What Canberra Raiders NRL legend Steve Jackson will bring to Mackay

A Canberra Raiders all star is flaunting his business record, vision and famous rugby mates in a bid to win the ‘popularity contest’ that is Mackay’s mayoral race.

Steve ‘Jacko’ Jackson is running as a business friendly mayor against business friendly incumbent Greg Williamson. Photo: Supplied

Canberra Raiders legend turned businessman Steve Jackson has shared his vision should he become the Mackay region’s next mayor, and claims the most well-liked candidate will win over the most qualified.

“It’s a popularity contest,” said Mr Jackson.

“I think it’s wrong, but it is.

“You don’t need a business degree, you don’t need any degree to be mayor.

“I think you should know about business to have these jobs.”

Mr Jackson has not shied away from using his connections in the NRL to boost his public profile.

Mr Jackson’s campaign strategy so far has included various large billboards across the region as well as focused visits to rural suburbs each weekend including most recently Eungella and Finch Hatton in the Pioneer Valley.

He will also release an advertisement on TikTok featuring his rugby mates, including but not limited to Wally Lewis, Ivan Cleary and Trevor ‘The Axe’ Gilmeister, with a message: ‘Vote 1 Steve Jackson’.

Mr Jackson is quick to promote his more than 20 years of business experience owning and operating two Lenard’s stores in Mackay, as well as his real estate agent experience.

He said a primary goal as mayor was to forge a partnership between the Mackay Regional Council and the private sector, stating it would “build our city” and turn the council into a “flourishing business”.

Mr Jackson said he would push for more negotiations on the amount businesses must pay the council.

When Mr Jackson, who describes himself as a “moneymaker”, was asked how he envisioned the council partnering with the private sector, he said “I don’t know the rules”.

Mackay Regional Council mayor Greg Williamson worked with Resource Industry Network general manager Dean Kirkwood to launch the Discover Mackay website, which has promoted the region as a place to invest, do business and live.

This has also been a focus for current mayor Greg Williamson.

Over his current four-year term concessions have been offered for infrastructure charges including in December voting in 90 per cent discounts for builds on residential lots smaller than 300sqm.

In the same month the council granted the Northern Beaches Bowls Club a $50,000, or 75 per cent, discount on infrastructure charges related to renovations.

Councillor Laurence Bonaventura, who is running for mayor on a platform of fiscal responsibility, cautioned discounts only “pass the burden onto the ratepayer”.

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