams from the Fraser Coast community of Bauple will contest the Wide Bay seat for the ALP.

“We need a government that’s committed to investing in a strong local manufacturing sector and to supporting local industries with secure full-time jobs,” Mr Williams said.

An ALP candidate for Hinkler is yet to be announced.

The Greens have also announced their intention to contest the federal election with candidates in Hinkler and Wide Bay.

For the Greens Party, Craig Armstrong has put his hand up for election. He ran for the Maryborough seat at the 2020 Queensland state election.

Mr Armstrong decided to run for federal election after working as a chef in the aged care and disability sector, seeing government neglect and becoming determined to be an advocate for them.

WIDE BAY ELECTORATE: The red outline designates the electorate of Wide Bay.

First time Greens candidate Nicole Cornish will contest the seat of Hinkler, and said the upcoming election was a time for change.

“The people of the Hinkler electorate must be offered a proactive, passionate representative with an alternative approach to be their voice for the future,” Ms Cornish said.

The next federal election will be held before May 21, 2022.