Nigel Hutton revealed as LNP’s candidate for Keppel at 2024 election

A teacher turned political dynamo has revealed he “can’t sit on the sidelines any longer”, confirming his candidacy for the state seat of Keppel.

Former Livingstone Shire councillor Nigel Hutton.

Former Livingstone Shire deputy mayor Nigel Hutton will spearhead the LNP’s charge to topple Labor’s long-time incumbent Keppel MP Brittany Lauga at the 2024 State Election.

It was announced on Friday the local schoolteacher, who resigned from his Livingstone councillor role earlier this year, will stand as the LNP’s candidate for Keppel.

Mr Hutton is a long-serving Yeppoon Lions member, proud father of two, and is widely regarded as a local community champion who is passionate about his home region.

“I have spent every day of my working life trying to protect and enhance the community where I was raised, where my wife and I are raising our kids and where my parents and friends call home,” Mr Hutton said on Friday.

“Six months ago, I chose to reset and stepped back from local government to focus on teaching and my family, with the promise to continue to serve our community in other ways.

“I can’t sit on the sidelines any longer as I see crises in youth crime, housing and health ripping apart a community I love.”

Former Livingstone Shire councillor Nigel Hutton.

Mr Hutton said while he was now back teaching full time, the children had taught him a few things about their concerns for the future – about getting a home and feeling safe in their community.

“Locals are telling me they are worried about crime. People are concerned for their safety more than ever before.

“Pressure on housing is increasing and there is more stress on our health system as the cost-of-living continues to rise.

“Above all there is a growing sense of frustration that the Palaszczuk Labor Government isn’t listening and failing to act on the issues that really matter to locals.

“These are the things driving me to stand up for the people of Keppel and make sure our voice is heard in the Queensland Parliament.”

Mr Hutton said over the next year and beyond he would be listening to “all voices young and old” in the Keppel electorate and working with David Crisafulli and the LNP team to tackle the challenges and deliver “the change we so desperately need.”

Long-standing Keppel MP Brittany Lauga.

LNP Leader David Crisafulli welcomed the newest member of the LNP state team.

“Through his work in the community, Nigel has a proven track record of delivering for locals. His passion and enthusiasm for Keppel and Central Queensland is impressive.

“I have no doubt that his skills and experience will be invaluable as we tackle the big issues worrying Queenslanders from crime and cost of living to health and housing.

“I have always said we are the underdog at the next election, so we need to work harder for longer to earn Queenslanders’ trust and prove we are ready to govern.”

Mr Crisafulli said as his party charted “a new course for Keppel and for Queensland” it would continue to select genuine community champions like Nigel to take the fight up to this “tired third term government consumed by constant chaos and crisis of its own making.”

“The LNP team is united, and we are focused on delivering for Queenslanders.

“We will show there is a better way for our state.”

Mr Hutton was the youngest councillor ever elected in Livingstone when he was first elected in November 2013.

He went on to serve in several council portfolios over the next decade, including Youth Development and the Arts, and Digital Economy and Innovation Champion.

He served as Deputy Mayor from 2018 to 2020.

Originally published as Nigel Hutton revealed as LNP’s candidate for Keppel at 2024 election