A former Sunshine Coast councillor will run as an independent candidate for the electorate of Fisher in next year’s federal election.
Keryn Jones, whose background includes running a family business in Caloundra and representing Division 3 in council, emerged from a candidate search conducted through the community movement Voices for Fisher.
The group has been seeking local people’s views on the issues that matter most to residents in the electorate, with the goal to find a candidate who could deliver for them in Canberra.
Ms Jones said she was part of Voices for Fisher since March and had listened to the needs of hundreds of local residents.
“As an independent, I’m free to put our community first – not party politics or vested interests. My only loyalty will be to the people of Fisher,” she said.
“I bring decades of practical experience in business and local government, with a proven track record of working with all sides to get things done.”
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Together with her husband Mark, Ms Jones grew their electrical business into a solar energy success story that helped make Caloundra a leader in solar uptake.
As a councillor, she tackled challenges like waste management and environmental protection after the amalgamation made Sunshine Coast Council the third largest in Australia.
“Through my years in business and local government, I’ve seen how bringing people together and focusing on solutions – not point scoring – gets results,” she said.
“We can protect what makes our region special – our beautiful beaches, waterways and hinterland – while planning for the infrastructure needed in response to population growth.”
She said she would actively engage with the community to get things done.
“Unlike the major parties, I’ll listen to our community and fight for the issues that matter locally. It’s time for a different kind of representation in Canberra – practical, independent leadership that delivers results.”