Your chance to quiz Division 7 by-election candidates

Published 2:30pm 18 November 2021

Voters in the Moreton Bay Regional Council Division 7 by-election will have the opportunity to put questions to candidates at a live-streamed forum on December 1.

All six candidates have indicated they will attend the forum at Norths Leagues and Services Club, hosted by Moreton Daily News South editor Jodie Powell.

The forum will give candidates the chance to outline why they should be elected and answer questions submitted by residents in Division 7.

A selection of questions submitted ahead of the forum will be put to the six candidates.

Submit your questions below:

At last week’s Moreton Bay Regional Council meeting, Council chief executive officer Greg Chemello said he believed there would be merit in hosting a candidate session, and has accepted the offer from new community newspaper Moreton Daily News to host and moderate.

“It’s important to give the residents of Division 7 the chance to listen to the folks who want to be their councillor,” Mr Chemello says.

Moreton Bay Region Industry and Tourism (MBRIT) Chairman Shane Newcombe, publisher of Moreton Daily News, says the forum is an important opportunity for residents to put questions to candidates to help them decide who will earn their vote.

“Democracy is a two-way street and this will give ratepayers another way of engaging with prospective councillors,” Mr Newcombe says.

“This by-election is a first for Moreton Bay and it’s great to see so much interest from people wanting to represent Division 7.”

The by-election is the result of the resignation of Division 7 Councillor and Deputy Mayor Denise Sims on October 20.

Candidates in ballot order:

1. Yvonne Barlow

2. Dean Teasdale

3. Ryan Bakker

4. Brett Hayes

5. Jacqui Findlay

6. Ben Wood

The by-election is the result of the resignation of Division 7 Councillor and Deputy Mayor Denise Sims on October 20.

Ms Sims cited personal health reasons for her decision.

Real choice

Mayor Peter Flannery says he trusts voters to make the right decision.

“There are a range of candidates which is great, because that means locals get to make a real choice based on the fresh ideas candidates put forward,” he says.

“I hope to see North Leagues Club packed with people who want to hear from all their potential representatives.

“What I’ll be telling the successful candidate is that politics isn’t about any individual or their ego, it’s about hard work and service to the community.”

Where to cast your vote

Polling day for the by-election will be on Saturday, December 4, with applications for postal voting closing at 7pm on Monday, November 22.

Early voting runs for two weeks from November 22 until Friday, December 3.

Here's where to vote:

DIVISION 7 EARLY VOTING

Returning officer, Moreton Bay early voting, Shop 1, Lillybrook Shopping Village, corner Old Gympie and Brickworks roads, Kallangur. Open Monday-Friday, November 23-December 2, 9am-5pm. Open December 3, 9am-6pm

DIVISION 7 ELECTION DAY POLLING BOOTHS

Open Saturday, November 4, 8am-6pm

Dakabin State High School, 255-267 Marsden Rd, Dakabin. Full access
Kallangur State School, 139 School Rd, Kallangur. Full access
Kallangur Community Hall, 148 Anzac Ave, Kallangur. Full access
Kruger Hall, Penson Park, 24 Ann St, Kallangur. Assisted access
Undurba State School, 49 Ogg Rd, Murrumba Downs. Full access
Living Faith Lutheran Primary School, 50 Brays Rd, Murrumba Downs. Full access

Forum details:

The forum is on Wednesday, December 1 from 6-8pm at the Norths Leagues and Services Club, Kallangur, and will be live-streamed at moretondaily.com.au as well as on a Facebook event hosted on the Moreton Daily News Facebook page.