Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox MP takes oath of office

The Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox MP has been sworn in following the Opening of the 47th Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia.

“This is a proud moment for myself and my family. As the eighth member for Dawson since the electorate was created in 1948, I want to assure my constituents that I will work for them to secure better roads, improved telecommunications and more infrastructure, including the construction of Urannah Dam,” Mr Willcox said.

Today’s swearing in of members followed the pomp and ceremony of the Procession to the Senate chamber for the Opening of the Parliament. Members then returned to the House of Representatives to take their oaths of office.

Mr Willcox says he is looking forward to getting down to work on behalf of his electorate.

“This is an exciting new phase in my political life. I had the privilege of serving my community as a councillor, deputy-mayor and mayor of the Whitsunday Regional Council. I now have the opportunity to serve the wider community of Dawson,” Mr Willcox said.

Mr Willcox, who describes himself as a proud Bowen boy, is the first from the community to serve as the Member for Dawson.

“I am also very proud of my farming background, and I want to assure the farming community in my electorate that I will work to reduce the amount of green and red tape impacting their right to farm,” Mr Willcox said.

Mr Willcox is due to deliver his maiden speech in the House of Representatives tomorrow.

He is expected to highlight the need to improve funding of local governments by returning the Federal Assistance Grants to one per cent of taxation, as well as call for more support for the sugar industry’s bid to develop alternative uses including biofuels.

Mr Willcox says he also shares the concerns of beef producers across Dawson about a possible outbreak of diseases like foot and mouth.

“There is real concern in my electorate about the threat posed by foot and mouth. My electorate office has fielded numerous enquiries from concerned beef producers, and I want to assure them the LNP will keep the pressure on the new government to keep the industry disease free,” Mr Willcox said.