Five of the six candidates in the running to be the next mayor of Whitsunday Regional Council spoke to the community and answered their questions on Monday, July 25.
The Whitsunday Coast Chamber Of Commerce’s Meet The Candidates event was the first of two in the region, allowing locals a first-chance opportunity to scrutinize the potential politicians.
Mayoral candidates Michael Brunker, Philip Batty, Peter J Hood, Jan Clifford, and Julie Hall attended the event, with Al Grundy an apology on the day.
Initially the candidates were given three minutes each to introduce themselves, their experience, and their ideas for the region, before being asked a series of supplied questions from Whitsunday residents.
The event also coincided with the official nomination deadline day set by Electoral Commission Queensland, which was met by 12pm, and followed by an official ballot paper order draw.
The candidates in ballot paper order are: Michael Brunker, Jan Clifford, Al Grundy, Peter J Hood, Philip Batty, and Julie Hall.
Electoral Commissioner Pat Vidgen said there are plenty of voting options for the more than 23,600 enrolled voters in the Whitsunday council region.
“If they can’t vote in person there’s still time to apply for a postal vote, and telephone voting is available to people who meet certain criteria, including having to isolate because of COVID-19.”
Early voting polling booths are open 9am-5pm daily from 1 to 11 August 2022 (excluding weekends) and 9am-6pm on 12 August 2022 at the following locations:
•Bowen PCYC, corner Hay St & Queens Rd, Bowen
•Whitsunday Shopping Centre, shop 150/226 Shute Harbour Rd, Cannonvale
•Collinsville Community Centre,11 Conway Street, Collinsville
•Proserpine Whitsunday Freemason Lodge, 29 Chapman St, Proserpine
The Collinsville voting centre will open from 1-5pm on 8-11 August 2022 and 1-6pm on 12 August 2022.
On election day on 13 August 2022 there will be five polling booths.
Postal vote applications are open until 7pm on 1 August 2022. You can apply online via the ECQ website or phone the ECQ on 1300 881 665.
Telephone voting registrations are open 9am on 1 August 2022 until 12pm on 13 August 2022 and people can vote by phone up until 6pm on election day.
Further details on the Whitsunday mayoral by-election can be found on the ECQ website.
Four of six Whitsunday Mayoral candidates attended the ballot paper order draw on Monday, Julie Hall, Jan Clifford, Philip Batty, and Peter J Hood
Candidate Michael Brunker at the Whitsunday Coast Chamber of Commerce Meet The Candidates event
The event was well attended, with roughly 70 filling out the Reef Gateway function room
Candidate Jan Clifford speaking at the Meet The Candidates Event
Candidates Philip Batty and Peter J Hood
