THE fight for the rural vote is heating up in North Queensland as political candidates prepare to outline their parties agricultural policies at an event in Townsville.
Candidates from Labor, the LNP and the Greens have so far confirmed their attendance at an AgForce ‘Politics in the Pub’ event this Thursday.
All political candidates from the seats of Townsville, Mundingburra, Thuringowa, Hinchinbrook, Burdekin and the newly created seat of Traeger have been invited to attend.
Three candidates, including Mundingburra MP and Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland Coralee O’Rourke (ALP), Hinchinbrook MP Andrew Cripps (LNP) and Thuringowa Greens candidate Dr Mike Rubenach, have committed to speaking at the event.
One Nation Burdekin candidate Sam Cox is unable to attend.
AgForce General President Grant Maudsley said agriculture was a vital pillar to Queensland’s economy and as such, Regional Queensland was shaping up to be a key battleground during the State election campaign.
He said the forum would provide an opportunity for all political parties to outline their plans to help drive the industry forward and encouraged residents with an interest in agriculture to attend.
“Each of the political parties - Labor, LNP, One Nation, the Katter Party and the Greens - will have an opportunity to nominate a representative to make an opening statement of up to five minutes each, with the forum to then be open to questions,” Mr Maudsley said.
“The free forum AgForce is hosting in Townsville is aimed at the wider region with invitations extended to all the candidates and voters from the electorates of Townsville, Mundingburra, Thuringowa, Burdekin, Hinchinbrook and Traeger.”
The ‘Politics in the Pub’ forum will be held at the Commonwealth Hotel, 46 Allen Street, South Townsville from 5.30pm to 6.30pm this Thursday, November 16.
Former ABC Rural journalist Pete Lewis will MC the event.