Brett McGuire, who grew up in Julia Creek, says he “wants to keep his ear to the ground” because his heart is with small communities.

“I know the struggles they face are unique,” Mr McGuire said.

“The whole community feels the effect if a major employer leaves town for instance or when a drought hits, it’s not just the graziers who feel it.”

“It’s like a domino effect which filters down to the local council so we need to ensure they are funded correctly as well,” he said.

Mr McGuire said Labor leader Bill Shorten pledged $500 million in federal funding to upgrade regional Queensland roads covering more than 3000 kms and up to 300 bridges.

“A big push is on to upgrade the regional roads. Kennedy is bigger than just the Bruce Highway, so this is great news,” he said.

“It’s important to look at how much money comes out of the North West Mineral Province, the economic benefits for being able to access our freight is outstanding.”

Mr McGuire said more is needed to be done for the region’s infrastructure.

“Bob Katter has been in the job for too long and he’s done nothing for Kennedy,” he said.

“The problem with Bob and the KAP is they will never hold a position of power, so how are they suppose to influence policy if they don’t be part of policy making.

“They need to produce outcomes and they haven’t.”

“He had great opportunities to get projects moving in Kennedy but he took the default line and sided with the LNP and that’s where he sat,” he said.

Mr McGuire, who works as an underground electrician at a coal mine, has taken a month off to travel through the electorate talking to residents and local councils.

“There’s some good projects in the pipeline that local councils are pushing and as a member you want to have your head around all that because that’s where your base is, trying to improve your local community,” he said.

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