Ahead of the May 21, 2022 Federal Election, Glasshouse Country & Maleny News asked all six candidates in the Fisher electorate to tell readers who they are and why they want to be a politician. We also asked the candidates to identify one significant issue facing Fisher and what they propose to do about it. Next edition: The Big Pitch
I’VE been the Federal Member for Fisher since 2016. With my wife, Leonie and our four daughters, I have called the Sunshine Coast home for nearly 30 years.
What drives me, what gets me out of bed early in the morning and keeps me out till late at night is that I genuinely like helping people.
I want Fisher to be the place to be for education, employment and retirement. That means delivering on the things that matter to local families and their businesses.
We want to protect the unique character of our community.
That’s why I’ve fought hard against Council’s casino, against Palascszuk’s jail and against the light rail plans currently before the State Government. I’ve taken action at a national level to address online and credit-card gambling; to reduce domestic violence; and to keep kids safe online.
We want our kids to embrace the unique opportunities available to them, with high quality training.
That’s why I’ve fought for a refocus on apprenticeships and vocational education. We now have a record number of apprentices on the Sunshine Coast and nation-wide.
We want local manufacturers and a growing defence industry to kickstart, expand and employ a skilled workforce for the future.
That’s why I’ve helped secure tens of millions of dollars for innovators across Fisher.
And we want to cement the Sunshine Coast as a national leader in mental healthcare.
That’s why I’ve delivered $12 million for The Wishlist Centre in Kawana, $19 million for the USC Thompson Institute and PTSD Centre, $7.3 million for the Wandi Nerida Eating Disorder Facility in Mooloolah and a new headspace in Caloundra.
The most important thing for our region is delivering the road and rail infrastructure we need to get people home sooner and safer.
That’s why I’m fighting for better roads and rail across our community, securing over $5.3 billion in funding for projects like the North Coast Rail duplication, and the Bruce Highway and Steve Irwin Way upgrades.
My number one priority since 2016 has been to make Sunshine Coast Rail a reality.
That’s why I was proud to stand with Ted O’Brien MP to announce $1.6 billion for heavy rail in the Budget in March. This project will connect hinterland and coastal communities with Brisbane, create 9,550 jobs in construction alone, and will unlock incredible opportunities for Sunshine Coast locals in the lead-up to the 2032 Games.
What we need now is Jason Hunt, Mark Bailey, the Member for Nicklin, and the Federal Labor Opposition to take themselves off mute, quit the lies and political games, and get on-board with heavy rail for the Sunshine Coast.
andrew.wallace.mp@aph.gov.au
www.andrewwallacemp.com.au
www.facebook.com/wallace4fisher
*Candidates will be published in alphabetical order