Noosa’s energetic independent MP Sandy Bolton never stops running, but it seems to agree with her. Just turned 60, she looks at least 10 years younger. Gearing up for her third campaign for the seat in the spring, and faced with a long and busy winter in the parliament, she’ll need all of that energy. When I started writing news stories for Noosa Today four years ago, Sandy was the first person I interviewed. It’s fitting that she should also be the last. – PHIL JARRATT
NT: Most people regard you as a formidable politician and a real fighter. Where did that toughness come from? Gosford (her birthplace) or the bush?
SANDY: A combination. I worked in hotels from a very young age and running pubs is not for the faint-hearted, especially in the western suburbs of Sydney. By the time I ended up in the bush I thought I was quite grown up, however, I learnt there is a vast difference between what I’d been doing and finding yourself in an environment where you have to look after others, without police or an ambulance nearby and the Flying Doctor hours away, where there’s no fire brigade or emergency services so you are constantly in a state of prevention. That’s the reality of virtually every aspect of life in the remote areas.
NT: Remind how you came to be living in the outback.
SANDY: I’d been working since I was 14 and I wanted to explore the country. I was about 21 and I’d just bought my first house, so had no spare money, however, with $100 I bought a bus ticket that got me to Airlie Beach where I jumped on a boat heading around the top of Oz to Perth. When we got to Cairns I unloaded to earn money for another bus fare to Alice Springs, and then when the driver told me I didn’t have enough for the fare to Darwin, he dropped me off at a place called Mataranka Homestead where he said they were always looking for staff. By the next morning I was cooking for hundreds of tourists which was a very steep learning curve. (Laughs) That was where I met my future husband and began a decade of living in remote NT and Queensland.
NT: I’m sure that toughened you up for political life, but was being a first-timer in the Playford/Abbot 2014 re-formed Noosa Council a baptism of fire?
SANDY: Absolutely. (Laughs) Noel and Bob were warhorses and again the learning curve was steep. There were no allowances for the fact that you were new to the role of representation. You had to do your homework or they’d very quickly make your debate look inconsequential, insignificant or ill-informed. So yes, we had a few moments. I had experience in committees and community groups, however none of that is combative or controversial in the same very public way. It wasn’t just about your ideas on resolving an issue, it was about selling them.
NT: Was there one issue that drew you into public office?
SANDY: I think it was multiple. I was approached by different political parties over decades to run, however it was probably a culmination of what I’d seen and experienced in remote areas, and then when I arrived in Noosa over 30 years ago, volunteering as well as working in a number of roles, whether training youngsters who were facing difficulties including addictions, homelessness or domestic violence, or with our disability or small business sectors. This led me to wonder how some of these situations were allowed to occur by different levels of government, and I realised the only way to find out was to go in there.
NT: That first term as a councillor after de-amalgamation was only two years. With so little experience what made you think you had what it took to win the mayoral election in 2016?
SANDY: There was some discontent, and I could see a different way to bring the community together, as they had when they fought for de-amalgamation. We needed to take the next step together and fix the issues raised together. My approach is to bring together diverse views, which takes longer and yes, it can be a difficult journey, however it’s about embracing differences and finding common ground in order to come to a united position. When I was first elected to the State Parliament I saw that there were some preconceived ideas about Noosa that were not correct. That everyone here is very wealthy, that NIMBY-ism is rampant and so on. I set out to change that perception to what is the reality, and for all to understand that Noosa doesn’t just say no without a valid reason. It comes to a position based on knowledge and real consultation, and that as the Noosa MP I am not in the Parliament to tell them what I feel or think, I am there to represent how our community feels and thinks.
NT: Going back to your transition to the State house in 2017, having lost to Tony Wellington in the mayoral vote, you bounced straight into a state campaign against the veteran Glen Elmes. That must have taken a lot of guts.
SANDY: Any election I’m in is about celebration of community, and providing choice, never supporting denigrating other candidates or playing dirty, as you should lead by example, whether it’s in an election campaign or in chamber. Having said that, I’ve seen some pretty hideous tactics used against me, and when you’re new to politics it’s hard to believe the misinformation that’s utilised, such as being a Labor “stooge”, “in bed” with developers, we’ve heard it all. It hurts but I’ve always believed you have to stay true to your moral code, and that you can do politics differently. Hoever to your point, when I lost the 2016 mayoral race, I accepted the decision of our community and went back to work in the disability sector. It was a last minute decision to run against Glen as I was approached by residents as well as parties to run, but my decision was to go it alone, based on what I’d seen of how the parties operated in a parliament, and the need for grass roots community representation. The initial advice was don’t do it, you’ll never succeed against their resources, however I felt that our community wanted to do their politics differently, and we did it.
NT: Glen was a former state minister and a strong character in this community. Did you feel confident you could take him down?
SANDY: No, as I don’t go in feeling confident, I go in feeling committed to our community, and the need for an alternative to a broken system.
NT: In the 32 years since the seat of Cooloola became Noosa, we’ve had 20 years of Liberal or LNP representation, a few restless years of Labor and no independent until you. Did you have a philosophy of how independent representation could work for this community?
SANDY: When I came to live here over three decades ago I saw that Noosa is different and unique in its diversity. When we lived in Kin Kin residents ranged from fourth generation farmers to tree changers and there were challenges in bringing them together, one of the reasons I introduced the Kin Kin Voice. It wasn’t so much that I had a philosophy about independent representation, more that I saw the need for unity, and the frustration with the fact that issues like Six Mile Bridge were not being addressed.
NT: And the community went with that approach, but how was it for you in those early months in the chamber? A lot of pressure to back one side or the other?
SANDY: For the first six months it was tough because whichever way I voted I’d get booed by one side or the other! (Laughs) However, most important was gaining credibility by not engaging in rock throwing or seeking media grabs. We did our research and got the views of our community when necessary on every single bill. There’s an assumption that anything environmental will get Noosa’s support, but that’s not the case. If the bill is flawed it won’t. When you’re totally committed to a course of action on behalf of your community, there is respect for that. And my only alignment and allegiance is with Noosa.
NT: In the 2020 election it almost seemed that the major parties had run up the white flag, fielding candidates no one knew or with a record of rejection from the electorate. Is that how you saw it?
SANDY: No, I recall a tough battle with a lot of misinformation spread around, like the line that I’d voted with Labor over 100 times. That was true, but I’d also voted with the LNP more than 100 times. You can never be complacent. If you ever do you open the door for a party candidate to take your place.
NT: You’ve been an advocate for so many local causes over seven years. What’s been your toughest fight?
SANDY: There have been a number. The most difficult has been the situation in our country villages where a flawed system has allowed such an increase in heavy haulage activity that it impacts safety, infrastructure, the environment and even mental health of residents. We’ve been waiting two years for a determination from the courts and it’s heartbreaking to see communities go through that.
NT: I appreciate your commitment to the hinterland but it’s not going to deliver the coast come October.
SANDY: As I said, there is are a number of causes.We have the SEQ Plan to deal with, however I’m not lying awake at night because I’m working closely with the government and the council and believe that what we are taking forward is being heard and accepted. If we need to fight, we will, however at this time we do not need to raise our placards. Affordable housing is another issue that affects the whole electorate and one which I have raised for years, however as I have said in government’s response, whenever anyone talks about affordable housing, my question is affordable to who?
NT: When does your campaign for re-election begin?
SANDY: In August, after we’ve dealt with estimates and some long-term issues that can now finally be resolved, such as the decommissioned TAFE site. My focus needs to be on these before heading out on the campaign trail. However I can’t wait, as I love getting out amongst our community, whether in the mobile office, at events or on the hustings.
NT: If re-elected, which outcome would work best for you in getting things done for Noosa? Labor, LNP or a hung parliament?
SANDY: People talk about a hung parliament as if it is a gift to independents and the cross bench. However, as I have shown, you do not need this to achieve, and my moral compass looks to who will deliver to our community as well other electorates based on efficiency, transparency and preparedness to work to bipartisan agreements, which is essential. Ultimately, that is what I will continue to seek, whoever wins government.
