Lloyd Russell says the two major parties have taken the Leichhardt electorate for granted for too long and will fly the Libertarian Party flag in the race to replace Warren Entsch. Photo: Supplied.
Fuelled by frustration with the political duopoly and with one eye on ensuring funding allocated for service delivery in Indigenous communities actually delivers outcomes, Lloyd Russell will represent the Libertarian Party in the race for Leichhardt.
Mr Russell came out swinging at Labor and the Coalition and said a perceived lack of commitment to the vast electorate was one of the reasons he had thrown his hat in the political ring.
“For too long, the major party duopoly have taken regional Australia for granted and this is especially so for the electorate of Leichhardt,” he said.
“The electorate is one of the most isolated in Australia and is located in one of our most vulnerable economic and environmental locations; add onto this the social isolation factors and you have a region that is not effectively serviced, nor has it been effectively represented.
“As Libertarians, we consider government, as it currently stands, to be a big part of the problem across regional Queensland and the Leichhardt electorate.”
The 65-year-old grew up in central western Queensland and currently runs a family business, and said he was now at the stage he was able to give back to the community that had been “very good” to him.
“I have worked in the private and public sectors at operational and senior management levels, therefore, I am well positioned to get on the ground to work with people on their concerns and opportunities while understanding how to navigate the complexities of economic and social development,” he said.
“Libertarianism is a principled and practical approach to politics that accepts that government has a role to play in a very defined and focused manner.”
Mr Russell identified a lack of major infrastructure projects, including roads and ports, as one of the most significant challenges impacting the social and economic success of Cape York, as well as environmental vulnerability.
“Jobs are created when major infrastructure projects are undertaken, and the road network in Leichhardt is atrocious to say the least,” he said.
“The area is well suited to be an economic centrepiece with its abundance of water, mineral resources and as a tourist destination; by focusing on multi-purpose major infrastructure, the region will be attractive to private sector investment, which will flow into sustainable economic development, economic growth and job creation.”
The candidate said he believed an audit into how “billions of taxpayer and private funds” funnelled into Indigenous remote service delivery needed to be undertaken as a priority, and committed to championing the cause with his party if elected.
“The Libertarian Party is very keen to undertake a forensic audit on the billions of taxpayer and private funds spent within the Aboriginal sector, because it is self-evident that the funds are not reaching the most vulnerable, nor are these funds driving self-determination or sustainable standalone economic opportunities,” he said.
Mr Russell will appear in third spot on the Leichhardt ballot paper.
