The 2022 Australian federal election is set to be held on 21 May 2022.
In the electorate of Maranoa, there are seven candidates running.
The electorate of Maranoa is one of the largest in the country, spanning from Warwick to the western border of Queensland and up to Winton and Longreach.
We’ve called out to all the candidates to tell us a bit about themselves and their policies.
David Littleproud, Liberal National Party
I’ve lived my whole life in Maranoa and was born and raised in Chinchilla.
Over the past 20 years, I’ve owned a small business in Warwick and forged a career in agribusiness while living and working in towns such as Miles, Nanango, Charleville, St George, Stanthorpe and Warwick.
This background provides me with an acute understanding of the important role small business and agriculture plays in creating jobs and promoting economic growth in Maranoa.
I understand the importance of a strong economy, because it means we can build a prosperous future for younger generations and develop the capacity of our health, education, agriculture, telecommunications and small business sectors.
Maranoa represents 43 per cent of rural and remote Queensland with thriving communities and vibrant regions. I will keep fighting for our fair share to ensure we ease cost of living pressures, build safer and better roads, increase access to education opportunities and provide better health support and aged care.
To build a stronger future, we must:
• Deliver lower taxes for workers and small businesses.
• Continue to make record investments in health, education, agriculture and infrastructure.
• Continue delivering a stronger defence force and maintain our strong border protection policies.
*Malcolm J Richardson, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party
Malcolm Richardson is the State Leader and Secretary of the Shooters, Farmers and Fishers Party. A chef by trade, he was also the party’s candidate for the seat of Maranoa at the 2022 state election and 2019 federal election. He lives at Wattle Ridge, near Millmerran. Mr Richardson campaigns on his belief that “at our most basic core, Australians deserve and demand the rights to defend themselves, their family and their property.”
*Dave Kerrigan, Australian Labor Party
Kerrigan was born in Longreach and has lived in Barcaldine for over 40 years. After leaving school he worked in the shearing industry for many years before starting work with Queensland Health. Kerrigan has held many roles, including an Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Councillor, and is currently an Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Co-ordinator as part of a Mental Health team. Kerrigan was the Labor candidate for this seat at the 2016 election, and for the local state seat of Gregory in 2017 and 2020.
Nathan McDonald, United Australia Party
Nathan McDonald is running as the United Australia Party candidate for Maranoa in the federal election. Goondiwindi born and bred, he was raised on his family’s beef and grain properties in the Billa Billa district north of his home town. McDonald studied education in Brisbane and worked as a teacher for several years before moving into school leadership. He has led two school communities as Principal in the last 10 years, most recently at Chinchilla Christian College which has grown significantly over the last five years.
McDonald was a member of the LNP until he become disillusioned with the party last year. He joined the United Australia Party and decided to run as its candidate as its policies will help to restore our freedoms and put Australia first. McDonald believes we need to have an Australian Bill of Rights to protect our freedom of speech, religion with health choices, etc. Having a Bill of Rights introduced is a key policy of the UAP, which will see an end to mandates. Another key policy is zonal taxation, which will provide a 20 per cent tax concession to individuals and businesses 200 kms or more from a capital city. This will help decentralise Australia and encourage investment and growth in our regional areas. Ultimately, this will put money back in the pockets of those living in Maranoa.
Ellisa Parker, The Greens
My name is Ellisa Parker. I’m a mother, house builder and social advocate.
I studied at the Australian Agricultural College and have worked in conservation and land management, horticulture, farming, and forestry. I also volunteer in community outreach, including for the multi-faith Australian Religious Response to Climate Change working group and I am developing Al-Manni Foundation’s support for women healing from trauma.
In 2021 I founded the Darling Downs Affordable Housing Association to advocate for more sustainable and affordable housing in our regions. The Greens have a fully-costed plan to end homelessness by building a million quality, affordable homes over the next 20 years, capping rent increases and banning no-grounds evictions.
By making billionaires and big corporations finally pay their fair share of tax, we can also deliver free childcare, bring dental and mental health into Medicare, and create tens of thousands of good jobs tackling climate change, including in renewable energy, green manufacturing and mineral processing.
My vision for Maranoa is clean air and water, healthy soils and resilient rural communities. This election is our chance to vote for that vision, and work together to achieve it.
Mike Kelly, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation
As a 53 year old former businessman, Mike Kelly is the only Maranoa candidate driving the entire electorate to meet the people and find out about the local industry and issues.
“This matters because actions speak louder than words and considering the size of the electorate, you can’t fake this level of commitment. You’re either serious about representing the area or you’re not” stated Mike. “This means you have to know your turf. I’m building relationships and identifying issues that can’t be done with Google”.
Mike has had extensive experience building businesses, fixing broken businesses, buying and selling houses and being an industry leader in various fields. Mike’s management roles have included being the national general manager of a real estate franchise, Chairman of the School Board where his children attended and Mike has led multiple community campaigns.
“My prior successful real estate and business experience will be invaluable in this role as we tackle the massive housing crisis and help businesses recover from the government’s destructive approach to handling the pandemic. Without small businesses, we have no jobs. Without jobs we become a welfare state”.
Mike is currently campaigning in his birth town of Barcaldine and back heading to his home town of Warwick next week.
*Brett James Tunbridge, Australian Federation Party
Life on the Darling Downs with my beautiful wife Sophya and four kids in the sunshine state is a blessing. For me, to live the Aussie dream, is to live free from government intervention and form your own destiny, secure in the freedom that is our Australian birthright. I have worked in retail sales, the automotive industry, and have previously run my own businesses – so I have good understanding of what it is like to be involved in a project. Now is the time for Australia to have a new leadership team of “no BS” people with vision who can get us to where we deserve to be, not lie to us and while loading their bank accounts with foreign lobbyists’ cash! I am committed to working for you as your representative in Maranoa, will always be there for you, instead of being an “absent” community member.
*Malcolm J Richardson, Dave Kerrigan, and Brett James Tunbridge did not respond to our request for comment so we have taken bios from their websites or used their previous submissions to news outlets.
