Who’s Who in 22, Government Gurus: Luke Howarth

During 2022, Federal Member for Petrie Luke Howarth delivered key road upgrades, school infrastructure, and sporting facilities, and retained his seat despite a change in government in May.

In April, work started on the upgrade of Henry Rd, Griffin, in partnership with Moreton Bay Regional Council; and work has progressed throughout the year on the $120 million Deception Bay Rd overpass upgrade, which will be finished in 2023.

Also in April, the Deception Bay Community Hall was officially opened. It was a joint Federal Government and Moreton Bay Regional Council project.

In the lead-up to the May Federal Election, Mr Howarth supported calls for Suttons Beach Pavilion to be repaired or rebuilt, committing $5 million if re-elected.

The Clontarf Scout Group’s den was officially opened in July, with funding from the former Federal Government.

Four new courts for the North Lakes Blues Netball Club opened in July, with funding from the former Federal Government in partnership with Moreton Bay Regional Council. The club previously had to hire courts and pass on the costs to their members.

The Lakes College Aquatic Precinct was officially opened in August, with a $2 million Federal Government funding contribution; and the first stage of the Beams Road level crossing project was started – an upgrade to the Carseldine train station park’n’ride.

Mr Howarth hosted the Petrie Immigration Forum in October, involving people from South Africa, United Kingdom, India, Nepal, Phillipines New Zealand and more. Issues raised included skilled migration, slow visa processing times and communication with affected people.

He also hosted a Women in Business forum in November with local businesswomen and Shadow Minister for Women, Shadow Minister for Small and Family Business, and Shadow Minister for Industry, Skills and Training Sussan Ley.

An upgrade to the intersection of Cook Crt and Flinders Pde, North Lakes, was opened in October. The work was delivered in partnership with Moreton Bay Regional Council and included $1.3 million in Federal funding.

Mr Howarth used a speech in Parliament in November to highlight the plight of homeowners in Griffin whose properties are likely to be resumed to upgrade a section of the Bruce Highway. He also spoke out about the issue and wrote a letter to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in October.

About Luke Howarth

Luke Howarth was elected Federal Member for Petrie in 2013, unseating sitting ALP member Yvette D’Ath. He was subsequently re-elected in 2016, 2019 and 2022.

He served as Assistant Minister for Community Housing, Homelessness and Community Services; and Assistant Minister for Youth and Employment Services during his 2019 term.

Mr Howarth is now Shadow Minister for Defence Industry and Shadow Minister for Defence Personnel.

He grew up in Bracken Ridge and worked for Toombul Music and Sony Australia as a sales representative for 10 years before deciding to buy into the family business, becoming Managing Director at Sandgate Pest Control.

He decided to run for the State seat of Sandgate in 2004 but was unsuccessful.

Luke is a member of the North Brisbane Crime Stoppers Board and Police Citizen Youth Club Board. He is passionate about the chaplaincy program, helping small businesses get ahead and ensuring defence force and security agencies have the resources they need to keep Australia safe.