LNP backs Colin Boyce to replace ‘the Bulldog’ Ken O’Dowd in Flynn
The LNP has backed in a new candidate for the central Queensland seat of Flynn. But if Colin Boyce wins it will send the local voters back to the polls again.
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State MP Colin Boyce has been backed by the LNP to contest the Federal seat of Flynn in Central Queensland at the next election, taking on local Mayor and Labor candidate Matt Burnett.
It will cause a by-election in his current state seat of Callide if he wins at the next Federal election.
Sitting member Ken O’Dowd, 71, is retiring at the next poll after serving more than a decade in the role.
Mr Boyce beat out three other candidates, including Mitchell Brownlie, Ron English and Tracie Newitt to convincingly win the LNP branch member vote on Sunday afternoon, the Courier-Mail understands.
The seat is held by the LNP with an 8.7 per cent margin.
But it is considered one of Labor’s strongest chances in Queensland at the next election, with an inflated preference flow at the last poll boosting the two-party preferred result.
Mr Burnett was backed by Labor as its candidate for the seat, which includes Gladstone, in April.
The next Federal election can be held anytime from August 8 until May 21.
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