Martinez completes LNP election line- up
THE LNP’s Townsville state election line- up is complete, with the party to unveil a local engineering consultant as its candidate in Thuringowa today.
Nick Martinez is the third and final LNP candidate for the Townsville region ahead of the upcoming state election.
The 31- year- old, whose grandfather Joe Goicoechea was a founder of Mendi Constructions, will join Townsville candidate Casie Scott and Mundingburra’s Matt Derlagen in the line- up.
Mr Martinez said it was his discussions with friends and family about the region’s growing crime and water concerns that influenced his political endeavour.
“It just keeps getting worse, the big issues for everyone are crime,” he said. “That’s No. 1 in Kirwan. “People can’t find jobs, crime rates are off the charts and there is no water.
“Thuringowa is seeing the worst of it, with the highest crime and unemployment rates in the state.”
The trio have unofficially branded themselves Generation Next, placing an emphasis on their conservative, traditional values and a passion for the region.
Mr Martinez, who was born in Townsville, said like much of Australia, the region had experienced a boom period.
“But the financial crisis happened and I lost my job in that,” he said.
“It’s ( crime) been growing, only in the last two years it’s skyrocketed.
“Property crime is up 40 per cent in one year.”
Mr Martinez said he would hit the streets over the coming weeks.
“I will be reaching out to the community,” he said.
“People want to feel they are being listened to.”
Ms Scott said the trio were fresh faced and energetic.
“We bring conservative, traditional values to the table and we are all really passionate for the region,” she said.
“I think you only need to look at the three members currently to see that age doesn’t equal results.
“People are so happy to stop and have a chat. They’re so like happy that somebody wants to hear them.”
Mr Derlagen said he had also been out talking to locals.
“It is so important – we are here to represent them,” he said.
Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls said Mr Martinez was hard- working and respected.
“If elected, Ms Scott, Mr Derlagen and Mr Martinez will not be silent passengers in a Liberal National Party government – they will stand up and fight for Townsville’s fair share,” he said.
A date has not yet been announced for the election.