Candidates in spotlight
COST of living, infrastructure funding and small business support are set to dominate the political debate this week as the Coast’s federal election candidates come under the microscope.
Incumbent MPs and candidates from major and minor parties will be grilled by the business community on their policies and plans for the next three years at an election breakfast held at The Star Gold Coast.
Co-hosted by the Gold Coast Bulletin and Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce, it will be the first time during the six-week campaign that the bulk of candidates will be appearing on a stage together ahead of the May 21 poll.
Among those who will attend are LNP federal MPs Stuart Robert, Karen Andrews and Angie Bell, Labor candidates Carl Ungerer and Glen Palmer, as well as a host of minor party figures.
Chamber president Martin Hall said voters wanted to see commitments but feared the city’s status as ultra-safe Liberal Party heartland meant it got less attention than marginal seats.
“Commitments to light rail stage 4, Coomera Connector and other infrastructure are important but what we also need is meaningful support for small and medium-sized businesses,” he said.
“Housing issues are a big issue which are now far bigger than being a state government issue and we need to see more facilities built for affordable housing here because right now there is nowhere for our workers to live.
“Because we are such a safe blue ribbon area, we need to make sure there is the same continuity of spending here that other regions get, specially with the Olympics coming.
“It is good to have two frontbench ministers here on the Coast but we need to make sure that there is an actual benefit from that.”
The performance of the Gold Coast’s MPs has come under fire in recent months after it missed out on any infrastructure funding in the federal budget and the $1.8bn City Deal – a joint project between the state and federal governments. Mayor Tom Tate again took aim at them in a statement over the weekend.
“My message is: back our three major projects or have the courage to let the voters know why you don’t,’’ he said.
“Our council has formally put forward three projects that are generational projects so far as providing our city with much-needed infrastructure and open space. They are the GreenHeart Project, stage 4 light rail and the final stages of our HOTA precinct. I want every voter to ask their federal election candidate: do you back these projects and how much funding will you commit?’’
The breakfast will be livestreamed at goldcoastbulletin.com.au.