Helping voters over a perceived hump of reluctance to vote for independent candidates is the reason behind Bruce Currie's decision to run as a member of the Civil Liberties and Motorists Party at the upcoming state election.
It will be the fourth time he's run as a candidate for the seat of Gregory, the state's largest, but the first time he will have an affiliation to a political party.
The central Queensland cattleman is one of four Gregory candidates known to date, including the sitting MP Lachlan Millar, who represents the LNP, Barcaldine-based ALP challenger Dave Kerrigan, and New-Zealand-born Tania Kiara, standing for the Informed Medical Options Party, whose platform is based on no compulsory vaccinations and no water flouridation.
At the 2017 poll, Mr Currie received 6.5pc of first preferences from voters.
He said he had chosen the Motorists Party, founded by Jeff Hodges with the aim of keeping public assets toll-free, because of its support for citizen initiated referendums.
As someone who has spent in excess of $90,000 in legal battles with GVK Hancock to protect his groundwater, the inability of ordinary people to influence political decisions once a government is formed is one of Mr Currie's major concerns.
Related: Land court favours Hancock mine
The knowledge that after the October 31 poll an elected government will be in power for a fixed four-year term is only heightening his concern.
"When you elect a government, they're untouchable for four years," he said, commenting on the wide range of legislative changes that could be enacted in that time.
"With citizen initiated referendums burning issues can be addressed - the rights of people are important."
The potential impact of mining and CSG exploration on water resources have long been one of Mr Currie's election platform issues and he described this month's poll as a referendum on water security.
"The resource sector gets unlimited free access to associated water and landowners have no right of objection," he said. "Nobody, latte sipper or not, can exist without water."
Fears of lagging financial sustainability in the local government arena, and what that might mean for ongoing amalgamation prospects, is another issue he wants to know the position of major party candidates on.
Despite his alliance with the Civil Liberties and Motorists Party, Mr Currie is describing himself as an 'allied independent' and said if elected, he would cast his vote according to these principles and others listed on his how to vote card.
"I don't have a heap of policies because I'm not leading the agenda but I do have principles that I'll use if I have the balance of power," he said.
As to why he is putting his hand up for a fourth time, Mr Currie said he was avoiding being the 'proverbial barbecue bitcher', only talking about what was wrong and not doing anything.
"I've got no burning desire to be a politician but I find it hard to sit back and cop the deceit being shoveled out," he said.
"Queensland has a proud history of independents who voted for their electorates' needs.
"And if I didn't run, people wouldn't have a voting choice."
Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
