New hospital on election agenda

READY TO GO: New candidate for Bundamba, Angela Watson, shares key policies with fellow independent Patricia Petersen.

Rob Williams

RIVERVIEW accountant Angela Watson will campaign under the "Ipswich Independents" banner as she contests the seat of Bundamba at the coming state election.

The political first-timer will run against sitting member Jo-Ann Miller, a seasoned campaigner and holder of one of Labor's safest seats.

"I will run a campaign based on local issues including improvements to health, public transport, workers' rights and education," Ms Watson said.

"After listening to the concerns of the community, I know that the people of Bundamba need a new public hospital, dental clinic and more aged-care facilities, increased public transport services and reduced fare prices. The community is ready for a change."

Ms Watson will campaign on the "bigger projects" with Dr Patricia Petersen, candidate for Ipswich and founder of the Ipswich Independents.

Dr Petersen said the Independents were a community group rather than a registered, political party.

"We're genuinely independent. I've already been offered a significant sum of money by a developer, which I've turned down," she said.

"The whole aim of this is to empower the Ipswich people to have input into our policies.

"We want a very grassroots policy development.

"We're keen to see an Ipswich hospital built on the border of the Ipswich and Bundamba electorates, and we want a state-of-the-art dental clinic at that site in the Blackstone area."

The two Independent candidates hope soon to be joined by a contender for Ipswich West.