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Jason Scanes: Labor can close gap with Wide Bay MP Llew O’Brien

Former Wide Bay ALP candidate Jason Scanes has said the next federal election will be fought over familiar territory as Newspolls reveal a swing in Labor’s favour in Queensland, but he was noncommittal as to whether he would be the one in the ring.

Former federal Labor candiate Jason Scanes says the party has a chance to close the gap with Wide Bay MP Llew O'Brien at the next election.
Former federal Labor candiate Jason Scanes says the party has a chance to close the gap with Wide Bay MP Llew O'Brien at the next election.

Former federal Labor candidate Jason Scanes would not confirm on Friday whether he would again step into the ring at the next federal election, but said whoever took on the challenge had a chance to close the gap with the LNP in the Wide Bay.

A federal election is expected to be announced for either October or November this year, or March or May 2022, and has to be called by May 21 2022.

Mr Scanes, a decorated army veteran, said he had “not really considered” throwing his hat into the ring for the next federal battle, having spent much of the past two years focusing on his own work, including his fight to help Afghan interpreters who aided Australia’s armed forces overseas.

But he said he there would be a chance for whoever did stand to close the gap with incumbent National Party MP Llew O’Brien, who beat Mr Scanes in 2019, when an almost 5 per cent swing away from Labor gave Mr O’Brien 63 per cent of the vote.

That pendulum could be headed the other way now.

Newspoll figures released last week put Labor in the driver’s seat to topple Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the LNP government at the next election if its results are replicated at the polls.

Jason Scanes says long standing issues like communications, health and youth crime will again be at the centre of the fight for Wide Bay.
Jason Scanes says long standing issues like communications, health and youth crime will again be at the centre of the fight for Wide Bay.

This shift has been driven by swings against the LNP in every state except Victoria, including a 5.4 per cent shift in Queensland that would be enough to deliver four seats to Labor.

The Wide Bay was not on that list but Mr Scanes said there was nonetheless an opportunity “to bring that back in a bit”.

And the political battleground would feature some familiar topics.

“Communication is a big one,” Mr Scanes said, saying it was still a regular occurrence for mobile reception to vanish a few minutes out of town.

This was not only a frustration for residents, but also a big challenge for primary producers.

Wide Bay MP Llew O'Brien comfortably claimed victory over Mr Scanes in 2019 thanks to a swing of almost 5 per cent. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage
Wide Bay MP Llew O'Brien comfortably claimed victory over Mr Scanes in 2019 thanks to a swing of almost 5 per cent. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

The cashless debit card “would raise its head again” too, Mr Scanes said, with the possibility of more people finding themselves shuffled on to the controversial scheme.

“The legislation is open to putting veterans and pensioners on that system,” Mr Scanes said.

Health was another “big one” likely to make the list, along with youth crime.

And although a second shot at claiming the seat from Llew O’Brien was not on his radar right now, he still has time to think about it.

“I … think the election will be next year in April, after the budget is released,” he said.

“Morrison has indicated he plans to serve the full term.

“I think it will be called after the budget.”

Originally published as Jason Scanes: Labor can close gap with Wide Bay MP Llew O’Brien

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Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/queensland/gympie/jason-scanes-labor-can-close-gap-with-wide-bay-mp-llew-obrien/news-story/0a84c2cb251de41c8838b4b9fc8898bb