April 10, 2016
Kilkivan Police officer-in-charge – and LNP Vice-President – Llew O’Brien has won preselection for the Federal seat of Wide Bay.
Mr O’Brien was selected at an LNP meeting held in Gympie on Sunday afternoon.
Wide Bay will become vacant when former Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss retires at the next Federal election.
Mr Truss has held the seat, which includes Murgon, Cherbourg, Goomeri and Kilkivan, since 1990.
It is considered safe LNP territory although Mr Truss suffered a 2 per cent swing against him at the last election, losing primary votes to Palmer United and Katter’s Australian Party candidates.
After the preselection, Mr O’Brien said it was now “all systems go” for him.
He said he had received a congratulatory telephone call from the Prime Minister after the result was announced.
LNP Wide Bay Regional Chairman Damien Tessmann described Mr O’Brien as a “country copper and one of most decent blokes you’ll come across”.
Mr Truss also congratulated Mr O’Brien on his endorsement.
“Llew O’Brien has built a career on service to Wide Bay. He has worked in Noosa, Gympie and Kilkivan, making our streets safer,” Mr Truss said.
“Llew has strong networks within the community and the support of a great family. His solid connection to the region forms a sound basis on which he can advocate for the infrastructure and services Wide Bay needs to support jobs and growth in the future.”
“The next election will be a difficult battle but Llew O’Brien has the capacity to make an outstanding contribution as Member for Wide Bay.
“(He) is approachable, dependable and committed. He has a deep understanding of the issues facing our region and our nation. Llew will be a strong and effective voice in the Turnbull-Joyce Coalition Government to deliver results for Wide Bay.”
In 2015, Mr O’Brien was awarded the National Medal, National Police Medal and Queensland Police Service Medal for ethical and diligent service.
He has served on the LNP’s State Electorate Council, Federal Divisional Council and Regional and State executives.
The other candidates who tossed their hats into the ring were Tourism Noosa chief executive and former Fraser Coast Tourism CEO Damien Massingham and mining PR Tim Langmead.
Member for Callide and former Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney withdrew from the contest last month.
