Former federal assistant minister and senator turned television host Amanda Stoker will attempt a political comeback at the next Queensland election after being preselected to contest the seat of Oodgeroo for the Liberal National Party (LNP).
Ms. Stoker’s preselection comes after sitting LNP member for Oodgeroo Mark Robinson announced earlier this year he would retire at the next election.
Mr. Robinson has held the seat—which takes in the northern bayside parts of Redlands Council east of Brisbane—since 2009, retaining it on a margin of 4.5 per cent at the last election.
“As someone who talks with a lot of Queenslanders, it is clear the Palaszczuk Labor Government has lost its way,” she said in a statement on Saturday.
“We need a government that will stem the chaos at the Redlands Hospital, take youth crime seriously, improve housing supply and reduce cost pressures for local families.”
Ms. Stoker, a former barrister turned Sky News Australia host, is the 10th candidate and eighth woman the Queensland LNP has preselected for next year’s state election.
She said she was looking forward to working with state Opposition Leader David Crisafulli to deliver “real solutions and the change Queensland so desperately needs.”
Mr. Crisafulli said Ms. Stoker, who was a Queensland senator from 2018 to 2022, would bring a wealth of experience to the team.
“As a former senator, Amanda has a proven track record of serving Queenslanders,” he said.
Mr. Crisafulli said the LNP would be “the underdog” at the next election but there was a “growing mood for change.”
“We know we must work harder for longer to gain Queenslanders’ trust and prove we are ready to govern,” he said.
