WILLPOWER: Andew Willcox retains the LNP hold on the electorate
Mackay and Whitsunday Life
Mayor Willcox Wins Seat Of Dawson
Our much-loved Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor will now become the Federal Member for Dawson following a successful election campaign which saw him receive 48,652 (60.4 per cent) of the votes, followed by his nearest contender Labor Candidate Shane Hamilton with 31,962 (39.6 per cent of votes).
Saturday’s election, however, did welcome in a new Labor Government which will undoubtedly prove challenging for Willcox who will now be in opposition.
“Of course it will be a lot harder for me in opposition, I won’t have the ear of the treasurer, but I’m up for the fight,” he said.
“I will still be pushing for what I’ve put forward and I have a list for Labor – I will be holding the government to account, making sure they deliver what they’ve said they will.”
Willcox Takes The Reins
A new face takes the seat of Dawson, with Andrew Willcox replacing George Christensen who held the seat for 12 years, announcing his resignation in 2021 and moving over to One Nation earlier this year.
Despite being new to the position, Andrew Willcox has served as Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor for six years and said he understands the needs of the region, pledging to always put those needs first when representing the Whitsundays in Canberra.
“I believe it’s very important to tell the story of how important this region is,” said Mr Willcox.
“When I go down to Canberra, I will be telling them truth: if you want us to continue delivering as a region, we need the infrastructure and services to support us.”
Since last Saturday’s election win, Mr Willcox said he has been thanking all his supporters and pulling down countless signs.
In the coming week he will be going to Canberra to “get everything set up and get my feet under the table”.
From here, he will wait to receive the parliamentary calendar to see when they will be sitting.
Residing in Bowen, which is the centre point of the electorate, Mr Willcox said he will largely be spending time travelling around his electorate but will still retain the same head office in Mackay.
“Most of the time I’ll be out and about meeting with the community, attending functions, talking to people about what they need and what’s important for them – that’s what I’m all about!” he said.
When asked about important promises made prior to the election he said that Urannah Dam and the Bowen Pipeline are already in the budget but it will be up to the new government as to whether they decide to change that budget.
“The Labor Government have said they support Urannah, providing it all stacks up, I’m sure it will happen.”