Candidates for Mundingburra give updates on early vote campaigning

With just days left until election day, the candidates for Mundingburra are pulling out all the stops at pre-polling, outlining their goals, and keeping a sharp eye on the competition as they enter the final stretch.

State election candidates for Mundingburra at the PCYC early voting booth.

With election day getting closer, Townsville’s political candidates are showing no signs of slowing down as they hand out how-to-vote cards and speak with voters at early voting booths across the city.

Exit polls conducted by the Townsville Bulletin on Tuesday showed of 35 voters asked, 18 voted for the LNP, ten for Labor and seven for the KAP.

Stationed outside PCYC Aitkenvale on Tuesday morning, the candidates for Mundingburra have shared their thoughts as early voting enters its second week.

KAP candidate Michael Pugh said it’s been a big week and a half and that he was “quite confident” leading up to Saturday.

Mundingburra candidates Les Walker, Janelle Poole and Michael Pugh meet with early voters on October 14. Photo: Daniel Shirkie.

“I’m very proud and chuffed at the support that I have been getting down here while pre-polling, particularly around Castle Law and Bush Sentencing,” he said.

“That’s been resonating, and that’s what I’ll be continuing to do in the lead-up to Saturday and on Saturday.”

When asked which party KAP’s biggest competitor was, Mr Pugh said there wasn’t one party in particular.

“Everyone is a competitor to me,” he said.

“I am out there at the moment to take the votes of as many people there that are confident in my messaging and the messaging of the KAP as I can.”

“As far as I’m concerned, we have a failing government here, and that is evident in the feedback on the booth, and we have a weak opposition as well.”

Mundingburra candidates Les Walker and Michael Pugh meet with early voters on October 14. Photo: Daniel Shirkie.

Currently holding the seat of Mundingburra, Les Walker said he has seen a “big shift”.

“I’m always nervous,” he said.

“I’ve done this a few times. There’s been a big shift, the abortion legislation is resonating at the polling booths. There are women coming in to vote and they are displaying their anger, which is a real, serious concern.”

Mr Walker said voters were expressing their concerns over the leader of the LNP.

“Some people here don’t want David Crisafulli,” he said.

“They’ve had him too many times as a deputy mayor, state member, minister for local government.”

“He squibs and worms his way around the coastline because he doesn’t want to be pinned down. He wants to talk about the latest pies, the lamington and some pasta dish that he’s cooking. People want details to policies.”

Mundingburra candidates Les Walker, Janelle Poole and Michael Pugh meet with early voters on October 14. Photo: Daniel Shirkie.

LNP candidate Janelle Poole said the second week of voting was an “exceptionally exciting time”.

“We’ve had a lot of voters come out early, and the vibe is that they want change,” she said.

“The community are hurting out here. The community are talking about crime, they are talking about being victims of crime.”

When asked about LNP’s leading favourably in the polls, Ms Poole said the only poll that mattered was yet to come.

“I pay no attention to polls whatsoever the only poll that matters is the Saturday the 26th of October and I think if you pay attention to the polls, you lose focus.”

Ms Poole stated her focus was on the people voting.

“My focus is on our priorities; crime, health, housing and cost of living,” she said.

“I don’t think about competition. I have a genuine affection for people, I love talking to people and hearing their stories and I just want to help them make their life better.”

Originally published as Candidates for Mundingburra give updates on early vote campaigning