Qld election 2020: Jobs, crime dominate Mackay agenda

Mackay electorate profile: The big issues that matter and how our political hopefuls plan to tackle them.

Mackay state election candidates: Chris Bonanno (LNP), Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert and One Nation's Christine Keys.

Mackay electorate fast facts

Incumbent: Julieanne Gilbert (ALP)

Margin: 10.2 per cent

Challengers: Chris Bonanno (LNP), Christine Keys (ONP), Shaun Krstic (LCQ), Imogen Lindenberg (Greens), Julie Saunders (IMOP)

TRADITIONAL election issues such as job security, health and crime will be even more relevant to electorates such as Mackay in the post-coronavirus world.

This very safe Labor seat covers the central area of Mackay.

It has been a Labor Party stronghold since William Forgan Smith won the seat in 1915.

Current Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert is only the fifth member to represent the seat in the past century.

Mrs Gilbert said the community wanted to feel secure post-COVID, which could be achieved through job security for constituents and their children.

She has vowed to fight for jobs in traditional industries, such as coal and sugar, as well as emerging industries.

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"Small business plays a huge part in the employment of the whole of Queensland and also here in Mackay," Mrs Gilbert said.

"The Palaszczuk Government is supporting small business with a reduction in land taxes, payroll taxes and increased small business grants.

"We need to look after our big businesses, as well as small and medium-sized businesses."

Campaigning to end Labor's winning streak in Mackay is former councillor Chris Bonanno, the LNP's candidate for the seat.

Most recently running Grant Broadcasters, he said the party had a plan to "supercharge the regions and unleash our industries to create a decade of secure jobs".

"Like everyone in Mackay, I'm also concerned about the rise in juvenile crime," Mr Bonanno said.

"Our economic plan includes policies such as building the drought-busting New Bradfield Scheme and Urannah Dam, unlocking the Galilee Basin, delivering a no-new-tax guarantee, introducing regional electricity price competition to save households $300 a year on their electricity bills and backing small businesses.

"The LNP has announced a comprehensive plan to crackdown on youth offenders to keep the Mackay community safe."

One Nation candidate Christine Keys said her top priority was to make Mackay a safer and happier place to live.

Harry Bruce's take on the week of politics in Mackay.

"The waiting times for people needing surgery in the public health system need urgent attention, as does the fact the people of Mackay are being denied access to lifesaving resources," Ms Keys said.

"The people of Mackay need to feel safe both out and about and in their own homes.

"One Nation's Law and Order and Youth Justice policies present plans to cut down the crime rate in Mackay, and those committing crimes will be held accountable."

 

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She also promised to overhaul the education system in favour of a back-to-basics approach.

Last month, the Daily Mercury asked its readers to have their say on the state election issues they thought our local pollies should be fighting for.

COVID-19 recovery for small business, job creation and crime prevention received the highest number of votes.

This was followed by roads and transport, support for coal and renewable jobs, health care and child safety, and domestic violence prevention.

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