Hinchinbrook By-Election political candidates debate key issues
A 'seat at the table' versus an 'independent voice' has become the defining battle as eight candidates contest the crucial Hinchinbrook by-election.
The two front-runners contesting the Hinchinbrook by-election have gone toe to toe over whether it is better to be a member of the ruling political party or to be an outspoken outsider to advance the best interests of the district.
Speaking first during a Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce organised “respectful conversation” featuring by-election candidates in Ingham, LNP hopeful Wayde Chiesa said that if he was voted into office he would “have a seat at the table” as a member of the governing party.
He said that for 30 or the last 25 years “has been outside the party of government, which means it is just that little bit harder to get things done.”
“I’ve always believed that if you are in government you have a better opportunity to get things done,” he said.
“That’s why I am running in this by-election because I want to give this community … a seat at the table in government where (Premier David Crisafulli) is from Ingham … so we can divvy up some real outcomes.”
The LNP, elected to power in 2024, are desperate to claim the seat vacated by former Katter’s Australian Party MP Nick Dametto who resigned to successfully run for Townsville mayor.
Will the LNP struggling to make headway in urban centres in Southeast Queensland, Mr Crisafulli has made a number of election promises that include resolving the Port Hinchinbrook development fiasco in Cardwell and long-awaited $50m fix for the dangerous and flood-prone Bruce Highway at Gairloch.
Both projects were vigorously pursued by Mr Dametto and championed by the Townsville Bulletin.
KAP candidate Mark Molachino, who like Mr Chiesa and Mr Crisafulli was born and raised in Hinchinbrook, said it was “not about the political party it’s about the person and what they can deliver for the community”.
The former Townsville councillor and then deputy mayor over eight years said he had worked with various state and federal governments to get a number of major projects over the line.
“We are hearing that ‘you must have a seat at the table to deliver’ but I can tell you you don’t; we’ve got three state (LNP) members in Townsville … and we’re not seeing a great deal for Townsville at the moment,” Mr Molachino said.
He said what we needed in Brisbane was a voice to make sure the LNP delivered on its promises.
“There are a lot of promises entering this campaign, it’s impeccable timing, which is quite impressive given the government’s been in for 12 months and it would have been great to see this stuff coming out if it’s a priority for the community … a lot earlier than it is now.”
Hinchinbrook By-Election candidate in ballot order
Wayde Chiesa (LNP)
Top three priorities:
Community safety
Agriculture industry
A tie between health and all-tide marine access
Steven Clare (Independent)
Top three priorities:
Bring back Queensland’s Upper House
Tackling crime and building more detention centres
Ease gun licence application process
Maurie Soars (Australian Labor Party)
Top three priorities:
Diversification of Hinchinbrook economy, including agriculture and tourism
Investment in infrastructure
Upgrade for Bruce Highway ‘disgrace’
Aiden Creagh (The Greens)
Top three priorities:
Fulling funding hospitals and staff
Fully funding schools and staff
Flood prevention and mitigation, including tackling insurance
Mark Molachino (Katter’s Australian Party)
Top three priorities:
Flood-proofing the Ingham electricity sub-station
Ease reef regulations that demonise farmers
Implement castle law
Dr Amanda Nickson (Family First)
Top three priorities:
Cost of living, including electricity and transport prices
Education back-to-basics approach, including banning preferred pronouns
Priority access to quality healthcare
Luke Sleep (One Nation)
(Not present due to work commitments in mining industry)
Primary priorities (from prepared speech):
Protection of small businesses
Strong crime crackdown
Eliminating GST and stamp duty on general and rural insurance payments
Hells Gate
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Originally published as Hinchinbrook By-Election political candidates debate key issues
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