Gold Coast Labor MP Meaghan Scanlon to deliver on M1 promise
NEWLY-elected Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon is the youngest female to win a seat in Parliament. But she’s not getting swept up in her win over sitting MP Sid Cramp, she’s hitting the ground running. Here’s her priorities.
QLD Votes
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD Votes. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE youngest-ever female MP who helped secure Annastacia Palaszczuk’s Queensland election win has promised Labor won’t take the Gold Coast for granted after finally winning a seat amid a sea of blue LNP.
New Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon, 24, said her age could have been a factor in the election win over incumbent LNP MP Sid Cramp after a tense week and a half of counting finally ended today.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE GOLD COAST BULLETIN
“I think voters were looking for a change, someone energetic and passionate about the Gold Coast and someone who was willing to advocate strongly for them,” she said.
“I think it’s really important that we have diversity in Parliament.
“I know that I stand on the shoulders of great women who came before me so that I have this opportunity.”
Ms Scanlon said her immediate priorities included committing to education funding, infrastructure and restoring critical frontline services.
“I want to make sure we deliver on the election promises when it comes to the M1,” she said.
“I know that is a big issue to a lot of voters and we made that commitment to expand the M1 to a minimum of six lanes from Brisbane to the NSW border and I want to see that happen as soon as they possibly can.
“We have made our commitment to the M1 crystal clear.
“We have a fully funded, fully costed M1 plan and a proven track record.
“Compare what we committed when we were last in Government to the LNP who didn’t contribute a single dollar (to an M1 upgrade).
“We have delivered and we’ve already seen evidence of this in the Mudgeeraba to Varsity section of the M1.”
Ms Scanlon stressed the importance of having a strong, stable majority Government in time for the Commonwealth Games.
“Minister Kate Jones is an absolute champ on the Gold Coast and I think a lot of people wanted to make sure she continues that great work and that we have a really stable government here,” she said.
“I’ve worked in the federal sphere before for a politician and I’ve worked as a lawyer so this is new for me and there will be a lot of new challenges but I am really looking forward to getting in there and being a strong advocate for my community.”
Ms Scanlon added that she had ‘a bit of a cold’ yesterday and celebrated with some ‘Codral’.
“I might have to go and have a drink at the RSL,” she said.
Bates axed from health in major shake-up of new LNP frontbench
New Premier David Crisafulli has unveiled his first LNP frontbench but despite a promise to keep the main players intact, there has been a major shake-up.
Scanlon to become Coast’s own ‘opposition leader’ after win
Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon will become the ‘Gold Coast’s Opposition leader’ after securing her northern seat of GAVEN in the region’s toughest state poll battle.