New Townsville MPs Natalie Marr, Adam Baillie and Janelle Poole share their focus’ as they step into new role
Still riding the high from their success on Saturday night, new Townsville MP’s Natalie Marr, Adam Baillie and Janelle Poole have share their first orders of business as they step into their new roles.
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Still riding the high from their success on Saturday night, new Townsville MPs Natalie Marr, Adam Baillie and Janelle Poole have shared their first orders of business as they step into their roles.
Defeating Labor’s Aaron Harper in the seat of Thuringowa, Natalie Marr said on Sunday that she was ready to get straight to business and thanked the “amazing contributions” from her volunteers and supporters of her campaign.
Ms Marr said she received a call from Aaron Harper on Saturday night conceding and congratulating her on her win, with Mr Harper saying in a Facebook post that she “campaigned hard”.
“I am ready to get straight to work and address the big issues that were raised with me throughout the campaign trail,” she said.
“My first agenda item will be our commitment to restoring safety in our community through our Making our Community Safer Plan.”
She said she is looking forward to “staying engaged, working hard for Thuringowa and fighting for what matters to them.”
A career police officer by trade, Janelle Poole will now sit in the seat of Mundingburra, and said Saturday night was the culmination of a “myriad of emotions”.
“I’m just so humbled by the Mundingburra community reaching out and supporting me and just placing their trust and faith in me to represent them,” she said.
“I just want them to know that the responsibility they have given me, I will carry on my shoulders and I will represent them every day to the absolute best of my ability.”
Looking at what was on the horizon, Ms Poole said newly-elected Premier David Crisafulli had told his elected MPs that the day after the election was their first day of work.
“The job starts now. That’s what it’s about. We’ve got our 100 Day Plan,” she said.
“We’ve got our plan of commitments that we’ve made for Mundingburra so I’m really excited to drive those forward so we can tick them off and then we can work on the next one and the next one and the next one.”
Citing the LNP’s campaign priorities of crime, health, housing and cost of living, the former police officer said she had a focus on creating safety in the community.
“Supporting our police officers so they can come to work, do their job and support the community the way they want to as well,” she said.
New Member for Townsville, electrician Adam Baillie, said he felt the community’s desire for change.
“It’s fantastic to wake up knowing that Townsville wants change,” he said.
“We listened, we developed a scope of work, we quoted up the job and last night we were awarded the contract. So now is the time to get back onto the job of delivering our commitments and delivering a fresh start for Queensland.”
Speaking on Sunday on the issue of crime, Mr Baillie said the LNP’s first order of business would be to have the Making Queensland Safer law in place before Christmas.
“I’m excited to be a part of a team with such a comprehensive crime policy, that’s the first step,” he said.
Mr Baillie said he was keen to see the final count to solidify his role in the community.
“I’m going to rest a lot easier once that’s all official, the red stamp put on,” he said.
On taking over from Labor MP Scott Stewart, Mr Baillie said he received “a nice call” from the defeated MP and that he respected Mr Stewart for his service.
“It’s not easy to put your face on boards, and make it publicly known and put your ideas forward. I thank Scott for his commitment and service over the years.”
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