Llew O’Brien, Geoff Williams, Tim Jerome in race for Wide Bay
The National Party is being challenged by almost a dozen candidates from every part of the political spectrum as the federal election looms in three weeks.
Gympie
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The Wide Bay electoral race boasts one of the largest fields, with 10 candidates contesting the seat held by either the National Party or LNP Coalition for almost 50 years.
Incumbent LNP candidate Llew O’Brien’s main threat is Labor’s Geoff Williams, although gaming house Sportsbet has anointed Mr O’Brien as a solid favourite for re-election.
Distant challengers for the seat are Independents Kelli Jacobi and Tim Jerome, with Mr Jerome a repeat candidate at elections across the region, having run during Gympie Regional Council’s Division 8 by-election in 2018, the 2020 Gympie council mayoral election, and the 2020 state election.
More than a half dozen minor parties are also part of this year’s race for the Wide Bay, which was last held by a party other then the Nationals or LNP coalition in 1974.
NewsCorp has asked each of the candidates to outline their background, their connection to the electorate, and what they believe are the biggest issues that will decide the seat at the polling booths on May 21.
All candidates 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.
“The past 20 years of my career I have worked for the some of the most vulnerable and most deserving in our community (in) aged care, disability support and childcare (and) early learning.
“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 up-ended 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 – 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.”
Kelli Jacobi – Independent
Kelli Jacobi’s campaign website says she was “born and raised in small country towns for 10 years” before moving to the Sunshine Coast.
Her election platform includes a push to “end corruption and unlawful rule, restore constitutional democracy, support sovereignty, unity and self-reliance, ensure wise stewardship of natural resources, and rebuild, protect and enhance our nation.
Ms Jacobi has been contacted with the same questions as the other candidates.
This article will be updated with his responses once they become available.
Tim Jerome – Independent
“Living in Traveston, born in Maryborough Queensland,” Tim Jerome said.
“I have decided to run in this election because we are in a great need of overhauling our political system.
“I believe the major parties along with a lot of minor parties are leading us down a path of no return and ruin.
“Llew O’Brien and the Nationals have been asleep at the helm.
“To boast about a four-lane highway which we the taxpayers are paying for and forget about the needy is unforgivable.
“We are in a financial nightmare in this country, the cost of living has skyrocketed, people cannot afford to live.
“There is a shortage of rental and emergency housing.
“The way we fix this problem is by getting rid of the problem, which is the current government, the LNP.
“When you have a government that looks after the wealthy who pay little to no tax, this puts an enormous burden on the middle to lower income earners.
“Key issues for me are cost of living, housing, tax system overhaul, regenerative agriculture, the environment, providing for the elderly and personal freedoms.
Andrea Newland – Informed Medical Options Party
“I’m a former business owner and have lived in Noosa for over 20 years. I’ve been drawn to supporting communities and businesses who are still being coerced and gaslighted into civil conscription because living in Wide Bay with all its natural diversity and considerate communities is special to me.
“I’m a wife and a proud mother and spend a lot of my time homeschooling my Mr 7, looking after our animals and kicking the soccer ball with the family.
“(The biggest problems that need to be addressed are) one: restrictions and mandates revoked, except in business and the fact is - it’s hard to get a job when you need to show proof of vaccine status. New workers are being asked to show proof and vaccinated workers are asked to keep boosters up. Stop the mandate to increase economy.
“Two: Australia’s National and State debts last two years with $1.5 trillion in debt. An urgent independent overhaul of government power is needed.
“Three: Raise standards of living. Over 700 people homeless in Wide Bay. Building more housing supplying appropriate accommodation is the uncomplicated solution. Finding enough building supplies may be more complicated with costs of steel and timber gone through the roof.
“Four: Unemployment of $45 a day is not enough to live on. Stop business mandates to increase employment opportunities. Jobseeker benefits needs to outdo living expenses. Mental and Dental Medicare needs an overhaul.
“Five: Queensland’s renewable energy is the lowest in Australia at 19.6 per cent as opposed to Tasmania’s huge penetration at 99.9 per cent. Invest in Ethical Energy and living.
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,” Mr O’Brien said.
“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.”
Daniel Williams – Australian Values Party
“I decided to run for the Federal Seat of Wide Bay after following Heston Russel’s consistent and persistent battle to get the Royal Commission for Veteran Suicide across the line, this led to Heston forming the Australian Values Party,” Mr Williams said.
“I was impressed by the leadership and integrity of Heston during this process.
“I have spent nearly all my life in the Wide Bay electorate, and I know the people and challenges we face.
“I live in Noosa Heads and have lived there for the last 26 years.
“I grew up in Maryborough and still have family living there.
“I have circumnavigated K’Gari by boat, camped and fished inside the Sandy Strait, trained, and raced horses in the Mary Valley, Kilkivan, and Noosa hinterland, I have work colleagues and friends in Gympie, including Rainbow Beach and Tin Can Bay.
“The top five issues ahead of me after the election would be to fix the aged care crisis and adopt all the recommendations immediately from the Royal Commission, free education for nurses and higher wages to attract more qualified medical carers to the aged care sector and our hospitals, housing affordability and availability for essential service workers by introduction rental subsidies, purchasing land for small homes or demountable housing for those who cannot afford rent or to purchase a house, taking a proactive approach to the flood crisis by engaging the community to find a solution and reduce the cost and emotional destruction this natural disaster continually affects our communities.”
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,” said Mr Williams.
“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.”
John Woodward – Australian Federation Party
John Woodward’s website outlines his interests around financial and economic reform by amending the constitution.
The proposed changes include prohibiting the government from borrowing money, requiring the government to issue 100 per cent of money supply, and outlawing the taxation of workers and Australian-owned businesses.
Mr Woodward has been contacted with the same questions as the other Wide Bay candidates.
This article will be updated with his responses once they become available.
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