Maranoa Regional councillor candidates discuss key election topics at Injune community forum
With only a few days before polling day for the 2024 local government elections, find out where the Maranoa’s councillor candidates stand on the key issues facing the region.
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With only a few days until the polling booths open for election day, weeks of campaigning are coming to a head.
In the Maranoa, there have been an incredible number of candidates for seats on council, as well as the coveted mayoral role.
An important part of the campaign has been councillor forums, which have been held in different localities across the region in the past two weeks.
With all the candidates lined up, locals were able to hear the issues which were of the most importance to each, and had an opportunity to bring their own gripes to the table.
All candidates were in attendance at Injune Memorial Hall on March 4, where a few key issues were highlighted by the community.
Mark Edwards
The first councillor to speak was incumbent councillor Mark Edwards.
Mr Edwards said he has been an accountant for 40 years, and used his authority as an expert to assert the strength of the council’s financial position.
“I can safely say Maranoa Regional Council is in a strong position,” Mr Edwards said.
Peter Flynn
The second councillor to speak was Peter Flynn, who asserted himself as a “truly independent” candidate.
Mr Flynn said he has a long history with local government, having spent 16 years on the Roma Town Council, and eight on the Maranoa Regional Council.
Mr Flynn said he believed the incumbent council’s decision to not replace the sport and recreation officer was a “mistake”.
Brendan Seawright
Wallumbilla local Brendan Seawright spoke next.
Mr Seawright and his family have a lengthy history in the region, and he said his focus would be on growing the Maranoa by backing local communities.
“I’m a local through and through. Born in Roma and raised in the former Bendemere shire. With over 125 years of history in the Maranoa, you could say our family has strong ties to the area,” Mr Seawright said.
“I want to make sure that everyone has a voice in Maranoa – I know first-hand how tough it can be getting your concerns across and feel like we’re actually being heard.
“I believe in creating a culture where everyone feels comfortable about speaking up and engaging with their local council staff.”
Jane Vincent
Another newcomer to council elections was next, in Bymount area beef producer Jane Vincent.
Ms Vincent touched on her extensive experience in local government, as well as her vast engagement in the Injune community and beyond.
“I am standing as a truly independent regional councillor candidate,” Ms Vincent said.
“With council, what is free to the community, is an expense to the ratepayer.
“I am the type of person who would prefer to get all the information and cost benefit breakdowns before making such commitments on your behalf.”
Julie Guthrie
The following speaker was councillor Julie Guthrie, member of the Unity Maranoa group.
With an extensive history in education and grazing, and a term under her belt as a councillor, Ms Guthrie said she was running with Unity Maranoa again because of their demonstrated ability to deliver on promises they made four years ago.
“I am standing again to further the operating locally model” Ms Guthrie said.
“With a local boss, talking to local residents, and local people awarded tenders to operate council assets in Injune.”
Ms Guthrie also referred to the council’s financial outcomes as a success of the previous term.
“We achieved a rates freeze, at the same time we increased our cash an extra $50m,” she said.
“In 2019/20, our cash and investments were $81.35m. By 2022/23 we had increased these to $131.6m.”
Ms Guthrie also had further borrowing and operating surplus data to support the notion of the council’s robust financial state.
On top of this, Ms Guthrie drew attention to the fact that 85 per cent of council voting had been unanimous over the four year term.
Amber Davis
Amber Davis, another newcomer to the pool of councillor candidates, addressed the crowd next, highlighting her local government experience, unique perspective and vehement independence.
Ms Davis has both 13 years of experience in local government operations, and was the youngest councillor candidate. She owns and operates Bessie’s ice cream bus, a small local business, and with that background promises to get the local council “back to business”.
“Now, more than ever before, its time to get the Maranoa back to business,” Ms Davis said.
“We do that by focusing on the traditional functions of local government – maintaining what we have and planning for the future, ensuring open communication, accountability, and process-driven decision-making.
“I support councillor portfolios, advisory committees, and business decisions supported by business plans.”
Johanne Hancock
Councillor Johanne Hancock spoke next, and said she would be bringing her experience and community connections to the table if re-elected.
Ms Hancock said she had extensive business experience, and now also has four years of experience as a councillor under her belt.
“I have a genuine heart for the people of the Maranoa region, and I have a passion and knowledge to work together with the community to achieve progressive and sustainable outcomes for the region,” Ms Hancock said.
“I will commit to value people over politics.”
Charles Weyman-Jones
Another newcomer to the councillor candidate race, and newest member of the Unity Maranoa group, Charles Weyman-Jones, spoke next.
Without a prepared speech, Mr Weyman-Jones told the assembly that he believed in Tyson Golder and the Unity Maranoa group.
Mr Weyman-Jones mentioned the policies the Unity Maranoa group have decided on, including a promise of water allocation in exchange for residents keeping their nature strips tidy and bitumen on more roads, before addressing the issue of rates.
“If we’re going to carry on and be successful we can’t keep increasing your costs,” Mr Weyman-Jones said.
Cameron O’Neil
The next candidate to take to the lectern was councillor Cameron O’Neil, who was running again after three terms in chambers.
After 12 years as a councillor, Mr O’Neil walked the attendees through his track record of delivering good results for the region.
Mr O’Neil referred to the establishment of the first Country University Centre as his proudest achievement of his tenure.
“I come to this election with the energy and the experience that is needed to sensibly manage the council’s finances, including keeping annual rates as low as possible, while delivering key investments into the region,” Mr O’Neil said.
Meryl Brumpton
Another newcomer to the councillor competition, Meryl Brumpton was not at all new to government administration.
With many years experience across various sectors, including high-ranking public service positions, and with a masters in public administration, Ms Brumpton said she believed she was amply qualified for the role.
“I believe my track record … holds me in good stead for local council,” Ms Brumpton said.
She also highlighted her independence as a prospective councillor.
“I believe we need a diverse team of individuals,” Ms Brumpton said.
“A team that challenges each other as we work together for everyone.”
John Birkett
Councillor John Birkett spoke next. Mr Birkett said he has extensive experience running local businesses, working in the operations end of council, and has vast community involvement.
“My name’s John Birkett and once again I am running as an independent councillor,” Mr Birkett said.
“I will once again be part of the Unity Maranoa group, like-minded constituents, come together with a plan.”
George Ladbrook
The final councillor to address the assembly was councillor George Ladbrook.
Mr Ladbrook owns and runs Ladbrook’s butchery and has a term as councillor now on his CV too. Mr Ladbrook told the audience he was unequivocally a Unity Maranoa member.
“I am not ashamed that I am part of a group with a plan to move ahead to the future,” Mr Ladbrook said.
Mr Ladbrook told the audience of the council’s financial success during Unity Maranoa’s term in council, which the group intends to keep building on.
“We have achieved what we have stated we would do. Now we can progress on a sound financial basis,” Mr Ladbrook said.
“We have paid off $3m in debt and have a cash reserve of $118m.
“To say that council is not on track financially … is misleading, mischievous, and just plain wrong.”
The question of the Maranoa’s financial sustainability also seemed to be the crucial gambit for the mayoral candidates, which has been discussed in depth here.
The most critical issues raised in question time seemed to be the Maranoa Regional Council’s partnership with Rex Airlines, whether the council’s financial situation was geared for future sustainability, and what council would do about staff shortages across the operational side of council.
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