Groom LNP candidates make pitches to local party members in leaked emails
The Chronicle has obtained emails sent from LNP preselection candidates to local party members asking for support. FIND OUT WHAT THEY SAY HERE
Toowoomba
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GROOM LNP preselection candidates have begun to make their pitches to local party members ahead of the internal party vote on October 25.
The Chronicle has obtained email pitches sent by five of the seven candidates to local party members.
GP David van Gend, who has in the past linked children of same-sex families to the stolen generation and said people can just stop being gay, played up his medical qualifications in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and said he would do “what I can to help us recover from another type of sickness”.
“The cultural sickness that has been brought about by the long march of the left through our institutions,” he said.
“This matters, because there’s no point in the LNP controlling the finances of the nation if Labor and the Greens control the minds of our kids.”
Toowoomba Regional Councillor Rebecca Vonhoff’s email pitch included links to a campaign video and a promotional booklet.
“Being elected to public office carries with it the duty to serve, be a voice and represent you and the people of this region,” Cr Vonhoff said.
“I already do this as a councillor on the Toowoomba Regional Council and that’s been the most natural and greatest honour for me as someone who intensely loves the Darling Downs and my country.
“An even greater honour would be to do this at a national level.”
Cr Vonhoff’s promotional booklet also included messages of support from several community members, including former Groom MP Ian Macfarlane, Cr Nancy Sommerfield and CatholicCare CEO Kate Venables.
“Rebecca has the intellect, courage and determination to get positive outcomes for the people of Groom and will make an excellent representative for them in the Australian Parliament,” Mr Macfarlane said in the booklet.
“Being the Member for Groom will place (Rebecca) in the driver’s seat to get results our region needs,” Cr Sommerfield said in the booklet.
“I’m backing Rebecca because I have no doubt in my mind that she will be a robust representative for the people of Groom.”
Cr Vonhoff in the booklet highlighted the need for Inland Rail, greater water security and said she believed “every life is precious” and her Christian faith “determines my positions on social issues that would come before Parliament”.
In his email to party members, farmer Bryce Camm highlighted the need to further access and policy improvement around water security, the need for more infrastructure for Toowoomba such as high-speed rail and upgrades to the Warrego Highway, the need for more investment in high-value manufacturing and AgTech and the need to build resilient communities.
“I know that only the LNP can deliver the policies that create jobs, support regional Australia, keep the nation safe and grow our economy,” Mr Camm said.
“ Our country is facing unprecedented times and we need strong leadership and representation to get us through these times.
“Locally, we are facing our own issues and I want to drive change and promote prosperity for our region.”
Businessman Garth Hamilton wrote about his long links to the party.
“If endorsed as your candidate for Groom, I pledge to represent your values, advance your priorities and respect the views of branch members,” Mr Hamilton said.
“I first joined the LNP nearly 15 years ago and I’ve developed a strong view that the rank and file of our party are its beating heart. I will be your voice in Canberra.”
Despite some concern over eligibility earlier this week, former Wellcamp Airport general manager Sara Hales said in her email all the candidates had “passed the rigours of preselection and been endorsed as eligible and suitable candidates”.
“My family and I are excited about the commitment we are making to Groom,” she said.
“ I’m excited to take everything I’ve learnt in my career so far and apply it to fighting for Groom in Canberra.
“Groom is a powerhouse, and deserves capable representation with a strong track record of success to drive our story home and make sure that our community gets what it needs for the future.”
The Chronicle was unable to obtain pitches from the other two candidates, Elders’ Andrew Meara and race car driver Daniel Cassidy.
The Groom by-election, which was triggered by John McVeigh’s resignation last month, will be held on November 28.