Federal election 2025: Gold Coast political candidates reveal where they stand on light rail stage 4
Battle lines have been drawn in the Gold Coast’s seats for the May federal election as candidates reveal where they stand on the proposed light rail extension to the border. FIND OUT MORE
Transport
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Battle lines have been drawn in the Gold Coast’s seats for the May federal election but the ghost of outgoing MP Karen Andrews and the 2022 campaign continue to haunt the political hopefuls hoping to win voters over.
The fate of the controversial light rail extension from Burleigh Heads to the border via Gold Coast Airport is dividing candidates who have taken stands on whether it should proceed.
In little publicised comments made by LNP McPherson candidate Leon Rebello at the Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce candidates breakfast last week, he said he didn’t support the light rail going south in its existing form and wanted to see the outcome of community consultation just launched by the state government.
“I think that’s really key,” he said.
“I’m not suggesting that it ends at Burleigh, what I’m suggesting is that we consider the routes.
“There should be a full route review and we’ve got to take the community on the journey.
“Any political decision is not going to have everyone behind it, I’m totally aware of that, I’ve got political experience from back in the day.
“What I will say is that we do need to make sure we’re giving people an adequate opportunity to be a part of the process.”
The multi-billion project became a major political football during the 2022 federal election when then-McPherson MP and Home Affairs Ms Karen Andrews told her own government to reject funding the proposal to run along the Gold Coast Highway through Palm Beach.
Her stance, an 11th-hour twist in the election campaign, outraged both the then-Labor state government and Gold Coast City Council.
The project is now under review by the new LNP state government – as promised pre-election – and has launched a six-week community consultation which will close the same weekend as the federal election.
Ms Andrews announced her retirement from politics following the last federal election and has now left parliament, with Mr Rebello later winning LNP preselection to succeed her in the safe conservative seat.
Federal Labor have long talked up support for the project, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently spruiking his approval of its first stage back in 2009.
However, it has not put any funding forward for the extension south of Burleigh, which was recently removed from Infrastructure Australia’s priority project list while it is under review by the state government.
Erchana Murray-Bartlett, a high-profile independent candidate hoping to end the Coalition’s 76-year hold on McPherson, said the Gold Coast was being “short-changed” on transport infrastructure.
She said she supported greater public transport connections
“Taking funding away from our local transport infrastructure has been a real blow to our community and has led to a lot of uncertainty and returning it to the top priority list will test the mettle of this government to prove the Gold Coast is a major priority,” she said.
“The Federal government must recognise our public transport needs and recommit to fully funding important infrastructure projects on the Gold Coast and returning them to the Infrastructure Australia Priority List.”
McPherson, where Labor have preselected educator Alice Price as its candidate, is hotting up as the most competitive seat, despite the LNP holding it with a 9.3 per cent margin.
Neither Fadden, held by the LNP’s Cameron Caldwell, nor Moncrieff, where the LNP’s Angie Bell is up for re-election, are expected to be competitive.
Ms Bell talked up her success in securing election commitments.
“Locally, I will continue to fight for and listen to Gold Coasters to ensure we are stronger, safer and more united,” she said.
“With local support, I have already secured funding commitments for Cross Life Baptist Church, Griffith University Knights Rugby, Mermaid Beach Bowls Club and Nerang Girl Guides and if elected we’ll deliver substantial upgrades for these organisations.”
Labor have preselected automotive industry worker Blair Stuart in Moncrieff and previous candidate Letitia Del Fabbro in Fadden.
Gold Coast-based Labor Senator Murray Watt, who is not up for re-election this year, said the incumbent government would fight hard for votes in the city.
“The Albanese Government will continue to work hard to help Gold Coasters with cost-of-living relief, while building for the future,” he said.
“The economy is now turning the corner after facing global challenges, and we have made strong progress lifting wages, while bringing down inflation.
“Unemployment is low, interest rates have started to come down, and growth has rebounded solidly.
“It’s a fact that Gold Coast families will be worse off under Peter Dutton and his local LNP MPs, who have consistently voted against cost of living relief and now they have promised to change the law so that every Australian will pay more taxes.”
It will be the first federal election campaign for Mr Caldwell, who won Fadden at a by-election in 2023 to replace long-time incumbent Stuart Robert following his midterm retirement.
“Cost of living pressure on families in Fadden is the issue of most concern,” he said.
“Locals are telling me they are struggling under the economic pressure induced by the Albanese Labor government.”
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