Hermann Vorster: Burleigh MP delivers maiden speech to parliament

Rookie Burleigh MP Hermann Vorster has used his first speech to reveal his big plans for the suburb which will see dramatic changes. FIND OUT MORE.

Rookie Burleigh MP Hermann Vorster says he wants to reset the relationship between the state and council to deliver on housing and transport infrastructure.

The former councillor turned LNP MP gave his maiden speech to parliament late on Wednesday night where he paid tribute to his family and its long history and discussed his plans for the electorate.

The 39-year-old said policing and the environment were important issues.

“My foremost priority will be delivering on our commitment to establish a permanent physical

police presence in Burleigh to deal with anti-social behaviour in the daytime and prevent night-time violence that puts too many lives at risk,” he said.

Burleigh MP Hermann Vorster giving his maiden speech

“I also intend to reclaim the conservative tradition of conserving and caring for our environment.

“Locally, that means working with the Minister for the Environment to restore the Burleigh Head National Park and the nearby conservation areas and planning for the future of Tallebudgera Creek.

“These are sacred places and at times the upkeep has been disgraceful.”

Mr Vorster also said he wanted to work closely with the council he previously served on to solve housing.

“We are amid a housing crisis – pensioners have been pushed to breaking point, families have

been torn apart chasing affordable rents and young people have all but abandoned the Australian dream,” he said.

Burleigh MP Hermann Vorster giving his maiden speech

“The former government abandoned Burleigh when it walked away from the amendments to the Gold Coast planning scheme and exacerbated the misery of good people by holding out false hope.

“The partnership with local government must be reset to deliver sorely needed housing. “However, there must be another partnership and that is with the community, which is best placed to guide outcomes.

“To underscore the point, that is precisely the approach I will adopt for major transport

infrastructure (because) these projects touch lives, impact businesses and change futures. Locals are the greatest stakeholders in their futures and I am committed in the great conservative tradition to ensuring that they are the centre of decision-making.”

Mr Vorster spoke passionately about his family, paying tribute to his wife Melissa and children Lucia, Hermann and Maxwell

His close friend and fellow former councillor, Federal MP Cameron Caldwell, watched on from the public gallery.