Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is keeping her cards close to her chest about the date of the next Queensland election but an event she attended in Mount Isa on Saturday seems to bring it ever closer.
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After turning the sod at the Mount Isa hospital helipad, the Premier then drove the short distance to West St Lane where she formally opened the office of ALP candidate for Traeger Danielle Slade.
Ms Slade was flanked by a big crowd of supporters as she welcomed the Premier for Rodeo weekend and she called on her to mark next year’s 60th anniversary of the rodeo with additional funding.
“I know you do a lot already but can I ask your government to do a little bit extra next year,” Ms Slade said, to which the Premier replied “absolutely,” to big applause.
Ms Slade said she grew up in Mount Isa, got her first job at Mount Isa Mines and worked in the mining community for 25 years and she has also been involved in sporting, community and charity groups.
“As a Mount Isan I know this community,” she said.
“Mount Isa is the birthplace of champions and I’m not talking about the billboards on the edge of town, I’m talking about the hard working men and women of this great city.”
Mount Isa is the birthplace of champions and I’m not talking about the billboards on the edge of town, I’m talking about the hard working men and women of this great city
- Danielle Slade
Though she didn’t mention current member for Mount Isa Robbie Katter by name, Ms Slade said the election for the new seat of Traeger (which covers Mount Isa to Charters Towers) was a clear choice.
“We can continue the way we are or we can selling a fresh candidate with new ideas and a different perspective,” she said.
“My important role will be to listen to the people, you people, about what you want.”
She said she would campaign on affordable living, jobs, apprenticeships, facilities, infrastructure and services, among other things.
The Premier said that from the time she first met Danielle she knew she had it in her to campaign hard.
“She will be an outstanding candidate,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“And I can see that today because of all the people here today backing her.”