Toowoomba’s federal election candidates Garth Hamilton, Gen Allpass, Suzie Holt make campaign pitches

Toowoomba’s major party candidates have spent the second day of the federal election campaign trying to set the narrative in the seat of Groom and put forward their credentials.

Continued stability or a much-needed change to the status quo – Toowoomba’s major party candidates have spent the second day of the federal election campaign trying to set the narrative in the seat of Groom and put forward their credentials.

Both LNP sitting member Garth Hamilton and the ALP’s Gen Allpass, along with five other candidates, started rolling out thousands of corflutes and ads after Prime Minister Scott Morrison set the election for May 21.

Mr Hamilton, a first-time MP and former mining engineer who moved to Toowoomba in 2016, used his opening pitch to advocate for continuity and consistency.

He promised to double the region’s defence industry and personnel within 10 years and a second road to Highfields.

“Because we have been a strong seat economically, we’ve been relevant and we’ve seen long-term investment, whether it’s the bypass, Inland Rail or Railway Parklands,” Mr Hamilton said.

“I’ve got a plan to double our defence over the next 10 years, not just with employment but education and training young people.

“We need to work with council for water projects and a second road to Highfields.”

Mr Hamilton explicitly said the election was not a litmus test on Prime Minister Scott Morrison, but rather what he believed was a choice between the performance of the Coalition and the risks of a Labor Government.

In contrast, Ms Allpass said Groom deserved a change to the “status quo” after a century of conservative dominance, saying she would work with the State Government to deliver more social housing and health facilities for the region.

“From a local level, it’s about real change for the future,” she said.

“I believe we have the potential to grow the national economy from here, it’s a large and diverse electorate.”

Ms Allpass was also quick to position herself as the true underdog in the race, arguing her campaign budget would be funded almost entirely from small donations.

“I get 20 corflutes, a box of business cards and a name badge (from Labor),” she said.

“Everything else has been made from raffles, there are no major deposits into our campaign, so we don’t have the personal funds the independents have, or the donors the LNP has.”

Mr Hamilton is planning to host his launch party on Wednesday, while Ms Allpass’ event is slated for later in the month.

Independent candidate Suzie Holt, who is backed by the newly-formed Voices of Groom, launched her campaign on the weekend, using it to take aim at Mr Hamilton.

“The region has significant opportunities for industry, manufacturing, agriculture, and health care if we can break down the silos between all levels of government and have them working together,” she said.

“This cannot happen under our current federal member.

“Our region deserves a strong vision. People have lost trust in politics because our politicians are not true community representatives.”

Originally published as Toowoomba’s federal election candidates Garth Hamilton, Gen Allpass, Suzie Holt make campaign pitches