Queensland election 2017: Springwood candidates have their say

All candidates running for Springwood were approached by Redland City Bulletin for a video and written statement on their policies.

Candidates below are listed in the order their names will appear on the ballot.

Hello there!

I'm John Taylor. I am the Springwood candidate for the Civil Liberties, Consumer Rights and No Tolls Party in the upcoming Queensland state elections.

If you told me 12 months ago that I would be a political candidate, I would have laughed. To me, politicians are one of the most privileged, spoilt and corrupt bunch of do-no-gooders about. It's all about political point scoring, just working to get re-elected. They love that power; they love that privilege. The only time they work together is when they vote themselves a pay rise.

However, our little party is going to be different.

Very importantly, we don't accept donations. We personally fund our own election campaigns. That's a bit difficult when you're up against the well sponsored major parties. But in reality any donation will have a string attached and we are not for sale. We only work for the people of our electorate. Furthermore, if any of our candidates are elected, they have pledged to donate a large proportion of their salary to worthwhile charities.

As a self-funded retiree, I do not wish to draw a salary. Instead, I propose to redirect my salary to projects that will help Queenslanders.

There is more information about our party at www.no-tolls.org.

Its been a privilege to represent Mount Cotton and Sheldon as new parts of the electorate of Springwood for the last six months. I got to work straight away by improving the intersection at Mount Cotton State School.

As Ive door-knocked the local area people have told me they feel neglected by the LNP members across the Redlands.

Labor is restoring services in health and education. We have put on more teachers, teacher aides and nurses and more investment is in the pipeline.

Our Buy Queensland Policy is making sure that, when we spend taxpayer money, local communities and small businesses get the best possible benefit.

Ive also been determined to make sure that parents are able to spend more time with their kids, which is why Labor is delivering the M1 upgrade at the Gateway Merge.

Works have commenced and will make a real difference and it doesn't require a toll.

I know people are concerned about the impact that Tim Nicholls new toll road to nowhere will have on our community and the environment. Dumping Gold Coast traffic at Mount Cotton Road wont help local families. It will make life tougher.

As a local councillor for more than five years and a resident for many years longer, I am excited to run for state parliament to help make our community a better place to live, work and relax.

If I am privileged to be elected for the seat of Springwood on November 25, I will fight side-by-side to help local families get ahead, build better roads, improve public transport and to provide more funding for our local schools, community and sporting groups.

My priorities will include:

- Busting congestion and improving safety at Valley Way with a $5 million upgrade at the Mt Cotton Road intersection.

- Investing $200,000 in the Queensland Scouts Karingal Campsite to help them deliver a new all abilities abseiling course.

- Securing a Brisbane Metro depot in Rochedale and extending the busway to deliver more transport options for commuters.

- Working with the federal government to deliver an upgrade at the M1/Gateway merge, to ensure motorists can get home safer and sooner to their families.

Mr Cotter was approached by Redland City Bulletin for a 30 second video and text about his policies but no submission was received.

This story was updated on Friday, November 24.