Tradesman and building trainer Stephen Austin will contest Pine Rivers for Clive Palmer's United Australia Party in the Queensland election.
A qualified Justice of the Peace, Stephen has an extensive background in the building and construction industry, working as a consultant in hazard identification, risk management, policies and procedures.
He is currently managing director of a company training apprentices in the construction industry.
"I believe young adults interested in becoming a tradie should be better assisted from Grade 10 and helped at school to follow their dreams,'' Stephen said.
"I also believe both the current and previous governments pay too little attention to the elderly and people with disabilities in our community.
"I would like to see a program for the elderly to assist in the training of our youth in work skills and the ability to bridge the generations.
"Our governments fail to adequately assist small businesses in the community and there seems to be an almost total lack of manufacturing of Australian goods,'' he said.
"There should be programs and assistance for these to get started again. We need a government with real people representing the real voters. I think a long term approach to climate change is also necessary.
"As politicians, we need to be accountable and regularly hold forums for people to ask questions and give opinions,'' he said.
Happily married for 38 years and a father of three, Stephen has lived the majority of his live in Pine Rivers Shire.
