WESTERN QUEENSLAND MAYORS PUBLISH KENNEDY AND MARANOA CANDIDATE SCORECARDS
16 MAY 2022
The Mayors of Western Queensland have published a 2022 Federal Election Scorecard of Maranoa and Kennedy electorate candidate responses to their call to commit to Invest in the West and deliver dividends for the region, state and nation.
Representing the 22 councils of Western Queensland stretching across 60% of the state, the Western Queensland Alliance of Councils (WQAC) wrote to each of the major party candidates seeking a response to support the WQAC’s Election Platform.
Candidates from the Liberal National Party, Australian Labor Party, Katter’s Australian Party, Queensland Greens, United Australia Party and One Nation Party have responded in the electorates they are contesting.
The assessment of their response has formed the basis of the WQAC 2022 Federal Election Scorecard which is now published at www.investinwestqld.com.au/candidate-scorecards.
Cr Tony Rayner, Mayor of Longreach Regional Council and Chair of the Remote Area Planning and Development Board said: “Our aim is to help inform voters local and beyond, about where candidates and political parties stand on their commitment to the West and important investment and policy decisions that can help shape our region and nation’s future.
“We’re a sound investment and continue to deliver dividends for all Australians despite challenges like drought and flood, and even a pandemic. Our plan clearly sets out how we can keep building on existing opportunities and truly grow a key part of regional Australia and benefit far more than Kennedy and Maranoa.
Cr Jack Bawden, Mayor of Carpentaria Shire Council and Chair of the North West Queensland regional Organisation of Councils said: “By publishing this scorecard of all the responses to our platform, we have a clear record of commitments, or lack thereof, so that Western Queenslanders have something they can hold politicians accountable to now, and into the future.
“We were hopeful of greater leadership to step up and take advantage of the outstanding opportunities in our region - to deliver investment and policy that will sustain and create jobs and support future economic growth across the State and nation.”
Cr Samantha O’Toole, Mayor of Balonne Shire Council and Chair of the South West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils said: “Our Election Platform doesn’t stop on 21 May when the polls close and will continue to drive our advocacy to all levels of government and industry and shape our work across the region.
“The platform is a great legacy for Western Queensland and has been developed from more than three years of collaboration with 22 councils all in agreement. We have put Western Queensland in the sights of political leaders and even further up the agenda.
“We look forward to working with the next Australian Government to make Western Queensland, and in turn, the nation, even stronger.”
The Western Queensland Alliance of Councils (WQAC) is a collaboration between the three regional organisations of councils in Western Queensland, namely the North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NWQROC), the Remote Area Planning and Development Board (RAPAD) and the South West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (SWQROC).
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Media contact:
Aleisha Domrow – 0423 116 865