Donna Kirkland | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Rockhampton | |
| Assumed office 26 October 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Barry O'Rourke |
| Member of the Rockhampton Regional Council for Division 7 | |
| In office 28 March 2020 –16 March 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Stephen Schwarten |
| Succeeded by | Marika Taylor |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Forster,New South Wales,Australia [1] |
| Political party | Liberal 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]
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]
In October 2023,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,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]
Kirkland is a mother of 6 and grandmother of 17. [15]
Family name:Kirkland, Given name: Donna Marcia; Place of birth: Forster...