MCPHERSON CANDIDATES

Aaron Santelises — ALP

Age: 29.

Job: Practising solicitor in employment law and industrial relations, previously commercial litigation and construction law. Bio: Ran in the 2012 Queensland State Election for Labor in Mudgeeraba. Said it was a great experience to understand the role of community groups, what matters to voters and to understand the role and responsibility of politicians in the community.

He says he is running because he feels for too long local working and middle-class families have suffered with insecure jobs and Gold Coasters will be some of the hardest hit, with 14,533 workers in McPherson facing a pay cut.

He says he wants to address the cost of living, reverse and restore the LNP’s $3.8 million cut to Robina Hospital, reverse penalty rate cuts, invest $17.9 million into state schools, address the issue of climate change and “deliver a fair go for McPherson”.

Scott Crowe — LibDem

The Liberal Democrats media said to visit their website for information on all candidates.

Michael Kaff — Independent

Age: 64.

Job: Business trainer/mentor for people on Centrelink benefits wanting to start their own business. Bio: Ran for the Senate as an independent in 2016.

Has owned two small businesses and is an ex-auditor and tax accountant. His main focuses this election are stopping oversized Gold Coast development going south in anticipation of light rail, heavy rail instead of light rail to the airport, stopping the rollout of 5G towers and installing

5G fibre instead. He also supports leaving the Dividend Imputation Credit refunds for low-income earners alone, a steady and deliberate move towards renewables and a sustainable future, widening the M1 to Elanora, duplication of the M1 Gold Coast to Brisbane. He will push for major improvements for small businesses, veterans, people with

disabilities, Gold Coast development, education and welfare.

Alan Quinn — The Greens

Age: 22.

Job: Software developer with a Gold Coast children’s education company.

Bio: Keen contributor to Gold Coast Greens activities. Believes we need to make sure we look after our natural environment. He wants the impact of big business money and the power of corporate dollars eliminated, TAFE and universities to be accessible to all Australians and believes all Australians should be able to pursue permanent employment and a secure home. He aims for appropriate public investment in infrastructure such as education, housing, new industries and sustainable future employment.

Karen Andrews — LNP

LNP media said to visit their website for information on all candidates.

Sean Gordon Gaffy — Fraser Anning’s Conservative National Party

The Conservative National Party did not respond to a request for information.

Renee Stewart — Animal Justice Party

Age: 43.

Job: Contract compliance.

Bio: Says she is animal rights advocate, organising many positive outreach events to educate the public on factory farming. She says was actively involved in Black Swan Lake protests and has been a longterm carer volunteering with a local animal rescue.

Aims to prioritise animal protection issues and her main goals this election include habitat loss of vulnerable species, ending live export and transitioning farmers towards sustainable, climate-appropriate horticulture.

Fiona Kay MacKenzie — United Australia Party

The United Australia Party did not respond to a request for information.

John Spellman — Pauline Hanson’s One Nation

One Nation did not respond to a request for information.