Andrew Jackson announced as One Nation candidate for Gladstone state election

A coal miner and grandfather has been announced as the One Nation candidate for the seat of Gladstone at this year’s state election.

Andrew Jackson, One Nation’s candidate for the seat of Gladstone, with Pauline Hanson. Picture: Contributed

A coal miner and grandfather has been announced as the One Nation candidate for the seat of Gladstone at this year’s state election.

Mr Jackson, who is married with children and grandchildren, has worked in the Central Queensland coal industry for almost 40 years.

The 60-year-old says he supports a strong future for the coal industry and claims Labor and the Greens “demonise coal”.

“(Coal) continues to power Australia, boost exports, provide jobs and support regional Queensland communities like Gladstone,” he said.

Andrew Jackson to stand as One Nation's candidate for the seat of Gladstone. Picture: Contributed

“In the Gladstone electorate, mining directly supports more than 2300 jobs and indirectly supports about another 17,000 jobs.

“Mining contributed $3.9 billion to Gladstone’s economy in 2022-23, with about $1.5 billion benefiting more than 540 local businesses and more than 140 local charities and sport clubs.”

Mr Jackson said his extended family depended on mining for a living.

“We need to abandon hyper-expensive renewables and forge an independent energy policy that prioritises affordability, reliability and jobs over the climate change scam,” he said.

“That means protecting the coal industry.”

The 2024 state election will be held on October 26, where Mr Jackson will go up against incumbent Gladstone MP Glenn Butcher.

The LNP have yet to announce a candidate for the seat of Gladstone.

Mr Jackson said his main priorities were practical measures to reduce the cost of living, strong policies to address youth crime, supporting small businesses, regional health and addressing Queensland’s housing crisis.

“I’m also going to focus on regional mental health,” he said.

“With my church, I run a men’s group in Gladstone which gathers regularly to ensure social connections and look after each other.

“Mental health services have been slashed nationwide, but I’ll work hard to get improved mental health resources in our community.

“Regional centres like Gladstone are being short-changed and neglected in Queensland.

“I want to help bring regional Queensland back to the centre of government decision making, look after our $116 billion mining sector and $27 billion primary production sector, and prioritise the essential services it needs but has been denied.”

Mr Jackson said there was a lot of potential in Gladstone.

“It’s a great regional community that can be even greater.” he said.

“With the support of local voters, I’ll be putting this community and its residents first.

“I want to be a strong, loud and accountable voice for the Gladstone community in parliament.”

Originally published as Andrew Jackson announced as One Nation candidate for Gladstone state election