THE YEAR THAT WAS

OPINION PIECE
As 2024 draws to an end the Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox reflects on the year that was, somewhat pleased with what he has achieved over the past 12 months, and knowing more needs to be done, is looking forward to 2025, where he says he will be working to be rid of Labor when the election takes place.
Despite being in opposition, Mr Willcox has been focused on improving the lives of residents, community organisations and businesses for generations to come in his large electorate.
“Why do I do this?
“To grow a stronger future for generations to come, to make the electorate a better place for my people to live. My goal is to be in government, have access to the treasury and get more things done,” Mr. Willcox said.
Mr. Willcox says he is a member for the entire electorate. He doesn’t take his role for granted with his strong presence both across the region from Mackay to Townsville. When the Member is not down in Canberra at Parliament he spends his time on the road clocking up over 60,000 km a year meeting with constituents and holding pop-up mobile office stalls and can be regularly found in shopping centres like Canelands Central Mackay or Fairfield Central Shopping Centre in Townsville.
“There’s nothing more powerful than speaking directly with the people, then taking those wishes and comments to Parliament. When questioned, I know exactly what I am saying is correct, as it has come straight from my constituents, you can’t argue with that.”
The community has shown great support for the work the member for Dawon does each day raising concerns about the current state of the Bruce Highway, the cost-of-living crisis and the plagued telecommunication network, just to name a few. Each year Mr Willcox’s team in the Mackay office helps take calls about NDIS, Aged Care, Immigration and other issues as well as processing applications for grants.
Mr Willcox said sometimes it was the little wins like when the 2023/24 Volunteers Grant was awarded to a local Meals On Wheels.
“These are the things that make my job worthwhile. Meals on Wheels is an amazing organisation and for them to receive even just a small amount of funding goes a long way.”
It’s been no surprise that the current state of the Bruce Highway has been high on the Federal Member’s mind, he describes it as a “congo line of potholes” and thanks to Labor's callous decision to pull funding from 80:20 split with the State Government to 50:50, no improvement will be forthcoming anytime soon.
Recently in Canberra during the final sitting week Mr Willcox met with the Honourable Peter Dutton and Nationals Leader David Littleproud who confirmed if elected into government, they will restore the funding back to the 80:20 arrangement. Mr Willcox was instrumental in starting the “Back Our Bruce” petition which has received more than a thousand signatures so far and will be tabled to the Federal Transport Minister Catherine King.
During his time in the nation’s capital, he spoke against the Misinformation Bill which was rejected by the Coalition. Each year several rallies happen, and Mr Willcox spoke at the fight against the banning of gillnet fishing and attended a rally to support farmers.
Moving forward to 2025 Mr Willcox will continue to fight for an improved Bruce Highway where he hopes common sense prevails to bring the highway up to a safe standard like other states have.
The Federal Election will be called sometime in early 2025 and the Federal Member for Dawson is looking forward to serving the region of Dawson from the north to south in the new year.

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