Candidates Address Key Issues At Chamber Debate

At the Mackay Regional Chamber of Commerce 'Meet the Candidates' night, local candidates presented their policies in a lively debate. Held last Thursday at Ocean International, the event brought together contenders from various parties, each vying for what's best for the region ahead of the upcoming election.
The main topics of discussion were housing, infrastructure, crime, and regional development.
Here's how each candidate addressed these pressing issues:
Housing
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Belinda Hassan (Labor) mentioned plans for modular homes, expected to be available before Christmas, and announced a $1 million investment in Chances House to tackle homelessness.
“We have a housing action plan for Queensland…we are in the process of seven one-bedroom units in Mackay and 27 modular homes for the Mackay region.”
“There will be 79 social houses built right across the region and we are also committed to supporting Chances House for $1 million … we’ve also announced two new rent connect officers so that will help keep people in the existing property they’re living in or help them to secure a new one.”
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Amanda Camm (LNP) stressed the importance of building new homes rather than purchasing existing properties and highlighted their commitment to wipe stamp duty for young buyers, making it easier for first-time homebuyers to enter the market.
“We are going to wipe stamp duty for young buyers who want to purchase a home”
“We will also build new houses…and invest in up to two billion dollars of infrastructure for local governments and the development industry in this region where one billion dollars of that will be allocated to rural and regional Queensland.”
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Paula Creen (Greens) stated that her party plans to fund additional housing by, “Taxing big corporations and billionaires fairly.”
Creen boldly stated that, “Greens plans to build more houses than any other parties have offered.”
She also proposed a cap on rent prices, a two-year rent freeze, and wage increases to ease the burden on renters.
Julie Hall, Kylee Stanton and Brettlyn Neal (One Nation) advocated for opening up state land to build more housing.
Kylee Stanton said, “We will be looking to open up state land and build more housing.

“We need to work with our local council in order to do that and make it a number one priority.”
Infrastructure
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Nigel Dalton (LNP) noted that road infrastructure, particularly flooding issues, requires urgent attention. He also noted the LNP’s recent sporting fund which will benefit the youth as well as boost the regions sporting opportunities.
Nigel stated that, “When it floods, we have many flood issues on our roads, so these are things that need to be sorted out.
“We also announced a fund for nine different sporting organisations so this is a great investment for our youth and great for things like the Olympics coming up in 2032.”
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Amanda Camm (LNP) emphasised her commitment to ensuring real-time data in healthcare and giving doctors and nurses control over decisions.
“We have made a commitment around health that put nurses and doctors back in charge”
Paula Creen (Greens) called for frequent and free public transport in the region to address infrastructure issues and ensure that residents have accessible and sustainable transport options.
Creen said, “We believe in frequent, free transport” and “fully funding public schools to get them up to the national standard is critical.”
Brettlyn Neal, Julie Hall, and Kylee Stanton (One Nation) criticised the Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro Project, arguing that such renewable energy projects would lead to rising electricity and fuel prices.
“The rate at which these parties are trying to install these are pushing power prices up and this is now in-tern causing this cost-of-living crisis, or majority of it.”
Crime
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Amanda Camm and Nigel Dalton (LNP) took a strong stance on youth crime, advocating for adult time for adult crime.
Camm said that LNP were committed to “Adult time adult crime with consequences for youth crime… and detention and early intervention.”
“We will make those laws by Christmas”
Brettlyn Neal, Julie Hall, and Kylee Stanton (One Nation) proposed similar consequences, such as, “Early intervention programs, including boot camp rehabilitation, to help youths reform their behaviours.”
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Belinda Hassan (Labor) argued that, “Crime prevention programs are already in place,” but acknowledged that ongoing efforts are needed to maintain safety in the community.
Regional Development
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Belinda Hassan (Labor) highlighted the importance of supporting the Resource Centre of Excellence, as well as funding a satellite hospital to reduce emergency departments as well as potentially introducing a multi-story carpark.
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Stephen Andrew (Katter’s Australian Party) emphasised the importance of supporting Queensland families and family land sharing. He proposed reducing stamp duties to make homeownership more affordable and called for an assessment of Queensland’s debt.
Andrew said, “It’s more than what we want, and more about what we have to work with.
“How about we support the people that support Queensland…so we can get the best outcomes for Queensland”
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Ben Gauci (Legalise Cannabis Queensland) advocated for economic diversification through the hemp industry, which he argued could be worth $5 billion.
“It’s not all about getting high…the hemp is a potential five-billion-dollar industry that is ignored by the major parties.
“We allow people to take the euthanasia out but won’t allow people to grow a couple of plants… what’s wrong with that picture.”
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Julie Hall (One Nation) spoke about the need to represent the community’s interests and said, “We have the ability to do what’s best for our community.”
Brettlyn Neal added that, “Net zero in immigration would be a good start in bringing down our homeless crisis so look after Australians before you look after those overseas.”
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Paula Creen (Greens) expressed frustration with the current system, arguing that the region’s resources are not benefiting local residents.
“We plan to fund our policies through taxing big co-operations and billionaires fairly… the top 10 mining companies in Queensland pay no cooperate tax… these are our resources that we’re not getting any money for.
“It’s our recourses and it’s meant to be for our region.”

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