Neumann back for Blair

FEDERAL Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann, has been endorsed as the Labor Party candidate to recontest the seat of Blair, held since 2007.

Mr Neumann will back current Prime Minister Kevin Rudd through supporting Australian jobs and investing in Australia’s economic growth.

“It has been a great privilege to represent the people of Blair and to serve as part of the Rudd Government,” Mr Neumann said.

“I have lived in Ipswich all my life and I am passionate about working with community leaders, stakeholders and locals to help make our region an even better place to live and raise a family.”

Mr Neumann said he was very proud of the Rudd Government record of investment in the region.

“I am proud of what I have been able to achieve for the people of Blair, and I am determined to work as hard as possible to deliver for them in the future,” Mr Neumann said.

“The massive scale of this project is obvious to locals who travel on the motorway and the upgrade has helped support local jobs with over 4000 workers already inducted on the project.”

Some key local achievements include:

♦The upgrade of the Ipswich Motorway

♦ Over $124 million for every local school in Blair to build new facilities

(85 local schools received funding to undertake over 313 projects)

♦ 111 new defence homes for Blair to support our defence force and keep locals in jobs

♦ $10 million for a new sports stadium, new performing arts complex and new lagoon to revitalise the Ipswich CBD

♦ Over 768 local projects funded under the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan to support local jobs and stimulate our local economy.

“It’s important to have the backing of my party, but now I’m looking forward to the ultimate test when we go to the people later this year.”

The Liberal National Party is yet to endorse a candidate for Blair.

Blair electorate will take on a different shape at the next election.

The Australian Electoral Commission has redrawn the boundaries to redistribute the Old Lockyer Valley and Boonah Shires out of Blair. The electorate now takes in more of Ipswich, the Brisbane Valley and the old Kilcoy Shire.