‘ Respected’ Towers council man to take on Katter in Kennedy LNP picks former mayor
A FORMER Charters Towers Regional Council mayor has been chosen as the LNP candidate to run in the federal seat of Kennedy in the upcoming federal election.
Frank Beveridge has spent 16 years in local government but running against maverick MP Bob Katter in the vast North Queensland seat will be his biggest political battle yet.
Mr Beveridge said he had sensed a strong desire for change in the electorate, particularly in the outer regions.
“Many feel like it’s time for a change,” he said.
“If we look how much money has gone to Kennedy compared to other federal seats, we’ve certainly missed out in a lot of areas.”
Mr Beveridge said Kennedy generates a significant amount of revenue across key primary industries including mining, grazing, sugar and banana production.
“Our economic contribution per head of population far exceeds other federal Queensland electorates,” he said. “I think people will look and compare us to somewhere like Herbert and see how much federal money has gone there … and wonder why we’re left with the crumbs.”
Mr Beveridge said securing funds for the Big Rocks Weir project at Charters Towers would be one of his first priorities.
“I will be fighting tooth and nail to get that project up as the first cab off the rank.”
Mr Beveridge said the people of Kennedy had been failed by their representative for “too long”.
“I will work hard to create local jobs by fighting for our agricultural sector,” he said.
“We have so many projects that have missed out on funding in recent years.”
LNP president Gary Spence said Mr Beveridge was “wellrespected” in the local community and had a career built on service in the region.
“Frank will be a powerful voice for Kennedy and will represent the region very strongly if elected a the next federal election,” Mr Spence said.
Mr Beveridge will step down from his role as chair of the Townsville and North West Queensland Regional Development Australia committee.