Your vote counts: Duncan Scott, independent candidate for Flynn in the 2022 Federal election

Here’s what Flynn independent candidate Duncan Scott thinks about key issues such as housing affordability, renewable energy, cost of living, health services and local issues such as Mt Morgan.

Independents can bring real life experience which is not tainted by party politics, according to Mr Scott, as he says issues such as education, climate change, and an overbearing government are some of the most important for locals.

Standing as an independent for Flynn in his sixth election, this farmer and forest ranger from Wowan has previously spoken out against the amalgamation of smaller councils and the removal of polling booths in remote parts of the electorate.

Here’s how Mr Scott responded to the questions we put to all seven candidates vying for your vote in Flynn.

Independent candidate for the Seat of Flynn, Duncan Scott. Picture: Luka Kauzlaric

What are the three issues that you believe matter most to voters in the Flynn electorate?
1. For the younger generation, education and prospect of a well paying job at the end of it.

2. Climate change and how it affects the cost of living.

3. Thirdly, how the State and Federal government is being more and more overbearing and interfering in our everyday lives. On one hand they are putting on mental health ads telling us to look after and listen to our mates, while terminating employees because they want to put faith in their own immune system.

How will you address and seek to resolve the increased pressure of cost of living?

Reduce waste and red tape at all levels of government. Encourage to do things locally saving on transport costs.

Be more wise with spending such as bulk buying and collective buying. Dairy farmers have a track record of do this during drought.

How will you make house prices and rent more affordable, increase public housing and reduce the number of homeless residents?

Reduce foreign ownership, allowing more homes to be available to Australians.

More houses available, less pressure on prices. More homeowners, less pressure on rentals, reducing rent.

To simply construct more homes is difficult due to the construction blowouts of current contracts and supply chain difficulties.

Homelessness needs one-on-one to find out the cause and the best way forward in each individual case.

If the major parties spent as much money on helping the disadvantaged, as they do on advertising, then it would go along way to reducing problems.

With the focus of Flynn often being on Gladstone, what are big projects and issues you will address in more remote parts of the electorate?

Loss of services in all towns. They can be as simple as loss of polling booths in Dingo, through to the vital loss of maternity and birthing services in towns such as Theodore.

All single lane bridges and road stretches needs to be looked at urgently. Secure town water supply is essential, for eg Mount Morgan pipeline.

Do you support the Mt Morgan water pipeline project and do you support the rehabilitation of the Mt Morgan Mine by Heritage Minerals?

Yes, the amount that has been spent on trucking water could have paid for the pipeline.

Yes, Mount Morgan mine rehabilitation was on the agenda in 2016 election but dropped off because it was not kept in the public limelight.

Do you support Gladstone being reinstated as a “Distribution Priority Area” for doctors and what other commitments will you make to health services in Flynn?

Yes, as well as returning maternity and birthing services to the smaller strategic hospitals so mothers can stay in the local area rather then have to leave for an extended time from rest of family.

Do you support net zero emissions and do you endorse the shift to hydrogen and other renewable industries emerging in Gladstone?

Yes, solar is my preferred option. I have solar for my irrigation system. The returns are not what they promised when it was installed.

I don’t think government incentives should be for the big players. They already get economies of scale. Ideally small scale solar setups in many locations would be better rather than big solar farms.

Less impact and not all eggs in one basket. I am all for a windmill, but not for the big wind farms that do more harm than good.

Do you support traditional industries in Flynn such as coal and gas?

Yes, but will be phased out after renewable industries are up and running and any problems have been ironed out. Not as a knee-jerk reaction. As a proud dairy farmer who had to change professions, it can be done, but it is not easy without community support.

While Hospitals are a state issue, residents are telling us it is unacceptable that Gladstone Hospital is a level three facility, without an ICU unit, will you lobby for upgrades to the Gladstone Hospital?

Yes, Emerald should not be forgotten as it services such a large region. Having family close, to visit, in these trying times is so important.

Has Scott Morrison handled this term as Prime Minister well and do you think Anthony Albanese would be a better Prime Minister going forward?

Both could improve and respect each other. Not allowing the disrespectful ads of each other.

The first who makes a genuine attempt to work with the other side to achieve the communities common goals would get my thumbs up.

I am more interested in Mr Burnett and Mr Boyce and how they handle themselves than the party leaders.

Should people in Flynn put independents and minor parties above the major parties, and why?

We can bring real, down to earth, life experience to parliament that is not tainted by party politics. We maybe not as talented, make more mistakes, but we are genuinely interested in the community of Flynn.

What makes Flynn different to other electorates?

We are individuals who care for individuals. A good mixture of primary, secondary and tertiary industries. Even a bloke who lives in a tin shed with a couple of hundred dollars’ budget is encouraged and gets support to have a go at federal parliament.