Residents voice strong concerns over cost-of-living pressures, community safety, transport, and infrastructure during a Stafford by-election candidates’ forum held Wednesday evening. This by-election marks the second out-of-cycle vote since the LNP assumed government in October 2024, prompted by the passing of independent MP Jimmy Sullivan in early April. Sullivan served independently after Labor expelled him last year amid personal challenges.
Seven of the nine candidates joined the discussion: Alan Denaro (Family First Party), Damian Smart (independent), Daniel Selff (Libertarian Party), Jacqueline Verne (Legalise Cannabis Queensland), Jess Lane (Greens), Liam Parry (independent), and Luke Richmond (Labor). Liberal National Party hopeful Fiona Hammond and Animal Justice Party’s Lucy O’Brien could not attend.
Addressing Cost-of-Living Challenges
Household financial strains dominate resident feedback, with candidates outlining their top priorities for the first year in office. Denaro pledges to connect community groups with those in need more efficiently. Richmond calls for urgent relief measures, stating, “The missing piece at the moment is something that immediately alleviates the pressure.” He pushes for healthcare investments and swift action on the fuel crisis.
Parry demands pay hikes for nurses, teachers, and transport workers to ease everyday struggles. Smart targets reductions in power and insurance costs, alongside green energy funding and insurance reforms. Lane highlights renter vulnerabilities—nearly half the electorate—and commits to rent caps and stronger tenant protections. Selff proposes tax system overhauls to remove burdensome elements.
Boosting Community Safety
Safety emerges as a key worry, prompting questions on enhancing resident security. Parry opposes jailing youth, favoring healthcare, mental health support, and housing instead. “A lot of crime stems from poverty and desperation,” he notes. “We need to bring empathy back into these conversations.”
Richmond criticizes current LNP approaches, emphasizing more frontline police. “Officers on the ground have never been stretched more thin,” he says, while advocating investments in teachers for early intervention. Lane argues against relying on incarceration alone: “To eradicate crime, eradicate poverty.” Selff supports visible policing and school programs, promising community input early on. Verne backs risk-based policing focused on harm reduction over appearances. Denaro champions “castle law” for homeowner defense, while Smart urges respect for police with cautious consideration of such measures.
Improving Public Transport
Transport gaps frustrate locals, leading candidates to prioritize solutions. Lane advocates frequent, free services long championed by the Greens. Richmond vows to hold the government accountable for unmet infrastructure promises. Denaro calls for new corridors suited to rising demand and diverse transport modes.
Parry seeks public transport funding via taxes on high earners. Verne eyes peak-hour free travel to cut costs. Selff prioritizes the Gympie tunnel bypass for lasting benefits.
Ensuring Sustainable Growth
Locals seek affordable, equitable development. Richmond urges reversing LNP cuts to housing quotas tied to population rises. Verne pushes townhouses and matched infrastructure. Lane decries gentrification, favoring social housing expansion.
Smart questions rent increase regulations for potential unintended hikes. Parry treats housing as a right, calls for public builds, and opposes the 2032 Olympics due to market strain. Selff and Denaro advocate immigration caps; Denaro also seeks pension asset test reforms to free up homes.
Early voting continues ahead of the May 16 by-election.
