LNP’s Glen Kelly runs for Mirani seat at 2024 state election

A Central Queensland grazier and rural fire service volunteer will take on Stephen Andrew for his state seat of Mirani at October’s election. Find out who it is.

Glen Kelly (left) is the Liberal National Party’s pick to go head-to-head with One Nation MP Stephen Andrew (right) for the seat of Mirani at this year’s state elections.

A Rockhampton region grazier and rural fire service volunteer will challenge a One Nation MP for the state seat of Mirani at October’s election.

Glen Kelly is the Liberal National Party’s pick to go head-to-head with Stephen Andrew.

The married father of two, who is also a former earth moving machine operator, has lived in Central Queensland his whole life and graduated from Rockhampton State High School.

“Six generations of my family have lived on the same Kalapa property producing beef cattle, and I’m proud to be raising another generation here with my wife, Nikki,” Mr Kelly said.

“I’m incredibly passionate about this region.

“I have a commonsense approach and a fire in my belly to tackle the issues that are important to locals.

“I know this community.”

Liberal National Party candidate for the seat of Mirani at the October 2024 state election, Glen Kelly. Picture: Contributed

Mr Kelly said the Labor government had neglected the Mirani electorate which deserved a “strong, hard working” MP “who can actually get things done”.

Mr Andrew, also a married father of two, has held the Mirani seat since November 2017.

He has told this publication he intends to keep his seat as he still had “lots to do” in parliament including pushing through new legislation.

Mirani MP Stephen Andrew with his family (from left): Charli Cross, Violet Swann, 5, daughter Jorja Andrew, Darci Geiger and Angus Lynch at the 2021 PBR Mackay Invitational at BB Print Stadium on Saturday, October 9, 2021. Picture: Heidi Petith

Mr Andrew said as a One Nation MP, he helped provide “fairness and balance” in the house with his opinion resonating with many in his electorate who did not necessarily align with the major parties’ views.

“I’m a very big point of difference in that,” he said.

Mirani MP Stephen Andrew speaks to a gathering at Eungella Hall on October 4, 2022. Picture: Duncan Evans

The former miner said for him, campaigning for the October election was embedded in his everyday duties as a politician but he would continue advocating for more clarity around Labor’s renewable energy plan and greater transparency on project “blowouts” including those involving private partnerships.

Mr Andrew said he would also push against Labor’s proposed Pioneer Burdekin pumped hydro scheme and any renewable energy projects that permanently “scarred and damaged” the natural habitat and wildlife in his electorate.

But whether or not the Pioneer Burdekin scheme will go ahead may not be known until after the October state election.

Read more here.