Nigel Dalton nominates as LNP Mackay candidate to challenge Julieanne Gilbert

Just weeks after retiring from the police service, a decorated former officer can be revealed as one of three people vying to be the LNP’s pick to take on Labor’s Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert at the upcoming state election.

Nigel Dalton, formerly a sergeant with the Queensland Police Service, has put his hand up to run as the LNP candidate for Mackay in the October state government election.

A decorated former police officer is one of at least three people vying to become the LNP’s pick to challenge Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert at the upcoming state election.

Multiple authority figures have confirmed Nigel Dalton, who retired from his role as the District Crime Prevention Coordinator and sergeant earlier this month, has thrown his hat in the ring.

It is understood the party is currently vetting Mr Dalton and at least two others.

The LNP Mackay branch is expected to soon call a preselection meeting during which its members will choose their candidate for the October 26 Queensland state election.

In embracing his political pursuit, Mr Dalton was spotted attending the 38th Queensland Health Crisis Town Hall at Mackay’s Harrup Park Country Club on Friday, along with opposition leader David Crisafulli, Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm, and opposition health spokeswoman Ros Bates.

Sergeant Nigel Dalton leaving the Mackay Court House after giving evidence in the inquest into the death of Shandee Blackburn.

Mr Crisafulli and Ms Bates have both criticised current Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert, over her then role as assistant minister for health during the fiasco that plagued Mackay Base Hospital and led to the sacking of the entire board.

In the rare occasion the vetting process rules out Mr Dalton and the two other nominees, the branch’s chairman Chris Bonanno, may be expected to become the LNP Mackay candidate.

Mr Bonanno ran for the seat in 2020, securing 10,061 votes or 31.95 per cent of the count compared to Mrs Gilbert’s 14,632 votes representing 46.47 per cent.

Gardian Real Estate agent Chris Bonanno, the chairman of the LNP Mackay branch, ran as the party’s candidate for Mackay in the 2020 state government election and formerly served as a councillor with Mackay Regional Council.

The Gardian Real Estate agent achieved an almost 7 per cent swing for his party compared to the 2017 election when candidate Nicole Batzloff received 24.74 per cent of the vote compared to Mrs Gilbert with 42.91 per cent.

But whether the LNP can finally loosen Labor’s almost unbroken 109-year stronghold on Mackay may depend on what ripple effects Premier Steven Miles’ leadership could cause over the coming months.

Recent YouGov polling indicates the Mackay seat is not one of the 21 at risk of falling to the LNP.

Mr Dalton officially retired from the QPS on April 2 with a special piping out ceremony to wish him farewell.

He served as District Crime Prevention Coordinator from 2006 to 2024 and became a well-known police officer across Mackay, having led numerous school-based initiatives in partnership with CQUniversity which reached more than 100,oo0 students.

They included Choices for Year 12 students and Safety Circus which featured acrobats, magicians and clowns in a colourful performance to deliver safety messages to Year 3 students.

Sergeant Nigel Dalton was named Australia Day Citizen of the Year at the 2023 Australia Day Awards at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre (MECC) on Wednesday, January 25, 2023. Picture: Michaela Harlow

In 2023, the Mackay Regional Council named Mr Dalton Citizen of the Year at its Australia Day Awards and in 2022, Neighbourhood Watch Australasia awarded him the NHWA Police Commissioner’s Award.

The Queensland Police Service also awarded him a bronze award in the Customer Focus category in 2018.

Besides serving his community, Mr Dalton is also passionate about competitive swimming and is touted as one of Mackay’s best in the over 60s division.

Originally published as Nigel Dalton nominates as LNP Mackay candidate to challenge Julieanne Gilbert