LEE LONG FOR DALRYMPLE 09/01/2009

ONE Nation Member for Tablelands Rosa Lee Long will be contesting the new State electorate of Dalrymple at the election due this year.

"It has been an extremely difficult decision to make as I would have preferred to continue representing all the people of the Tablelands," she said.

"However the redistribution last year eliminated Tablelands and instead divided most of it between Cook and the new seat of Dalrymple.

"The division was approximately 40 per cent of the former Tablelands to Cook, and 60 per cent to Dalrymple.

I have chosen to contest Dalrymple as it gives me the opportunity to continue to represent the largest portion of Tablelands voters. I have been honoured by the loyalty they have shown me over the past three terms and this will allow me the best chance of returning that loyalty to the majority.

"I want to emphasis that the new seats do not come into effect until the next election and until then I will continue to work as hard for the whole of the Tablelands electorate as I always have."

Ms Lee Long said the elimination of Tablelands had been proposed by both the Liberal and National Parties, and carried out under a Labor Government.

"All of the major parties carry responsibility for this outcome and it demonstrates how little interest they really have in rural Queensland.

"I believe the ONLY way forward for rural Queenslanders is to elect representatives who will provide them with a strong voice in Brisbane, and not a major party "rubber stamp" who will be hamstrung by having to follow the party line."

Ms Lee Long said she would work hard to connect with the southern parts of the new seat of Dalrymple, centred on the town of Charters Towers and Moranbah,

"Many issues, from excessive regulation of primary production to lack of, or cuts to, health and other services affect the entire electorate and I believe my experience with these issues will help me give good, effective representation to the people of Dalrymple."