Ina Pryor: Labor candidate for Hinchinbrook attempts to unseat MP Nick Dametto

A school cleaner called “Bull” who was forced to move from the electorate she hopes to represent due to a recent rent hike says she will give unseating MP Nick Dametto “a fair crack” as the Labor candidate for Hinchinbrook.

Ina Pryor, at the Deeragun Village shopping centre, is the Labor candidate for Hinchinbrook. Picture: Evan Morgan

A school cleaner called “Bull” who was forced to move from the electorate she hopes to represent due to a recent rent hike says she will give unseating MP Nick Dametto “a fair crack” as the Labor candidate for Hinchinbrook.

“You never know hey, you’ve got to be in it to win it,” Ina Pryor told News Corp during a brief break campaigning at the Deeragun Early Voting Centre on Wednesday.

“I’m just getting out there to see if I can make a difference because it’s one thing telling your workmates and but another letting the rest know.”

Originally from Victoria, the widower who married into the extended Pryor moved to Townsville 30 years ago, working as a council labourer, contract worker and now government employee cleaning schools.

Nicknamed “Bulldog” and then “Bull” in her childhood due to her love of her local Australian rules football team, Ms Pryor said she was forced to move from Deeragun, where she has lived for 26 years, when her rent increased last year.

“Mine went up like 120 bucks a fortnight, it was just way too much, I couldn’t afford that so I’m living out at West End at the moment.”

Ina Pryor, at the Deeragun Village shopping centre, is the Labor candidate for Hinchinbrook. Picture: Evan Morgan

Ms Pryor, a union member, said her concerns of what would happen under an LNP government had provided the motivation for contesting the elections.

“I’ve been spouting off to my workmates about what would happen if the LNP get in, it will be just cut, cut, cut everything, all the services like health.”

She said she feared a return to working as a contract cleaner.

“I did contract cleaning for 13 years before I got work as a school cleaner with the Department of Education and, mate, it’s a huge difference,” she said.

“With the cost of living now, the last thing we need is to go backwards in wages, and especially not have job security.”

Ina Pryor, at the Deeragun Village shopping centre, is the Labor candidate for Hinchinbrook. Picture: Evan Morgan

Pressed on how she could oust incumbent Mr Dametto and top LNP candidate Annette Swaine, Ms Pryor said she had a clear plan.

“Charm,” she said, laughing.

“I’ve helped out on other campaigns where it can get a bit nasty sometimes between the candidates but this has been quite pleasant, it’s nice,” she said.

“They’ve been lovely actually, it makes your day go nicer; we all have our own beliefs, our own politics, we believe it what we believe, but at the end of the day we’re still just people.”

Ms Pryor said the Miles Labor Government’s cost of living relief was delivering for the people of Hinchinbrook, including the timely $1000 electricity rebates.

“Making sure families in the regions are supported is important to me, and Labor is delivering with free TAFE and free kindy,” she said.

“As a school cleaner, I know Labor is doing what matters to move workers forward, unlike the LNP who only want to sack hardworking Queenslanders.”

Premier Steven Miles said local champions like Ms Pryor would “advocate and fight for what matters to the Hinchinbrook community”.

“I’m looking forward in having Ina as part of my Labor team as we take regional Queenslanders forward.”

Originally published as Ina Pryor: Labor candidate for Hinchinbrook attempts to unseat MP Nick Dametto