It is straight to work for the newly elected LNP member for the seat of Groom, John McVeigh.
Mr McVeigh has claimed a resounding victory taking 52.6 per cent of the vote ,despite a small swing towards Labor attracting 23 per cent of the vote counted.
First up, Mr McVeigh said he would prioritise the Oakey groundwater contamination issue.
The towns underground aquifier is a contaminated plume from chemicals used over decades at the nearby army base.
“I raised this issue as a high priorty when speaking with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on the phone on Sunday,” Mr McVeigh said.
His next priority is to get clarity and full briefings from the ARTC (Australian Rail Track Corporation) on the Melbourne-to-Brisbane Inalnd Rail Project.
At the same time he would be investigating the engagement of local sub-contractors for the Second Range Crossing.
“As the Federal government is paying for the bulk of cost of building the Second Range Crossing. this project has the potential to create many local jobs,” he said.
Another issue on the drawing board is the re-cycled water for farmers in the Lockyer Valley and Darling Downs.
“This feasibility study funding was committed by Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, and I will be following it up too,” he said.
“Overall the biggest challenge I look forward to is to lobby for regional Australia, as Groom is a seat allocated in the Liberal Party room.”
Mr McVeigh replaces retiring LNP MP Ian Macfarlane who for 16 years.
The seat was previously held by Mr McVeigh’s father, Tom for 16 years from the 1970s to 80s. It was then known as the seat of Darling Downs, before it changed to Groom.
“There is definately some personal pride here, that 30 years later I am now seating in his former seat,” he said.
Mr McVeigh is definately no stranger to the political scene, and was previously a high profile councillor on the Toowoomba Regional Council, for running for state politics and elected to the seat of Toowoomba South.
He previously was Minister for Primary Industries in the former Newman LNP government.
He resigned from his state seat of Toowoomba South, to contest the seat of Groom.
Helen Walker
Helen is the Toowoomba-based journalist who loves nothing better than covering anything horse sport related, however she covers all commodities and personality yarns. Over the years she has lived in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Longreach and Roma filing stories for the 'bible of the bush'. Contact 0459 827414.
Helen is the Toowoomba-based journalist who loves nothing better than covering anything horse sport related, however she covers all commodities and personality yarns. Over the years she has lived in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Longreach and Roma filing stories for the 'bible of the bush'. Contact 0459 827414.
