By Jeremy Sollars
From a media perspective, the local State Elections campaigning in Southern Downs has been full of interest.
Not the least because this time around the electorate has a long-standing local MP in the form of Lawrence Springborg leaving state politics, which opens things up a bit in the otherwise rock-solid safe LNP seat.
I am not going to pick the winner of the local contest here. On paper, the LNP looks almost certain to win, but Independent Rob Mackenzie has been campaigning furiously and clearly relishing his underdog status. Some local political tragics are tipping a Mackenzie upset. I guess we’ll find out soon enough if they’re right.
I’ll make some genuine observations about our local candidates, and in no way am I suggesting to readers to whom they should award their vote. This is with my impartial journo hat on and in a kind of ‘form guide’ format …
James Lister (LNP)
The front runner on paper. The LNP won Southern Downs with a 19.2 per cent margin at the 2015 election. Lister seems unbeatable, but no previous political form and not a ‘born-and-bred’ local, which could work against him. A nice guy and has been everywhere during the campaign. Campaigned with full backing and resources of the LNP machine.
Rob Mackenzie (Independent)
The ‘roughie’ of this political race. The former LNP member failed to gain endorsement as the party’s Southern Downs candidate and quit the party as a result. Has political form as a serving Goondiwindi councillor. Has campaigned as though his life depends on it. Seems to thrive on the ‘underdog’ status and talks well ‘off the cuff’. Can he go the full distance on the day? Remains to be seen.
Josh Coyne (One Nation)
Despite One Nation polling strongly across regional Queensland, local Southern Downs voters may well be asking, “Josh who?” Virtually zero public profile and has been all but invisible during the campaign. Seems like a nice enough bloke though, the couple of times I’ve met him. Into campdrafting and born and bred in the region. Hard to see him going the distance here but the hard-core One Nation voters will help, and he’s done a preference deal with Mackenzie.
Joel Ritchters (ALP)
Was endorsed by the party two weeks ago, on the morning of the ballot draw. Reflects the ALP’s normal attitude to Southern Downs, ie find the name of someone with a pulse to put on a ballot paper. At least he’s based in Goondiwindi. The last bloke, as I recall, was from somewhere up the Sunny Coast. Affable and well-spoken. But let’s face it, he has no chance.
Jay Nauss (Independent)
Veteran political candidate and regular writer of letters to the editors of local media outlets. Impressive cycling ability. May bring in some votes from Stanthorpe but a real outsider.
Antonia van Geuns (The Greens)
Lives in Toowoomba. Not sure if she’s ever been here. Or knows where Warwick and Stanthorpe are. Enough said really.
