NEW Member for Ipswich West Darren Zanow was straight out to Rosewood this week talking to locals about the ongoing drainage issues in the main street.
The LNP officially claimed victory in the Ipswich West by-election on Sunday morning, welcoming Mr Zanow as the next Member for Ipswich West.
With 77 percent of the vote counted Mr Zanow had 39 percent of the vote to Labor’s Wendy Bourne on 35 percent.
The Legalise Cannabis Party attracted 15 percent of the vote and One Nation was close to 11 percent.
Mr Zanow admitted even he was surprised at the massive swing to the LNP in Saturday’s by-election handing him a seat in Parliament and said his win should serve as a warning to all three Labor members in the city.
“I was a little surprised,” he said. “Because I’m so new to politics I was told by many people from all sides of politics that the swing I required was not achievable.
“However I’m not the sort of person that just does something for something to do, so I tried to make every post a winner and push it really hard and got the result at the end of the day.
“In October I think every seat is in play. Unless those three people, Lance McCallum, Jennifer Howard and Charis Mullen make some sensible – I’m not saying pork barrelling – sensible contributions to our city’s infrastructure and right throughout Ipswich, they are going to be in trouble.
“Because we are such safe Labor seats in all four electorates of Ipswich, the Government has overlooked us because they have assumed that Ipswich people will be voting for them.
“The time has come now where I just don’t think that is the case.”
He said cost of living and crime were the big issues which pushed voters to send a message to the Government.
Mr Zanow said he would be addressing the stalled works for infrastructure for the area including upgrades for John Street in Rosewood.
“I just want to deliver for our community. It is not a five minute job. There are some very serious issues within our community. One of them is crime,” he said.
“In John Street someone is pointing the finger to someone and someone is pointing the finger back. The council needs to fix the drainage before the State Government can fix the road and according to Council there’s nothing wrong with the drainage, the State Government needs to fix the road.”
Labor’s candidate for Ipswich West Wendy Bourne vowed to continue her campaign, already looking to win back the seat for the ALP in October.
“In the past few weeks I have had the most amazing experience of reaching out to our community and hearing what they have had to say,” she said.
“They want more health services, better education for their children and for the Miles Government to continue delivering cost of living relief where they need it most.
“I’m incredibly proud of what our campaign achieved and really proud to have been Labor’s candidate.
“The people of Ipswich West have made their voices clear, and I respect their decision.
“I love this community very much and will continue to work every day to deliver for the people of Ipswich.”
