Candidate, 18, for ALP

Eighteen-year-old Ben Parker is the young powerhouse coming into Gympie with an 'absolute commitment to do the best [he can] can for all residents of Gympie'.

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THE ALP has put forward a candidate in the coming election - an 18-year-old from Brisbane, Ben Parker, who works for United Voice - the former Liquor and Hospitality Union.

"We did have someone from Gympie, but family circumstances prevented that person from moving to be a candidate," ALP Gympie branch president John Kirkpatrick said.

"It's not about parachuting a body into Gympie. Ben is a young man who is enthusiastic to make an impression on the voters.

"We were very impressed when we met Ben.

"He's been very busy with his union and organisation in the union. That he was given that trust at a young age is exceptional."

The Gympie Times spoke briefly to Mr Parker yesterday, he advised he was in a meeting and would call this office back.

However, he was still unavailable at time of print.

Bob Katter's Australia Party office yesterday said they expected to announce a candidate for Gympie next week.

The Labor Party, led by Premier Anna Bligh, will attempt to win a sixth term against the Liberal National Party, led by Campbell Newman, at the April 24 state election.