The candidates running in the 2024 State Election for a seat in North Queensland
As campaigning gears up ahead of October 26, check out who is hoping to win your vote in the electorates across Townsville and beyond.
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As it ticks over into October, the countdown is on as political parties gear up their campaigning for the 2024 state election.
With electorates in North Queensland being key seats for party’s hoping to win the regions, we’ve made a list of all the candidates.
The election will be held on October 26, with early voting to run from October 14 to 25.
Check out the candidates in the areas across North Queensland:
TOWNSVILLE: Townsville City, North Ward, South Townsville, Railway Estate, Hermit Park, West End, Currajong, Garbutt, Rowes Bay, Mount Louisa, Cosgrove, Bohle, Mount St John, Pallarenda, Magnetic Island and Palm Island
Scott Stewart - Labor, currently holding the seat, currently Minister for Resources and Critical Minerals
Scott Stewart has been the Labor member for Townsville since 2015. A former high school principal, he worked in the education sector for 28 years.
He retained his seat at the 2017 state election, by a slim margin of just 214 votes over LNP candidate Casie Scott.
In the 2020 state election he took 53.12 per cent of the vote defeating LNP candidate John Hathaway, and has been in the role of Minister for Resources and Critical Minerals since December 2023.
Mr Stewart has recently announced projects such as the North Rail Yards project, the $5 billion CopperString project and the $251 million State Government Channel Upgrade at the Port of Townsville, part of a broader 30 year, $1.6 billion plan.
Adam Baillie - LNP
Electrician and dad of three Adam Baillie is taking on Scott Stewart as the LNP candidate for Townsville.
Mr Baillie, who was endorsed in March, said issues he was focusing on included addressing youth crime, joining the LNP’s strong stance on the Adult Crime Adult Crime policy, saying it was affecting ‘honest, hardworking locals’.
He has outlined his key policies as making the community safer, creating easier access to health services and removing barriers to home ownership.
He has also recently joined fellow LNP candidate Annette Swain in pledging $1.8 million to support Townsville’s Community Gro, saying it was a stand out in early intervention type programs.
Margie Ryder - KAP
Standing as the Katter’s Australian Party candidate for Townsville, Margie Ryder spent the last eight years as a Townsville City councillor.
After announcing she was running in May she told the Townsville Bulletin at the time she never wanted to be a member of a political party because she “f--king hated politics”, but changed her mind and chose to run for KAP in the seat of Townsville.
With many years involved with local government and community groups like Volunteering North Queensland, she said her values aligned with the KAP.
She backs the KAP’s plan for relocation senteing and Castle Law, and has been vocal about better support for volunteer groups.
Ms Ryder has also been vocal about the Troy Thompson mayor saga, calling it ‘embarrassing’.
Wesley Newman - Independent
Former restaurant owner and Mount Louisa resident Wesley Newman announced he was running as an independent for the seat of Townsville in May.
Born and bred in Townsville Mr Newman and his wife Holly, who runs the popular TSV Eats Instagram page, owned the Crown on Palmer restaurant before shutting it down in 2018.
Mr Newman said he considered politics for years and chose now as the time to throw his hat in the ring.
He outlines his key issues as crime, supporting small businesses and the future of Townsville.
As the only independent in the seat, he told the Townsville Bulletin in May he wanted to be a role model for his daughter.
Benjamin Tiley - Greens
At just 19-years-old Benjamin Tiley is the Greens candidate for Townsville.
Announced in July by Senator Larissa Waters, Mr Tiley is an aspiring apprentice electrician and long term-local of the city.
Hoping to get the younger generations involved in politics, he said to the Bulletin in July that young people need to be heard and represented on all levels of government.
Mr Tiley previously ran for the local government election earlier this year for Division 9, and said he enjoyed the experience.
Key issues he is focused on include the housing crisis and the Greens push to freeze rents, the cost of living crisis and more frequent public transport in Townsville.
William Tento - Family First Party
William Tento is standing for the seat of Townsville for the Family First Party.
His policies align with the party who focus on family, faith, life and freedom.
Key policies of the party include removing LGBTIQA+ gender fluid ideology from school and early childhood curriculum, pushing for a Royal Commission into state and federal government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and releasing more land and reducing red tape to free up supply and lower prices of housing.
THURINGOWA -
Heatley, Kirwan, Thuringowa Central, Condon, Kelso, Gumlow, The Pinnacles and Granite Vale, Rasmussen.
Aaron Harper - Labor, currently holding seat
A former paramedic Aaron Harper won back the seat of Thuringowa back in 2015.
Born in New Zealand he was raised in North Queensland where he worked at Townsville hospital and for the Queensland Ambulance Service.
Currently in his third term and looking to make it a fourth, Mr Harper previously won the 2020 state election with 36.8 per cent of the vote beating out LNP candidate Natalie Marr who received 30.4 per cent.
He has recently announced if the Labor government receives another term, the Ross River Dam will receive a $5 million boat ramp upgrade.
Natalie Marr - LNP
Announced as the LNP candidate for Thuringowa in March 2023, Natalie Marr is a local businesswoman in the real estate industry and former Townsville City councillor.
Serving one term in 2008, she served on council alongside now Opposition Leader David Crisafulli and Burdekin MP Dale Last.
The former chair of Townsville Crime Stoppers Volunteer Committee, she previously contested the seat in 2020 but it was retained by Labor’s Aaron Harper.
She said she has a strong focus on crime, the housing crisis and health, and has recently shown her support for the LNP’s campaign to create a $5000 support package for mothers returning to the workforce.
Reuben Richardson - KAP
After anti-crime advocate Clynton Hawks was dropped by the KAP in April, the party announced Reuben Richardson as the new candidate for Thuringowa at their official election launch party in July.
An engineer and local business owner, Mr Richardson said at the launch party that he was focused on youth crime and centering Townsville as a key competitor in the energy sector.
KAP Leader Robbie Katter said at the time Mr Richardson was also a passionate advocate for changing the youth crime policies in Townsville, backing the party’s Castle Law and relocation sentencing policies.
On his reasoning to join the party, Mr Richardson stated the KAP was a ‘values based party’ that aligned with his beliefs, saying the KAP was ‘unashamedly North Queensland focused.’
Natasha Lane - Independent
Running as an independent for Thuringowa, First Nations woman Natasha Lane has stepped forward having been inspired by last year’s Voice referendum.
She is an executive director of the Queensland Youth Connections indigenous Corporation, an indigenous not-for-profit based organisation which mentors and provides services to youth and announced her run in May.
The creator of a Change.org petition after the news council planned to start charging for parking at The Strand, Ms Lane told the Bulletin in July she wanted to see more consultation with First Nations communities in relation to youth crime.
Ms Lane said he wanted to represent women under 40 and First Nations people and cited key issues she wanted to change such as the cost of living and housing crises.
Steven Clare - One Nation
Previously running as an independent in this year’s upcoming state election, Steven Clare is now the One Nation candidate for Thuringowa.
Having owned an auto-repair business until June this year, Mr Clare ran in the 2022 federal as an independent for Herbert.
Mr Clare said this election is his ‘last chance to make a real difference’ in how Townsville is run.
If elected Mr Clare said his first order of business would be to lay the foundations to bring back Queensland’s upper house after it was removed in 1922, saying there should be a referendum to let the public decide whether or not to reinstate it.
On his list of priorities he cited youth crime and the cost-of-living crisis as key areas he wanted to fix, saying the cycle of crime needs to be broken.
Saying Townsville and Queenslanders need to ‘wake up’ from the major parties, Mr Clare said residents have ‘nothing to lose’ by voting for One Nation.
MUNDINGBURRA: Gulliver, Vincent, Aitkenvale, Mundingburra, Cranbrook, Douglas, Annandale, Murray, Idalia, Oonoonba, Cluden, Roseneath, Wulguru and Stuart
Les Walker - Labor, currently holding the seat
Elected in 2020 after former Mundingburra MP Coralee O’Rouke pulled out due to health reasons, Les Walker is a former Townsville City Councillor and Deputy Mayor.
Having previously worked in corrections Mr Walker and his wife have also operated several small businesses in Townsville.
He has recently annnounced a $120 million pledge for a 600-space multistorey car park at the Townsville University Hospital.
Janelle Poole - LNP
LNP candidate Janelle Poole was born and raised in Townsville and joined the Queensland Police Service in 1996, where she served time as a Child Protection Unit officer.
She also previously took part in Townsville’s mayoral race in 2016.
She was announced to run in the state election in October 2023.
An ambassador of the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, she has said child protection policies would be a ‘major priority’ if elected. This would include a publicly available website of photographs and personal details of child sex offenders who failed to comply with reporting obligations and a system to identify high-risk offenders, as part of the LNP’s $383 million Safer Children, Safer Community policy.
She has voiced her support of LNP policies including Adult Time, Adult Crime and says key issues she wants to fight for include health, housing and cost of living.
Michael Pugh - KAP
Katter’s Australian Party candidate for Mundingburra Michael Pugh is a father, NDIS consultant and hiking guide volunteer who joined the KAP three years ago. He was announced as the candidate of Mundingburra in November 2023, and said he was ‘ashamed’ of the area’s high crime rate.
After doing a hike with KAP MP Nick Dametto, he realised his views aligned with the party.
Now he is standing for the seat of Mundingburra and is focused on youth crime, greater support for parks and outdoor activities and the Christian faith.
HINCHINBROOK: Cardstone, Dingo Pocket, Lower Tully, Cardwell, Abergowrie, Lucinda, Malifax, Trebonne, Ingham, Forrest Beach, Yuruga, Balgal Beach, Bluewater Park, Alice River, Bohle Plains, Deeragun, Black River, Saunders Beach among others.
Nick Dametto - KAP, currently holds the seat
Having won the seat of Hinchinbrook in 2017, Nick Dametto held onto his seat in the 2020 state election taking 42.5 per cent of the vote, ahead of the LNP’s Scott Piper and now deputy mayor Paul Jacob.
With a strong stance on crime and backing of the KAP’s Castle Law policy, he has become a vocal advocate for other issues including cost of living, agriculture and infrastructure.
Ina Pryor - Labor
Announced as the Labor candidate on Ocotber 4, Ina Pryor has lived in the Townsville region for more than 30 years and has lived in Jensen and Deeragun. A school cleaner coming from a big family, she backs policies such as cost of living relief, free kiny and free TAFE from the Miles Labor government. She outlined joining Labor to push for jobs, infrastructure and cost of living relief.
Annette Swaine - LNP
Cardwell business owner Annette Swaine was announced in August as the LNP candidate for the seat.
Having worked for nearly 20 years as a police officer working in the area of child protection and investigation, she has also operated businesses including Great Barrier Reef Fishing and Island Tours.
A keen fisher, she has also served as president of the Cardwell Chamber of Commerce.
She said her reason behind running includes seeing local families hurt by the youth crime crisis and seeing the potential growth for Hinchinbrook.
Ric Daubert - One Nation
- No information
BURKEDIN - Home Hill, Cungulla, Nome, Alligator Creek, Bowen, Millaroo, Scottville, Collinsville, Gunjulla, Moranbah, Dysart, Nebo, Clermont, Middelmount among others
Dale Last - LNP, currently holding the seat
Since being elected in 2015, Dale Last has previously worked as a police officer, a councillor and deputy mayor of Townsville City Council among other roles.
He is currently the Shadow Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Fire and Emergency Services, Corrective Services and Rural and Regional Affairs.
Born and raised in regional Queensland, Mr Last outlines his main focuses as growing the economy, revalitalising front line services, supporting small businesses and increasing investments in roads, infrastructure and jobs in the North.
Anne Baker - Labor
Former Isaac region mayor Anne Baker served for almost 20 years in local government before being announced in May as the Labor candidate for the rural seat of Burdekin.
The grassroots politician made headlines in August of 2023 when a campaign from local groups and the Isaac Regional Council saved the tiny mining community of Glenden from being bulldozed.
I’m running for the seat, Ms Baker has said she wants to tackle issues including cost-of-living, housing and community safety. She told the Bulletin in May she decided to re-enter politics to make sure the region ‘stays strong’.
Daniel Carroll - KAP
Announced as the KAP for Burdekin on October 2, Dr Daniel Carroll has lived in Townsville for 13 years and has worked as a paediatric surgeon.
He said he has decided to run in the state election because he wants to give back to his community, particularly in the areas of healthcare access and cost of living.
Chosing to stand with the KAP, Dr Carroll said the KAP stands for ‘values’ instead of political ideology.
His ‘one wish’ for North Queensland is to have a dedicated children’s hospital, to ease the burden of stress for families with sick children living in the regions.
“A vote for me is a vote for the people of Burdekin,” he said.
Andrew Elborne - One Nation
Working for 40 years as an electrician Andrew Elborne is standing for One Nation in the seat of Burdekin.
Born in Brisbane, he has lived in areas such as Mount Isa and Wickham in WA. He and his wife have been foster parents to 63 children, with Mr Elborne being a passionate supporter of peer support and men’s mental health groups.
Running in the state election Mr Elborne’s key goals if elected would be towards improving infrastructure, supporting trades and enhancing community services.
Amanda Nickson - Family First Party
Amanda Nickson is standing for the seat of Burdekin for the Family First Party.
Key policies of the party include removing LGBTIQA+ gender fluid ideology from school and early childhood curriculum, pushing for a Royal Commission into state and federal government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and releasing more land and reducing red tape to free up supply and lower prices of housing.
HILL: Atherton, Tolga, Kairi, Yungaburra, Malanda, Herberton, Wondecla, Kaban, Ravenshoe, Innot Hot Springs, Millaa Millaa, Lake Tinaroo, Mt Garnet, Walkamin, Koombooloomba, Irvinebank, Petford, Dimbulah, Mutchilba, Almaden, Babinda, Miriwinni, Innisfail, Flying Fish Point, Mourilyan, Feluga, Wangan, Silkwood, El Arish, Kurrimine, Bingil Bay, Mission Beach, Wongaling Beach, South Mission Beach, Tully, Carmoo, Bramstom Beach, East Palmerston and Mena Creek.
Shane Knuth - KAP, currently holding seat
Shane Knuth worked for 19 years for Queensland Rail before deciding to enter into politics.
He won the seat of Charters Towers in 2004.
Following that Mr Knuth was the member for Dalrymple until it was abolished in 2017 Mr Knuth contested the new seat of Hill, north of Hinchinbrook, and won.
The new boundary included the town of Tully where he was born. He also won the seat in the 2020 election, defeating Labor’s Michael Hodgkins.
A father of four, Mr Knuth owns a small pastoral property and said he understands the pressures faced by those in rural areas.
Michael Hodgkins - Labor
Standing for the seat of Hill, Michael Hodgkins is the festival director and president of the Tablelands Folk Festival.
A supporter of small businesses, he says he understands the role tourism plays in supporting the local job market and has been vocal about the environment, education and his local Yungaburra Men’s Shed of which he was an original member.
Cameron McCollum - LNP
Cameron McCollum, a former army officer and cyber security expert, is running as LNP candidate for Hill.
With a focus on crime and cost of living pressures Mr McCollum said has entered into politics to fix growing rates of youth crime, lack of health services and affordable housing and the rising costs of household bills.
Since leaving the ADF in 2019, he has established himself as a cyber security and risk professional and worked as a consultant, before founding his own small business.
Promoted to the rank of Major during his full-time service, Mr McCollum settled in Yungaburra in 2022 and is currently a Staff Officer with the 51st Battalion, Far North Queensland Regiment.
Brenda Turner - One Nation
Committed to addressing issues with a holistic approach, Brenda Turner is running for the seat of Hill.
Born in Brisbane and having moved to the Atherton Tablelands in 2006, Ms Turner has worked in many different roles in her life and is also a multi-award winning author.
TRAEGER: Mount Isa, Dalrymple, Karumba, Cloncurry, Richmond, Hughenden, Georgetown, Croydon, Normantown, Doomadgee, Camooweal, Mornington among others.
Robbie Katter- KAP, currently holds seat
Leader of the Katter’s Australian Party since 2020, Robbie Katter won his seat of Mount Isa in 2012 which he held for two terms. The Mount Isa electorate was removed and become Traeger, which he now holds the seat of. The son of well-known, vocal politician Bob Katter, Robbie has politics in his blood and has experience in business and mine work.
He has been vocal on the government ‘loss of control’ on crime in Mount Isa and has been the face of the parties Castle Law and Relocation Sentencing policies, also calling for North Queensland to be a separate state.
He recently said his party were gunning to throw out the three Townsville Labor MP’s.
Georgia Heath - Labor
A Mount Isa local, Georgia Heath lives with her partner and three children.
She has outlined her passions about creating a better economy for young people and has previously worked as a public servant.
Yvonne Tunney - LNP
From The Gulf of Carpentaria, Yvonne Tunney has owned and operated an accommodation business with her husband while also serving on several development groups.
She told the Bulletin in August she is a proud member of the gulf community and has seen the challenges faced, including cost of living pressure and the youth crime crisis, which she hopes to change.
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