Mystery robo-poll hints at new tilt for George Christensen qt.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from qt.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Premium Content
Subscriber only Speculation over who will throw their hat in the ring to replace outgoing Dawson MP George Christensen for the LNP has already begun. The four names circulating include Mackay councillor Marty Bella, Burdekin MP Dale Last, Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson and former LNP state election candidate Chris Bonanno. Cr Williamson said the party had not approached him to run. I wouldn t be putting my hand up anyway, he said. I think while federal representation is exceptionally important, I m enjoying my job now and I think I can represent the Mackay region appropriately from what I m doing at the moment.
Premium Content
Subscriber only
Reactions to George Christensenâs shock announcement he would not recontest the next federal election have been as divisive as the figure himself.
The Dawson MP last week declared he had renominated as the LNP candidate to represent the electorate he has held for four terms, with a massive 14.6 per cent swing.
But Mr Christensen, in a shock move, announced late Thursday he would step down before the next election to be held within the next year.
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack on Thursday night thanked Mr Christensen and said his decision to âstep back, spend time with family and pursue a career after politicsâ was one ânot taken casuallyâ.
Dawson reacts to Christensen s shock retirement move dailymercury.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from dailymercury.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Controversial Queensland LNP MP George Christensen has made the shock decision to retire at the next federal election, with the vocal politician slamming Australia s broken state of politics and warning he won t be going away quietly. Mr Christensen, in a statement provided exclusively to The Courier-Mail, said the time was right to announce he would not recontest his Mackay-based seat at the impending election. He said he had only ever intended to serve three terms when he first ran for office in 2010. Now in his fourth term, Mr Christensen said he wanted to spend more time with his family - ostensibly referring to his Filipina wife April Asuncion - who were caught up overseas due to pandemic border closures.