Caloundra, Kawana candidates reveal promises in 2024 Qld state election

Transport and health services are among the key priorities for Caloundra and Kawana candidates as they talk to voters ahead of the Queensland state election.

Chloe Grimshaw

5 min read

October 8, 2024 - 4:46PM

Transport and health services are among the key priorities for the candidates in the Caloundra and Kawana electorates as talk to voters ahead of the Queensland state election next month.

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Transport and health services are among the key priorities for the candidates in the Caloundra and Kawana electorates as talk to voters ahead of the Queensland state election next month.

In Kawana, longstanding MP Jarrod Bleijie has promised better transport infrastructure, delivering the Sunshine Coast Direct Rail all the way to Maroochydore.

Labor MP for Caloundra, Jason Hunt, has also announced he will run for a second term against the LNP’s Kendall Morton and the Greens’ Peta Higgs.

According to Electoral Commission Queensland data, Caloundra, which encompasses Landsborough, Pelican Waters and the fast-growing Caloundra West, currently has 45,662 registered voters and Kawana, stretching from Minyama down to Currimundi, with 39,583.

Kawana

Shadow Minister for Education and Member for Kawana Jarrod Bleijie.

Jarrod Bleijie

Age: 42

Party: Liberal National Party

Political experience: Jarrod has had the honour of serving the residents of the Kawana Electorate as their state MP since 2009.

Jarrod has also served in several Ministerial and Shadow Minister portfolios and is currently the Deputy Leader of the Opposition Shadow Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Shadow Minister for Olympic and Paralympic Infrastructure and Jobs and Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations.

Life experience:

Jarrod was born in Griffith, NSW to Pieter, a fuel tank truck driver and Christine, a full-time mum.

At the age of seven his family packed up and moved to the Sunshine Coast with his Uncle Coop who owned and operated the former Ettamogah Pub (Aussie World) at Palmview.

Jarrod attended Caloundra State School and Caloundra State High School. When he was young, his parents were in small business and owned and operated a camping store in Caloundra.

Jarrod and his wife Sally have grown up on the Sunshine Coast.

They are now raising three children Taylor, Madison and Jasper with their rescue dog Bobo.

He is a passionate local and believes Queensland’s best days are ahead of it.

What I’m passionate about: Throughout his life, Jarrod has always exhibited a great love for his community, leading him to become a Justice of the Peace (Qualified) when he was 18 years old.

This love continues to this day and Jarrod is involved in and supports a large number of local community groups including Lions, Kawana Football Club, Kawana Waters Surf Lifesaving Club, Currimundi United Football Club, Sunshine Coast Jazz Club, Kawana Scouts, the Kawana Chamber of Commerce, 4 Paws Animal Rescue and many of the local school P & Cs.

My key promise: Sadly, many Sunshine Coast residents are doing it tough. Crime is out of control, ambulance ramping is at record highs, housing shortages are driving up rents and costs are increasing faster than the rest of Australia.

Further, Jarrod will keep fighting for vital infrastructure for the Sunshine Coast like the Sunshine Coast Direct Rail all the way to Maroochydore from Beerwah, to Caloundra to Kawana and the Mooloolah River Interchange.

Ian Simons

Party: Queensland Greens

The future of our planet matters.

Genuine climate action cannot wait.

Treating housing as an investment rather than as shelter has gotten our state and country into a mess.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Unlike the old parties, the Greens don’t take corporate donations so we’ll take on the big corporations that are ripping off Queenslanders.

Jim Dawson, Labor candidate for Kawana.

Jim Dawson

Age: 62

Party: Queensland Labor

Political experience: Senior policy advisor now candidate

Life experience: My life and work experience is in policy and government, so I have seen firsthand the impact good governments can have on the community. I can safely say the Miles Labor Government is doing what matters for Queensland, especially here on the Sunny Coast.

What I’m passionate about: Accessing health services closer to home will create healthier families and stronger communities, that’s why the Sunshine Coast Satellite Hospital will be a real game changer for the region. Not only will it take pressure of the Sunshine Coast University Hospital’s (SCUH) emergency department, but it will also treat local families with non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses.

My key promise: As a Senior Policy Maker for the Australian Government in Canberra, and dad, I know budgets. So my promise to Kawana is to keep delivering the new Premier Steven Miles’ cost of living relief initiatives - like 50 cent fares to 20% off car rego. This has allowed Sunny Coast families get around safely and quickly all the while saving money. Which is all at risk under the LNP. Their agenda is clear – cuts and privatisation. Sunshine Coast families can’t risk more LNP cuts.

Peter Hinton

Party: One Nation

Caloundra

Caloundra MP Jason Hunt.

Jason Hunt

No information sent by deadline.

Greens candidate Peta Higgs for the Caloundra electorate.

Peta Higgs

Party: Queensland Greens

Working within the public health sector for over 30 years, I have seen the challenges facing people if they cannot afford basic needs such as housing, food and caring for their families.

My work made me realise the catastrophic effects climate change is already having on our community’s health and the urgent need for action to protect our planet, biodiversity and human health.

The science clearly shows that fossil fuels are a health hazard and the move to renewable energy is possible and economical.

I am tired of seeing big corporations pay next to no tax and make massive donations to the old parties.

They should be governing for us — not the highest bidder.

Kendall Morton LNP candidate for Caloundra.

Kendall Morton

Age: 40

Party: LNP

Political experience: I have been an active and proud member of many community organisations that have worked to make our community a better place, including the Caloundra Business Alliance.

Through my previous Home Care Assistance business I have worked directly with some of the most vulnerable people on the Sunshine Coast to help improve their lives.

Life experience: I have worked as a teacher in London as well as local primary schools here in Caloundra.

I have worked as an accountant in local government before starting my own business in 2016, which grew to a team of 140.

I was then awarded 2018 Outstanding Business Woman of the Year before selling in 2022 to devote myself to serve Caloundra.

I am a member of the P & C, a Lions Club, the Caloundra Business Alliance and I am on the executive of a football club. I also sat on the Caloundra Chamber of Commerce for five years, all while raising my four beautiful children right here in Caloundra.

What I’m passionate about: I know how tough people are doing it and I know what’s it’s like to be parenting and working in 2024.

I am passionate about ensuring Caloundra is the best place to live, work and play, and this includes being socially aware and economically responsible.

Elected representatives should be reflecting what the people in the electorate want, and I hear over and over again that people want better outcomes for Caloundra.

My key promise: I hear frustrations about planning failures and lack of infrastructure investment in our area.

Caloundra deserves better and I can promise you I am here to fight to ensure Caloundra doesn’t miss out.

I promise to restore safety to where you live, health services when you need them, respect for your money, housing solutions and a government that works for you.