Revealed: Everything you need to know about new Groom candidate

Here is all you need to know about the newest candidate to set their sights on the Groom electorate at the next Federal election.

Voices of Groom member Suzie Holt. Friday, June 25, 2021. Picture: Nev Madsen.

A former social worker has announced she will be throwing her name in the ring at the next Federal election.

One of the co-founders who established Voices of Groom earlier this year, Suzie Holt has been endorsed by the community group as a candidate for the Groom electorate.

Stepping down as co-founder when the group called for independent candidates to nominate themselves for the endorsement, Ms Holt presented to a group of 50 people, at a public forum last weekend.

Independent candidates Ms Holt and Kirstie Smolenski were given five minutes to answer five predetermined questions raised by group members, before deliberating and ultimately selecting Ms Holt.

Voices of Groom member Suzie Holt. Picture: Nev Madsen.

The mother-of-two daughters who has lived in the region since 1993, said she will apply her experience as a social worker to the role, should she win the votes.

“My heart is in mental health and aged care and those are real issues for the region,” Ms Holt said.

“We have one of the highest rates of suicide and self-harm so I will be looking at the National Mental Health policy for a solution and working alongside the relevant stakeholders to implement recommendations from the royal commission into this region.”

And while she’s new to the world of politics, her family isn’t.

Ms Holt said her mother was a member of the Liberal party in Brisbane, while her grandfather was involved with a political party in the South Burnett.

“The biggest thing my grandfather taught me was people are your business and to never forget it, so I have carried that with me,” she said.

“I would like to listen and engage with the residents of Groom and take all the issues and visions of this community to the floor of Canberra.”

The independent candidate said issues that were at the forefront of her mind included supporting the arts and renewable energy projects, homelessness, aged care, mental health and suicide prevention.

While Voices of Groom members may choose to assist with Ms Holt’s campaign, the group will not be providing funding for any candidate.

She said she will be running as a “true independent candidate” and will not be doing preferential voting.

If you are struggling with mental health, please phone Lifeline on 13 11 14.