The Queensland Greens have announced Emma Buhse as their candidate for Wide Bay at the upcoming federal election.
Ms Buhse is a disability advocate and active community volunteer who gets around in a wheelchair and lives in Gympie with her dog, Nutmeg.
She said she will be campaigning on the issues of cost of living, housing, and better local health services.
“Many people in our community are struggling to keep their heads above water as rent and grocery prices continue to go up, the number of people without a home is growing, while our local support services are underfunded and understaffed,” Ms Buhse said.
“The major parties cannot fix the problems we face because they are too busy pandering to big corporations, one in three of whom pay no tax.
“As a person living with a disability, I want to use my lived experience to fight for better services for the vulnerable in our community and ensure that everyone has access to a decent home, food on the table, and world class health and education.”
Senator Larissa Waters, who is running for re-election to the Senate, has welcomed Ms Buhse’s candidacy as a breath of fresh air.
“Emma is a caring, compassionate and hardworking advocate for her community. We need more people like her in Parliament who will represent the interests of the community, not the interests of corporations and billionaires as the major parties do,” Senator Waters said.
“More Greens will keep Dutton out and get Labor to act.
“With a minority government, we can deliver dental and mental health into Medicare, cap rents and deliver cheaper mortgages for those in housing stress, and take strong action on the climate crisis.”
