Coalition, Labor spend up big in the battle for the federal seat of Petrie

MILLIONS of dollars has been pledged in the battle for this marginal seat north of Brisbane. But will the gamble pay off?

The battle is on for the federal seat of Petrie which takes in Redcliffe. Picture: Richard Walker.

• Federal election 2016: What will it take to win Petrie?
• Federal election 2016: Petrie candidate profiles

A TIGHT battle for the marginal seat of Petrie has prompted both major parties to pledge millions of dollars in the lead-up to Saturday’s federal election.

Projects to benefit, regardless of the election result include the Moreton Bay University Precinct and Redcliffe PCYC expansion.

Federal ALP candidate for Petrie Jacqui Pedersen and Labor have pledged more than $120 million across the electorate on education and infrastructure.

Federal LNP MP for Petrie Luke Howarth has promised to spread $37 million between infrastructure, community groups, CCTV cameras and education.

LNP candidate for Petrie Luke Howarth

ALP candidate for Petrie Jacqui Pedersen.

Both candidates have pledged money towards Redcliffe PCYC and have said their commitments stand even if they are not elected as MPs, so long as their party forms government.

If re-elected the Coalition will contribute $35 million towards infrastructure at Moreton Bay University Precinct. If Labor is elected, it has promised $98 million to establish a Commonwealth Institute of Higher Education at Petrie.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR PETRIE?

Luke Howarth, LNP

Moreton Bay University: $35 million

Redcliffe PCYC: $450,000

Redcliffe Surf Lifesaving Club: $400,000

Redcliffe Coast Guard: $99,000

Solar Communities Grants: $100,000

Aspley Hornets AFL: $540,000

CCTV at Stanley Day Park — $195,000

Bald Hills Memorial Hall — $150,000

Aspley Devils Rugby League Club — $80,000

Jacqui Pedersen, ALP

Moreton Bay University: $98 million

Schools funding: additional $21 million in Petrie by 2020

Ridge Hills United Football Club: $560,000

Redcliffe PCYC: $1 million

Greens candidate Sue Weber said as her party would not form government she had no money to pledge, but it would fight to protect Medicare, increase pensions and boost education.

Liberal Democrats candidate Catherine Buckley said there were many worthy projects in the Petrie electorate but said she was not making any funding promises. Family First Mark White candidate and The Arts Party candidate Andrew Tyrrell did not respond.

POLLING BOOTH LOCATIONS (open on July 2 from 8am-6pm)

• Clontarf: Clontarf Beach State School, 91 Elizabeth Ave; Grace Primary School, 38 Maine Rd.
• Deception Bay: Deception Bay Community Hall, corner Ewart St and Bayview Tce; Deception Bay High School, Government St; Moreton Downs State School, Parsons Blvd.
• Kippa-Ring: Hercules Road State School, Hercules Rd; Kippa-Ring State School, 400 Elizabeth Ave.
• Margate: Humpybong State School, Ernest St.
• Redcliffe: Redcliffe Senior Citizens Centre, 401 Oxley Ave; Redcliffe State High School, Oxley Ave; Redcliffe Uniting Church, 1 Richens St.
• Rothwell: Grace Lutheran College, Mewes Rd.
• Scarborough: Scarborough Freemasons Centre, 72 Seaville Ave; Scarborough State School, Garsden Rd.
• Woody Point: Woody Point Memorial Hall, Oxley Ave.

For more, visit aec.gov.au.

THE CANDIDATES (as they appear on the ballot paper)

• Catherine Buckley, Liberal Democrats
• Luke Howarth, Liberal National Party
• Jacqui Pedersen, Australian Labor Party
• Mark A White, Family First Party
• Sue Weber, The Greens
• Andrew Charles Tyrrell, The Arts Party

See full profiles on all six Petrie candidates here