Stuckey turns up heat
Departing member grills Currumbin candidates
RECENTLY retired Currumbin MP Jann Stuckey has grilled candidates about their support for assisted dying laws at a forum ahead of the March 28 by-election.
Her husband Richard Stuckey also seized the opportunity to question Labor candidate Kaylee Campradt, LNP candidate Laura Gerber and Greens candidate Sally Spain about their campaign spending.
The long-time LNP Member for Currumbin announced her resignation in January amid a battle with depression and said she had been “ridiculed and abused” within the LNP. Her shock retirement prompted a by-election, which will coincide with the Gold Coast City Council poll.
Ms Stuckey has not endorsed Ms Gerber and previously labelled her a “blowin”, which Ms Gerber has strongly refuted.
Sitting near the back of the Friends of Currumbin forum at Tom Atkin Hall, Ms Stuckey spoke of the electorate’s strong support for assisted dying legislation.
“Will each candidate say whether they will vote for the wishes of this electorate or vote along party lines,” she asked.
Ms Campradt said she would. “I will continue your work in this area if I get the chance,” she said.
“I know the community says very loudly they support (assisted dying).”
Ms Gerber said she believed “no one should die alone” and that would influence her support for a bill.
But she added: “There’s no report and there’s no bill before the parliament. I’m a lawyer and details matter to me.”
Ms Spain said the Greens wanted safeguards but her father had suffered in his last days and she would “strongly support” assisted dying.
Later, Mr Stuckey candidates to estimate campaign spending.
Ms Gerber said: “It’s an organisational campaign matter”. She did say no one running for the LNP had received individual donations, to her knowledge. asked their
Ms Spain said she was running a shoestring campaign and had not taken donations.
Ms Campradt said she could not provide a specific figure but said it was evident a “significant amount” was being spent on the by-election by both Labor and the LNP.