Gold Coast politics: Q&A with LNP’s Gaven challenger Kirsten Jackson

Kirsten Jackson is the LNP’s candidate in the marginal Gold Coast seat of Gaven. The Opposition must win it to gain office. This is her first interview on the State’s hottest political contest

LABOR’S only Gold Coast MP, Meaghan Scanlon, won the 2017 election by 378 votes. The LNP in Gaven has endorsed Kirsten Jackson, from the Gooding family, who were pioneering farmers. Next October the whole State will be focused on this contest. In her first interview, the 46-year-old mother and small businesswoman reveals her plan to help her party win back office.

Gaven LNP candidate Kirsten Jackson with her family - husband Michael Jackson and son William Jackson 11 at Nerang. Picture Glenn Hampson.

Bulletin: With your background going back in politics, there is an interesting link.

Kirsten Jackson: Jennifer (the wife of former premier Rob Borbidge) is my dad’s sister. All of our family have always been involved in politics. I handed out how-to-votes when I was four in northern NSW for Doug Anthony. And I refused to go home because I wanted to scrutineer. So it’s just in my DNA.

B: The background of your family name, and the links to the area ...

KJ: They selected land where the Nerang Pony Club is now. That was in 1872. Their first two sons were in the first class at Nerang Primary School.

B: Has Rob given you any advice when you decided to put your hand up?

KJ: (laughs) Have you gone crazy? No – he’s really supportive. He has a real long-term perspective on things which is helpful.

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Jennifer and Rob Borbidge — the former Premier has given good advice on politics. Picture: Regina King.

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B: Was there an issue or something that made you decide to run?

KJ: We’ve had small business for 15 years and it’s just frustration, people are out there working so hard. At the moment this doesn’t feel like Queensland to me, there’s roadblocks to anything happening.

B: You started fairly early in your campaigning.

KJ: I’ve got a two-year strategic plan. We’re basically into the second phase of that. I have worked full time for a year on this. I’ve been everywhere. I counted up at least 80 community groups that I’ve engaged with. I’ve been out doorknocking and letter-box dropping.

B: It’s an interesting electorate. You have the older parts of Nerang and newer suburbs like Pacific Pines. Are there any consistent issues?

KJ: Probably transport, bus transport for the elderly, congestion. Particularly in Pacific Pines, both parents are working to pay their mortgage, they’ve got the kids in childcare, they sit for another half hour on the M1 – that’s another half hour of child care they are paying. It’s less time they are spending with their kids.

B: What point of difference do you think the LNP will make on those transport issues to Labor? Because Labor has said “we are supporting the M2, we are going to go through some of these upgrades of interchanges’’. Is the LNP offering a faster alternative?

KJ: Definitely. They had an information booth at Nerang Fair. I went and asked what is the timeline. There is no timeline on the leaflet.

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The LNP's new candidate for Gaven Kirsten Jackson (centre) pictured with Ros Bates and LNP leader Deb Frecklington. Photo: Facebook.

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B: You have the Earle Haven nursing home issue right in the heart of the electorate. Are the residents looking at it as a federal issue or state issue, and have you offered any solutions?

KJ: I do Nerang Meals on Wheels so I’m in there every week. What they are concerned about is that the intensive (nursing) section which shut down is 70 people. And there’s hundreds of other people (still living) in there. Those people will need to resell their villas and units at some stage and they’re very concerned about the negative impact on that.

B: If elected, what will you be trying to do to help?

KJ: I think we need to support the Federal Government in making sure there is a good contract with guidelines delivering good care for them.

B: How do you feel you want to conduct the campaign regarding Meaghan Scanlon? Do you think it will become a personal?

Meaghan Scanlon, then Labor candidate, handing out how to vote fliers at pre-poll during the last campaign. Photo by Richard Gosling.

KJ: No. The fact is if we want an LNP government we have to win Gaven. There’s no ifs or buts about it. That’s the only way we are going to get up.

B: How to do feel about that pressure?

KJ: It’s doesn’t worry me. It spurs me on. I’m just excited to be able to do it.

B: How close do you think it is?

KJ: I think it’s very close. I think it’s going to be a very close election. There was some reporting that said we were ahead. I don’t think so at all. I think it’s going to very, very tough to win. I’m just going to have to do the hard work, the hard slog to win. But I believe I’m backed by the right policies and I will do the hard work. I’m giving them a good option.

B: So given at this point of time the funding for Labor, the building of Meaghan Scanlon’s personal profile, do you see yourself as the underdog?

KJ: Absolutely, it is going to be really tough.