Q+A: Apr 21

David Speers hosts Q+A live from Gladstone, in central Queensland this week.

As we head into the second week of the campaign, the contest between the major parties appears to be tightening. Leaders continue to zigzag across the country attempting to capture votes, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison heading to Western Australia and Labor leader Anthony Albanese in Queensland, ahead of the first leaders’ debate in Brisbane on Wednesday night.

Queensland is a critical state for both sides, and this week in the battleground seat of Flynn, we discuss the opportunities and challenges Australia is facing in the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. It’s a key economic issue for voters in the electorate and comes amid reports the next federal government will decide if three new coal mines will go ahead in Queensland’s massive Galilee Basin. Locals are looking at new ways to replace coal-fired power stations with wind and solar power into the future. Do you support new coal mines being built? How important is the move to renewable energy to you?

Youth unemployment is another key issue for the Sunshine state. Local community leaders are calling on both sides of politics to take more action to help young job seekers, with the unemployment rate almost double the national average in some parts of central Queensland. Is this a challenge you face? What other issues do you want addressed in regional Queensland?

All this, plus the news of the week – join us for an important discussion.

Bob Katter, Member for Kennedy
Bronwyn Fredericks, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous Engagement, University of Queensland
Keith Pitt, Minister for Resources and Water
Murray Watt, Labor Senator for Queensland
Amanda Cahill, CEO, The Next Economy

8:30pm Thursday on ABC.