February 23, 2025
Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said he is pleased to announce David Batt as the LNP candidate in the seat of Hinkler.
Mr Littleproud said David is well known in the local area and has already heard from families all across Wide Bay-Burnett, Hervey Bay and Bundaberg, who are struggling with Labor’s cost-of-living crisis.
“David has served our community for much of his working life; 23 years as a police officer, 10 years as a Councillor and Deputy Mayor, from 2017 to 2020 as the State MP for Bundaberg,and as Council’s Community Resilience and Disaster Management Coordinator,” Mr Littleproud said.
“David knows the issue that matter and that Hinkler families are really hurting. Last week’s interest rate cut will unfortunately only offset one of 12 rate rises under Labor. Families with a typical mortgage have spent an additional $50,000 of interest since Labor came to government.
“Families are also still waiting for their $275 power bill reduction, which never came. In fact, energy bills under Labor have cost $1000 more.”
Mr Batt said he is proud to be part of a team that will invest an historic $9 billion into Medicare,to fix Labor’s healthcare crisis and ensure all Central Queensland residents have timely and affordable access to a doctor.
“I am ready to hit the ground running and fight for Wide Bay-Burnett, Hervey Bay and Bundaberg as the LNP candidate for Hinkler,” Mr Batt said.
“With the retirement of MP Keith Pitt, holding onto Hinkler must not be left to chance.
“Under Labor’s bulk billing crisis, it has never been harder and more expensive to see a doctor. Australians are now paying 45 per cent more to see their GP, as bulk billing has collapsed from 88 per cent under the Coalition, to 77 per cent under Anthony Albanese.”
Mr Batt noted the Salvation Army’s National Social Justice Stocktake Report released last week listed mental health as the biggest issue for self, and the second biggest issue for community, after housing affordability and homelessness, with 31.4 per cent of Hinkler residents experiencing mental health issues over the past 12 months.
“The Coalition’s health investment builds on the $500 million commitment to restore critical Medicare funding for mental health support, after it was slashed in half by the Albanese Government,” Mr Batt said.
“We continue to call on Labor to match this funding and support vulnerable Wide BayBurnett, Hervey Bay and Bundaberg residents with more complex or chronic mental health conditions, as pointed out by the Salvation Army.”
ABOUT DAVID BATT
For five generations David Batt and his family have called Hinkler home.
Mr Batt was a former police officer, having served for 23 years and rising to the rank of Sergeant before being elected to the Bundaberg Regional Council in 2008.
Mr Batt holds a Diploma of Local Government Administration, along with a Diploma in Policing and an Advanced Diploma in Investigative Practices.
Mr Batt was the Manager of the Bundaberg PCYC for several years before his election to Council. Mr Batt was elected as Member for Bundaberg at the 2017 election, taking the state seat from Labor
Our priorities are building stronger regional economies and secure communities, delivering opportunity and prosperity for all regional Australians, and ensuring a sustainable environment.
Stronger, more secure, sustainable local communities that provide the opportunity for everyone to prosper will deliver a stronger, more secure and sustainable nation.
The Nationals commitment to the national interest does not stop there. The Nationals provide a considered and common sense perspective on all elements of Government policy and a balance between Australia’s political extremes.
