With the Federal Election looming in just a few short weeks, things are getting interesting as 45 per cent of voters still think Morrison would make a better PM than Albanese (37 per cent) yet Labor has maintained it 53 to 47 per cent lead over the Coalition on a two party preferred basis.
Locally, the seven candidates have been working hard with Andrew Willcox starting to look the favourite including a stroke of luck nabbing first place on the ticket. Remember, on the House of Representatives Green ballot paper you must number every box in order of your preferences and same with the Senate white ballot paper – although this can be in one of two ways, above or below the line on the form.
This election is a full preferential election. To win the seat, a candidate needs to get 50 per cent of the vote. How this is achieved is by eliminating the candidate with the least votes and distributing their voter’s second choice votes (and so on) until we have a winner. The point of the system is to elect the most preferred candidate rather than the one with the simple majority. Which is why parties distribute "how to vote cards" so they can influence to which party the second votes (preferences) go.
Now is the time to pay attention to what your local candidates are saying and doing - you need to decide who will represent the Whitsunday region the best.
On Friday, three Chamber committee members met with Minister Di Farmer (Employment, Small Business, Training and Skills Development) and spent an hour detailing the concerns and possible solutions to the major issues facing Whitsunday Businesses. Not surprisingly, these included, staff shortages, lack of housing availability, red tape and compliance costs, road and access issues locally.
On Saturday the Minister announced mental health packages available to small business to help combat the fastest growing concern in the sector. Also available from May 4 is Round 3 of the State government's Business Basic grants of up to $5000. Visit www.business.qld.gov.au for details
The next Chamber event will be on Thursday, May 12, 6pm at Mantra Club Croc. Join us for networking and presentations with Regional Development Australia (MIW) CEO, Rob Cocco and WRC Economic Development Manager, Gary Warrener, covering the newly released Regional Development Roadmap and Economic Development in the Whitsundays. Book online with local tickets.
