Former Toowoomba North MP and GP Dr John Flynn passes away aged 70

Tributes have flowed from both sides of politics after the passing of former Toowoomba MP Dr John Flynn, who broke the Nationals’ 15-year dominance of the city as part of the 1989 landslide under Labor Premier Wayne Goss.

Former Toowoomba North MP Dr John Flynn, who was part of the Goss government between 1989 and 1992, has died age 70.

Toowoomba politician Dr John Flynn has been remembered as a kind and down-to-earth man who “broke new ground” for the Labor Party in the Garden City.

Tributes have flowed for the former state member for Toowoomba North and GP of more than 40 years, who died in Brisbane on February 27 at the age of 70.

Dr Flynn, who was raised and educated in Brisbane before eventually moving west in 1985, became the first Labor politician in 15 years to win a Toowoomba seat when he was part of the Wayne Goss-led landslide of 1989.

Speaking at his funeral on Thursday, wife Kelyn (who was also his campaign manager) said Dr Flynn had been spurned into political action following the revelations of the Fitzgerald Inquiry into political corruption under long-time premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen.

“In hard line National Party territory in Toowoomba, he picked the ‘winnable’ seat of Toowoomba North – it only required a 7 per cent swing,” she said.

“After a year of doorknocking with his trusty band of supporters … John was declared the winner by 374 votes.”

In government, he was named on the select committee of inquiry into ambulance services in 1990, was both chair and member of the public accounts committee and part of the health and primary industries legislation committees.

He narrowly lost the seat at the following election in 1992, with Graham Healy defeating him by less than 200 votes.

Prior to his political career, Dr Flynn practised medicine in Wilsonton before he moved his practice to Acacia Ridge following his defeat.

Former Toowoomba North MP Kerry Shine, who was a patient of Dr Flynn’s in Brisbane when he was in parliament between 2001 and 2012, described him as mentor and caring man.

“John Flynn broke new ground for Labor in Toowoomba with the 1989 win — Labor prior to that had been out of representation in Toowoomba since 1974,” he said.

“When I got elected, he became my GP, so I got to know him pretty well when I was an MP.

“He was a good mentor to me, and his affection for Toowoomba remained throughout the years.

“He was very down-to-earth and a very caring person.”

Dr John Flynn MP was part of class of 1989 upon election of Goss Labor Government in seat of Toowoomba North

Very sad to see his passing at the age of 70yo

A moving and fitting funeral this morning to commemorate a very kind, gentle man who would help anyone & did. Vale John. pic.twitter.com/XyoCX5VDwo

— Mark Bailey MP (@MarkBaileyMP) March 14, 2024

Transport minister Mark Bailey, who attended Dr Flynn’s funeral on Thursday morning, called him a “very kind and gentle man”.

“Very sad to see his passing,” Mr Bailey wrote on X.

Current Toowoomba North MP Trevor Watts paid tribute to Dr Flynn, saying the pair had similar visions for the city.

“Stepping into public life and community representation is a path not without its challenges, impacting not just individuals but also their loved ones,” he said.

“Despite being from different sides of politics and a few years in between our service in the Queensland parliament Dr Flynn and I shared a similar vision for our community.

“In his maiden speech he spoke of a housing crisis in Toowoomba. Dr Flynn detailed its causes and expressed commitment to tackle the issue through government initiatives.

“He addressed the issue of crime and the need for increased police resources in Toowoomba, advocating for a better police-to-population ratio and community policing.

“Dr Flynn pointed out the need for a new high school in the northwest sector of Toowoomba due to overcrowding in existing schools, emphasising the importance of addressing educational infrastructure.”