Premier announces Joel Richters to contest Southern Downs

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced Joel Richters will join her team to contest Southern Downs for Labor in the election to be held later this year.

Mr Richters moved to Goondiwindi in 2014 after serving in the Australian Army for eight years. He is a proud and dedicated healthcare worker at Darling Downs Health, as well as Board Chair of the local disability and community support organisation, Care Goondiwindi.

“I have seen first-hand how access to quality health services has a vital impact on closing the gap on health outcomes between urban and rural Queenslanders,” Mr Richters said.

The Premier said Joel had the experience and energy to be a strong voice for his local community.

“We need local champions like Joel so we can keep delivering more jobs, more industries, better frontline services, and the infrastructure Queensland needs for the future,” Premier Palaszczuk said.

Mr Richters said he was proud to be part of a team which is on the side of all Queenslanders – a team that’s backing Queensland jobs and focussed on frontline services.

“Because of the Palaszczuk Government’s investment in local frontline health services, our area has been well prepared for the COVID-19 health emergency,” he said.

“Queensland can’t afford to go back to the bad old days when Deb Frecklington was Campbell Newman’s apprentice, and the LNP cut funding, sacked workers and tried to sell assets.

“Jobs are under threat in Southern Downs because the Federal Government has allowed our economy to become a combatant with our climate.

“Only Labor will take action on climate change and that includes training and re-training people in skills for the future, and the jobs of tomorrow.

“I look forward to getting out there and earning the trust of locals”.

ENDS

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