Donna Kirkland
Donna Kirkland | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Rockhampton | |
| Assumed office 26 October 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Barry O'Rourke |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Forster, New South Wales, Australia[1] |
| Political party | Liberal National |
Donna Marcia Kirkland is an Australian politician.
She was elected member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland for Rockhampton in the 2024 Queensland state election.[2]
Political career
[edit]Local government
[edit]Kirkland first attempted to enter politics at the 2016 Queensland local elections when she contested Rockhampton Regional Council's Division 7. However, she was narrowly beaten by incumbent Stephen Schwarten.[3][4]
Recontesting the division at the 2020 Queensland local elections, Kirkland was successful in getting elected, defeating her only opponent Noeleen Horan.[5][6]
After the resignation of mayor Margaret Strelow in 2020, Kirkland was one of a record 17 candidates to contest the 2021 Rockhampton mayoral by-election.[7] Attracting more than 9% of the primary vote, Kirkland polled in fifth position behind Tony Williams, Chris "Pineapple" Hooper, Russell Claus and Cherie Rutherford.[8]
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic in November 2021, Kirkland declined to publicly declare whether or not she was vaccinated, stating: “As the opportunity to partake in Covid-19 vaccination, currently considered our best defence against Covid, is not mandatory and is completely on a voluntary basis, it is my understanding that everyone’s decision in this is, and any other medical procedure, retains the right to personal choice and privacy.”[9]
State government
[edit]In October 2024, Queensland opposition leader David Crusafulli announced Kirkland as the LNP's candidate for the seat of Rockhampton at the 2024 Queensland state election.[10]
At a press conference on 11 October 2024 during the election campaign in October 2024, Kirkland was questioned about her stance on Queensland's abortion laws when it was revealed she had shared a pro-life Facebook post from the Australian Christians Party in 2019 and described abortion as "the greatest human rights abuse of our time."[11] Questioned about potential changes to Queensland abortion laws if the LNP were elected as well as her own personal views, Kirkland repeatedly said "it's not a part of our plan" and "we have ruled it out" before Crusafulli stepped in to take questions.[11][12]
Personal life
[edit]Kirkland is a mother of 6 and grandmother of 17.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ "Nomination for Mayor or Councillor". Electoral Commission Queensland. 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
Family name:Kirkland, Given name: Donna Marcia; Place of birth: Forster...
- ^ "Rockhampton - QLD Electorate, Candidates, Results". abc.net.au. 2024-10-26. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
- ^ Gately, Michelle (31 March 2016). "Stephen Schwarten wins Division 7 by slim margin". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
- ^ "2016 Rockhampton Regional Council - Councillor Election - Division 7 - Division Summary". Electoral Commission Queensland. 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
- ^ Smith, Leighton (2 April 2024). "Kirkland claims victory in Division 7 as counting continues". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
- ^ "Rockhampton Regional Division 7 Councillor". Electoral Commission Queensland. 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
- ^ Hines, Jasmine; Mayers, Laura; McGhee, Rachel (4 January 2021). "Record Rockhampton mayoral contenders state their plans for the region ahead of by-election". ABC News. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
- ^ "2021 Rockhampton Mayoral By-election". Electoral Commission Queensland. 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
- ^ Nufer, Darryn (22 November 2021). "Revealed: Covid vaccination status of all Rockhampton Regional councillors". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
- ^ Offord, Geordi (17 October 2023). "Donna Kirkland announced as LNP candidate for Rockhampton state election". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
- ^ a b McKay, Jack (11 October 2024). "Rockhampton LNP candidate Donna Kirkland sidesteps questions when pressed on views about abortion". ABC News. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
- ^ Cramsie, Elizabeth (11 October 2024). "Queensland election stirs up abortion debate". PM. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
- ^ "Donna Kirkland". Liberal National Party. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
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