LNP leader Deb Frecklington brands Meaghan Scanlon ‘incompetent’, names Kirsten Jackson as Gaven candidate

LNP leader Deb Frecklington has taken aim at Gold Coast MP Meaghan Scanlon, labelling her “incompetent” as she named the party’s Gaven candidate.

A WAR of words has broken out between the State Opposition Leader and a Gold Coast MP over the seat of Gaven.

LNP leader Deb Frecklington took aim at Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon during a press conference announcing the party’s rival candidate on Saturday.

Ms Frecklington named Kirsten Jackson as the candidate for the seat in the next State election, which has been held by Scanlon since 2017.

When asked why she considered Gaven a “must win” for the LNP, Ms Frecklington slammed the electorate’s current leadership.

“The reason why Gaven is a must win seat for the LNP is because it’s held by an incompetent Labor member,” she said.

Deb Frecklington has now taken aim at Meaghan Scanlon.

“The people of Gaven deserve to have good representation and unfortunately under the current member they don’t have it.

“That's exactly why the LNP have selected an outstanding candidate in Kirstin Jackson, because she gets the community, she’s a mum, small business owner.”

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Ms Scanlon fired back in response, claiming the “only thing that’s incompetent” was the LNP leader’s comments.

“Under her government they sacked 68 frontline health workers on the Gold Coast (including seven in cancer care and treatment), 48 TAFE staff, axed 500 teaching positions in QLD and racked up a $260 million backlog of critical school maintenance,” she said in a statement.

Scanlon has since hit back over the comments. Picture: Jerad Williams

“For Ms Frecklington to talk about the second M1 a day after our Government green-lighted this project is embarrassing, particularly given it was her government that stopped this project from progressing while also failing to invest a single dollar in the M1.

“The question is, will the LNP candidate for Gaven stand up to the federal government for elderly people in aged care and those with a disability struggling to get support for wheelchairs under the NDIS or will she just back in her close friend Angie Bell and ignore those desperately in need within our community?

“Everyone knows the LNP has taken the Gold Coast for granted for far too long.”

Ms Frecklington’s comments came just a day after she ridiculed Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s announcement a second M1 would begin work in 2023.

“It is only the LNP that is committed to building the second M1, improving the health system and also making sure we do something about the education system by decluttering the curriculum,” she said.

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

“We also want to aircondition every state school classroom in the Gaven electorate.”

LNP candidate Kirsten Jackson said she was “thrilled and honoured” to have been chosen.

“I’ve been out here working very hard and I’m looking forward to bringing better resources for Gaven and working with the team,” she said.