Les in the box seat as election looms
PLAGUED Mundingburra MP Les Walker could be safer in his seat with the looming election than his North Queensland running mates, Labor insiders say.
While the LNP is preparing to topple Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper, announcing it was already searching for a candidate, rumours have been running rampant that Mr Walker could be at risk of losing his seat.
Within months of him winning the seat, Mr Walker had been knocked out in the Mad Cow, with a separate incident in 2021 which went before a court but was ultimately thrown out, and more recently when the MP left a ‘Forensics for Dummies' book at the Police Remembrance Day ceremony as a gift.
With Labor pushing to have 45 per cent of those preselected women, it was thought three men in office would be replaced this election.
The quota coupled with Mr Walker’s tumultuous first term in state government, rumours suggested he may be on the chopping block.
But a Labor insider has told the Bulletin that while Mr Walker has had a number of indiscretions, he was considered an effective member of parliament and is understood to be well-liked and respected in his electorate.
The insider added that the 45 per cent was a goal, but no members would be turfed if they wanted to remain.
Mr Walker was elected in 2020 after former Mundingburra MP Coralee O’rourke announced she would no longer be running due to health reasons.
Mr Walker won preselection, as a Labor-right replacement for Ms O’rourke.
If Mr Walker was to be replaced, another Labor-right candidate would need to be selected and there are few willing candidates in the region who fit the criteria.
Concerns have been raised over Townsville MP Scott Stewart, who was put into a new ministerial portfolio after the last election, with insiders saying he has been told to spend more time in Townsville.
But all three MPS could be pipped at the post over youth crime.
The subject dominated the previous state election, with the LNP promising curfews and breach of bail to get them over the line. But their bid failed. However, it could be more problematic for both Cairns and Townsville MPS when Queenslanders go to vote in 2024. Sources say while Townsville is going strong in employment and the economy, the youth crime problem is hanging over the state government’s head.
The results of the Palaszczuk government’s latest crime law update, which includes increasing the maximum penalty for stealing a car, more severe penalties for crimes committed at night, and taking into account bail history in sentencing, will be known by the next election.
Sources say there are serious concerns it could lead to at least some of North Queensland’s MPS no being re-elected next year.