APPLES FOR APPLES

Question 1:

Dawson's economy relies heavily on industries like agriculture and mining - how will you ensure long-term economic stability for Dawson's future generations?

Question 2:

Many young people in Dawson are looking for opportunities to stay and work locally. What will you do to ensure young people thrive without having to leave the region?

Question 3:

With housing affordability becoming an increasing issue in regional areas like Dawson, what is your plan?

Question 4:

What specific policies will you introduce to improve healthcare infrastructure and ensure all residents of Dawson, regardless of location, have equal access to timely and high-quality care?

Question 5:

What concrete steps will you take to improve local roads and connectivity, ensuring easier access to services, employment, and broader economic opportunities?

Andrew Willcox
LNP Candidate For Dawson

Question 1:

I back our local farmers, fishers, mine workers, and tourism operators. The Coalition believes in sustainable growth, through practical conservation and backing industry to make the calls they need to grow. We will cut the excessive red and green tape to get investment up and job growth moving in the right direction, while protecting prime agricultural land and our pristine natural landscapes. Labor has turned its back on miners and farmers. Under the Coalition, regional industries will have the support they need to thrive responsibly, ensuring long-term economic growth that benefits every corner of our community.

Question 2:

To keep young people in Dawson and get Australia back on track, we need real skills, real jobs, and a government that backs both. The Coalition has a plan to get more Australians into training, with a target of 400,000 new apprenticeships and traineeships, $260 million for new Australian technical colleges, and wage support for apprentices and trainees. Labor has neglected regional training, and failed to deliver opportunity in places like Dawson. Only the Coalition has a clear plan to build a stronger economy with a skilled workforce, giving our young people every reason to stay, work, and thrive locally.

Question 3:

Costs of everything is going up and housing affordability is one of the biggest concerns people in Dawson raise with me. The aspiration of homeownership should be within reach for all Australians, but under Labor, it’s become harder than ever. Their disastrous policy has failed to build a single home in two years. Combined with uncontrolled migration, rents are soaring, and homeownership is slipping further away. The Coalition’s plan is clear: cut red tape, boost supply, and ban foreign ownership. We will free up over 100,000 homes in five years and unlock up to 500,000 more through infrastructure investment.

Question 4:

Our plan will bring more GPs, specialists, and nurses to Dawson through regionally targeted incentives and training opportunities for medical professionals to live, work and stay in regional Australia. Under Labor, bulk billing rates have dropped from 88% to 77%, with even worse outcomes in regional areas. The Coalition cares about your health. We’re committing $9 billion to strengthen Medicare, doubling bulk-billed mental health sessions from 10 to 20 with $500 million invested into mental health support. We’ll also increase hospital funding, invest in cancer treatments, medical research, and women’s health. Access to healthcare should never be a luxury, it’s a right.

Question 5:

A Coalition government will prioritise vital transport infrastructure to improve access in Dawson. My number one priority is fixing the Bruce Highway. As a fierce campaigner, I’ve championed my 'Back Our Bruce' campaign. A Coalition will deliver on funding promises with more overtaking lanes, widened sections, and proper resurfacing, not patch jobs. Flood mitigation of Goorganga Plains will ensure the Whitsunday Airport stays open and accessible. Backing me means backing the Bruce. A Dutton/Littleproud government will also establish a $20 billion Regional Future Fund to guarantee regional Australia gets its fair share for essential transport projects, improving access, creating jobs, and driving economic growth.

Neil Wallace
Labor Candidate For Dawson

Question 1:

The future of economic development in the Whitsunday region must be grounded in strengthening our existing, world-class industries. Nowhere is this more critical than in tourism—our region’s crown jewel—where protecting the Great Barrier Reef is essential. The Labor Government has already invested $1.2 billion in reef protection, and I am committed to continuing and expanding that investment. I also strongly support the transformation of our local sugar cane industry through innovation—developing biofuels such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), as well as high-value food products like egg white and powdered milk derived from sugar.

Question 2:

I understand that we need to continue to create local jobs and opportunities that keep young people in our region. So far more than 1 million jobs have been created under the Albanese Labor Government. Free TAFE has also been a great opportunity for people to get the chance to undertake a course or study that will set them up for a well-paid job. Labor is making free TAFE permanent for Australians to help them gain skills and get ahead.
We have also delivered real wage increases for Australian workers.

Question 3:

Housing is a serious issue that needs addressing. I am open to seeing a range of options put forward to address housing and boost supply. I want to see local, state, and federal governments working together to seriously tackle this issue. Here’s some of what we are doing: From 1 April 2025, we’ve introduced a 2-year ban on foreign residents buying existing properties. Labor will introduce 5% deposits for all first home buyers with no need for lenders mortgage insurance and 100,000 homes will be built exclusively for first home buyers to purchase.

Question 4:

In its first term, the Albanese Labor Government tripled the bulk billing incentive for people who need to see their GP most often - pensioners, concession cardholders, and children - creating an additional 6 million bulk billed GP visits. A re-elected Albanese Government will go further, delivering an additional 18 million bulk billed GP visits every year so Australians can see a bulk billing GP. We will also deliver the Mackay Urgent Care Clinic which will be open for extended hours, treating non-life threatening conditions. This will take pressure off our busy hospital and give more locals free healthcare, close to home.

Question 5:

My biggest priority for transport is the Bruce Highway. Labor has committed an additional $7.2 billion, a record amount, to upgrade and fix the Bruce Highway to bring it up to a minimum three-star safety rating. My top priority is to fix the Goorganga Plains section—widely regarded as the most crucial infrastructure upgrade for the Whitsunday region. This section directly affects all our major industries. I will advocate for additional Commonwealth funding to improve key regional routes, including the Whitsunday Airport connector and the Hamilton Plains section of Strathdickie Road, despite their classification as state roads.

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