FORMER mayoral candidate and engineer Claire Richardson will contest the seat of Oodgeroo in the Queensland election.
Running as an independent in the October 31 election, Ms Richardson said she hoped to protect the environment and put a plan in place to generate local jobs to support businesses.
Ms Richardson won 54 per cent of the two-party preferred vote for Redland mayor in the booths making up Oodgeroo in the local government elections.
She will run against LNP MP Mark Robinson who has held the seat for 11 years. He easily out-polled Labor at the last election and has a healthy margin of 5.7 per cent. Oodgeroo runs along the coastal strip and includes North Stradbroke Island.
"With the numbers between the two major parties so close in Parliament I hope to work with other independents to bring greater accountability and better outcomes for our community," she said.
The mother of three founded a Capalaba-based scientific and engineering consultancy 22 years ago and has lived in the area for 16 years.
"At a time when many politicians are held in such low esteem, I want to offer the community a fresh, leadership approach. I would champion job creation in Redlands, support a transition to renewable energy both locally and throughout Queensland, and encourage appropriate new developments that support our community and provide local employment and training.
"We need to invest now in sustainable growth and development to set up our economy for the future," she said.
"People love living in the Redlands with its special coastal environment. Strong leadership is necessary to protect and enhance this unique lifestyle. 'Redlands Coast not Gold Coast' is my motto."
Ms Richardson said as an independent MP she would work cooperatively with whichever major party won the election.
She said she opposed the $1.3 billion Toondah Harbour residential development but backed a much-needed harbour upgrade.
"As I scientist, I will support the development and implementation of effective COVID-19 strategies based on evidence and research, not rhetoric, as our knowledge and understanding of this threat to our economic and social wellbeing continues to evolve. Unlike the LNP I will fight to keep Queensland borders closed until it is safe to open them.
"Having built a business and employed dozens of people over many years I understand the pressure on business and will work to help our local businesses survive this difficult time and bounce back as strongly as possible."
