Tough crowd: Challengers press their cases at Nambour forum. O’Brien stands ground
by Cameron Outridge
Sitting Fairfax MP Ted O’Brien came under sustained scrutiny from a panel of challengers and a vocal audience at a Meet the Candidates forum hosted by the Chamber of Commerce at Nambour RSL on Monday night (April 14).
O’Brien (LNP) faced pressure from supporters of Labor’s Naomi McQueen, independent challenger Francine Wiig, and Greens candidate Sue Etheridge at the packed event attended by about 150 people.
In a spirited debate seven of the eight Fairfax candidates outlined their visions and fielded questions from voters in an event.
Of the candidates for the May 3 Federal election, only Trumpet of Patriots’ Greg Ryzy did not attend.
O’Brien, who is the Coalition’s Shadow Climate Change & Energy Minister, defended the LNP’s record on infrastructure delivery during his tenure. “The number one thing for me has always been delivery, delivery, delivery,” O’Brien said. “I welcome critics to name one region that has received more federal funding han the Sunshine Coast since 2016.”
In her introduction, independent candidate Francine Wiig emphasised her community-focused approach. “I’ve been a swinging voter all my life and now I have found a political home with community independents,” Wiig said. “It looks like whoever’s forming parliament this time will be doing so in a minority, so an independent voice on the cross bench will give Fairfax a real seat at the table.”
Growing rapidly
Labor’s Naomi McQueen, an air traffic controller with 21 years of experience, highlighted her professional background and community involvement. “Our coast and the hinterland are growing rapidly. I’m keenly aware of the infrastructure and services our region desperately needs to keep pace with that growth,” McQueen said, promising to advocate for “key infrastructure projects that remain undelivered by our existing member.”
The candidates tackled pressing issues including housing affordability, cost of living, and healthcare access.
On housing, Wiig proposed reviewing foreign investment and land banking laws, while suggesting “gentle densification” around existing infrastructure.
O’Brien outlined the Coalition’s $5 billion infrastructure fund to accelerate new developments and a two-year ban on foreign purchases of existing properties.
Debate goes nuclear
The most contentious moments came when O’Brien faced questions about his advocacy for nuclear power. When challenged by an audience member about the practicality of nuclear energy in Australia, O’Brien defended his position: “Nuclear is to the long term of Australia what gas is to the short term. It is absolutely critical. As coal retires from the system, Australia needs to have an always-on 24/7 source of baseload power.”
In response to another question about the legislative barriers to implementing nuclear energy, O’Brien acknowledged the challenges but remained steadfast: “I believe ultimately we will have the moratorium lifted, and I believe Australia will in fact land at a place of bipartisanship when it comes to having nuclear as part of a balanced energy mix.”
‘World has gone mad’
Family First candidate Rhys Sanderson also faced scrutiny over his conservative Christian views, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ issues. “As a regular working class man, politics was definitely not on my agenda, but the world has gone mad.”
Throughout the evening, Wiig appeared to receive the most enthusiastic audience response based on applause levels, particularly when discussing her independence from party politics. “What we have as community independents is a freedom to respond to the needs of the community. We’re not locked into party ideologies,” she said.
Audience ‘stacked’ claim
The event revealed the apparent challenge O’Brien faces as the incumbent, with almost all questions directed at him from the audience. One LNP supporter said the event seemed “stacked” against O’Brien. Still the MP handled the scrutiny with grace and composure.
This three-pronged challenge from Greens, Labor, and teal independent candidate signals that the historically safe LNP seat may be more competitive than in previous years, particularly if preferences flow against the incumbent.
In her closing remarks, McQueen contradicted O’Brien’s suggestion that bipartisan support for nuclear energy might emerge: “I can 100 percent guarantee that the Australian Labor Party will not be offering support for nuclear energy in Australia.”
Key issues and values revealed
• Francine Wiig (Community Independent/teal candidate) shared her grassroots motivations:
“When you organise people in a positive way around a good idea, you can create real and tangible change not only for yourself but for others. It has really been the genesis for my interest in politics.”
• Paul McKeown (Independent) called for political reform:
“I want to fix a good system which has fundamentally broken down. I see the perversion of party politics in Australia letting down people and dragging our nation backwards... The people are sick of leaders who put loyalty to party or ideology ahead of the national interest.”
• Ted O’Brien (LNP) emphasised economic management and local delivery:
“Our focus as a coalition, my focus as a member is all around getting a strong economy because it’s only with a strong economy that we can deliver public services... locally, the number one thing for me has always been delivery, delivery, delivery.”
• Rhys Anderson (Family First) was forthright about his faith-based values:
“Family First stands for policies that will help build our families rather than tear them down. Family First believes human life begins at conception and should be protected from that moment until natural death.”
• Naomi McQueen (Labor) highlighted her local connections and professional experience:
“I’ve been an air traffic controller keeping our skies safe for over 21 years. I have recently completed a degree majoring in cybersecurity and counter-terrorism. I am passionate about ensuring we address actual not perceived risk to Australia’s security.”
• Sue Etheridge (Greens) emphasised environmental action and social justice:
“Real climate action will phase out coal and gas, invest in renewables and create thousands of secure well-paid jobs, and we’ll crack down on corporate greed, including the big supermarkets who have been turning lettuce into a luxury item.”
• Beatrice Marsh (One Nation) ocused on sovereignty and Australian identity:
“We must reclaim our sovereignty and ensure our laws serve the people and put Australians first... We welcome those who respect our way of life, but mass uncontrolled immigration is eroding Australian identity and straining our communities.”
