by Cameron Outridge

The marginal seat of Nicklin is shaping up to be a key battleground between incumbent Labor MP Rob Skelton and LNP candidate Marty Hunt in tomorrow’s State Election.

Both candidates are ramping up their campaigns with a strong focus on two crucial local issues: health and law & order.

Health at the forefront for Skelton

Mr Skelton, who narrowly won the seat from Mr Hunt in the last election, has been showcasing his party’s health achievements and investments in the region. Speaking at Nambour Hospital alongside Premier Steven Miles yesterday, Mr Skelton pointed to the $86 million investment in upgrading the hospital. He highlighted the expansion in bed capacity and criticised past cuts made by the LNP.

“We’ve now put $86 million back into Nambour Hospital and we’ve increased the bed capacity by 118." He reminded voters that "mobile breast screening services had been cut" under the previous LNP government, affecting critical health services in the region.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman reinforced Labor’s health policy, noting the recruitment of almost 1900 new health workers across Queensland, including 90 on the Sunshine Coast. The Minister stated, "We’ve hired more than 2700 health workers since we’ve been in government here on the Sunshine Coast." Both Mr Skelton and Labor leaders have repeatedly raised concerns that the LNP’s financial plans would necessitate cuts to health services, creating a potential risk to local healthcare improvements.

Hunt pushes law and order agenda

Meanwhile Mr Hunt, a former Nambour police officer, is campaigning on law and order. In an effort to tackle rising concerns about youth crime in Nambour, Mr Hunt has promised to invest $500,000 in a CitySafe CCTV network in the town centre. Speaking alongside LNP leader David Crisafulli, Mr Hunt argued that the CCTV system would act as both a deterrent and a tool to assist police in reducing crime.

“The LNP will put more eyes on the street to support police on the beat in Nambour,” he said.

“The LNP’s commitment will not only deter crime before it occurs but it will help police identify offenders and put a stop to the repeat youth crime that’s holding our communities to ransom.”

Mr Hunt said locals have been calling for such security measures for years, and the LNP’s commitment would finally deliver on those requests.

He said the state-of-the-art CCTV network would boost to safety in the CBD and ensure officers at the Nambour police station could monitor activity and respond immediately.

The LNP's focus on law enforcement was backed by Mr Crisafulli, who highlighted the need for stronger crime prevention in regional areas. He stated that the CCTV network would provide businesses with "more security" and make the community "feel safer," while helping law enforcement deal with the repeat youth crime issue.

Mr Skelton said Labor had already implemented crime prevention measures. He pointed out that Labor had opened a new police station in Nambour in 2022, staffed with 30 officers. He also cited a 12.9% reduction in reported youth crime in the region between January and September this year compared to the same period last year. Skelton said, "This is a positive step in the right direction, but there is always more to do."

Nicklin is the second most marginal seat in Queensland at just .1% to Labor.

What inspires the candidates

Both candidates are keenly aware of the pressure on local families due to the cost of living crisis and inspird by the local community’s resilience and spirit. 

“I’m inspired by our Nicklin community spirit every day. We are a tight-knit, connected community where everyone looks out for one another. And if I’m re-elected, I’ll continue to work with my community and fight for the investment we need to get things done.”

Mr Hunt said he was inspired by setting things right for the people of Nicklin. 

“I see first-hand the way our community is hurting under this Palaszczuk/Miles Labor Government, and I know our community deserves better. Only an LNP Government will deliver the things I know our community has been crying out for—like safer streets and better resources for our police.  The LNP will deliver upgraded roads and support our local schools and sports clubs."