Glass House and Nicklin candidates reveal priorities in 2024 Qld state election
From new health care facilities to essential housing, the candidates from Glass House and Nicklin have revealed their priorities ahead of the 2024 Queensland state election.
Candidates
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From seasoned political veterans to those having another crack at a seat in Parliament, the Glass House and Nicklin candidates have revealed their key priorities ahead of this year’s state election.
Essential housing, crime and health care are high on many agendas.
The latest figures from the Electoral Commission Queensland show Nicklin, which stretches from Cooran down to Chevallum and out to Kenilworth, with 39,132 registered voters and Glass House, including hinterland suburbs Maleny, Conondale and Beerwah, with 38,795.
Meet the candidates:
Glass House
Andrew Powell
Age: 51
Party: LNP
Political experience: I was first elected as the Member for Glass House in 2009.
I’ve been honoured to have some fantastic roles over the last 15 years including a term as Minister for Environment, Shadow Minister for Transport, Main Roads and Local Government and Shadow Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning and currently as Manager of Opposition Business.
Life experience: Before becoming an MP, I started my career in public service at the Department of Defence in Canberra. I then worked overseas in Fiji and New Zealand, before returning to Queensland and working in the Department of Premier and Cabinet and then Child Safety.
An increasing frustration with how our taxes were being spent, how government policy was being developed and delivered, and a sense that the Glass House electorate was missing out drove me to have a go at politics.
I live in the Sunshine Coast hinterland with my wife Taryn and our five children.
My family keeps me almost as busy as my job but they keep me committed to the Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay regions because, let’s face it, it’s the best place in Queensland to live and work.
What I’m passionate about: I’ll keep it simple: I’m passionate about my family, my electorate and the people within it that I represent.
My key promise: My priorities are those of my constituents. On a broader scale we need solutions to our cost of living, crime, health and housing crises. The LNP have the right plans to fix each of those for you.
At a more local level around Glass House, I have been lobbying consistently for upgrades to a number of intersections along the D’Aguilar Hwy and for the improvement to Mount Mee Rd at Ocean View. There are more road and intersection improvements needed in the north of the electorate around Maleny too.
I would dearly love to deliver Years 11 and 12 to Woodford P-10 State School and do a complete review of the school transport system – it doesn’t work for many parents and their students across the electorate.
Andrew McLean
Party: Queensland Greens
I run an affordable housing not for profit but that’s the last thing I should be doing.
That’s meant to be the government’s job but Labor and the LNP are failing to take the housing crisis seriously, leaving it up to people like me to pick up the pieces.
The major parties cannot and will not fix the housing crisis.
They’re invested in making it worse.
They take in millions in corporate donations from their developer mates and big corporations to stand in the way of doing what we need to do — build way more public housing.
The Greens are the only party with a real plan to solve the housing crisis — by building 100,000 public homes to rent or buy below market prices, all while creating good public sector jobs in construction with our public builder and public developer.
Timothy Hallcroft
Age: 53
Party: Legalise Cannabis Queensland
Political Experience: Not much but have a firm grasp through industries I have worked in.
Life experience: Went to MT Elizer business college, OH&S Manager for Highland pine Timber, eight years rural fire service volunteer, six years New South Wales Fire Brigade as a senior firefighter and OH and S regional co-ordinator, moved to Queensland in 2006 where I spent 12 years in the construction industry for local companies.
Since 2018 I have been involved with the legitimate vaping industry, which has just been closed down by the government.
In that time I helped set up and advise almost all legitimate vape shops on the coast and owned businesses as well in the same industry and am regarded as a leading authority in Australia on vaping.
I have on several occasions advised Queensland Health as well as doctors and pharmacists on the proper vaping products, plus helped hundreds of local people to quit smoking and break that addiction.
What I am passionate about: What drives me is the need to help, encourage and grow small business.
As a former business owner and advisor I have felt first hand the pressures of way too many taxes and tariffs that are imposed on small businesses.
Also I am very passionate about training and education.
I have seen especially within the political arena that a lot of the members do not have enough experience/ training on the matters that they preside over.
My key promise: I learned early on in life not to make promises that you may not be able to keep so there will be no promise. But what I can say is that I will do my best for the Queensland people and the small businesses on the Sunshine Coast and the Seat of Glass House.
Humphrey Caspersz
Age: 43
Party: Australian Labor Party
Political experience: First-time candidate
Life experience: I’m a senior technician in the manufacturing industry.
I did my apprenticeship in the Australian Navy.
I’m studying for my Bachelor of Business and Information Technology.
My wife Tam and I have four kids at state schools. Tam is a registered nurse at Caboolture Hospital.
What I’m passionate about: Access to healthcare closer to home, real education opportunities and secure jobs for local families is what drives me.
As a dad, I know how important cost of living relief is to young families in our Glass House community and the Miles Labor government is doing what matters when it comes to addressing this.
I have seen our community benefit from $1000 off their energy bill and 20 per cent off car rego so they can put that money towards other household bills.
My key promise: My promise to Glass House is to listen and act for our community.
I want to be part of new Premier Steven Miles’ team that is delivering for our wonderful part of Queensland.
Free kindy and free TAFE are key initiatives that I want to see continue for our kids.
This is all at risk under the LNP.
When David Crisafulli was last in government he cut services, sacked workers and sold assets, and he will do it again.
Adam Farr
Party: One Nation
Bronwen Bolitho
Party: Family First
Nicklin
Rob Skelton
Age: 50
Party: Labor
Political experience: I have successfully delivered the Nambour Hospital Redevelopment, new police stations in Nambour and Cooroy, and a new learning and admin building at Yandina State School, as well as the Burnside High School Performing Arts Centre, which is currently under construction.
I have served on the Community Services and Support Committee, helping deliver critical reforms in sectors like social housing, disability services and tenants’ rights.
Life experience: I joined the navy straight out of school in 1995 and served until 2002, when I transferred to the RAAF.
I was president of the UFU (aviation branch) from 2017-2020.
I sat before a Senate enquiry into firefighting services at Australian airports, and successfully negotiated the 2018-2021 Enterprise agreement.
What I’m passionate about: Fighting for local jobs, frontline services, and cost of living relief — all as part of the Queensland government’s ongoing plan for our state and our shared future.
I want to build a better future for the many, where no one is held back, and no one is left behind.
My key promise: We are a growing community that needs good services so we don’t lose our great lifestyle.
I will keep fighting to deliver the $14b Lake Borumba Pumped Hydro scheme, which will create more than 4500 new jobs on the Sunshine Coast, and provide us with cheaper, reliable power.
I will continue to advocate for a Sunshine Coast Satellite Hospital, to provide better healthcare closer to home.
I will keep lobbying the government to make sure we get our fair share of funding for our schools, infrastructure and frontline services.
Marty Hunt
Age: 54
Party: LNP
Political experience: I was proud to serve as the Member for Nicklin from 2017-2020.
Life experience: Prior to entering politics in 2017, I served in the Queensland Police Service for nearly 30 years.
Most recently, I have continued working with QPS as a school-based police officer, at Nambour State College.
What I’m passionate about: I have spent much of my life working to keep our community safe and engaging with young people.
I am passionate about ensuring we can offer opportunities for future generations, that we can address issues like cost of living, housing and community safety to make the communities across Nicklin the best place to live, work and raise a family.
My key promise: If elected, I will do all I can to ensure you have safety where you live.
Through strong laws, gold-standard early intervention and better rehabilitation, the LNP will make Queensland safer.
From doorknocking it’s also clear people are struggling under the cost of living that has been driven up by Labor’s failures.
Whether it’s insurance hikes from higher crime, rental increases because housing approvals haven’t kept up with population growth or skyrocketing power prices following the explosion at the Callide Power Station after Labor cut maintenance spending, urgent action is needed to ease pressure on household budgets.
Sue Etheridge
Party: Queensland Greens
Right now, our community is struggling. Soaring house prices and mortgages, skyrocketing rents, and the high cost of living are making it harder for everyone.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
With more Greens in Parliament, we can fight for the things that truly matter to you.
We’ll make sure everyone has access to the essentials for a good life.
Big corporations in Queensland often pay zero tax while everyday Queenslanders struggle.
The Greens will hold these big corporations accountable, making them pay their fair share. We’ll use that revenue to build 100,000 public homes, fully fund schools, and provide free childcare, healthcare, and essential services.
Melody Lindsay
Age: 40
Party: Legalise Cannabis Queensland Party (LCQ)
Political Experience: I have been a member of LCQ for a few years now, I started volunteering, then moved into a committee position, then to the management committee, and became the vice president and now I am currently sitting as the president of LCQ.
I ran as a candidate in the Ipswich West by-election on March 16 this year.
Life Experiences: Throughout my adult life, I have faced significant challenges, starting with being a teen mother.
I lost my partner and the father of my children to suicide, which led to many difficulties including housing and health issues.
Despite these challenges, I used the skills I learned in my childhood to be resourceful.
I managed to get an old bus for my children, our dog, and myself to live in, and we travelled around Australia advocating for suicide awareness with materials supplied by Suicide Prevention Australia (SPA).
Living on the road for a couple of years gave me time to deal with my grief and allowed my children to see our country and learn about First Nation cultures by visiting communities.
Upon our return to the Sunshine Coast, I worked hard to create stability in our lives.
Once settled, I made sure that my children learned about their Torres Island culture.
Once we had an Elder (Uncle George Wano) to learn from we started a group called Kotor Sogipu (Tree Tops) Dancers, which allowed my children to learn and practise culture while performing around the South East Coast.
In employment, I have worked in farming, horticulture, landscaping, early childhood education, juvenile custodial officer and I have homeschooled my children.
I also have an education in herbalism and counselling and am currently studying legal studies.
What I’m passionate about: I am deeply passionate and ambitious by nature.
While I have numerous interests, I am particularly dedicated to supporting others in their pursuit of excellence and the realisation of their personal goals.
Witnessing their accomplishments brings me immense joy and inspiration.
I have experienced the profound impact of stable housing, access to food, and security from basic needs.
These foundations are paramount in fostering stability and empowering individuals to set and pursue meaningful objectives, thereby enhancing their sense of self-worth.
Human rights, social justice, and the fundamental right to autonomy over one’s body and informed decisions are causes that I hold dear.
My Key Promise: Through my experiences, I have come to understand the importance of consistency and discipline in the role of representing the people and setting a positive example.
I am committed to serving the public with dedication and integrity befitting a public servant.
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