Mum on mission to topple Shayne
RACEVIEW mum-of-three Teresa Harding will take on Shayne Neumann in the seat of Blair at the next federal election after winning LNP preselection for the Ipswich-based seat.
Ms Harding, who works as director of the F-111 Disposal and Aerial Targets Office at RAAF Base Amberley, will campaign for better economic management, the easing of cost of living expenses and veterans' issues including pensions and repatriation.
Mr Neumann retained the seat of Blair with a margin of 4.2% during the 2010 poll, but after huge swings were recorded against the state Labor government in the recent state election the seat is up for grabs in 2013.
Ms Harding, 43, will continue to work at Amberley until next year when she will shift focus to try to win the seat last held by the Liberal Party in 2007.
"I made the decision to run because I would be lying in bed at night worrying about the debt we are getting in," Ms Harding said.
"It's going to take a generation to remove that debt and that's not fair to our kids.
"I've managed budgets up to $150 million and I always treat that money like it is my own.
"So rather than sitting in an armchair I've decided to get my hands dirty and do something about it."
It will be the first time Ms Harding has run for political office, something she said she was looking forward to doing.
"I've always had an opinion and my old high school friends are saying, 'Finally!'" Ms Harding said. "I want to make sure my kids and grandkids aren't lumbered with the mess we've now got."
Ms Harding said she would spend the rest of the year getting out in her own time to meet Ipswich residents and find out the most important local issues.
When asked what she had heard so far, Ms Harding fired her first political shot at Mr Neumann.
"The people I speak to are very disappointed with Mr Neumann and the legacy of the Rudd/Gillard governments," she said.
Mr Neumann said he was proud of what he had already achieved for Ipswich residents.
"I am happy to stand on my record because we have delivered for the people of Blair.
"She's running for a political party that in the last five years has only ever said no to the billions of dollars that have been put into Ipswich."
Mr Neumann suggested Ms Harding may not have the pulse of the Ipswich community after only moving to the region in 2006.
Ms Harding dismissed the suggestion.
"My husband Steven is born and raised in Ipswich, we both work here and our children attend schools here," she said.
"No-one I've spoken to seems to be concerned about it."
