This is George Christensen’s maiden speech to the House of Representatives as the LNP member for Dawson.

The Queensland electorate of Dawson is based around Mackay. It includes the Whitsunday and Lindeman group of islands, and the towns of Proserpine, Airlie Beach, Bowen, Home Hill and Ayr.

Christensen won the seat from the ALP’s James Bidgood, who had held it since 2007. He secured a 5.02% swing and won 52.43% of the two-party-preferred vote. He will sit with the Nationals in Canberra.

Christensen, 32, has worked as a journalist, newspaper editor, press secretary, and as a councillor for the City of Mackay and the Mackay Regional Council. [Read more…]