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.

Luck of the draw puts Jarratt in top spot

The order in which the names will appear on the ballot form in the March 24 state election for the Whitsundays has been drawn.

Current member Jan Jarratt from the ALP will have pole position, LNP's Jason Costigan’s name will appear second, third will be Greens' Jonathon Dykyj and fourth Australia Party’s Amanda Camm.

"This is my fifth election and only the second time I have been in the top spot," said MP Jan Jarratt after her little "Go Jan" when her name was drawn out first.

Jason Costigan comically evaded answering whether he was happy with second spot. "Well, this is not the Bowen Cup, it’s much more cordial. If you are talking about superstition or favourite numbers well, you are asking someone who is born on the 13th. Do I wish I had 12 other candidates ahead of me?" he smiled.

Greens candidate Jonathon Dykyj said despite any fortune telling that goes on around the order, he was out campaigning so that voters know about him and the Greens' policies so they can put a number one next to his name.

"Voters in all 89 seats will have this opportunity as the Greens for the second election in a row will field a candidate in every seat. We also have the highest percentage of females as candidates than any other party!"

Australia Party's Amanda Camm said she didn’t mind where she was on the ballot paper as long as people knew who she was - and what she stood for.

This is the second term in a row Ms Jarratt has had the top spot. "I’ve been on every position on the paper, I don’t think it makes too much of a difference," she said.

Following the official close of rolls on Saturday afternoon, 2,746,844 Queenslanders are eligible to vote at the upcoming State election, with an average of 30,863 electors for each electorate. There are 108,000 more female electors on the roll than male.

Electoral Commissioner David Kerslake today advised that over 70,000 electors, mainly 18 year olds, will be voting for the first time. 55 per cent of electors are aged below 50, with a total of 1350 aged 100 and above.