The 2020 State Election debate luncheon is around the corner, make sure you don't miss out and book your tickets today.
Candidates confirmed in attendance are:
LNP Candidate for Barron River, Linda Cooper - Linda Cooper is a long term local with a strong track record of listening, working, and delivering for our community.
Having lived here for over 24 years, Linda was first elected to Cairns Regional Council in 2008. Since then, Linda has served the people of Division 6, an area that encompasses Redlynch, Brinsmead, Kamerunga, Freshwater and Stratford.
A true local champion, Linda has been instrumental in some of Cairns’ most successful projects. These include Ironman Cairns, Council’s acquisition of Mt Whitfield, acquisition of land in Redlynch for the expansion of the Redlynch sports grounds, free access to Wi-Fi throughout the CBD, the reinvigoration of Festival Cairns and the multi-million dollar Brinsmead to Redlynch pathway.
Prior to serving in the Council, Linda had her own breakfast radio show on HOTFM and in 2002 bought CityLife Magazine.
Determined to give back to her local community, Linda is a long-standing volunteer and member of many local organisations, including the Leukaemia Foundation where Linda was the President for several years.
Having become increasingly frustrated seeing local suburbs neglected by a city-centric State Labor Government that is failing to deliver for the people of Barron River, Linda is determined to give our community the representation it deserves.
Linda is proud to be a Member of Deb Frecklington’s LNP team who together, will get Queensland working again.
ALP Candidate for Barron River, Craig Crawford MP - Raised on a dairy farm in Western Victoria, Craig was educated in the local public school system and worked in Hotel Management for a few years before becoming a Locksmith, running his own business and employing multiple staff.
During his 20 years of voluntary service to the Victorian Country Fire Authority (CFA), Craig was selected to be an Ambulance Paramedic and went onto work for both the Victorian and Queensland Ambulance Services for 15 years.
Craig was driven into politics after many years defending the workers’ rights and entitlements of Paramedics as a Union Delegate both in Victoria and Queensland. The rise of the Newman Government saw Queensland’s paramedics and firefighters stand strong against militant governance.
First elected in 2015, then re-elected in 2017, Craig is currently the Minister for Fire and Emergency Services and overseas operations and governance for over 40,000 staff and volunteers in what has been a busy operational season. In 2020, Craig added Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships to his ministerial portfolio.
Craig has an adult son (Luke) and was married to his wife Rosalie in Parliament House Brisbane in 2016. They live on the Cairns northern beaches and enjoy time away together with their dogs and caravan when time permits.
ALP Candidate for Cairns, Michael Healy - Michael Healy is an established leader in Queensland’s tourism industry. Michael and his wife Trudi have lived in Cairns for more than 20 years, together raising their two children in the tropical north.
Michael has vast experience over many decades as a businessman and on state, national and regional tourism boards. Driving new job and economic opportunities for the region is a priority for Michael. He has the life experience, a clear vision and the negotiating and management skills to get things done for the people of Cairns.
Michael has always believed in giving back to his community and this is reflected in his commitment to a number of not-for-profit organisations. He serves as the Chair of Access Community Housing - the largest not-for-profit community housing initiative in Far North Queensland. He has also served as a past Director of Tourism & Events Queensland, and an elected member of Tourism Tropical North Queensland and Port Douglas Daintree Tourism.
LNP Candidate for Cairns, Sam Marino - Sam Marino is a long-term Cairns local. Sam and his wife Linda have chosen to raise their family here because they love being part of a city that’s built on friendship and family. Having started his working life as an apprentice, Sam soon qualified as an electrician, and went on to work in the marine, sugar and mining industries. Now, as a small business owner for nearly two decades, Sam is acutely aware of the challenge facing the Cairns business community. Sam has also obtained a Masters of Business Administration, Graduate Certificate in Accounting and is a Graduate of the Institute of Company Directors. Sam is strong believer in giving back to his community and has served on several not-for-profit organisations and boards that give back to the community. Sam is a past president of the Cairns Chamber of Commerce and is currently the chair of Cazaly’s and a member of the Barrier Reef Lions Club. A proud Member of Deb Frecklington’s LNP team, Sam Marino is committed to fighting for local jobs, fixing Labor’s crime crisis and ensuring our city has the representation it has been craving our for.
ALP Candidate for Mulgrave & Speaker, The Hon. Curtis Pitt MP - The Honourable Curtis Pitt MP was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly (Queensland Parliament) on 13 February 2018. As the chief presiding officer of the Parliament, the Speaker chairs the debates and enforces the rules (known as Standing Orders) to ensure orderly conduct in the Chamber. Administratively, the Speaker has control of the Parliamentary Service and is responsible for the Parliament’s policies, budget, services and administration.
Born in Cairns Base Hospital and raised in Gordonvale, Curtis Pitt continues his family’s long history of service to the Far North. Having attended Gordonvale Primary School, Gordonvale High School, St Mary’s College Woree, he has a Bachelor of Arts (Politics) from James Cook University in Cairns.
Curtis is a person of integrity and believes strongly in family values. He is a hard worker who uses his drive and enthusiasm to serve the Mulgrave electorate and put the Far North first. Curtis and his wife Kerry have had four children – Isabel (deceased), Tristan, Layla, and Kobi.
LNP Candidate for Mulgrave, Gerry Vallianos - Gerry Valliamos is your local LNP candidate for Mulgrave. Gerry knows what our region and Queensland needs – a stronger economy that creates more jobs and delivers the services that locals rely on.
Having worked within and managed a number of businesses in retail and hospitality, Gerry is determined to work with Deb Frecklington and the LNP to supercharge our region’s economy with shovel-ready infrastructure projects, more support for our agriculture and tourism industries and tackle crime.
With your support, Gerry and Deb will get Queensland working again.
To find out more about the candidates click through to the link on their website.
