‘Personal insult’: Grieving dad to start election campaign on Father’s Day

Russell Field whose son, daughter-in-law and unborn grandson were killed when they were hit by a stolen car on Australia Day in 2021 has been officially endorsed as an LNP candidate.

Russell Field, whose son Matthew Field, daughter in-law Kate Leadbetter and unborn grandson Miles were killed when they were hit by a stolen car on Australia Day 2021 will run for the LNP at the state election.

On what will be a bittersweet Father’s Day, Mr Field will today start campaigning against Labor’s Don Brown in the seat of Capalaba, after officially being endorsed by the party on Saturday.

Mr Field was thrust into the spotlight after a drunk and high 17-year-old with a lengthy criminal history ran a red light and crashed, killing Matthew Field and a pregnant Kate Leadbetter who had been out for a walk with their dogs.

The youth was sentenced to just six years behind bars.

Russell Field at the scene where his son Matthew Field, fiance Kate Leadbetter and their unborn child Miles were killed. Picture: John Gass.

Mr Field said his move into politics was in honour of his son and he was ready for a tough fight against the incumbent Mr Brown, who holds the seat with a 9.9 per cent margin.

“The main reason I’m getting into this is the comments Don Brown made on youth crime being a media beat up,” he said.

“That was a personal insult to our family and to other families and victims.

“That was the turning point.”

Mr Field is no stranger to the LNP, having volunteered for them at polling booths in the past.

But he recognises the work he will have to put in ahead of polling day on October 26, and is prepared to knock on “as many doors as possible”.

“I intend to get out there and meet as many people as I can,” he said.

As to his lack of political experience, Mr Field says he will make up for it in life experience.

“It’s the same with any new job, you don’t expect to walk in and know everything,” he said.

“There’s a learning curve for me, and I understand that.

Matty Field and Kate Leadbetter were killed by an out of control car when walking their dog at Alexandra Hills.

“Some sitting members are friends of mine who are willing to assist but I believe everybody learns until the day they die.

“So to say I’m inexperienced, yes I am, about a lot of things.

“I can’t cook but I’ll still give it a go.”

Mr Field resonates with the LNPs campaign platform pushing for change amid what Opposition Leader David Crisafulli describes as the “big four crises”: Crime, health, housing and cost of living.

He will be mirroring this message during his campaign, but will inevitably use his personal experience to draw on issues of youth crime.

“I want Matt, Kate and Miles’ deaths to not be in vain and if I can get elected and help make change that saves one person’s life, I’ve done my job,” he said.

“And if I don’t, I can at least go to bed at night thinking I’ve done all I can.

“I know if you become too personal, you’ve lost the battle, but it would give me great personal pleasure to beat Don Brown in the election.”

Russell Field and David Crisafulli in Alexandra Hills. Picture: John Gass.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli said Mr Field had turned his tragedy into a “powerful fight for change”.

“Russell is a father, a husband and a grandfather who is driven by the most unimaginable circumstances,” he said.

“He is my friend and a great Queenslander, and today I’m very proud to welcome him to our team. “His passion and determination to fix Queensland’s Youth Crime Crisis inspires us all to make our community safer.”

Mr Field hasn’t worked in three and a half years and joked that his wife Ann is probably ready for some more alone time.

“She supports it,” he said.

“The time will come where she probably says to me ‘what the hell did you do that for?’ but for now, she probably wants me out of the house.”

Originally published as ‘Personal insult’: Grieving dad to start election campaign on Father’s Day