Donna Kirkland

Donna Kirkland
MP
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly
for Rockhampton
Incumbent
Assumed office
26 October 2024
Preceded byBarry O'Rourke
Personal details
BornForster, New South Wales, Australia[1]
Political partyLiberal National

Donna Marcia Kirkland is an Australian politician.

She was elected member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland for Rockhampton in the 2024 Queensland state election.[2]

Political career

Local government

Kirkland first attempted to enter politics at the 2016 Queensland local elections when she contested Rockhampton Regional Council's Division 7. However, she was narrowly beaten by incumbent Stephen Schwarten.[3][4]

Recontesting the division at the 2020 Queensland local elections, Kirkland was successful in getting elected, defeating her only opponent Noeleen Horan.[5][6]

After the resignation of mayor Margaret Strelow in 2020, Kirkland was one of a record 17 candidates to contest the 2021 Rockhampton mayoral by-election.[7] Attracting more than 9% of the primary vote, Kirkland polled in fifth position behind Tony Williams, Chris "Pineapple" Hooper, Russell Claus and Cherie Rutherford.[8]

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic in November 2021, Kirkland declined to publicly declare whether or not she was vaccinated, stating: “As the opportunity to partake in Covid-19 vaccination, currently considered our best defence against Covid, is not mandatory and is completely on a voluntary basis, it is my understanding that everyone’s decision in this is, and any other medical procedure, retains the right to personal choice and privacy.”[9]

State government

In October 2024, Queensland opposition leader David Crusafulli announced Kirkland as the LNP's candidate for the seat of Rockhampton at the 2024 Queensland state election.[10]

At a press conference on 11 October 2024 during the election campaign in October 2024, Kirkland was questioned about her stance on Queensland's abortion laws when it was revealed she had shared a pro-life Facebook post from the Australian Christians Party in 2019 and described abortion as "the greatest human rights abuse of our time."[11] Questioned about potential changes to Queensland abortion laws if the LNP were elected as well as her own personal views, Kirkland repeatedly said "it's not a part of our plan" and "we have ruled it out" before Crusafulli stepped in to take questions.[11][12]

In the 2024 election, Kirkland defeated Labor candidate Craig Marshall to win the seat of Rockhampton for the LNP.[13] On 10 November, it was announced that Kirkland had been appointed as the Assistant Minister for Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol Treatment, Families and Seniors and Central Queensland in the new Crisafulli ministry.[14]

Personal life

Kirkland is a mother of 6 and grandmother of 17.[15]

References

  1. ^ "Nomination for Mayor or Councillor". Electoral Commission Queensland. 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2024. Family name:Kirkland, Given name: Donna Marcia; Place of birth: Forster...
  2. ^ "Rockhampton - QLD Electorate, Candidates, Results". abc.net.au. 2024-10-26. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  3. ^ Gately, Michelle (31 March 2016). "Stephen Schwarten wins Division 7 by slim margin". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  4. ^ "2016 Rockhampton Regional Council - Councillor Election - Division 7 - Division Summary". Electoral Commission Queensland. 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  5. ^ Smith, Leighton (2 April 2024). "Kirkland claims victory in Division 7 as counting continues". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  6. ^ "Rockhampton Regional Division 7 Councillor". Electoral Commission Queensland. 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  7. ^ Hines, Jasmine; Mayers, Laura; McGhee, Rachel (4 January 2021). "Record Rockhampton mayoral contenders state their plans for the region ahead of by-election". ABC News. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  8. ^ "2021 Rockhampton Mayoral By-election". Electoral Commission Queensland. 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  9. ^ Nufer, Darryn (22 November 2021). "Revealed: Covid vaccination status of all Rockhampton Regional councillors". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  10. ^ Offord, Geordi (17 October 2023). "Donna Kirkland announced as LNP candidate for Rockhampton state election". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  11. ^ a b McKay, Jack (11 October 2024). "Rockhampton LNP candidate Donna Kirkland sidesteps questions when pressed on views about abortion". ABC News. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  12. ^ Cramsie, Elizabeth (11 October 2024). "Queensland election stirs up abortion debate". PM. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  13. ^ David Chen (27 October 2024). "Regional seats deliver LNP Queensland election win with crime resonating with voters". ABC News. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  14. ^ "MEDIA STATEMENT: A Fresh Start for Queensland: Crisafulli Assistant Ministry to support Cabinet". The Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory. 10 November 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  15. ^ "Donna Kirkland". Liberal National Party. Retrieved 2024-10-26.


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