THE possibilities offered to political candidates of all persuasion by the impending retirement of long-serving MP Bruce Scott is being highlighted by the visit of shadow Agriculture Minister Joel Fitzgibbon to Roma today.
Mr Fitzgibbon will be launching the campaign for the ALP’s candidate for Maranoa, Barcaldine-based Dave Kerrigan, as well as visiting a local property and meeting with the Maranoa Regional Council.
Mr Scott has held Maranoa for the coalition in Canberra with a wide margin for over 25 years.
A spokeswoman for Mr Fitzgibbon said Mr Scott’s strong personal following may not translate for the LNP candidate succeeding him, especially in light of growing disappointment at the time it was taking to getting drought relief measures announced at the end of June on the ground.
“He believes no seat should be taken for granted,” she said.
Mr Kerrigan, 51, has lived in Barcaldine, the town known as the birthplace of the Labour Party, for 32 years, as a shearing contractor and lately for Queensland Health as a drugs and alcohol officer and focusing on youth mental health issues.
His years in the shearing industry showed him many advantages of a robust sheep and wool industry and he told Queensland Country Life he would be focusing on job readiness for young people, creating employment opportunities in meat processing and kangaroo harvesting areas, and boosting drought preparedness for graziers.