Steve Dickson, a former state MP and past leader of One Nation in Queensland, has thrown his hat into the ring for the October 26 state election, contesting the seat of Nicklin as an independent. In a surprising move, Mr Dickson has pledged to run his campaign on zero dollars, saying it reflects the harsh realities faced by many Australians today.

In a social media post announcing his candidacy, Mr Dickson declared, “I have read all of your messages and heard you loud and clear, so I’ve gone and done it! Yes, that’s right, I’ve done the unimaginable by sticking my hand up for this state election.”

The former three-term MP, who represented Kawana and Buderim from 2006 to 2017, is framing his campaign as one powered by grassroots support rather than corporate backers. “This campaign isn’t about fancy billboards; it’s about standing tall for every Aussie who’s been pushed to the brink,” Mr Dickson said. He emphasised that he was running for those who feel left behind by the political system, noting, “I’m running on nothing because that’s the reality for most Queenslanders right now—they’re at ground zero, running on empty.”

Mr Dickson, now vying for the seat of Nicklin, has a colourful political history. He began his career with the Liberal Party before representing the LNP in 2008 when it was formed. In 2017, he left the LNP to join One Nation, a decision that ultimately led to his defeat in that year’s election. He resigned from One Nation in 2019 after controversy erupted over footage of him at a US strip club and a secret recording where it was alleged that he sought political donations from the National Rifle Association. This was strongly denied by Dickson, he went on to write a book about what he says really happened ‘breaking the silence’. Dickson’s long-standing supporters have also been steadfast in correcting the record around the event.

Despite the controversy, Mr Dickson is determined to focus on the struggles of ordinary Queenslanders. “Australians don’t want empty promises anymore – they want someone who’s got their back,” he said.

Running a grassroots campaign, he is relying on community support rather than political machinery. “We don’t have big money driving this campaign—just good, honest people who believe in me and in what we can achieve together.”

The race for Nicklin is heating up, with Dickson competing against Labor incumbent Rob Skelton, LNP’s Marty Hunt, Family First’s Phillip Eschler, Greens’ Sue Etheridge, One Nation’s Rebecca McCosker, and Melody Lindsay from the Legalise Cannabis Party.

Dickson’s decision to enter the race for Nicklin brings a familiar face to the ballot, though this time without the backing of a major party.