2022 federal election: Meet the 6 Wide Bay candidates
Five challengers will take on Llew O’Brien in the fight for Wide Bay at the federal election in May. Here is what you need to know about them, where they live and what they think are the biggest issues confronting Wide Bay voters.
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Wide Bay voters will head to the polls in May for the 2022 federal election, and so far six contenders have let it be known they will be contesting the very safe and comfortable seat held by the National Party’s Llew O’Brien with a 13.2 per cent margin.
Mr O’Brien will be the LNP candidate come May, the ALP candidate will be Geoff Williams, the Greens have put up Craig Armstrong, the UAP Tracy Bennett, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party has put up Nathan Buckley, and Informed Medical Options Andrea Newland.
Mr O’Brien has held the seat since 2016.
Each candidate was asked to tell our readers a bit about themselves, why they are running, where they live and what are the top five issues facing the Wide Bay.
Candidates have been listed in alphabetical order. Some responses have been edited for length.
Craig Armstrong, Greens
“I have been working in hospitality as a chef for 40 years now and like most chefs I have worked in a variety of catering environments.
“I became frustrated with governments continually ignoring social services experts evidence and advice to fully address need and realise the full potential of our communities.
“I live in Maryborough and have done since 1994.
“We have all heard stories or know people who have had their lives upended by their home being sold and being ordered to move out. Or dozens of people competing for the same rental, where often your ability to pay more determines outcomes.
“Interest rates for investors are at historical lows and have been for some time now. And yet investors have taken advantage of the impact of a pandemic on regional housing availability and increased rents beyond the financial reach of many Australians.
“Education is a right not a privilege, a parent’s ability to pay shouldn’t affect the potential of child’s educational experience.
“The Covid pandemic has been an extra burden on the mental health of many who sadly face the challenge in their daily lives.”
Tracy Bennett, United Australia Party
“My career is sales and marketing, having worked at senior management level with companies from small family-owned, through to global market leaders.
“Since 2020, we have seen our basic rights eroded, with an increasing government overreach leading to decisions that have severely damaged our communities and sense of nationhood.
“Enough is enough – too many decisions have been made because of politics, power and control – not the public interest.
“I live in Cooran, which is part of the Noosa hinterland, with my husband Max and our rescue dog Chyna.
“I will make myself known to the whole Wide Bay region during my campaign and will continue with the regular contact if elected.
“My top issues are returning freedom and true democracy to Australia, fighting to stop vaccine mandates and medical coercion, putting a halt to digital identity intrusions which will track our every movement, eliminating government overreach, and cost of living pressures.”
Nathan Buckley, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation
“I moved to Wide Bay to raise my family several years ago.
“My experience as a lawyer has given me a greater understanding and appreciation of the damage caused by overreaching state and federal governments.
“Over the last two years, I have fielded thousands of telephone calls and emails from people all over Australia, including my electorate of Wide Bay.
“They have suffered personal hardship. They have lost their jobs. They have not been able to visit their families. They have not been allowed entry into Queensland from Covid hot spots.
“We’ve seen in recent times how neglected the Bruce Highway and our critical transport infrastructure (including our train lines) is.
“The Bruce Highway isn’t a highway at all. It’s largely a single lane road with a few overtaking lanes every so often.
“The most important issue ahead of this federal election is to end vaccine mandates and all Covid-19 related restrictions, which have created so much discrimination and segregation within our community and throughout Australia.
“Keeping our state border open to domestic and international tourists will reignite our tourism industry and small businesses.
“I’m also passionate about seeing better outcomes and quality assistance for aged care services within our electorate, as it’s a great place to live, work and retire.”
Andrea Newland, Informed Medical Options
No response received by deadline.
Ms Newland’s official web page lists her as a Noosa resident and a mother of three.
Llew O’Brien, LNP
“I’ve lived in Gympie for the last 35 years, it’s where I’ve raised my family and it’s the place I call home.
“While I live in Gympie, my office is in Maryborough and I’m always on the road throughout Wide Bay meeting with constituents in council offices, community halls, and service and sporting clubs.
“Prior to being elected I served Wide Bay communities for 16 years as a police officer.
“For the last six years the people of Wide Bay have entrusted me as their representative in the Australian Parliament. It’s a responsibility I carry seriously.
“Covid has cost lives and livelihoods and has seen the reach of governments extend into our personal lives in an unprecedented way. People want their freedom and jobs back and businesses want to get on with business.
“With the situation in Ukraine and concern about China, national security will play a big part in this election.
“Growing a strong economy, keeping taxes low and creating jobs is essential so we can maintain our record levels of investment in health and education.”
Geoff Williams, Labor
“I have been a blue collar worker most of my life. I started my apprenticeship as a boilermaker at the end of Year 11 and worked in maintenance, manufacturing, construction and mining and I’ve been a crane operator for almost 10 years.
“By working in these jobs, I understand the importance of real secure jobs and the need to skill workers in the regions, especially right here in Wide Bay.
“Under Scott Morrison and Barnaby Joyce the costs of living, like petrol and housing are going up and up, while real wages are going backwards.
“My wife of 28 years and I have lived in the Wide Bay for over seven years, firstly in Glenwood and now in Bauple.
“As tenants we know the insecurity that comes with renting and feel the squeeze of the current rental crisis created by this Morrison Government, and why Labor’s affordable housing plan is close to home for us.
“As a candidate in both the 2020 state election and now in 2022 as the federal candidate for Wide Bay, I have been travelling all over the electorate and listening to what people have to say and what they are telling me is they want better, secure jobs, better access to healthcare, and a better future for their kids.”
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