Capricornia candidates reveal priorities ahead of federal election
Capricornia candidates have revealed their top priorities ahead of the federal election, sharing their views about important issues and opening up about themselves.
Rockhampton
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With the upcoming federal election on Saturday, May 3, soon approaching, The Morning Bulletin has reached out to the six candidates for Capricornia to give them a chance to tell voters about themselves and their priorities.
The vast electorate covers Isaac Regional Council, Livingstone Shire Council, part of the Mackay Regional Council, part of the Rockhampton Regional Council, and part of the Whitsunday Regional Council.
It is considered a safe LNP seat, with a margin of 6.6 per cent.
The candidates are listed below according to the order on the ballot paper.
EMILY MAWSON
Party: Australian Labor Party
Past political experience
Engaged in community activism through clubs like Rotary in Moranbah and working in public policy and advocating for workers.
Where is Emily Mawson based in the Capricornia electorate
Emily Mawson lives in Yeppoon and has previously lived and worked across the region.
A little bit about Emily Mawson
Emily Mawson has a background in law and public policy and has spent years representing workers who have been injured.
She believes the region’s strength lies in its diversity.
Top priorities if elected
Addressing cost-of-living pressures for all households, strengthening Medicare and ensuring quality healthcare and aged care across the region as well as supporting local jobs and future-focused industries.
Other priorities include strengthening regional education and training opportunities and listening, learning, and acting on the needs of every community in Capricornia.
STEPHEN ANDREW
Party: Trumpet of Patriots
Past political experience
Stephen Andrew was the former Mirani MP and has seven years’ experience in Queensland Parliament. He represented One Nation while Mirani MP and ran as the Mirani candidate for Katter’s Australian Party at the most recent state election.
Where is Stephen Andrew based in Capricornia electorate
Stephen Andrew is based in Sarina.
A little bit about Stephen Andrew
Stephen Andrew made history as the first direct descendant of South Sea Islander slaves brought to north Queensland to be elected an Australian MP.
He represented One Nation as that party’s only sitting MP in Queensland between 2017 and 2024 before being disendorsed in August last year. Mr Andrew then joined Katter’s Australian Party.
Top priorities if elected
Limiting government spending, tackling government debt, supporting small and family businesses, and bringing affordable housing back within reach.
Every candidate received specific questions. Mr Andrew did not respond to specific questions by deadline.
CHERYL KEMPTON
Party: Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party
Past political experience
Cheryl Kempton has no prior political experience.
Where is Cheryl Kempton based in Capricornia electorate
Cheryl Kempton is based in Yeppoon.
A little bit about Cheryl Kempton
Cheryl Kempton has been a small business owner and operator for almost 30 years alongside her husband.
Top priorities if elected
Halving the fuel excise by 26 cents per litre, abolishing the excise on alcohol served at hospitality venues and freezing excise increases on all alcohol, allowing couples with children to split incomes and exempting insurance from GST. Other priorities include advocating for federal funding to improve road safety and fixing the Bruce Hwy, helping cut tape for small businesses, backing One Nation’s plan to slash $90bn in government “waste” and pay down federal debt. She also wants to tackle male suicide by looking at bettering mental health services and support.
KERRI HISLOP
Party: Family First
Kerri Hislop believes strong families, freedom for faith, and protecting the most vulnerable are critical for the future of the community and Australia, according to a biographical description on Family First’s website.
Family First did not agree to requests for interview or to provide responses to questions and no photo was provided.
MICHELLE LANDRY
Party: LNP
Past political experience
Represented Capricornia in Federal Parliament since 2013. Over the years, has served on multiple parliamentary committees, held assistant minister roles in children and families, northern Australia and regional tourism and served as the Nationals chief whip in 2018.
Where is Michelle Landry based in the Capricornia electorate
Michelle Landry is based on the Capricorn Coast.
A little bit about Michelle Landry
Michelle Landry was born and raised in Rockhampton and lived in the area all her life.
She attended Rockhampton Girls Grammar and prior has worked in pathology, for NAB, and run her own bookkeeping business.
She has also been a volunteer.
Top priorities if elected
Halving the fuel excise, giving greater support to local sporting clubs, backing policies to bring down inflation, improving access to GPs and healthcare to regional and rural communities, upgrading the Rockhampton Airport and making towns and neighbourhoods safer.
Ms Landry says a key priority is ensuring Capricornia receives its “fair share” of government investment and support.
MICK JONES
Party: The Greens
Past political experience
Run in elections in the past as well as worked on community campaigns and in community advocacy. Also worked on the Queensland Greens campaign committee.
Where is Mick Jones based in the Capricornia electorate
Mick Jones lives in Rockhampton.
A little bit about Mick Jones
Mick Jones is from Rockhampton and has lived in regional Queensland his whole life.
He studied at CQUniversity and started to volunteer with The Greens because he believed Central Queensland desperately needed “real change”.
Top priorities if elected
Campaigning to make big corporations “pay their fair share” so the government can fund dental and mental health as part of Medicare, free GP visits and fully funded public schools and hospitals.
More funding for essential public services, including an additional $70m funding for the Rockhampton Hospital.
Other key priorities include capping rent increases, delivering cheaper mortgages, making price gouging at supermarkets illegal, as well as taking strong action on climate change, both in crisis response and through major investment in publicly-owned renewables projects.
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