Belinda Hassan selected as Labor candidate for Mackay in 2024 Queensland election

Mackay deputy mayor Belinda Hassan is Labor’s candidate to face off against Nigel Dalton in the October state election, framing housing as part of the solution to youth crime.

Megan Scanlon and Julieanne Gilbert stood behind Belinda Hassan as the new candidate for the Mackay seat. Photo: Fergus Gregg

The Labor party has selected Belinda Hassan as its candidate for the seat of Mackay in the 2024 Queensland state election.

Sporting crutches at the announcement, she hardly limped to the finish line as Premier Steven Miles personally endorsed her back in July, less than 24 hours after Julieanne Gilbert bowed out.

Ms Hassan’s confirmation seemed all but secured though the party had insisted ‘nominations were open’ until 5pm on Saturday.

The nomination comes as Labor renew their efforts to keep the seat ahead of an all out war for supremacy in state parliament.

10 modular homes will be coming to South Mackay’s Hucker St to address housing shortages. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Housing minister Megan Scanlon said she was delighted to announce Ms Hassan’s candidacy at a press conference promoting social housing in Mackay.

“Belinda has been a long standing champion for the Mackay region,” Ms Scanlon said.

“She has experience in local government, she knows planning and she will be an exceptional member of parliament.”

Ms Hassan, who was in crutches due to a recent bicycle accident, emphasised her belief she could do more for the community in parliament rather than council.

“I came into council with no agenda, no promises, no pet projects,” she said.
“I’m really pleased to be able to step up.”

Although absent from her endorsement by the Premier, Mrs Gilbert stood behind Ms Hassan as she was confirmed as Labors nominee. Photo: Fergus Gregg

In an election the LNP have framed around crime and youth justice, Ms Hassan has prioritised housing as her number one issue.

She pointed to the recent Queensland Mining Expo as an example of Mackay’s accommodation shortage, and said visitors were spending over $700 a night for a hotel.

“Women and children were being provided with tents and sleeping bags so they’d somewhere to stay for the night,” Ms Hassan said.
She touted Labors commitment of delivering 27 modular homes to Mackay, 10 of which will be built at 6 Hucker St, South Mackay, as a potential solution.

Ms Scanlon said the modular homes are built in a factory, protecting them from weather which would otherwise scupper development.

“We can do site preparation at the same time as building and that means we can get more homes on the ground quickly,” she said.

The modular homes are one and two bedroom units, and part of Labors strategy to tackle the housing crisis.

The government expects to deliver 600 across the state from QBuild’s Eagle Farm manufacturing facility.

Mr Dalton’s police record has been a key selling point for his candidacy. Picture: Contributed

Battling Ms Hassan for the Mackay seat will be former police officer Nigel Dalton who has been campaigning alongside victims of crime and promoting the LNPs harsher sentencing policies.

Ms Hassan has emphasised housing as her number one priority as the candidate for Mackay. Photo: Fergus Gregg

“Youth crime is an issue I agree,” Ms Hassan said.

“But the people I’m talking to are more concerned with having a roof over their head.”

The latest statistics from the Queensland Police Service reveal the number of youth offenders in Queensland has contracted by 6.7 per cent since 2023 and the total number of unique youth offenders has decreased by 18 per cent since 2013.
“If we can address some of the housing issues, then we’re going a long way to addressing the crime,” Ms Hassan said.