Keith Pitt, Jack Dempsey, Jason Scanes in race for Hinkler seat

An incumbent LNP MP, Bundaberg’s mayor and a defence veteran are expected to run a tight race for the Hinkler seat which has not been held by a party outside the Coalition since 1993.

The incumbent member, Bundaberg’s mayor and a returned war veteran and staunch critic of Australia’s Defence Minister are among the six candidates fighting it out for Hinkler’s federal seat on May 21.

Independent candidate Jack Dempsey, the Bundaberg Regional Council mayor, has been flagged as the wildcard by gambling houses and is expected to give incumbent LNP candidate Kith Pitt a run for his money.

An expected seventh candidate, Amy Byrnes for the Animal Justice Party, bowed out of the race before the April 24 ballot draw.

The seat has been in the hands of the Nationals, and then the LNP coalition, since 1993.

NewsCorp has asked each of the candidates to outline their background, connection to the electorate, and what they believe are the biggest issues which will decide the seat at the voting booths on May 21.

All candidates listed in alphabetical order. Some responses have been edited for length.

Jack Dempsey

“I grew up in social housing at Ipswich, played high-level rugby league and union, worked as a brickie’s labourer and publican, then spent 20 years in the police force, mostly in remote areas.

“I’ve lived in Bundaberg for 22 years, served as a state MP and Minister, and Mayor since 2016.

“I’m standing as an independent candidate to achieve positive change after years of neglect by the major parties.

“I will represent all parts of the electorate, regardless of where people live and who they vote for.

Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey has taken leave to contest the seat as an independent. Photo Paul Beutel

“I’m planning to establish an Advance Hinkler organisation with open membership among electors to help assist me with decision making on key issues.

“The major issues are cost of living, housing and sustainability.

“Rising costs, housing affordability and the lack of supply are serious threats to our liveability and lifestyle.

“I‘ve called for a National Housing Summit straight after the election, bringing together all stakeholders to reach an accord on short-term and longer-term solutions. We need to increase Commonwealth rental assistance, among many other things.

“Cost of living can also be addressed by getting more people into jobs and increasing wages. It‘s a disgrace how poorly many workers are paid in demanding jobs like childcare and aged care.

“By sustainability I mean protecting and preserving our natural environment while growing the economy and population.

“That includes addressing climate change, developing a circular economy, planning for more extreme weather events and investing in disaster mitigation.

Andrew McLean – Greens

“I‘ve enjoyed a diverse career which has found me labouring on farms, serving as a pastor in schools and churches, working on construction sites, being a massage therapist, and running my own successful business as a mobile mechanic.

“I never thought I would vote Green, let alone become a Greens candidate.

“I grew up in a rural area, voted LNP, and later became an issues-based swinging voter.

Andrew McLean is running for the Greens in Hinkler.

“But I became utterly disillusioned with how most political parties are dependent on corporate donations.

“Corporations don‘t make these donations out of the goodness of their hearts. They do it to buy policy outcomes. No wonder people have lost trust in career politicians.”

“We can have dental and mental health covered under Medicare, get our relationship right with First Peoples, build enough public homes to make sure everyone has a roof over their head, and make lifelong public education and training free, again.”

Zak Menhennett – One Nation

“I grew up in a small country town in regional NSW.

“I ventured all around NSW in my mid to late teens and early 20s before relocating Bundaberg in 2013.

“I have since settled in a coastal suburb of the Bundaberg Region with my partner and young family made up of a beautiful seven-year-old stepdaughter and a beautiful 18-month-old daughter.

Zak Menhennett is the One Nation party’s candidate for Hinkler.

“I will be staying active in the community; you will still catch me at local sporting events as well as travelling between Bundaberg, Woodgate, Childers and Hervey Bay staying active in the community but most importantly listening to the community, ensuring their voice is heard across the whole region,” he said.

“I will advocate for a $100 a week rise with One Nation under the Work Bonus scheme that would allow pensioners to earn up to $13,000 a year without reducing their pension (the Work Bonus Scheme is currently $7800 annually).

“We believe that you must have lived and worked in Australia for at least 15 years before accessing pension entitlements. One Nation and I opposes the increase to the age of entitlement to 70 years of age.”

Kristie Nash – United Australia Party

“I grew up in regional Victoria before moving to Queensland in 1997. Since then I’ve had multiple businesses in e-commerce and consulting services.

“My frustration and disappointment with our Member for Hinkler drove my decision to run for the Federal seat of Hinkler with the United Australia Party.

“Farmers, retirees, business owners and everyday people struggling with life, have expressed to me that they are disillusioned and feel that their concerns are not being properly heard.

Kristie Nash is standing for Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party.

“They are looking for a strong and credible alternative candidate because they still want to vote for conservative values, but are fed up with the LNP.

“I believe in a people’s Government; one which represents the best interests of the people, not the politicians.

“I’m also very keen to tackle the range of issues that are seriously impacting our community which locals have already raised with me, including: The Cashless Debit Card trial urgently needs to be reviewed to determine if it is hurting or helping the members of our community who are part of the trial; The rental crisis, housing shortage and housing affordability, need to be tackled as a matter of urgency with visionary government policies; Mental health, the exponential rise in suicides, homelessness, job losses and financial hardships need strategies to reunite our community and country.

Keith Pitt – LNP

“I was born and raised in Bundaberg, attended local schools and undertook an electrical apprenticeship at Fairymead Sugar Mill.

“I went on to complete a degree in computer and electrical engineering at QUT and before entering politics I owned cane farms and ran a registered training organisation.

Bundaberg is my home and it’s where I have raised my family.

“I think my car knows the road from Bundaberg to Hervey Bay better than I do.

LNP candidate Keith Pitt is fighting to keep the seat he has held since 2013. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“I have travelled extensively throughout the electorate and opened the first Federal electorate office in Hervey Bay in 2019. I visit the smaller communities concentrated in the central part of the electorate – Childers, Woodgate, Buxton, Howard, Torbanlea, Burrum Heads and Toogoom – as often as possible.

“I will continue to do everything I can to attract more local jobs, strengthen the local economy, keep Australians safe, see more apprentices and trainees – even though we are at record levels – and I want ensure local projects are delivered – even though many have been held up by the Queensland State Government.”

Jason Scanes – Labor

“I grew up in small housing commission home in Western NSW. Spent every holiday on the family farm, near Canberra. Served in the Army both as a soldier and an officer for close to two decades.

“I have a Masters in Business, Post Grad in Management and am a Fellow of the Institute of Managers and Leaders.

“Hinkler needs a determined leader, with integrity who will always put the needs and interest of others first; who listens and is focused on delivering, not a career politician, limited in ideas, lacking in motivation and tied to others from years of political favours.

Jason Scanes, who contested the Wide Bay seat for Labor in 2019, is now running for the Hinkler seat.

“I live 5km from Aldershot moving here with my family in 2014.

“Hinkler has long been neglected by leaders who have lacked the ambition, and the grit to deliver, taking our region and the people of Hinkler for granted.

“The biggest issues in the area, that Labor have a plan to address include: Lack of confidence in our parliament; Cashless Debit Card; Cost of living pressure; Housing, health and education; China/Solomon’s security deal.

“Labor are committed to establishing Federal Integrity commission, scrapping the cashless debit card, getting wages moving, and fixing the decade of neglect to health, aged care, social housing and education in our region.

“ Investments like the Housing Australia Future Fund to deliver 30,000 homes over the next 5 years that will create more than 21,000 jobs, or $2.5b to fix Morrisons broken aged care sector.”

Originally published as Keith Pitt, Jack Dempsey, Jason Scanes in race for Hinkler seat