Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called the election for May 21 and with the incumbent Member For Dawson George Christensen stepping down from politics, seven candidates have come forward to vie for his seat.
Two meet and greet events were held in Cannonvale and Bowen this week, giving the aspiring candidates an opportunity to connect with the community and field questions on how they would represent the electorate if successful.
In Bowen State High School’s McKenna Hall on Monday evening, 100 residents attended the Dawson Electorate Meet The Candidate event in the wake of the Prime Minister’s announcement that the Federal Election would be held on May 21.
The aspiring candidates introduced themselves and their key political points. In attendance were Labor candidate Shane Hamilton, Liberal candidate Andrew Willcox, Greens candidate Paula Creen, Independent Phil Batty, United Australia Party candidate Christian Young, Katter Party candidate Ciaron Paterson, and One Nation candidate Julie Hall.
On Tuesday, the candidates also headed to Cannonvale for the same event with a new audience.
Retiring Member for Dawson George Christensen – who was unable to attend in person – gave an opening address via pre-recorded video and said that he hoped the incoming member was “passionate about protecting your freedoms.”
“I hope they will cross the floor to go against their party, even in the face of ostracisation,” Mr Christensen said in his opening address.
Each candidate was given an opportunity to sell themselves and spruik their key party points before pre-selected questions, followed by an opportunity for locals to speak with candidates one on one in a less formal setting.
In Bowen on Monday, Labor candidate Shane Hamilton opened with key infrastructure points for Bowen.
“For me, Bowen has the potential to be an energy superhub: if you think about the deep-water port and the potential to export hydrogen, massive ability to generate wind and solar, and create green hydrogen,” Mr Hamilton said.
He also echoed the sentiments of party leader Anthony Albanese that the realm of aged care was a major one for improvement nationwide.
“We care for people, we much prefer to give them a hand-up than a push down,” he said.
Paula Creen from the Greens followed, letting Bowen know that the Green’s values coincided with her own, and that she understood the task ahead of her.
“I know it’s a tough audience in Dawson, but I have a bit of grit,” she said.
Her major point was the introduction of renewable energy: “We want 100 per cent, publicly owned renewable energy by 2030,” she said.
Liberal candidate Andrew Willcox took to the stage next, mentioning his experiences as a third-generation farmer, a successful business owner, and current Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor.
He said – if he were to be successful – the creation of jobs and infrastructure would be his main concerns, making particular note of the Liberals commitment to Urannah Dam.
“This is not an election promise, it’s locked into the budget and building Urannah Dam will create thousands of jobs during the construction, and many more in its lifetime,” he said.
The only independent in the running, Phil Batty followed Mr Willcox.
“Do I think I stand a chance to win? No,” Mr Batty said.
Mr Batty said 94 per cent of people want more influence in local development, and he was running with the goal of bringing the plight of the organisation ‘Save our Foreshore’ to a wider audience.
Christian Young from the United Australia Party spoke on the Covid vaccination mandates and that his party would move to have all workers reinstated regardless of their vaccination status – as well as highlighting the need for more specialised doctors in the regions.
Ciaron Paterson of the Katter Party said that a vote for him in a minor party was to keep the “bastards” honest – in apparent reference to the major parties.
“We have a great success in lobbying for our constituents, such as the Hells Gate Dam,” he said.
One Nation candidate Julie Hall followed, and spoke on vaccine mandates, saying that her party would first and foremost organise a Royal Commission into the handling of the pandemic.
“While some of the mandates are being removed from the 14th, this is not good enough,” she said.
The questions that followed the 10-minute speeches given by each candidate were on topics chosen by those in the electorate: climate change, mining, mandates, and the digital identity bill.
In the next few weeks, the campaign trail will heat up for each of the candidates, with the nights in Bowen and Cannonvale just a snippet of election fever.
