Groom candidates push their promises ahead of May 21 Federal Election

Ahead of the May 21 Federal Election, the Groom candidates have declared their focus points, with many pushing for change. Deatils here

A VISION for the decades to come, unmatched ambition to secure major projects in the region and unapologetic grit to make their own party pay attention is what’s needed to ensure the future of the seat of Groom and Toowoomba city is bold and bright.

With the Federal Election officially scheduled for May 21, seven candidates will fight to convince voters they possess those qualities and more ahead of going to the ballot box.

Since arriving in the Groom region after a succesful by-election in 2020, standing LNP MP Garth Hamilton pointed to the local defence industry as runs he has on the board.

“It was great to have Minister Dutton be able to come out to Oakey and commit to Oakey’s long term future … with $60 million pumped into that base in the last budget, and another $3 million in this budget.

Mr Hamilton also claimed the Railway Parklands and Inland Rail projects as wins.

The conservative seat of Groom has long been a safe bet for the LNP, and with that has come criticism from Toowoomba’s power brokers and business community that its missing out on its fair share to other regions where votes are needed by the embattled Scott Morrison government.

With Groom largely overlooked in the 2022-23 Federal Budget and community leaders expressing disappointment, Mr Hamilton said he was unaware of any unhappiness.

“I have received great support from the business community,” he said.

His biggest challenger will be Labor, with the party’s chances in Groom emboldened by candidate Genevieve Allpass who is basing her campaign around the need for change and said she is a member willing to fight for the region, get dirty and make things happen.

“People here know that after nine years of this government we have been missed out constantly,” she said.

“We’re not being looked after. Our representatives are not fighting for us. They’re taking it to safe, too easy and they’re not working for us and our community.

“We need someone who is strong and able to work within the government and get things here and done.”

Mrs Allpass couldn’t specifically mention major key projects she would bring to the region or base her campaign around on but said her goal was to also set the district up for better assistance.

“We want to strengthen medical, create and secure local jobs, make child care cheaper and make more things here in Australia.

“Its not thinking about us, its thinking about others.”

Mr Hamilton however took a swipe at Australian Labor Party leader, Anthony Albanese, claiming he had failed to announce if taxes would increase to reach those goals.

Meanwhile, United Australia Party candidate Melissa Bannister and One Nation candidate Grant Abraham have both announced while their recommended preferences are not official, they will not recommend the major parties to voters when they cast their ballots on May 21.

Independent candidates Suzie Holt and Kirstie Smolenski will not recommend preferences to their voters.

“I am whole heartedly independent,” Mrs Smolenski said.

“I am not affiliated with any other party, and I will leave it up to the voters to cast their preferences.”

Among other things, Mrs Smolenski is campaigning for a new Toowoomba Hospital, while Mrs Holt is focused on increasing funding for the health industry in Groom.

Greens candidate Mickey Berry said they would focus on securing funding for public accommodation.

Ms Bannister is focused on water security for the district, while Mr Abraham is dedicated to supporting small businesses and farmers.

Originally published as Groom candidates push their promises ahead of May 21 Federal Election