Australia goes to the polls on Saturday, 3 May in what many believe could be one of the closest Federal elections in decades.
While some residents of the 4017 might roll their eyes at polling time, every vote certainly does count.
In last year’s Queensland State election, Member for Aspley, Bart Mellish won his seat by just 31 votes. And to the north of the Lilley electorate, Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton currently holds his seat by a margin of only 1.7 per cent.
Labor’s Anika Wells has been the Member for Lilley since 2019.
She is currently the Federal Minister for Sport and the Minister for Aged Care. Ms Wells said northsiders had an important choice to make this election.
“This election is a clear choice between Labor strengthening Medicare and investing in hospitals, or Peter Dutton, who will cut Medicare to pay for his $600 billion nuclear reactors,” she said.
“I ran for Parliament to be a good ancestor, to represent our community, and to ensure the next generation has a seat at the decision-making table. I live here and am raising my own family here.”
Ms Wells added she knew the world had “thrown many challenges at Australians in recent years”.
“Despite these challenges, Labor is working hard to ease the cost of living, and we also know it takes more than three years to clean up the mess left by Peter Dutton and the Coalition,” she said.
“Labor will continue to strengthen Medicare by expanding bulk billing and cutting HECS debt by 20 per cent.
“We have made free TAFE permanent and we are training more nurses, healthcare workers, tradies, and construction workers.”
Candidates for Lilley Lay Out Their Plans and Priorities
Greens candidate Melissa Stevens grew up on Brisbane’s northside and has worked in the medical research industry.
She said, “We can’t keep voting for the same two parties and expect a different result”.
“Being an active member of our community, I’ve seen firsthand how our political system is failing people who need it most,” Ms Stevens said.
“As a proud union member and a strong advocate for social justice, I’m committed to fighting for you. The Greens are the only party who reject corporate donors, so I’ll always put people before profit.”
She added the Greens were pushing for billionaires to pay more tax, put mental health and dental care into Medicare, make GP visits free, and tackle the housing crisis.
“We can have a society that puts people first and ensures we have a healthy planet for future generations,” Ms Stevens said.
LNP candidate, Kimberley Washington, is a former journalist and small business owner.
She is currently a regulatory affairs manager at a Brisbane-based advertising firm and said a vote for the LNP was a vote for lower inflation, better healthcare and better economic managers.
“I feel like Labor has taken this community for granted, and with that comes complacency,” Ms Washington said.
“We have a local member who has failed to act for our community, and when I’m out there doorknocking, I see that – the hurt is real.
“In the last three years we’ve seen 29,000 small businesses go bust and our debt is increasing. I’ve been a small business owner, I’ve got skin in the game, I know what people are going through.
“Peter Dutton has a plan to cut red tape and to ease the housing crisis. A vote for the LNP is a vote for better economic management.”
Family First candidate Alan Denaro said he was inspired to run for office after witnessing the “increased systematic removal of citizens’ rights to free speech, parents’ rights and child protection”.
“I’m pretty sure everyone reading this article is up on the big issues surrounding this election – the cost of living, the housing crisis, energy base price increases and immigration,” he said.
“We’re also focused on freedom of speech, parents’ rights in the school curriculum, and gender ideology that harms children and allows biological men into women’s bathrooms.
“Family First stands for policies that will help build up families rather than tear them down.”
A new political party in this election is the Trumpet of Patriots, backed by billionaire mining magnate, Clive Palmer.
Joshua Morrison is listed on the party’s website as the candidate for Lilley, although he did not return messages in time for the Sandgate Guide’s deadline.
On the website, Mr Morrison is quoted as saying, “Australia needs common sense solutions”.
“(US) President (Donald) Trump has demonstrated how strong leadership can cut through bureaucracy and deliver real outcomes,” the statement reads.
“It’s time for Australia to embrace Trump-like policies and restore prosperity through practical, results-driven leadership.”
At the time of going to print, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party had not confirmed a candidate for the seat of Lilley.
Voting in Australian elections is compulsory for everyone aged 18 and over. To find polling stations near you, go to www.aec.gov.au
And to find out which polling stations are having an election day barbecue or bake sale, go to www.democracysausage.org.
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