House debates

Wednesday, 11 September 2024

Statements by Members

Queensland Elections

1:30 pm

Photo of Keith PittKeith Pitt (Hinkler, National Party) Share this | | Hansard source

It is time for a quick game of who am I. I am the youngest of six children born in Bundaberg to small-business owners. I went to Avondale state school and St Joey's in Bundaberg and Shalom Catholic College. I had a varied career, all the way from taking photographs of the 2000 Paralympic Games to owning clothing stores. I love the regions and love agriculture. I have a bachelor of environmental science in land management and a bachelor of science. I started working at the Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers in 2010, designing and leading research projects that increased productivity and profitability for the region's farmers. I was appointed the CEO of the Bundaberg Fruit And Vegetable Growers in 2016 and was the first female chair of the Queensland Horticultural Council. I have a proven track record of fighting for the regions. I was one of the loudest voices fighting for Paradise Dam, for the money needed for reconstructing the biggest infrastructure failure in this country's history, $600 million of which funding was cut by this Labor government. In fact, earlier this year, I received Australia's Woman in Horticulture Award 2024 at the AUSVEG Hort Connections gala dinner.

Who am I? I am the Liberal-National Party's candidate for the state seat of Bundaberg. What does she want to do? She wants to show Labor the door in 2024, fix ambulance ramping, fix the problems with youth crime and advocate for Bundaberg. It is Bree Watson.