Alan Corbett announces his Independent candidacy for Bundaberg

The seat of Bundaberg will be very much ‘in play’ at this year’s state election, and anti-coal mine campaigner and Moore Park Beach resident Alan Corbett has announced he will contest the Bundaberg seat as an Independent in October.

Former NSW Member of Parliament and Moore Park Beach resident, 70-year-old Alan Corbett, has announced his candidacy for the Bundaberg seat as an Independent in the upcoming October state election.

Former NSW Member of Parliament and Moore Park Beach resident, 70-year-old Alan Corbett, has announced his candidacy for the Bundaberg seat as an Independent in the upcoming October state election.

The seat of Bundaberg is notably the most marginal in the state, with incumbent Tom Smith and the Labor party winning by just nine votes in the 2020 state election.

This year’s race also includes LNP candidate Bree Watson, the CEO of Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers.

Mr Corbett vowed to run in 2021 if the state government allowed the MDL 3040 for Fox Resources to progress to the next stage.

His career spans an array of roles including teacher, school counsellor, and academic.
He served in the NSW Parliament for eight years from 1995-2003, after founding the Better Future For Our Children party, and spent 14 years as the full-time carer of his late wife.

Mr Corbett ventured into Queensland state politics in the 2017 election and has since been active as a community representative and activist, particularly opposing the proposed Bundaberg coal mine.

“I am a credible, politically experienced candidate and perhaps the oldest candidate to stand in this election; still, I have never been more prepared and able to take on the responsibility,” Mr Corbett said.

Moore Park Beach resident and former NSW MP Alan Corbett promised he would run in the state election if the state government allowed the MDL3040 to progress to the next stage.

“I will challenge the government, ask awkward questions, and expose the truth, cover-ups, and hypocrisy.

“If elected as an Independent, I’ll approach the position not with hubris but with humility. I will go for sensible, workable solutions, not extreme ones. Cooperation, not conflict, is my preference when dealing with others.”

Mr Corbett outlined his vision for the role of an MP:

“An MP has two roles: political representative and parliamentarian. In each role, integrity and transparency will guide my work.

“I intend to achieve better local representation through parliamentary reform. For example, the government must be more accountable by increasing the daily allowable number of Questions On Notice from one and improving Estimates and Question time by reducing Dorothy Dixers.”

Former NSW Member of Parliament and Moore Park Beach resident, 70-year-old Alan Corbett, has announced his candidacy for the Bundaberg seat as an Independent in the upcoming October state election.

Mr Corbett said he would aim to support families by enabling mothers to stay home with young children through comprehensive financial and social support policies, guided by parents.

This approach also aimed to allow grandparents to enjoy retirement and reduce the need for childcare, he said.

Addressing local needs, he said:

“We are not one community but many smaller communities that share a location, eg sports, childcare, health, education communities, etc. I will regularly liaise with our local councillors and other representative groups representing the ‘community’. These people are in contact daily with locals and should know their needs.

“Where possible, local problems/challenges will be met with local solutions. This means local empowerment and ownership and emphasising long-term: long-term solutions, not short-term fixes. To get the best result, one needs to walk with people. I won’t do things ‘to’ them or ‘for’ them in their journey.”

“I will listen, consult and evaluate (evidence-based) and then act.”