Hinchinbrook MP, Andrew Cripps, has congratulated and endorsed newly selected LNP candidate for the state seat of Hill, Mario Quagliata, as someone who could give the new electorate a different voice and a fresh direction.

Mr Cripps said Mr Quagliata would now set about campaigning ahead of the next state election, after being selected by the LNP as its candidate for the new state seat of Hill, at a meeting of local party members in Innisfail on Sunday 7 May.

“Mario was born and raised in the electorate of Hill – I’ve known him and his family for many years and as a farmer, as a small business person and as a parent, I think he’s well placed to represent the communities in this new seat” said Mr Cripps.

“Mario is a hard worker – he’s a successful and innovative farmer and a reputable and experienced contractor, he understands the responsibility of paying the wages of his employees, as well as providing for his family” he said.

“Mario probably isn’t the cardboard cut-out of a modern political candidate, but he’s genuine and he understands the way politics and decisions made by governments can impact on people and local communities – because he’s one of them”.

Mr Cripps said the new state seat of Hill had been formed out of the northern end of the Hinchinbrook electorate, the southern end of the Mulgrave electorate and the northern end of the seat of Dalrymple, with final boundaries to be confirmed in late May.

“Certainly, while individuals can make a difference and Mario will, he also understands and has seen what can be achieved within the political system when that strong individual is part of a strong team – that’s why he is committed to the LNP”.

“Mario has a strong focus on finding solutions as well as making government better, not bigger and I know that a person like him with a lot of practical life experience would be a very handy addition to the LNP team in the Queensland Parliament”.

Mr Cripps said while he was very disappointed the Queensland Redistribution Commission had proposed changes to the Hinchinbrook electorate to remove northern parts of the seat, he believed Mr Quagliata was an excellent candidate for the area.