Former Isaac mayor Anne Baker announces candidacy for Mackay council by-election

She stepped away from grassroots politics to care for her seriously ill husband, but this former Central Queensland mayor had tossed her hat back in the ring for Mackay.

Anne Baker was the candidate for Burdekin in 2024.

After stepping back from local politics to care for her seriously ill husband, former Isaac mayor Anne Baker is ready to serve again – this time in Mackay.

“I’m not just putting my hand up, I’m all in,” she said.

Ms Baker has announced she will run for the Mackay Regional Council by-election that was sparked following the resignation of councillor George Christensen, who announced in May he was stepping down to take care of his daughter.

After almost 20 years in grassroot politics in Central Queensland’s mining region, Ms Baker said in December 2023 she was stepping down from the role.

“It was personal choice not to stand at the last local government election and … that was predominantly personally driven by Frank’s long-term illness,” Ms Baker said, sharing her husband had battled dementia for nine years.

“We lost him in August.”

Former Isaac mayor Anne Baker has announced her candidacy for the Mackay Regional Council by-election.

In that time Ms Baker said “I must’ve been on planet Mars” because she also threw her hat in the ring for Burden MP role during the last state election.

She said she spent the first part of 2025 reflecting on “what my future looks like”.

“I’ve still got a lot to offer. I’ve got a lot of knowledge. I’ve got a lot of experience,” she said.

“I look at the election for Mackay Regional Council as an opportunity.”

Ms Baker said she had been humbled by the community’s response since announcing her candidacy, which she described as “just a good fit”.

“I feel like it’s a glove on hand for me,” she said.

Mackay Councillor George Christensen has resigned from his council role roughly 12 months after he was voted in. Picture: Heidi Petith

She said while there had been commentary about council dynamics in recent months, she wasn’t interested in the political noise.

“I don’t want to get on that gravy train. I’m hearing all the stories, all the pump up,” she said, adding she was interested in the work.

“It’s one thing for to sit on the outside of a building and make a comment. It’s a whole other story if you’re inside it.”

Reflecting on the number of by-elections in Queensland councils over the past 15 months, Ms Baker said she was fully aware of what the job entailed — and was committed for the long haul.

“I looked at this through the lens of opportunity … and (I’m in it) until the end of the term.”

Ms Baker said she would bring strong leadership, communication skills “and a people-first focus.”

“I back myself every day of the week to work very hard on having respectful, professional relationships,” she said.

Originally published as Former Isaac mayor Anne Baker announces candidacy for Mackay council by-election