James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

The federal seat of Petrie is home to many hardworking Queenslanders who want a hand up in life, not a handout. Petrie is represented in this parliament by one of the hardest-working Australians I've ever had the good fortune of knowing, my friend and colleague Luke Howarth MP.

During the six years that Luke Howarth has been a federal member, he's been fighting for locals and delivering for locals. The Bruce Highway has been upgraded. The Gateway Motorway has been upgraded. The Moreton Bay Rail Link has been built. The Rothwell Roundabout has been fixed. Boundary Road has been upgraded. The Dolphin Stadium has been built. Luke has fought for funding to install CCTV, keeping the community safer. There have been environmental projects, such as solar for local community groups. Of course, there is more funding for schools and hospitals. Luke Howarth is a hardworking, honest man who is delivering for his community. He is exactly the sort of person we need in parliament because he is exactly the type of person who fights for the people of Petrie.

Bill Shorten's candidate for Petrie, Corinne Mulholland, doesn't even come close. She has no real-world experience, having worked for politicians and now the council for her entire career. She was campaigning for a year whilst still employed by the council. She was campaigning for the Labor Party on a cushy, six-figure, taxpayer-funded council salary. Worse, as detailed by The Sydney Morning Heraldon 13 September last year and by the Brisbane Times on 7 November 2018, the Labor candidate is connected to allegations of cronyism and corruption within the council. As the Herald notes, Ms Mulholland controlled much of the mayor's diary and oversaw the council's events and marketing operations. This is the same council that is now under investigation by the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission. I call on Ms Mulholland to come forward and detail—