Dr Richard Stuckey to run for Currumbin MP in state election

The husband of a former Gold Coast MP has put his hand up to run in the state election in a shock announcement.

THE husband of a former Gold Coast MP who sensationally resigned and then quit the LNP has put his hand up to run in her seat.

Dr Richard Stuckey, who is husband to former longtime Currumbin MP Jann Stuckey, announced on Friday night he would run as an Independent.

“I decided to stand as an Independent candidate for Currumbin to raise awareness of specific health issues and to advocate for a better deal for residents of the Currumbin electorate.

“From the outset, let me make this very clear, this decision to nominate as a candidate was made completely by me, as a passionate local resident of over 30 years.”

Ms Stuckey was Currumbin MP for 16 years from 2004 to January 2020 when she announced her “heart-wrenching” decision to resign after revealing an ongoing battle with depression.

At the time she said she had struggled under intense media scrutiny and was affected by a “black cloud”. Two months later she sensationally quit the LNP, calling for changes to “the level of bullying and harassment that occurs in politics”. 

Jann Stuckey and Dr Richard Stuckey. Picture: Regina King

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Dr Stuckey said: “I believe I offer a measured voice and years of first-hand experience to represent the people of Currumbin.”

Dr Stuckey had been a practising GP for the past 40 years, focusing on areas of medicine like mental health, autism and aged care.

He said: “One thing is certain - we will all die.

“As a candidate in this state election I am advocating for several health issues including - voluntary assisted dying, more palliative care funding, better mental health support, aged care wage equality and staffing ratios.

“COVID will pass and the economy will recover slowly, but people will still get terminal illnesses.

“They deserve a choice in how they die.”

Dr Richard Stuckey. Photo By Patria Jannides

Dr Stuckey added he would be advocating for the heavy rail to the airport.

“The upgrade currently happening to the M1 from Varsity to Tugun was a drawn out and hard-fought battle that saw our community petition force Labor into action on this long-awaited piece of infrastructure,” he said.

“However, there hasn’t been any real movement on heavy rail since the construction of the Varsity station in 2009 even though the majority of Currumbin residents indicated they preferred heavy rail to light rail.

“That’s why I am advocating for heavy rail to the airport, thorough community consultation on future light rail routes, red tape reduction for our small businesses and holding Government to account.”

Laura Gerber has represented the seat of Currumbin in the Queensland Legislative Assembly for the Liberal National Party since Ms Stuckey resigned.

The 2020 Queensland state election will be held on Saturday October 31.