Eight heavy hitting business leaders on the Darling Downs are expected to run for LNP pre-selection in the safe federal seat of Groom.
Following the shock resignation of Groom MP Dr John McVeigh last month, the by-election date for the seat has been set for November 28.
Dr McVeigh was elected to the federal seat of Groom in 2016 and previously served in state parliament as the Toowoomba South MP. The former state Agriculture Minister announced his resignation from federal parliament in September to spend more time with his wife Anita, who has been unwell.
Groom is an LNP stronghold, which Dr McVeigh won in a landslide victory in 2019 with 70.48 per cent of the two-party preferred vote.
It is understood these are the eight LNP candidates who have thrown their hat in the ring for pre-selection and the successful candidate will be announced on October 24.
They are Australian Lot Feeders' Association president and Beef Australia president Bryce Camm, former Wellcamp Airport general manager Sara Hales, former TSBE general manager Shane Charles, first-term Toowoomba councillor Rebecca Vonhoff, Elders stud stock agent Andrew Meara, businessman Garth Hamilton, racing car driver Daniel Cassidy and Dr David van Gend.
Queensland Country Life understands the front runners are expected to be Mr Charles, Ms Hales, and Cr Vonhoff.
In winning both pre-selection and the federal seat, it would not cause a Toowoomba Regional Council by-election with Cr Vonhoff's position automatically handed to the next best polling candidate from the March 28 local government election.
Under the rules of pre-selection candidates are not allowed to confirm their intentions to the media.
It is not clear whether Labor will field a candidate, but it is understood the Greens will run a candidate.
Nominations will close on November 5.
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.
