WITH THE Queensland State Election just around the corner, the candidates have been ‘put to the test’ on key issues impacting the Whitsundays.
Five candidates have nominated for the seat of Whitsunday: Peter Atchison, Family First Party, Amanda Camm, Liberal National Party of Queensland, Julie Hall, One Nation Queensland, Bauke Hovinga, Queensland Labor and Elena Quirk, Queensland Greens.
The Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry invited the candidates to formally respond to four questions, ahead of going to the polls, on Saturday, October 26, 2024.
“This year’s Queensland state election allows the Whitsunday business community to support policy that focuses on improving the region’s critical public services, such as health, education, transport, housing, and law enforcement,” chamber president Allan Milostic said.
“There are a number of region-specific priorities the Whitsundays business community calls upon the new government to urgently address.”
Bauke Hovinga (Queensland Labor) had not responded to the questions at the time of publishing this story, and Elena Quirk, Queensland Greens, had not yet nominated, when the chamber sent out the questions. The Whitsunday News will approach both candidates with the same questions.
The following responses are exactly as they were received from the candidates.
QUESTION 1
Please present your business credentials and experience, outline why you are the best candidate for the Whitsunday business community, and state your top three economic or business priorities for the region.
Peter Atchison (Family First Party):
I am a self-employed carpenter who works in the Rockhampton area. My background started as a landscaper in my younger years then I obtained my Certificate III in Carpentry approximately 12 years ago.
I have been involved in a number of aid organisations working voluntarily in places like Fiji, Chile, Timor Leste, West Timor, Elcho Island and Central Queensland. In 2014 my wife and I moved to Elcho Island to work for an Aboriginal Organisation. I was the Housing Construction Manager.
Due to this experience, I was able to obtain several positions working in remote places like Manangrida, Ramingining, Borollola and Nhulunbuy dealing with the needs of local families who live in some of the worst conditions I have witnessed.
I really understand small business as I have owned two large retail shops that went through some good times and the global financial crisis which wiped out one of our outlets and left the other floundering. It cost a significant amount of money which took us five years to pay back. That’s when I went back to contracting, working hard and long hours and bettering my education.
After spending 2.5 years on Elcho Island my wife and I decided to move to Rockhampton. Not being a local I found it very difficult to get work which is the reason I worked in communities all through the Top End.
I really understand the difficulties ordinary people face when they have a dream and step out only to find things can be very different. So I would stand with small business to assist them in whatever manner I could.
Presently I don’t live in the Whitsunday area but I would be more than happy to relocate to the area if by a miracle I was elected to represent the electorate.
Amanda Camm (Liberal National Party):
I believe in the past four years I have demonstrated my understanding of our business community. From engaging with the Chamber and welcoming their vision and advocacy and by engaging small business owners and recognising the priorities for the region — attracting and retaining a skilled workforce, housing availability and affordability, and rising costs including inputs, consumables and in particularly insurance.
My work life prior to being elected in 2020 was diverse with roles across many industries and also as a former primary producer. I value the efforts and challenges faced by small business.
Our business community is underpinned by the major sectors of mining and resources, tourism, agriculture and the service industry.
While our region is diverse we also feel the impacts of global commodity and international exchange rates. The impact of southern migration has been both an opportunity and a challenge.
Our region has lacked a quality standard of social and economic infrastructure to support our growing community and my focus is on these practical deliverables.
Supporting Local Government and the development industry with funding for trunk infrastructure to bring forward housing supply, ensuring major road projects are delivered and increasing investment in social infrastructure including our local hospital, boat ramps and sporting facilitates to improve liveability and enhance workforce attraction and private investment.
While industry specific workforce visas and insurance are Federal issues – I believe as the State Member I have facilitated and advocated where a possible on these issues and proactively work with our Federal Member for Dawson.
Julie Hall (One Nation Queensland):
Previously the people’s Mayor of the Whitsunday Regional Council and small business owner since 2016. I have demonstrated my commitment to showing up for my community and representing the Whitsunday people first and foremost.
I am very passionate about ensuring the people have a say in the direction of their town and community in a time when public consultation is being eroded by all levels of government.
Being a small business owner I know the challenges business are facing – red tape, rising costs, including energy and insurance – challenging many small businesses to remain sustainable.
Whilst the major parties will tell you a vote for a minor party is wasted because we are not likely to form Government, this is completely untrue.
We don’t have an upper house in Queensland, we are the only state/territory not to have one. That means there are no checks and balances to legislation being pushed through by the government of the day.
The power of the people lies in having a strong cross bench of minor parties to ensure balance and accountability.
We need good fiscal policy and accountability. In the history of Queensland parliament the budget has never been audited, neither has public and private partnerships.
As business owners we are expected to pay taxes and show our books. It is time the Queensland government were accountable to taxpayers, that’s what I stand for.
Affordable housing for worker attraction and retention is a priority to support our business community, with the biggest challenges being water and sewer infrastructure.
If we are serious about delivering new homes then funding for this infrastructure will help smaller regional centres gain developer confidence and attract much needed housing development.
Our policies are commonsense policies that offer solutions. You will find our policies on the Queensland One Nation website.
QUESTION 2
What action will candidates commit to urgently improve Whitsunday road infrastructure?
Peter Atchison (Family First Party):
Road infrastructure is a passion of mine as I enjoy Civil Construction and understand its importance. I have for a number of years complained to those around me about the appalling condition of the Bruce Highway, just one month ago my good friend lost his 21-year-old son in a collision with a fully laden Ammonium Nitrate truck, killing him instantly.
His funeral was very sad as Max was an identical twin and his father, Anthoney his best mate. I would make it my absolute top priority to lobby for funding to repair the road infrastructure in the Whitsunday area as road safety and logistics is such an important part of our daily lives.
Amanda Camm (Liberal National Party):
It is critical to our region that the Bruce Highway investment from the Federal Government is returned to a 80/20 split and that the Bruce Highway is prioritised.
The LNP will re-establish the Bruce Highway Advisory Council and prioritise upgrades and maintenance based on need and safety. Hamilton Plains remains a top priority; this project was fully funded and commenced the tender process and then was halted by the current Labor Government. This road upgrade is vital for the community, business and tourism sectors to have safe all-weather access from Airlie Beach to Proserpine.
This road needs to commence and will if the LNP is elected. Shute Harbour Road has started, stopped and stalled creating major congestion with impacts on small business and commuter and school traffic.
Similarly, this project secured Federal and State funding and should have been far more progressed.
The LNP will ensure clear and transparent communication and consultation which has been lacking under the current Labor Government and a disregard for Local Council and the business community’s view and has been highlighted by many of the businesses impacted in these past few years, particularly at Paluma Road Intersection.
Julie Hall (One Nation Queensland):
As the previous Mayor, I know first-hand how hard it is to get a solid commitment to fix the region’s roads. Hamilton Plains should be a priority.
It did receive funding commitments from the Federal and State Governments but by the time the State went to tender the costs had blown out and the allocated funding was not enough. This is one road I will commit too given the flood risks that cut off access to the Proserpine hospital.
I also commit to working towards at least starting parts of the Bruce Highway especially Goorganga Plains that closes the highway and access to the Proserpine airport when flooded. It’s embarrassing that visitors and tourists see this road as their welcome to the Whitsundays.
As Whitsunday Disaster Management Group chair, I had 17 people stranded on the Bruce Highway who needed rescuing after being cut off by floodwaters in January 2023. This road is a safety risk and a priority.
We need to think outside of the box and come together government, business and community and send a combined message to Southeast Queensland to let them know we are not putting up with this any longer, we want our share.
QUESTION 3
Can you advise what actions you are aware of, or willing to take, to prioritise business insurance accessibility and affordability for North Queensland?
Peter Atchison (Family First Party):
I really do understand that insurance is crippling small business. I have had to reorganise my insurances as they have dramatically increased this year.
It is an issue I would take up on behalf of the businesses in the electorate and I would explore every avenue I could to assist them.
Amanda Camm (Liberal National Party):
The LNP will re-instate the Queensland Productivity Commission which will consider many issues facing Small Business. The Federal Government reinsurance pool has not been implemented in the way that can support greater insurance options for business and has neglected the marine industry.
I commit to strong advocacy with both a Queensland LNP led Government as well as engagement with industry and insurance council.
I have demonstrated by commitment to unique challenges facing our community through my leadership in instigating the QLD Parliamentary Inquiry into Queensland Island Resort Developments which developed significant recommendations to be implemented.
Julie Hall (One Nation Queensland):
Absolutely it was an issue that I proposed to the Council of Mayors as something we should be advocating for in the region. Strata insurance and business insurance is killing small business and insuring strata title units has become unaffordable.
I honestly don’t have the solution as this is a complex issue that needs government and private enterprise working together. Maybe a government backed insurance scheme for developed to offer a long-term sustainable solution for small business.
QUESTION 4
Specifically, what are your plans for the Whitsundays? What community initiatives will you support, and are you willing to advocate local issues contrary to your Party’s policy position?
Peter Atchison (Family First Party):
I believe we are in desperate need of change. I am a Tradie that put up his hand to try and help a community of fellow Queenslanders. I have had enough of the major parties who concentrate only in the southeast corner of this wonderful State because that’s where most voters live.
The rest of Queensland matters, we are people also that need assistance with local issues. I make a very sincere promise that I will advocate for the people of the Whitsunday electorate. Vote for Family First and send a positive message to the major parties that enough is enough.
Amanda Camm (Liberal National Party):
Regions and in particular regional Queensland have been forgotten by the current State Labor Government and that is because they hold majority of seats in South-East Queensland.
The LNP is committed to gaining seats across the entire State with strong representation across North and Central Queensland.
My approach as the local member for the past four years has been a proactive and collaborative one; committed to working with both Local and Federal Government elected members no matter their political persuasion and I commit to continuing this.
The greater our region can align with priorities the stronger position we are in to attract funding and deliver priority projects and reforms that reduce the cost impost and red tape burden on small business and industry.
Our region is at risk to minor party representation who cannot deliver from a cross bench. Having a strong local member who is part of the Senior Leadership team if the LNP is successful will elevate our region’s profile, advocacy and representation to ensure we have a voice on all major decisions of policy, infrastructure and legislative reform.
Julie Hall (One Nation Queensland):
You are absolutely correct, politics has become more about what government want rather than what the people in the community want and this was one of the reasons I stood for politics in the first place.
Being a One Nation candidate I have the ability to represent my community first and foremost. I don’t need to tow a political party line.
I work for the people I represent and until we have that strong cross bench, which is very possible with the likelihood of a minority government this election, we will be bowing to top heavy political pressure wielded by the major parties at the detriment to our region and small businesses.
I know the power of giving the community a voice and actually listening, it has always been my priority. But until you have accountability to the community and people back on the floor of parliament we will continue to get what we have been getting.
I have got the guts to say what everyone is thinking and call it out and stand strong for my community and in state government I will be able to do just that.
NOTE: The Whitsunday Electorate, at State level, includes Airlie Beach, Cannonvale and Proserpine and surrounding areas.
Bowen, Collinsville and Scottville come under the Burdekin electorate, at State level, which has different candidates, to whom the Whitsunday News newspaper will be sending similar questions.
