Councillors announce plans for 2024 elections

With about seven months until Bundaberg votes in a new council, all of our local government representatives have been asked if they intend to run for office again in 2024. Here is what they said:

With just over seven months until voters elect the next Bundaberg Regional Council, all of our local government representatives have been asked ‘Are you running next year’?

Current and aspiring Bundaberg regional councillors must declare their intention to run in the 2024 local government elections by September 16, this year, six months before residents go to the polls on March 16, 2024.

With just over a month until the deadline, NewsMail reporters asked Bundaberg’s mayor and councillors about their intentions.

Less than half of the councillors said they would run for re-election, with Mayor Jack Dempsey, and councillors Greg Barnes and Vince Habermann committing to throw their hat in the ring in 2024.

Mr Barnes made an early public declaration of his intention to run for a seventh consecutive term on June 5, 2023, citing the support of the community and his wife Issy.

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“The reason for the early announcement is in response to the feedback that I’ve received through my weekly Consultation Desk and more generally through the wider regional community,” Mr Barnes said at the time.

“This will be my seventh consecutive election and despite the turmoil of the past several years, Issy remains my rock and (surprisingly) supports this latest decision.”

Mr Dempsey said he was driven by his passion for the region to contest a third consecutive term as mayor.

“I am fully committed to taking the Bundaberg region forward,” Mr Dempsey said.

“I have a love for the region, and a passion for its people and its future.

“I will be contesting the next election because we must keep driving and promoting the positivity of our region and its opportunities – not only for current residents but also for the next generation.”

Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey said he was driven by his passion for the region to contest a third consecutive term in 2024.

Mr Habermann said he intended to run again in 2024 “at this stage” in order to see through uncompleted initiatives in Division 7.

“I will definitely be running at this stage,” Mr Habermann said.

“There is a lot of unfinished business which, with the blessing of the people of Division 7, I would like to see through to its completion.”

Other councillors were undecided, with most citing the need to consult with family before committing to another turn on the council merry-go-round.

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Councillors Bill Trevor, Jason Bartels, Steve Cooper and John Learmonth all said they had not yet decided.

“Being a councillor requires a substantial commitment and dedication not only by the councillor but also by their family,” Mr Cooper said.

“I will consult with my wife and when the time is right, I will confirm our decision.”

Councillors McPhee, Honor, McLoughlin and Mitchell did not respond to this publication’s inquiry by deadline.

Originally published as Councillors announce plans for 2024 elections