Infrastructure, growth, energy and climate top issues for local voters
By Sonia Isaacs
FOUR of Fisher’s declared candidates went head-to-head last Wednesday night, April 16, at a multi-chamber of commerce ‘Meet the Candidates’ forum at Parklands Tavern, with infrastructure, small business support, energy policy, and the possibility of a minority government emerging as key discussion points.
Independent Keryn Jones, Greens candidate Renay Wells, Labor’s Morrison Lakey and incumbent LNP MP Andrew Wallace laid out contrasting visions for the electorate, speaking before a crowd of about 60 locals and party supporters.
Mr Wallace, who has represented Fisher since 2016, said his track record included securing $7.2 billion in infrastructure investment during three terms.
“I want the Sunshine Coast to be a place where our kids can grow up, learn, earn, and retire,” he said.
He acknowledged pressure on the region’s growth corridors, saying “infrastructure and transport are the number one issue I hear across the electorate”.
Greens candidate Renay Wells argued for “future-ready” infrastructure, focused on climate resilience and sustainable transport.
With a background in sustainable business consulting, Ms Wells proposed “serious federal investment into clean, integrated transport,” including support for a Bus Rapid Transit system.
She said delays caused by state-level planning hurdles could be resolved by reinstating the former 80/20 federal-state infrastructure funding split.
Independent Keryn Jones said residents were fatigued by delays and political inaction.
“Fisher has been a safe seat where people have been waiting for trains promised in 2005,” she said.
Ms Jones pitched herself as a practical negotiator in a potential minority government, pledging to work with whoever is in government to cut red tape and deliver projects.
“I’ll work with whoever is in power to get things done,” she said.
Labor’s Morrison Lakey echoed calls for better planning and transparency, proposing the creation of local advisory forums to align infrastructure funding with community needs.
He also highlighted the Albanese government’s $2 billion support package for small businesses, which includes energy bill relief, tax incentives and access to finance.
“The best way to meet regional needs is to listen to locals,” he said.
Energy policy sparked some of the night’s most pointed exchanges both from candidates and audience members.
“You can’t run a full-time economy on a part-time energy grid,” Mr Wallace warned.
He said he backed an “agnostic approach” to energy that would keep renewables in the mix, along with more gas investment and nuclear power.
Mr Lakey defended Labor’s strategy, citing Australia’s global advantage in solar and wind.
“We have the greatest renewable resources on the planet,” he said.
Ms Wells dismissed nuclear as a non-starter.
“It will take 30 years to build,” she said, advocating for solar thermal and battery storage as cost-effective alternatives.
Ms Jones agreed: “The cheapest, most reliable energy—including storage—is renewables.
Australia could be a global leader.”
As the May 3 election approaches, each candidate sought to stake their claim: Mr Wallace leaned on experience and delivery, Ms Wells pushed climate-conscious reform, Ms Jones appealed to disillusioned voters, while Mr Lakey tied regional aspirations to national support.
