Seven candidates in the running for the seat of Wright

The seat of Wright was created ahead of the 2010 federal election.

Made up of a disparate collection of communities in southern Queensland, the electorate takes in the western Gold Coast through the rural areas between Logan City Council and the NSW border.

It also includes the Lockyer Valley Council area west of Ipswich.

There are seven candidates in the running for the seat of Wright which has been held by LNP incumbent Scott Buchholz since the seat’s creation in 2010. 

Pietro Agnoletto and his wife Desley are renowned for creating Schonell Pizza Caffé at the University of Queensland.

Trained in anthropology and philosophy, Mr Agnoletto is a dedicated volunteer with Beaudesert and District Community Arts Projects and works tirelessly to support public art in the Scenic Rim.

Mr Agnoletto passionately support the Greens’ national plan to transition to renewable energy and the new opportunities it would open for a range of local businesses in local renewable energy solutions and traditional industries such as resources, manufacturing, sales, transportation, IT, construction, engineering and finance.

Rod Smith’s first priority is to see it possible for all Australians to own their own home, by securing employment for locals that pays a living wage.

He says it also means restricting immigration.

Mr Smith wants banks to be supervised more closely to prevent them  providing over-easy credit that fuels property bubbles and stop fee gouging. 

Another priority for Mr Smith is health care and providing a whole-of-government approach for small to medium business.

He believes business needs certainty in order to take risks, invest and employ, and not be used as ATMs for taxes, fines and fees.

Scott Buchholz is the incumbent federal member for Wright. Until the 2010 election, Mr Buchholz worked as chief of staff for Queensland Senator Barnaby Joyce.

Born and raised in Rockhampton, Mr Buchholz was actively involved in the merging of the Liberal and National Parties in Queensland. 

Mr Buchholz said he wants to keep serving the electorate so he can keep fighting for the best deal for the people of Wright.

He has pledged to keep advocating for and delivering better telecommunications through the NBN roll-out across the region and believes he is the best placed candidate to deliver for the needs of the community in Wright. 

Allistair Smith is a high school teacher and Wright local who was raised in the Lockyer Valley. Upon completion of high school, Mr Smith received a scholarship to the University of Queensland where he initially studied Agriculture before going on to study arts and education. 

Mr Smith believes his strong work ethic, and experience in primary production, private industry and the public sector will enable him to represent the diverse interests of Wright in federal parliament. Mr Smith believes farmers, business owners and families need better representation.

John Cox is a proud eighth generation Australian who wants to see greater equality in the conduct of governments and political affairs, nationally. 

Mr Cox wants to reclaim Australia’s reputation as the “lucky country”. 

Mr Cox wants to see reform to our taxation laws to ensure that big companies operating in Australia, and making money here, must pay taxes here. 

He said he will fight to protect the family home from seizure by government, by reverse mortgage or any other measures and increase pension payment rates. He believes there must be safety nets for farmers, to supply assistance in times of drought and desperation.

Barry Austin works full time as a welder. He lives at Cedar Vale and is married with four children and his first grandchild is due in October. Mr Austin enjoys spending Saturday nights feeding the homeless in Fortitude Valley, and has also volunteered with youth and mentoring young men. 

Mr Austin believes the major parties are not serving families and small business well, and has been a regular Family First supporter in state and federal elections. He supports the election of Family First candidates Rod McGarvie and Sue Baynes in the Senate. 

Mark Stone is a solicitor who has been running his own firm in Laidley for the past 10 years. He completed his bachelor of laws at the University of Queensland.

He is a proud supporter of maintaining individual's civil rights and is an avid firearms owner participating in regular shooting competitions. 

Mr Stone is a fierce advocate for a smaller government and less tax.

Mr Stone believes governments have been forcing themselves into every aspect of our lives and telling us how to live while taxing us. 

He believes the people of Wright are sick of the lies and “do anything to stay in power” politics in Australia.