General News
16 April, 2025
Eight in Kennedy race as LNP draws pole position
Bob Katter has seven challengers in the May 3 federal election.
Eight candidates are in the mix to claim Kennedy in the May 3 election, with incumbent MP Bob Katter finishing at the bottom of the ballot paper.
The woman considered to be the main challenger, the LNP’s Annette Swain, has drawn pole position.
Following her will be Steven Clare, who is running as an independent, despite previously contesting the Townsville state seat of Thuringowa for One Nation.
Third on the ballot paper is Carole Stanford for the Greens, while Family First’s Douglas Lush will be fourth.
Pauline Hanson’s One Nation candidate Kate Harris is next, followed by Labor Party hopeful Sharon Winn.
Mount Isa mine worker Mark Westcott has put his hand up to run for the Trumpet of Patriots, now the party of choice for Clive Palmer, and is the penultimate name of the ballot paper.
While there have been no key promises made by the major parties for Kennedy, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have been crossing the country in a bid to win over the nation in what is predcited to be a close election battle.
Over the weekend, the LNP announced two major policies that would likely have a direct impact on North West residents – a “Plan for a Strong Resources Industry” and a “Regional Australia Future Fund”.
Uranium, phosphate, zinc, tin, alumina, bauxite and potash would join Australia’s critical minerals list under a Coalition government, the LNP said.
Cutting red and green tape when it comes to project approvals and accelerating investment were among the elements of the Coalition plan.
The LNP also announced support for the $3.4 billion “Resourcing Australia’s Prosperity” program, committed to by the Labor government in last year’s budget.
The 35-year precompetitive geoscience initiative, led by Geoscience Australia, aims to accelerate the discovery of critical minerals and other resources.
Senator Susan McDonald said the plan would not only benefit Australia’s economy, but boost its global standing as a trading partner and ally.
“Our commitment to a $3.4 billion geoscience program builds on our plan to unleash the next wave of mining investment, including through our $100 million extension of the Junior Minerals Exploration Incentive, announced last week,” she said.
Ms Swaine, who was back in Mount Isa last week on the campaign trail, welcomed her party’s pledge to establish a Regional Australia Future Fund, using mining revenue to deliver a guaranteed funding stream in perpetuity for the bush.
“This is about putting regional people first and leaving a legacy for future generations, and, importantly, it will be in addition to existing government funding,” she said.
“Whether it’s for more childcare places in Mount Isa, better telecommunications in Boulia, improvements to roads servicing the cattle and mining industries, this fund is really broad in scope.
“For decades we have sent our mining wealth south and only seen a trickle flow back north, but this Coalition announcement means we don’t have to fight to provide infrastructure in regional areas.
“The fund will deliver secure and sustainable long-term funding to tackle challenges that hold back regional communities, grow populations and invest in building long-term economic foundations.”
Meanwhile, Labor says it will make the tax system simpler and deliver more cost-of-living relief by introducing a $1000 instant tax deduction from 2026-27.
The reform would allow taxpayers to choose to claim a $1000 instant tax deduction instead of claiming individual work-related expenses, saving time and money.
“Taxpayers won’t need to collect receipts for deductions less than $1000 and will save on the costs of professional tax advice,” Mr Albanese said.
“This election commitment will provide more permanent cost of living relief and make tax time quicker and easier for 5.7 million taxpayers.”
KENNEDY BALLOT PAPER
1. Annette Swaine (LNP)
2. Steven Clare (Independent)
3. Carole Stanford (Greens)
4. Douglas Lush (Family First)
5. Kate Harris (One Nation)
6. Sharon Winn (Labor)
7. Mark Westcott (Trumpet of Patriots)
8. Bob Katter (KAP)