October 1, 2024
Mining mayor, Anne Baker secured over $399 million in coal royalties for the Isaac region while on local council. Now she’s having a crack at state politics.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself, and your personal connection to the Mining and Energy Union?
My connection to the Mining and Energy Union goes all the way back to the 1980s. My late husband, Frank Baker was a coal miner and lifelong member, so I feel like I have been in the mining union family for a long time.
I have served the Isaac region in local government for the last seventeen years and for the last twelve years I served as mayor. I loved being a councillor and serving my local community. It has been a fantastic opportunity to represent people locally and to advocate for and lobby for critical infrastructure in the Isaac region.
When I was first elected mayor, we had around $703,000 in mining royalties for our community. When I left that council, we had over $400 million in contributions to local projects, so that was the difference between 2012 and 2024.
I think in the grand scheme of things, $400 million is definitely not enough for everything the community needs, but it demonstrates the change we can achieve when we have good leadership and advocacy.
How did you make the decision to move from local government to state government?
When I decided not to contest my position in local government, I didn’t have a concrete plan on what I was going to do next. Frank had been unwell for a while at that point, and I wanted to prioritise quality time with him so that was one of the main considerations in not contesting my former position.
Another consideration when I stepped down was that I knew the time was right to bring through the younger generation to council leadership. I’m very proud that we had a smooth transition process.
While on council I had been working on big campaigns, including the Save Glenden campaign and the Sustainable Resources legislation. The plan was to then have a break, but then the opportunity to stand for Burdekin electorate came up and I decided that I would have a go.
I’m not a super political person, although I’m interested in politics. However, I’m more of a people person, but I thought if I can do this while continuing to put people over politics and be my authentic self, then I couldn’t sit back and not have a go.
What feedback are you hearing from residents on the campaign trail?
There’s a lot of discussion about mining royalties and the return of an equitable amount of royalties to regions where the value is produced.
Opposition Leader, David Crisafulli announced that the Liberal Nationals won’t make changes to our new progressive royalties system but he didn’t rule it out for a second term.
I think people are nervous that this still leaves the door open for the LNP to scrap the progressive royalties system down the track, which would be a significant setback for Queensland and places like Burdekin.
Royalties are instrumental in funding infrastructure projects and essential services that benefit mining communities. For example, increased coal royalties delivered $48.5 million for a new Moranbah Hospital in the heart of Queensland’s resources community. The hospital is currently under construction and is on track to open at the end of this year.
We have also announced a $157 royalties funded election commitment for Peak Downs Highway and Dysart-Middlemount Road. This funding will be allocated to strengthening and widening both roads, as well as building overtaking lanes on Peak Downs.
Beyond that we’re also hearing a mixed bag of issues, such as cost of living and local issues.
Queensland Labor has been working hard to do what we can and assist where possible. The $1,000 electricity credit and $0.50 cent transport fares are some ways we are trying to ease things for households. If elected, we’ll also establish 12 publicly-owned fuel stations and give people 20 per cent off their rego for 12 months.
In Burdekin, unfortunately some of the feedback I’m getting is that residents don’t feel very represented on a grassroots level. If elected, I will work very hard to be a dedicated local representative.
Lastly, do you have a favourite food or coffee spot in the electorate?
There’s probably more than one go-to, but I would probably say DalSanto’s deli in Ayr. My order is a flat white with zymil milk and no sugar.