Former SES and VMR volunteer Paula Creen stands for Greens in Dawson

After unsuccessful runs at past elections, a former Mackay builder, SES and VMR volunteer is again running for the federal seat of Dawson.

After running for federal parliament on Dawson Paula Creen will be running for the seat of Mackay for the Greens.

After unsuccessful attempts in both state and federal elections a former building designer has once again put her hand up for the electorate of Dawson.

Mackay resident Paula Creen last ran for the federal seat in 2022, which saw a 2.7 per cent swing towards the Greens.

She then stood for the Greens in the 2024 Queensland state election as a candidate for the electorate of Mackay, gaining only 1707 votes from a total pool of 32,953.

Now, with the federal election expected to take place in May, 2025, Ms Creen wants to give the people of Dawson “a positive alternative to the major parties”, which she said have failed to address cost of living, housing and climate change.

“We can’t keep voting for the same two parties and expecting a different result,” Ms Creen said.

“We need a change, and we need a local person to bring that change.”

Ms Creen is running against Liberal National party incumbent Andrew Wilcox and Labor candidate Neil Wallace.

Paula Creen at Victoria Park State School in Mackay during the 2022 federal election. Picture: Duncan Evans

Ms Creen said her federal campaign platform differed from the state issues she advocated on as she aimed to “make big corporations pay their fair share in tax so we can fund dental and mental health into Medicare, bring down rents and mortgages, and take strong climate action”.

“The major parties have failed our community and are incapable of delivering the solutions we need because they are too beholden to the corporate donors who fund their campaigns,” Ms Creen said.

Ms Creen has a background in the building industry, where she worked as a designer and drafter for 28 years and she actively volunteers with the Mackay Conservation Group and Whitsunday Conservation Council, is a former volunteer with Mackay SES and served with Volunteer Marine Rescue for 12 years.

When styrofoam beanbag balls washed on to the beach at Slade Point, Paula Creen spent her weekend cleaning it up.

When asked how she intended to support industries like tourism in Dawson she said, “we need a strong tourism industry to provide local jobs”.

She also said the Greens supported tourism through environmental laws and public transport.

On balancing climate targets with mining jobs in Dawson, she said “we need to start investing in people, not polluters”.

“The major parties give billions in handouts to coal companies and big polluters that are making our climate crisis worse,” Ms Creen said.

“The Greens will support workers in the mining industry by investing in renewables and creating better, safer jobs in clean energy.”

Adamant the Greens were the only party with a “serious plan”, Ms Creen derided Labor’s approval of coal and gas projects and condemned opposition leader Peter Dutton’s nuclear plan.

Ms Creen is running against fresh faced Labor candidate Neil Wallace and incumbent Andrew Wilcox. Photo: Fergus Gregg

“The Greens’ plan will end the billions in handouts to coal, oil and gas corporations and massively expand publicly-owned renewable energy so we can tackle the climate crisis,” she said.

When asked how she would support Dawson growers she said she would prioritise innovation and she’d like to see growers diversify by growing hemp to “supply local manufacturing of hemp products to replace plastic”.

Ms Creen also advocated for making university and TAFE free, expanding access to Youth Allowance, making GP visits free and including dental and mental health care in Medicare.

Greens senator for Queensland Larissa Waters praised Ms Creen as a tireless advocate for the community.

“We need people like Paula in parliament who will represent the interests of everyday people, “Ms Waters said.

“With a minority government, we can deliver dental and mental health into Medicare and take strong action on the housing and climate crisis.

“More Greens will keep Dutton out and get Labor to act.”

Originally published as Former SES and VMR volunteer Paula Creen stands for Greens in Dawson