November 8, 2021
ALP candidate for Flynn, Matt Burnett, visited Proston and Wondai late last week to meet local residents.
Mr Burnett, who is Mayor of Gladstone, was pre-selected by Labor earlier this year to run for Flynn at the next Federal poll.
The seat is currently held by the LNP’s Ken O’Dowd, who has announced he will not be recontesting the forthcoming election.
Mr Burnett told southburnett.com.au he had several important topics raised with him during his visit to the region on Thursday and Friday.
He said the shortage of GPs in rural and regional Queensland had been discussed by Dr Graham McAllister.
In fact, access to healthcare was one of the main topics raised by most people during Mr Burnett’s visit.
Other key issues for local voters were education, the lack of jobs and the need to build a strong economy.
Mr Burnett also met with three South Burnett councillors: Cr Scott Henschen, Cr Kirstie Schumacher and Deputy Mayor Gavin Jones.
The main topics raised by the councillors were water and roads infrastructure, including the Mundubbera-Durong Road.
As well as arranging meetings with local businesses, Mr Burnett also held a meet’n’greet at the Sawmill Hotel in Wondai which provided an opportunity for local residents to have a chat.
He also held a pop-up campaign office in Gordon McKell Park.
Mr Burnett was elected to Gladstone Regional Council in 2000 and has served as Mayor since 2016.
The former journalist and small businessman is also vice-president of the Australian Local Government Association and a Director of the Local Government Association of Queensland.
Mr Burnett said Flynn was a “winnable seat” for either of the major parties.
The LNP candidate will be State Member for Callide and former Taroom Shire councillor Colin Boyce.
