The state election is now less than a week away, with candidates continuing to make their pitch for votes.
To help voters decide, Sunshine Coast News has asked all 45 candidates across the eight Sunshine Coast electorates to share no more than 100 words on three questions.
In today’s part two, they were asked: Why should you be elected to the state government? You can read part one here, while part three will appear later this week.
All candidates below are as they will appear on the ballot paper. Early voting is now open, ahead of the election day on October 26.
BUDERIM – Buderim, Sippy Downs, Palmview, Mountain Creek and surrounds
Brent Mickelberg, LNP (incumbent): Queensland needs a fresh start, and only the LNP has the Right Plan for Queensland’s Future. Never has Queensland been worse off when it comes to youth crime, health services, secure housing, and cost-of-living. I will fight hard for my community as I have done since I was first elected in 2017. We can do a lot more if elected to government, and I know the LNP has the Right Plan to deliver what Queenslanders need.
Shaun Sandow, Legalise Cannabis Queensland
Ryan Beall, One Nation: One Nation offers a genuine alternative to the major parties and the Greens, all of which are in lock step on the policies hurting families on the Sunshine Coast. We advocate energy policy that prioritises affordability, crime policy that puts community safety first, and housing policy that reduces demand and increases supply to drive down prices. I’m a local who loves my community and what it has to offer.
Deborah Moseley, The Greens: I’ve spent a lot of my career supporting disadvantaged youth and the last few years have been rough, with the major parties treating youth across Queensland like a political football. As your local MP, I’ll work with young people in Buderim and boost community and workforce participation. Young people deserve to be listened to and supported – not demonised in the media. The best politicians are the ones with an ear to the ground and that’s what I’ll do. I listen to what people want, I’ll be guided by my local community and I have an honest commitment to the facts, evidence and values.
Adrian Burke, Australian Labor Party
CALOUNDRA – Caloundra, Caloundra South, Beerwah, Landsborough and surrounds
Kendall Morton, LNP: Ask yourself this question – is life getting better or worse after a decade of the Palaszczuk/Miles Labor Government? Right now, crime is out of control, ambulance ramping is at record highs, housing shortages are driving up rents and the cost of living is rising faster than the rest of Australia. I know how tough people are doing it and I know what’s it’s like to be parenting and working in 2024. I am asking for your support on Saturday, October 26, so that I can deliver a Fresh Start for Caloundra and a Fresh Start for Queensland.
Mike Jessop, Independent: To rebuild our economy is a priority and vital necessity. I will ensure there is pre-ordained planning permission for industrial manufacturing premises in the right location in every electorate. My 37 years’ experience as a business owner means I will bring opportunities that are available to the neglected wealth and tax generation and manufacturing sector making it easier to set up and run a business which all employment wealth and tax generation is based. I will introduce automatic planning permission for motel-style backpackers for the homeless and get actively involved in reducing the burden of government charges.
Ben Storch, One Nation
Jason Hunt, Australian Labor Party (incumbent): I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved in just four short years – not only have I delivered every election promise from the 2020 election, but we’ve gone beyond. This Miles Labor Government has delivered two brand new schools in Caloundra, and a new hall for Caloundra State School. We’ve delivered the mighty Bells Creek Arterial Road connecting Aura to the Bruce Highway, new Police, Fire and Ambulance Stations for Aura, and a police helicopter. I’m proud to be a part of a government that delivers for Caloundra and I can’t wait to continue this important work in 2025 and beyond.
Peta Higgs, The Greens: The old political parties aren’t meeting the needs of our communities and people are being left behind. The Greens are the only party with a real vision to fix the climate crisis and make sure everyone has what they need to live a good life. Everyday people are struggling and we need bold policies that work for them, not big corporations. The Greens don’t take donations from corporations so we will work for our communities and the planet. I want change for people and planet – and the Greens have a plan to get us there.
Pamela Mariko, Animal Justice Party
Allison McMaster, Legalise Cannabis Queensland: The people are becoming more disillusioned and disgruntled with the two-party preferred system in this country. It’s time to put some democratic decision making back into government. If elected I would take my seat on the crossbench and would be open to negotiating with all sides on all issues to get the best result for all Queenslanders. Our plan is legalising cannabis in three stages, slowly and responsibly. We will ease the restrictions on hemp licences to boost this industry and we will encourage investment in value-added products such as textiles and building products that will create jobs. We aim to create jobs in agriculture, manufacturing and tourism by stage three.
GLASS HOUSE – Maleny, Montville, Glass House Mountains, Woodford and surrounds
Adam Farr, One Nation: Adam Farr combines real-world experience, family values, a passion for free speech and a commitment to ensuring that government minimises its intervention in the private lives of individuals. Adam has the skills and knowledge to tackle Queensland’s challenges effectively. He will prioritise transparency and collaboration with the community to ensure that all voices are heard. So many supporters have come to One Nation because of their frustration with the major parties. In terms of policy, there is hardly any difference between Labor and LNP.
Timothy Hallcroft, Legalise Cannabis Queensland: I will hold all politicians who have pledged to or promised funding to charities and businesses and make them accountable for what they have said. I bring integrity, honesty and a solid sense of business and training, also the ability to solve complex problems which do arise, bringing a commonsense approach and no nonsense attitude, I will make sure that the Glass House communities as well as Queensland will get a fair and equal, non-judgmental member that practices factual-based evidence in all decisions made.
Andrew Powell, LNP (incumbent): Being a member of Parliament is an extraordinary privilege. I have never taken it for granted and would seek your vote to continue to serve you. I will work as part of a cohesive LNP team with the right plan for Queensland and to end Labor’s reign of crises.Over the past 15 years I’ve worked hard to upgrade our local infrastructure – but the job’s not done! I want to see more improvements, particularly to the intersection of Maleny-Landsborough and Maleny-Montville Road, where, together with a Crisafulli LNP Government I have committed $7 million towards safety upgrades. We will deliver the rail upgrade to Beerwah and on to Maroochydore. And as part of that, a dedicated bike and footpath between Glass House Mountains and Beerwah.
Humphrey Caspersz, Australian Labor Party: I am prepared to fight for the people of my community, and my determination to support the needs of the Glass House electorate is why I believe I would be a good member of state government. We need infrastructure support in our region, and I will advocate to ensure that happens. We can’t risk the cuts of the LNP government at a time when we need growth and investment.
Andrew McLean, The Greens: I run a housing not-for-profit and in my former life I was a mechanic, a youth worker and a pastor. I’ve had a varied career but it’s all been about helping people and loving my community. And because I don’t take corporate donations, you can bet I’ll be fearless when speaking up to power. I’m all about giving people a fair go – but our political and economic system right now doesn’t. The Greens are prepared to take the fight to big corporations which is why we’re the only party who’s prepared to take on Coles and Woolies for price gouging or big fossil fuel companies for destroying our planet.
Bronwen Bolitho, Family First
KAWANA – Currimundi, Little Mountain, Bokarina, Buddina and surrounds
Jarrod Bleijie, LNP (incumbent): The Sunshine Coast has missed out under 10 years of Labor. While our population has grown consistently, the Labor Government’s failure to invest in vital infrastructure such as roads and rail means our region has been left behind. Meanwhile, Queenslanders are living in the midst of cost-of-living, housing, health and youth crime crises, all of which the responsibility falls squarely at the feet of the Palaszczuk/Miles Government. Time’s Up for Labor’s failures. The LNP will Work Harder for Queenslanders and redesign a government that works for you and end the 10 years of chaos and crisis under this Labor Government.
Peter Hinton, One Nation
Ian Simons, The Greens: The major parties take millions in corporate donations while those companies make off with huge profits and pay very little (or no!) tax. Queensland’s blessed with great mineral wealth but all the money made goes to lining billionaires’ pockets instead of delivering services for everyday Queenslanders. The Greens will change that. We’ll make big mining corporations pay their fair share in royalties and set up a publicly-owned mining company to deliver $14 billion in revenue straight into Queensland’s coffers to build 100,000 public homes, fully fund public schools and make sure everyone can see a bulk-billing GP.
Jim Dawson, Australian Labor Party: I’ve been fortunate to have worked as a Senior Policy Advisor for the Federal Government, so I have seen firsthand the difference good governments can make to strengthen communities. I can say what the Miles Labor Government is delivering on the Sunshine Coast really matters and is making a significant contribution. I want to be a strong Labor voice in government that will look at policy decisions and make sure we are putting the health and wellbeing of our Sunshine Coast community front and centre.
MAROOCHYDORE – Maroochydore, Mooloolaba, Mudjimba, Marcoola and surrounds
Fiona Simpson, LNP (incumbent)
Naomi McQueen, Australian Labor Party: I’ve been an active member of the Sunshine Coast community for a long time now, I am proud to call this beautiful place my home. I’ve also watched our community evolve, with population numbers continuing to grow and cost-of-living pressures affecting everyday families. I would advocate for the unique needs of our community if elected to state government and I would be proud to be a voice for the people of Maroochydore.
Mark Wadeson, Independent: For the seat of Maroochydore, I am the only independent running! So, the only candidate not told by a political party how to vote, why are they needed if told how to vote! No political party has the numbers to unseat Liberals in the seat of Maroochydore, so the only way they can, is for all of them to vote for me instead or they may as well have voted for Liberals.
Heinrich Koekemoer, The Greens: I believe the people of Maroochydore deserve a representative who will fight for them, putting their needs above the interests of wealthy corporations. Both Labor and the LNP take millions from big developers, rich corporations and mining companies. As a Greens candidate, I refuse corporate donations which means that as your MP I’d represent you, not vested interests. I’m running in this election because I believe Greens policies can make a real difference in the lives of everyday people. I want to show the major parties that young people on the Sunshine Coast deserve to have their voices heard.
Kyle Haley, One Nation
NICKLIN – Nambour, Cooroy, Palmwoods, Yandina, Kenilworth and surrounds
Phillip Eschler, Family First
Rob Skelton, Australian Labor Party (incumbent): My community knows that I’ll always put them first and fight to get things done. I served as a firefighter for nearly 15 years and served in the Australian Defence Force, but representing the Nicklin community has been the honour of my lifetime. As part of the Labor Team, we’ve got a positive vision for the Sunshine Coast and Hinterland which includes delivering Borumba Pumped Hydro, the Sunshine Coast Satellite Hospital, Sunshine Coast Rail and Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Duplication. I’m proud of our investment in local schools including a new school hall at Yandina State School, a performing arts centre at Burnside State High School and free breakfast programs at five local schools. I believe in building a community where no one is left behind.
Sue Etheridge, The Greens: This election presents a clear choice: continue with the stale politics of Labor and the LNP that have consistently failed us, or choose meaningful change. The Greens offer a vision for meaningful change, focused on addressing protecting nature and prioritising investments in essential services like healthcare, education, and housing. This requires policies that prioritise people over corporations, which is why the Greens refuse donations from big business. As your representative, I will work for you, not vested interests. Let’s transform politics and deliver real improvements for everyday Queenslanders. If you want real change you have to vote for it.
Rebecca McCosker, One Nation
Steve Dickson, Independent: I’m running to give the people of Nicklin a stronger, independent voice in Queensland’s parliament. Unlike party candidates, I won’t be tied down by political agendas or forced to toe the party line. This means I can focus solely on what’s best for our community, pushing for real solutions without the compromises that come with party politics. With my skills, sheer grit and determination, I can hit the ground running to ensure that Nicklin’s interests are not only heard but acted upon in practical ways.
Marty Hunt, LNP
Melody Lindsay, Legalise Cannabis Queensland: I have faced many adversities such as homelessness and having to front up for food parcels from community organisations as a single parent. I have worked hard to create stability for myself and my family. I had to make personal sacrifices and be consistently dedicated to bringing my family out of that situation. As a state member of Parliament I would bring that same mental discipline, resourcefulness and dedication to the community, and serve the community as a public servant should.
NINDERRY – Coolum, Bli Bli, North Buderim, Eumundi and surrounds
Michael Stewart, One Nation: I love the Sunshine Coast. I’m not afraid of hard work – I’m a toolmaker, engine technician, a pilot and FIFO worker. I’ll put the same energy into representing the Ninderry community, I’ll put our community first, and I’ll put Labor and the Greens last.
Jo Justo, Australian Labor Party: My community means everything to me. I know that I’m not alone in thinking that there are few better places to live in this world. I’ve seen in the past few years as the population of the Sunshine Coast continues to grow, that we need leadership in our community that will advocate for locals in a way that allows us to maintain the lifestyle we all love. I will be that person for the Ninderry community. We need a fresh start and a new perspective on how we approach growth in our community and only a Labor government will achieve that.
Dan Purdie, LNP (incumbent): Since I was first elected, I’ve been able to secure millions of dollars for our community, including our local schools, and vital road infrastructure upgrades. But there’s still a lot more to do, including giving our hard-working police the resources and laws they need to keep our community safe. Before I ran for Parliament, I was a Detective in the Child Protection Unit on the Sunshine Coast, serving in the Queensland Police Service for 25 years. I was on the front line when Labor started watering down the laws and now, nearly a decade later, crime and victim rates have skyrocketed. The only way to give our police the laws and resources they need is to change the government, and vote for the LNP.
Timothy Nixon, Legalise Cannabis Queensland: Because I am not a politician. The restrictions and off-the-cuff laws promulgated by politicians and bureaucrats throughout the pandemic period have had a lasting and devastating impact on the community of the Sunshine Coast, apparently for our benefit. The fact that government works for the people, enacting their will as a dutiful servant, has been forgotten, and I no longer believe that the major parties in this country care what the will of the people is. Legalise Cannabis Queensland is for removing draconian and unjust laws, not enforcing them on the people.
Tom Carden, The Greens: We need leaders who understand the real struggles people in our community face and are ready to do what it takes to fix it. Queensland’s a wealthy state and we can afford to make sure people don’t get left behind. I’ve spent years working in the community services sector, witnessing and experiencing firsthand the impact of government inaction on the lives of everyday people. Whether it’s the housing crisis that is pushing renters and mortgage holders to the brink, or the shortfall in our health and education systems, the status quo is failing too many.
NOOSA – Noosa Heads, Tewantin, Peregian Beach, Pomona, Kin Kin and surrounds
Sandy Bolton, Independent (incumbent): Over the last seven years, having a local member aligned only to residents and our community – not a political party or ideology – has been liberating for Noosa. In this time, we have achieved so much, including the completion of long-standing local issues such as the Beckmans Road roundabout (stage one of the Tewantin Bypass), Six Mile Creek Bridge No.7, and better management of the Noosa River. Despite the clear need, these projects sat undelivered in the two decades prior to Sandy’s election, regardless of who held power in government.
Rhonda Prescott, The Greens: As a long-time Noosa local, I love our community and believe in backing our local community in on the issues that affect us. Too many politicians are in the pocket of big business or the fossil fuel industry. But because I don’t take corporate donations, I’ll work for local people first. I’m an accountant and I know that good economic planning doesn’t just mean budget cuts and higher costs for people doing it tough. We deserve better than what the old political parties offer.
Clare Stewart, LNP: As a former Mayor, I have been driven to deliver the things I know our community needs at a state level. We need to secure a long-term lease for our hospital, so Noosa residents can have health services where they need them. We need to establish an independent waterways authority to incorporated local knowledge into the holistic, sustainable management of the Noosa River. We need to ensure state government works with Noosa Council and respects our local planning laws when it comes to approving development. To deliver all these things and more, Noosa needs a representative who can be part of a government. Noosa deservers a seat at the table so we can ensure our community gets the outcomes we need, not just frustration from the sidelines.
Felicity Roser, Family First
Darrel Hinson, One Nation
Mark Denham, Australian Labor Party: Like many locals, I am proud to call Noosa home. Its natural beauty and sense of community make it one of the greatest places to live. My goal as the Labor candidate for the Noosa electorate, is to ensure the Sunshine Coast remains a safe and beautiful place to live for my grandkids and our future generations. This includes ensuring we have excellent local education, transport, and health resources. That is exactly what I would advocate for if elected in October.
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.
