Local former police officer and family man Llew O’Brien has claimed victory in the safe LNP seat of Wide Bay.
Mr O’Brien won pre-selection and chosen to replace long-serving local member and former Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss who retired.
A jubliant Mr O’Brien said his first priority would be to get established in his electorate for when government is formed.
He said then he would be pushing the promise to invest up to $20 million comprehensive jobs package in the Wide Bay Burnett region, made by the Turnbull-Joyce Coalition government.
“The Wide Bay Burnett Jobs Package (WBBJP) is a dedicated pool of funds that will be available to the Wide Bay Burnett region to enable local businesses to expand to create local jobs, grow skills in the local workforce, pursue export opportunities, and strengthen the economy,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The WBBJP will attract matching funding from participating businesses to deliver $40 million in new investment in the region.
“In the Wide Bay electorate, businesses located in Gympie, the Mary Valley, Maryborough, Tin Can Bay, Rainbow Beach, Cooloola Cove, Kilkivan, Goomeri and Murgon, and other parts of the South Burnett, Fraser and Cooloola Coasts will be able to access the fund.
“This specific, targeted, and tailored investment pool will assist existing local businesses to grow and offer incentives for metropolitan based businesses to expand their businesses into the Wide Bay Burnett region – creating new sustainable jobs.”
Mr O’Brien will also continuing the momenteum of the continual upgrade of the Bruce Highway.
“I certainly will be following this up and taking over the good work Warren Truss did in this area,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Warren was not only a good local member but a great Deputy Prime Minister, and it is a huge honour to take over his electorate.”