Paula Creen Returns For The Greens

The Queensland Greens have announced Paula Creen as their candidate for Dawson in the upcoming federal election, marking her second run at the seat after securing a 2.7 per cent swing to the Greens in 2022.

Ms Creen, who was raised and educated in Mackay, has lived in the region for 22 years and worked as a designer and drafter in the local building industry for 28 years. She is a dedicated volunteer with the Mackay Conservation Group, Whitsunday Conservation Council, and local disability support groups. She also spent 12 years rescuing stranded boaties as a volunteer with the Mackay SES and Volunteer Marine Rescue.

She said she is standing again to offer an alternative to the major parties, which she believes have failed to address cost-of-living pressures, housing affordability, and climate change.

“The people in our community are in the grip of a cost-of-living crisis, with soaring house and grocery prices, diminishing local job opportunities, and a climate emergency which is worsening every day,” Ms Creen said.

“The major parties have failed our community because they are too beholden to the corporate donors who fund their campaigns.

“We will make big corporations pay their fair share in tax so we can fund dental and mental health into Medicare and make GP visits free.

“We will make supermarket price gouging illegal, cap rent increases, regulate banks to deliver low-rate mortgages, and scrap tax handouts for wealthy property investors.

“We will take strong action on climate change by stopping new coal and gas projects and investing in renewables to create long-term jobs in clean energy.”

Ms Creen said support for the Greens was growing in the region, with more volunteers joining the local branch.

“Voters realise that not much changes no matter which major party is in government. To see real change, they have to do something different,” she said.

“People are comparing policies for themselves and like what the Greens are offering.”

Ms Creen said her advocacy stemmed from a commitment to community.

“I enjoy learning new skills and contributing to my community, and I do that through voluntary roles in different organisations,” she said.

“I’m proud to stand with the Greens because their policies align with my values. While the LNP and ALP write policies that allow big corporations to make eye-watering profits at our expense, the Greens reject all corporate donations.

“Our policies are written to benefit the community.”

She also called for stronger environmental protections and economic diversification.

“We need stronger environmental laws, real consequences for breaking them, and proper studies on how projects impact residents and the environment—whether they are mines, renewables, or property developments,” she said.

“Our farmers, tour operators, and ecology must come before corporate profit.”

Ms Creen sees tackling plastic pollution as an economic opportunity for the region.

“I’d like to see our farmers growing hemp for building materials, clothing, and alternatives to plastic,” she said.

“Hemp doesn’t need pesticides, so our reef and marine life could recover, benefiting tourism and fishing as well.”

“It’s also high time to legalise cannabis.”

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Paula Creen has been named as the Greens candidate for Dawson, aiming to tackle cost-of-living pressures, housing affordability, and environmental protection in the upcoming federal election. Photo supplied

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