Noosa, Ninderry candidates reveal promises in 2024 Qld State Election
Environment, population growth and crime are among the top priorities for candidates in the seats of Ninderry and Noosa ahead of the Queensland state election next month.
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Environment, population growth and crime are among the top priorities for candidates in the seats of Ninderry and Noosa ahead of the Queensland state election next month.
Queensland Labor’s Jo Justo is a new face for residents in the state seat of Ninderry, as she looks to challenge second-term LNP incumbent and former detective Dan Purdie.
In Noosa, former Noosa mayor Clare Stewart will run for the LNP against the currently serving independent Sandy Bolton, as well as Labor’s candidate Mark Denham and the Greens’ Rhonda Prescott.
The Electoral Commission Queensland data shows Ninderry, which includes Coolum Beach, Eumundi and Forest Glen, currently has 43,271 voters, and Noosa, encompassing Kin Kin, Peregian Beach and Tewantin, with 38,533 voters.
See what each of the candidates have to say below.
Ninderry
Dan Purdie
Age: 51
Party: LNP
Political experience: First elected for the new seat of Ninderry in 2017, re-elected in 2020.
Life experience: Former Detective in the Child Protection Unit on the Sunshine Coast, served in the Queensland Police Service for 25 years
What I’m passionate about: I was a detective here on the coast in 2015 when the Labor government started watering down the laws which has led to the youth crime crisis.
One of the top priorities for any government should be the security of its citizens, which is why I am passionate about law and order.
Our hardworking police deserve the laws and resources they need to keep our communities safe, and the rights of victims put ahead of offenders.
I am also committed to retaining our way of life here on the Sunshine Coast, protecting and preserving our unique natural environment, while balancing the economic, social and cultural needs of our growing population.
My key promise: Labor has been in power at a state level for nearly a decade and our region has suffered as a result.
Locals are missing out on their fair share because the current government has the wrong priorities.
I’ve managed to secure significant funding for some key projects, but there’s much more that needs to be done, and I will keep listening and fighting for the things that matter including safety where you live, health services when you need them, respect for your money, a place to call home and a government that works for you.
Jo Justo
Age: 61
Party: Labor
Political experience: Many years campaigning at various levels of government including Ninderry and Fairfax
Life experience: With a Bachelor of Social Science (Human Services) and a wide working experience from farming, support worker in women’s refuges, supported accommodation worker in community mental health, advocating and defending workers rights by resolving disputes and negotiating national agreements in national corporations for over 20 years to small businesses and many community volunteer roles.
What I’m passionate about: As an active community member, I have always been passionate about getting results for my community.
I am passionate about my family and doing my best to ensure they lead good lives, the environment, what do I leave for the generations beyond me.
We have to do better.
That our community receives what it should.
We have missed out on a lot in Ninderry and waited for many years for things that would make our community function much more smoothly and safely but nothing ever happens locally.
My key promise: To utilise all of my many years of experience, skills and abilities to do what matters by getting things done in Ninderry.
Tim Nixon
Age: 45
Party: Legalise Cannabis Queensland
Political experience: I gave evidence to a parliamentary enquiry in 2016 looking at the personal and community impacts of the legalisation of cannabis in Australia, which gave me the opportunity to criticise the federal health department directly and publicly about their anti-harm reduction stance on cannabis.
Life experience: I have four children and have been married for 21 years.
I have been a professional educator for 19 years, and self-published my book in 2020, Psilocybin Mushrooms of South East Queensland, Australia – Eliminating the Harms, with the endorsement of Professor David Nutt.
Passions: I am passionate about education and harm reduction, individual sovereignty, medical and bodily autonomy and removing money from politics.
Key promise: Being a single platform party we have one policy which addresses many issues.
I am not here to make promises as I am not a politician — I am here to remove discriminatory and draconian laws founded in racist ideology, and to serve the members of my community towards that end.
Tom Carden
Age: 35
We need leaders who understand the real struggles people in our community face and are ready to do what it takes to fix it.
Queensland’s a wealthy state and we can afford to make sure people don’t get left behind.
I’ve spent years working in the community services sector, witnessing and experiencing firsthand the impact of government inaction on the lives of everyday people.
Whether it’s the housing crisis that is pushing renters and mortgage holders to the brink, or the shortfall in our health and education systems, the status quo is failing too many.
As a community services worker, my top priorities are fixing our broken health and education systems and tackling the housing crisis.
Right now, Sunshine Coast renters and mortgage holders are being squeezed from all sides and people are being pushed to their breaking point.
We’ll cap rent increases, build 100,000 new publicly built homes and set up a public bank to keep interest rates low.
And we’ll pay for all that — and fully funded public schools and guaranteeing bulk-billing — by making big mining companies pay their fair share of tax.
Michael Stewart
Party: One Nation
Noosa
Sandy Bolton
Age: 60
Party: Independent
Political experience: Over the past seven years, having a local member aligned only to residents and our community – not a political party or ideology – has been liberating for Noosa.
In this time, we have achieved so much including the completion of long standing local issues such as the Beckmans Rd roundabout (stage one of the Tewantin bypass), Six Mile Creek Bridge #7 and better management of the Noosa River.
Despite the clear need, these projects sat undelivered in the two decades prior to my election, regardless of who held power in government.
Life experience: For almost 35, I lived, worked and raised her three children in the Noosa community, and now shares my life with partner Ian ‘Shoey’ Schuback OAM, gorgeous rescue ‘furbabies’ Jet, Coco and the rascally Bear!
I hold formal qualifications in social innovation and my diverse background is in managerial and consultancy roles in tourism, agriculture, sporting, community, training and social services.
What I’m passionate about: Noosa! From beach to bush, I have no other priority, no political party or policies to adhere to, with my only allegiance to the people of the Noosa electorate. In parliament, as the only elected Independent, I am able to work with both major parties and also hold them to account. Noosa is my home and will be forever.
My key promise: Every day, in every way I will continue to ensure our voices are heard and work hard to deliver to the expectations of our community, representing fellow residents with respect, honour, credibility and integrity.
Clare Stewart
Age: 47
Party: LNP
Political experience: I was honoured to serve as the first woman mayor of Noosa in 2020 before putting my hand up as the LNP candidate for Noosa. I’m incredibly proud of my record of delivery in my time as the mayor of Noosa.
Life experience: In August 2000 I had a life-changing experience that occurred when, at just 23 years of age, I was hit on a pedestrian crossing by a garbage truck then pinned under it for 37 minutes.
Lucky to be alive, I was told I would never walk again.
After six months in hospital and a further 37 operations over 10 years, I proved that prediction wrong.
I went on to complete a Bachelor of Business (Management), Bachelor of Laws, Master of Laws and become a Barrister-at-Law. I have also been a longtime board member of the charity Youngcare.
I’m a longtime Noosa resident and proud mum of three, I am happily married to my husband, local seafood supplier Cam Stewart.
What I’m passionate about: I’m passionate about helping people and continually improving our special part of the world.
In particular, I am a proud advocate for increasing the services available to address domestic violence, and we must do more to ensure locals can access health services when we need them and that we have safety where we live.
My key promise: If elected, I will ensure the priorities of the Noosa community are no longer ignored in parliament.
No if’s, no buts, I’ll back David Crisafulli and the LNP’s Making Queensland Safer Laws that will restore consequences for action including adult crime, adult time.
Under the LNP, it will be law by Christmas.
If elected as part of a Crisafulli LNP Government, I’ll be a forceful voice at the decision-making table to get our hospital the certainty of tenure it needs. Without change, the hospital can’t lock-in investment for the long term and guarantee service for our growing community.
Finally, I’ll use my experience from council to deliver the housing and infrastructure that Noosa needs in a sustainable way that protects our unique characteristics as a community.
Rhonda Prescott
Age: 67
Party: Queensland Greens
Political experience: Candidate for Noosa 2020 State Election, Greens member since 2001, Convenor of Noosa, Gympie and Maryborough branch for five years and on campaign team for many state and federal Greens candidates in past elections.
Life experience: Originally from NZ; migrated to Australia in the 1980s.
Lived and worked in South Australia and the Northern Territory before moving to Queensland in the 1990s.
Qualified accountant, Fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants (FIPA) with a Master of Commerce qualification.
Former company accountant and tax accountant.
I currently operate registered BAS agent and bookkeeping practice as well as volunteering for several community organisations.
What I’m passionate about: Integrity in politics, social, environmental and First Nations’ justice and a clear vision for Queensland that includes meaningful action on climate change based on scientific evidence and advice together with community consultation.
My key promise: To do my best to inspire people to work together to address the challenges ahead.
Mark Denham
Party: Labor
Felicity Roser
Party: Family First
Darrel Hinson
Party: One Nation
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