Where you can vote before and on election day in Dawson and Capricornia
Voting for the 2025 Federal Elections kicks off on Tuesday with pre-polling centres opening around Dawson and Capricornia. Here’s everything you need to know along with a list of all the polling locations.
Mackay
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Polling booths are set to open across the country with early voting for the 2025 federal election from voters able to case their early ballots from today.
Most pre-polling booths open between 8am and 9am and close between 5pm to 6pm.
There will be no centres open on Anzac Day, April 25.
Scroll down to find out where you can vote.
Who’s on the ballot
The incumbents
Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox
Former mayor of the Whitsundays, Mr Willcox was first elected for parliament in 2022 taking over Nationals MP George Christensen.
He holds the seat on a 10.4 per cent margin over Labor making him a clear favourite ahead of the polls.
His top priorities are providing cost-of-living relief and ensuring money from the 80:20 funding split to repair the Bruce Highway is spent in Dawson.
Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry
Ms Landry represents an area stretching from Sarina to the edge of Rockhampton, covering Yeppoon in the south, along with the inland Isaac region and associated mines.
She first won the seat in 2013 and still holds it — despite a five per cent swing against her in 2022 — with a 13 per cent margin.
The challengers for Dawson
Labor candidate, Neil Wallace
Former Mackay Regional Council hopeful and former insurance broker Mr Wallace will represent Labor in the coming election.
His priorities are strengthening Medicare by investing in bulk billing and promising to open a new Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Mackay.
Greens candidate, Paula Creen
Former SES and Volunteer Marine Service Mackay member, Paula Creen will represent the Greens after running in both the past state and federal elections. Her priorities are relieving dependency on natural resources like coal and gas and transitioning to renewables while making big corporations “pay their fair share in tax so we can fund dental and mental health into Medicare, bring down rents and mortgages, and take strong climate action”.
Family First candidate, Amanda Nickson
Dr Nickson ran in the state election in October last year, then previously in the 2006 general election and in 2010.
She will be campaigning to ban abortions and to see a return to the more traditional perceived roles of male and female as biologically assigned with her party calling for a ban on children’s gender transitioning.
Trumpet of Patriots candidate, Michael Lockyer
The 28 year old will be throwing his hat in the ring to “bring a new voice” to the ballot.
Mr Lockyer’s main priorities are reducing immigration to “sustainable levels” and abolishing the Net Zero target and Paris Agreements
People First candidate, Alexander Beaumont
Former ADF as a physical training instructor, Mr Beaumont will represent Gergard Rennick’s new political party on a platform of reforming childcare, voluntary superannuation and increasing the tax free threshold to $40,000.
One Nation candidate, Darren Brown
A strong supporter of leaving the Paris Agreement, Mr Brown is advocating for new high-efficiency, low-emission coal-fired power stations to deliver cheap, reliable energy to the region.
He also believes regional communities deserve their fair share of investment in highways, floodproof infrastructure, and essential services.
Challengers for Capricornia:
Labor candidate for Capricornia, Emily Mawson
Maurice Blackburn lawyer Ms Mawson has thrown her hat in the ring as Labor candidate for her federal seat.
She’s the daughter of a Central Queensland coal miner who now spends her days fighting for the rights of workers as an asbestos, dust and occupational diseases lawyer.
Her priorities are to help ease the pressure of cost-of-living and to secure jobs in her region.
Greens candidate, Mick Jones
Mr Jones is running on a platform of relieving cost-of-living pressures and forming a clear path towards renewable energy by ensuring big corporations, billionaires, and property investors pay “their fair share” in tax.
Family First candidate, Kerri Hislop
Ms Hislop is running to ensure traditional family values are on the ballot at the upcoming Federal election.
She believes strong families, freedom for faith, and protecting the most vulnerable are critical for the future of communities and the nation.
Trumpet of Patriots candidate, Stephen Andrew
Former State Member for Mirani and fourth generation local, Mr Andrew will contest the federal election campaigning to limit government spending, tackling government debt, and bringing affordable housing back within reach.
Mr Andrew says it’s time for government to work for the people — not the political elite
One Nation candidate, Cheryl Kempton
Ms Kempton is advocating for better roads, improved water infrastructure, and policies that ease the financial burdens on local families.
She also supports measures to tackle crime and restore a sense of safety to the community.
You can find out more about the incumbents and their challengers in our full list of candidates.
Australia will head to the polls on May 3 with a record level of enrolment in the 2025 federal election.
The Australian Electoral Commission revealed 98.2 per cent of eligible Australians had enrolled to vote in the upcoming election.
For those unable to cast their vote on May 3, pre-polling locations will open from April 22.
Read on for full details on how to vote early in the upcoming federal election.
Where to Vote
Mackay Showgrounds 500 Pavilion (Capricornia/Dawson)
Opening times
8.30am – 5.30pm (April 22 – 24, April 28 – May 1)
9am – 4pm (April 26)
8.30am – 6pm (May 2)
8am – 6am (election day)
Virtual Auslan interpreter
Alternative voting room
Accessible parking
Wheelchair accessible
Dawson
Northern Beaches Central – SHOP 8, 10 Eimeo Rd, Rural View QLD 4740
Opening times:
8.30am – 5.30pm (April 22 – 24, April 28 – May 1)
9am – 4pm (April 26)
8.30am – 6pm (May 2)
Virtual Auslan interpreter
Accessible parking
Assisted wheelchair access
Whitsunday Masonic Lodge, 29 Chapman St, Proserpine QLD 4800
Opening times:
8.30am – 5.30pm (April 22 – 24, April 28 – May 1)
9am – 4pm (April 26)
8.30am – 6pm (May 2)
Virtual Auslan interpreter
Accessible parking
Wheelchair accessible
PCYC Whitsundays, 2489 Shute Harbour Rd, Airlie Beach QLD 4802
Opening times
8.30am – 5.30pm (April 22 – 24, April 28 – May 1)
9am – 4pm (April 26)
8.30am – 6pm (May 2)
8am – 6pm (election day)
Virtual Auslan interpreter
Accessible parking
Wheelchair accessible
Bowen Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC), Cnr Hay St & Queens Rd, Bowen QLD 4805
Opening times:
8.30am – 5.30pm (April 22 – 24, April 28 – May 1)
9am – 4pm (April 26)
8.30am – 6pm (May 2)
Virtual Auslan interpreter
Accessible parking
Wheelchair accessible
Burdekin Sports Club Hall, 142 Wickham St, Ayr QLD 4807
Opening times:
8.30am – 5.30pm (April 22 – 24, April 28 – May 1)
9am – 4pm (April 26)
8.30am – 6pm (May 2)
Virtual Auslan interpreter
Assisted wheelchair access
PCYC Aitkenvale, 126 Wellington St, Aitkenvale QLD 4814
Tue 22 Apr – Thu 24 Apr
8:30am – 5:30pm
Sat 26 Apr
9am – 4pm
Mon 28 Apr – Thu 1 May
8:30am – 5:30pm
Fri 2 May
8:30am – 6pm
Sat 3 May
8am – 6pm
Virtual Auslan interpreter
Alternative voting room
Accessible parking
Wheelchair accessible
Capricornia
Moranbah Arts Council Building, 38 Bacon St, Moranbah QLD 4744
Opening times:
8.30am – 5.30pm (April 22 – 24, April 28 – May 1)
9am – 4pm (April 26)
8.30am – 6pm (May 2)
Virtual Auslan interpreter
Accessible parking
Assisted wheelchair access
Clermont Civic Centre, 21-25 Daintree St, Clermont QLD 4721
Opening hours
Tue 29 Apr – Thu 1 May
8:30am – 5:30pm
Fri 2 May
8:30am – 6pm
Virtual Auslan interpreter
Sarina QCWA Hall, 2 Brewers Rd, Sarina QLD 4737
Opening hours
Sat 26 Apr
9am – 4pm
Mon 28 Apr – Thu 1 May
8:30am – 5:30pm
Fri 2 May
8:30am – 6pm
Virtual Auslan interpreter
Assisted wheelchair access
James Lawrence Pavilion, 1-47 Exhibition Rd, Wandal QLD 4700
Opening hours:
Tue 22 Apr – Thu 24 Apr
8:30am – 5:30pm
Sat 26 Apr
9am – 4pm
Mon 28 Apr – Thu 1 May
8:30am – 5:30pm
Fri 2 May
8:30am – 6pm
Virtual Auslan interpreter
Hearing loop
Text-to-speech pen
Gracemere Community Hall – Training Rooms, 6-12 Barry St, Gracemere QLD 4702
Opening hours
Sat 26 Apr
9am – 4pm
Mon 28 Apr – Thu 1 May
8:30am – 5:30pm
Fri 2 May
8:30am – 6pm
Virtual Auslan interpreter
Accessible parking
Capricorn Coast Cricket Club, Yeppoon Showgrounds, 26 Morris St, Yeppoon QLD 4703
Opening hours
Tue 22 Apr – Thu 24 Apr
8:30am – 5:30pm
Sat 26 Apr
9am – 4pm
Mon 28 Apr – Thu 1 May
8:30am – 5:30pm
Fri 2 May
8:30am – 6pm
Virtual Auslan interpreter
Assisted wheelchair access
Blackwater QCWA Hall, 1 Ardurad Rd, Blackwater QLD 4717
Opening hours
Sat 26 Apr
9am – 4pm
Mon 28 Apr – Thu 1 May
8:30am – 5:30pm
Fri 2 May
8:30am – 6pm
Virtual Auslan interpreter
Assisted wheelchair access.
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