By Jeremy Sollars
FORMER National Farmers’ Federation president and Stanthorpe farming identity Brent Finlay won’t rule out standing as the next LNP candidate for Southern Downs but says at this point he hasn’t “given it serious thought”.
Mr Finlay, who runs the family traprock sheepmeat, wool and beef property ‘Cooinda’ west of Stanthorpe, is one of a number of locals being talked about as potential successors to veteran Southern Downs MP Lawrence Springborg, who will retire after the next state election.
Mr Finlay stepped down as NFF leader in May this year after more than 10 years in senior roles with the nation’s premier agri-political lobby group and has since been focusing on his farming and other business interests.
He told the Free Times he was “flattered” by suggestions he should have a tilt at Queensland politics but said no formal or even informal approach had been made to him by the LNP as yet, along with declining to confirm or deny he was a current member of the party.
“I haven’t given it (Southern Downs) any serious thought, but I would never rule out anything to do with politics,” Mr Finlay said.
“I have a huge respect for anyone who does put their hand up, and I have the utmost respect for Lawrence Springborg and his integrity.”
Mr Finlay said the political landscape in Australia and overseas had changed “significantly” in the last 18 months, with Brexit, Donald Trump and the further rise of Pauline Hanson and One Nation.
“It’s easy to be a populist and say populist things – real policy is much, much harder,” Mr Finlay said.
“You’ve got to have the facts, the science and the costings – real policy is how you change the world.”
Mr Finlay has extensive international negotiating experience in the trade arena and says Queensland does not currently have “the right political climate for investment”.
The next state election is due in January 2018 but ALP Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk could call a snap poll in early 2017, with her government on a parliamentary knife-edge.
Current Southern Downs councillor Cameron Gow, an LNP member, has also refused to rule out standing for Southern Downs, saying to be approached to do so would be “an honour” for anyone.
Fellow councillor and LNP member Vic Pennisi has told the Free Times he has “no desire” to nominate, while Deputy Mayor Jo McNally has said she cannot comment due to “party protocols”.
More to come.
