Former cop Nigel Dalton LNP’s ‘underdog’ candidate in fight for Mackay

David Crisafulli has officially announced a former North Queensland Police Officer as the LNP candidate in the struggle over a regional Labor stronghold. SEE WHAT HE’S PROMISING

Opposition leader David Crisafuli announces new Mackay candidate Nigel Dalton with Whitsundays MP Amanda Camm at Blue Water Quay. June 3, 2024. Photo: Fergus Gregg

The LNP has chosen a decorated veteran police officer as its pick to go face-to-face with incumbent MP Julieanne Gilbert for the seat of Mackay at the October state election.

LNP leader David Crisafulli said “when I became leader, I said I wanted to encourage a generation of candidates to put their hand forward.”

“Today, it’s my great pleasure to announce that the LNP has chosen Nigel Dalton as our candidate.”

Nigel Dalton retired from the Queensland Police Service in April after more than 40 years on the force, first in the United Kingdom and then in Queensland.

Mr Crisafuli’s called Nigel “an underdog” in the contest against Labor as Labor have held the Mackay seat for nearly 110 years and recent YouGov polling indicating the seat is not one of the 21 at risk of falling to the LNP.

“The people of Mackay can be part of generational change and select somebody who understands the challenges facing this region.”

Mr Dalton, who in 2023 was awarded the Mackay region Citizen of the Year, said he was excited to represent his home of 22 years which “desperately” needed representation “after years of neglect from the tired “Palaszczuk-Miles Labor Government”.

“This place needs to change,” he said.

“As a police officer I have seen first-hand the very real impacts the crime crisis has had on the residents of Mackay and I want to be part of a Crisafulli LNP Government that will deliver real solutions to make our community safer,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to listening to locals on the issues that matter most to them and being a strong voice down in Brisbane.”

LNP candidate for Mackay Nigel Dalton with LNP leader David Crisafulli. Picture: Contributed

Mr Dalton also highlighted that he wanted to focus on ensuring the local fishery industry was protected.

“We want to eat local fish, not fish from overseas when we’ve got the Great Barrier Reef and areas around Australia where the best quality eating fish are.”

When asked how he would address Mackay’s record low rental vacancy rates and housing crisis Mr Dalton said, “I’m not an expert on housing.”

“I know there’s a lack of social housing and a lack of community housing.

“Why can’t we build places for people to live in?”

Mr Crisafulli said Mr Dalton has shown his passion for helping others throughout his career and had served his community with “distinction” via his policing and sporting contributions for more than two decades.

“He has served at the coalface of policing in Mackay in several roles, including as a Domestic Violence Liaison Officer, Officer in Charge of the Mackay Police District Crime Prevention Unit, and the ‘Adopt a Cop’ at Mackay Christian College,” Mr Crisafulli said.

Former Queensland Police Sergeant Nigel Dalton acquitted himself well at a national swimming competition in Darwin as part of the North Mackay sinkers on May 3. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Mr Dalton is a life member of the Mackay Northern Beach Dolphins Soccer Club, vice president of the North Mackay Sinkers Masters Swimming Club, deacon of the Beaches Baptist Church, and is a junior sports coach.