Police officer Janelle Poole to run against Les Walker in Mundingburra

A serving police officer has been named as the LNP’s candidate for Mundingburra. See why she was picked.

Mundingburra LNP candidate Janelle Poole. Picture: Evan Morgan

A Townsville police officer has been named as Les Walker’s opponent in the 2024 state election.

Janelle Poole has been preselected for the seat of Mundingburra with LNP leader David Crisafulli describing her as a “class act”.

This is not Mrs Poole’s first run at an election, taking part in the mayoral race in 2016.

Mr Crisafulli, who was the Mundingburra MP from 2012 to 2015 under Campbell Newman, said when he became a leader, he promised to have candidates out in the field earlier.

He said he wanted to make sure his candidates were people the community could respect.

Opposition Leader Daivd Crisafulli with Mundingburra LNP candidate Janelle Poole. Picture: Evan Morgan

Earlier this year, the LNP named Natalie Marr as the candidate for Thuringowa.

She had contested the same seat in 2020 and secured 46.75 per cent of the vote, with a 0.09 per cent move away from Labor’s Aaron Harper.

“(Janelle’s) been chosen as an amazing candidate for the area,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“It’s not just because of her work (as a police officer), it’s how deeply connected she is.

“She’s a class act, I’ve seen the way that she’s embedded herself in the community.

“I have every confidence that the contrast will be stark.”

Mrs Poole said she was excited to join the LNP team for this next chapter.

“I will always strive to deliver better outcomes for the people of Mundingburra and look forward to listening to and working with our local community,” she said.

Mrs Poole has spent time as a school-based police officer and with local PCYCs.

Mr Walker’s time in parliament has been riddled with controversies, including being knocked out at the Mad Cow and giving a “Forensics for Dummies” book as a gift at the Police Remembrance Day.

Mr Crisafulli said he wanted to make sure North Queensland knew the party was serious about earning their trust and having “quality candidates in the field”.

In the 2020 election, Mr Walker went up against another police officer – Glenn Doyle. He has since retired from the service.

Mr Walker won with 53.93 per cent of the vote, and there was a 2.8 per cent swing away from the LNP.

The seat is considered a bellwether seat, which means it, for the most part, follows the party in power.

Originally published as Police officer Janelle Poole to run against Les Walker in Mundingburra