Amanda Camm flies the flag for high profile corporation

Amanda Camm has been announced as the new Deputy CEO of the Mackay Whitsunday Regional Economic Development Corporation (REDC).

The former aspiring politician contested the state electorate of Whitsunday for Katter’s Australian Party earlier this year; managing 22.3 per cent of the primary vote and achieving the largest positive swing of the four candidates, despite announcing her candidacy less than five weeks from the election date.

While her new job may be substantially different from that of a state parliamentarian, Ms Camm told the Whitsunday Coast Guardian that she was pleased at the prospect of serving the community, albeit in a different role.

"I’m very excited to be taking on this position," Ms Camm said.

"It’s a role focused on external relationships," she said. "I enjoy a very strong rapport with all of the region’s elected representatives, and a large part of the role will be liaising with the recently elected mayors and councils across the region, and I’m looking forward to doing that.

"REDC focuses on development, both of key industries within the region, and the region’s development, generally," Ms Camm said.

"I will be responsible for maintaining relationships with the government, briefing government representatives when they’re in the region, and building strategic partnerships with various stakeholders," she said.

REDC CEO Narelle Pearse has welcomed Ms Camm’s appointment, believing that her extensive experience in a variety of industries and her passion for the Mackay-Whitsunday-Isaac community made her the ideal candidate.

"Amanda has many years’ experience working in the agriculture, travel and retail, mining and not-for-profit industries, and this will assist her immensely in the role," Ms Pearse said.

While critics may contend that her new role may serve as a springboard for another political tilt, Ms Camm ruled herself out as a potential candidate in the next federal election, due by September, 2013.

"I have no federal aspirations," she said. "My partner and I have a young family with five children, and traversing the Dawson electorate and campaigning would require an enormous commitment."

Ms Camm confirmed that she would be resigning her membership of Katter’s Australian Party, but said she would always consider maverick MP Bob Katter a friend.

"I am committed to my role as Deputy CEO of REDC, and I will no longer be active within the party," she said. "But Bob Katter will always remain a dear friend."

While she may be leaving the world of politics behind her for the time being, Ms Camm promised that she would bring the same level of passion and energy to this role as she did to the state election campaign.

"This part of the world means so much to me, and I think it must show," she said.