THE main contenders for the Federal seat of Blair are expected to be the ALP sitting Member, Shayne Neumann and the LNP’s Carl Mutzelburg.
Eight political parties have candidates campaigning for Blair in the election which has been called by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for Saturday, May 3.
The Blair electorate has been held by Mr Neumann since 2007.
It includes central Ipswich as well as Kilcoy, Esk and Rosewood in rural areas to the north.
The seat of Blair was first contested at the 1998 election and is named in honour of famed Australian tenor and Aboriginal activist Harold Blair (1924-1976), who grew up at the Purga mission.
In the 2022 election, Mr Neumann increased his margin to 5.2 percent on the two party preferred vote.
Mr Neumann has held his seat through six elections.
He’s been a member of the ALP for more than 40 years.
He was a partner in a Brisbane law firm and a family law specialist before entering politics.
Mr Neumann has held a number of Ministerial and Shadow Ministerial portfolios, including Health and Aging; Indigenous Affairs, Immigration and Border Protection; Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel.
Currently, Mr Neumann is not a member of the government Ministry. He is the Chair of the Joint Standing Committee for Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade and the House of Representative Standing Committee on Procedures.
LNP candidate Carl Mutzelburg has lived in the electorate for more than 36 years.
He is a business manager and pastor who holds a Master of Arts and a Bachelor of Business in Health Administration.
He founded Catalyst Care, a non-profit organisation that has provided food parcels, flood relief and financial literacy programs.
Paul Toner is the Queensland Greens candidate.
He’s lived in Ipswich for 18 years and said he wanted to grow a stronger, more sustainable economy, a fairer, caring community and a liveable environment.
Mr Toner anticipated that the election would focus on the cost of living and building a society that cares enough about an economy where everyone can thrive.
John Purdon is the Family First candidate.
He has served in the military, the Army Reserves and the Air Force Reserves.
He’s currently completing a university degree in Psychology.
“I strongly believe in the family unit as being fundamental to community harmony, strong family values produce strong individuals with good morals and integrity,” he said.
One Nation’s candidate is Brendan Kross.
He served 22 years as a NSW police officer and has volunteered as a Scout Group Leader for the last eight years.
He said he’s not a career politician, rather a dedicated community member who has walked in the same shoes as his constituents.
Gerard Rennick People First has Kathryn Chadwick as its candidate.
She was born in Ipswich and raised on the family farm at Coleyville.
Kathryn completed her secondary education in Ipswich and Townsville and holds a Bachelor of Nursing.
She said she’s a passionate advocate for ADF personnel, veterans and their families.
The Trumpet of Patriots candidate is Anthony Teniswood.
The Legalise Cannabis Party put Anthony Hopkins forward as its candidate.
Anthony has lived in Queensland for 30 years and worked in mines and quarries, pharmaceuticals and overseas with the United Nations.
He’s been a long time advocate for cannabis law reform and joined Legalise Cannabis Queensland as a foundation member.
