A Bundaberg councillor is set to run for state government for the Liberal National Party against Labor's embattled MP Leanne Donaldson.
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The Bundaberg branch of the LNP chose David Batt to represent the party at the next state election in the seat of Bundaberg.
Ms Donaldson was forced to resign as Agriculture and Fisheries Minister in November after revelations she had not paid almost $8000 in rates for three years, had not paid her car registration and had driven unregistered.
She remains in government as a backbencher and became a member of Parliament's Health, Communities, Disability Services and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Committee in late November.
LNP president Gary Spence said Cr Batt was well known in Bundaberg for his hard work in the community.
"We believe that he will be a great fighter for the region if elected at the next state election," Mr Spence said.
Cr Batt said creating sustainable jobs, improving education and ensuring the best preparations against floods were the issues facing Bundaberg.
"Unfortunately, the only state government news we hear are Leanne's problems and concerns about her own job," he said.
"Bundaberg deserves a strong representative in State Parliament."
Cr Batt, who grew up in the region, was elected to Bundaberg Regional Council in 2008.
He was a police officer for more than 23 years, rising to the rank of sergeant, before being elected to the council.
Cr Batt said he was passionate about crime prevention and child safety.
It was understood Cr Batt would not need to resign from the council before nominating for election to the State Parliament.
According to the Local Government Act, a councillor who proposes to contest an election for state parliament must take leave from the council without pay during the period in which they are a candidate.
A person becomes a "candidate" when the returning officer for the electoral district posts a notice in their office listing the names of the nominees.
Mr Batt would need to take leave without pay from the day on which nominations close.
He is expected to remain a councillor during the election period, and if he is successful, he will automatically cease being a councillor upon becoming a member of parliament.
Ms Donaldson won the seat of Bundaberg at the January 2015 election from the LNP's Jack Dempsey, who was elected Bundaberg's mayor in March.
