Labor looking for new runner

WHITSUNDAY’S Labor candidate Tracey Cameron has pulled the pin on her bid.

The decision, which Ms Cameron said was for personal reasons, has left Labor on shaky ground in North Queensland.

In the 10 electorates between the Labor-held seats of Keppel and Cook, the party has just four candidates – sitting members Scott Stewart, Coralee O’rourke, Aaron Harper and Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert.

Ms Cameron wrote in a Facebook statement that for some time a family member had been ill.

“I’m sad to say (it) is not getting any better,” she wrote.

“My family is very important to me, so too is the success of my small business.

“That’s why I have decided to focus all my attention on my personal responsibilities.

“It has been such a privilege and honour to represent the wonderful Whitsunday community as the Labor candidate – a community that I will continue to serve in my capacity as a proud local resident and small business owner.”

Ms Cameron, who owns Everything Office and More in Proserpine, announced in November last year she would run for the seat of Whitsunday.

With 80 days left until the election, there have been rumours circulating about prospective candidates for some seats, but no firm word on if preselection has occurred or if there were candidates in the pipeline.

Sitting member, North Queensland First party leader Jason Costigan, said he wished Ms Cameron well.

“I wish Tracey all the best with her future endeavours as I continue to take the fight up to her comrades in Labor, ” he said. “I don’t give a rat’s who they pick as the replacement candidate.

“If Bob Hawke was alive, they could have rolled him out.

“It seriously doesn’t worry me as I know how much Labor is on the nose in the North because their own voters are whingeing to me and yes, warming to NQ First.”

Labor held the seat of Whitsunday before Mr Costigan won the 2012 election. Jan Jarratt was the Labor member for 11 years from 2001 and 2012.

Mr Costigan won the 2017 election with just 50.7 per cent of the two-party preferred vote. The seat has previously been held by One Nation, independent members and National Party members

The candidates still in the running for the seat are Mr Costigan, Amanda Camm for LNP, Deb Lawson for One Nation and Ciaron Paterson for Katter’s Australian Party.