Family, Fishing, and Fighting for Dawson
Year in Review: Andrew Willcox
In politics, it's often the smallest victories that make the biggest impact. For Andrew Willcox, Federal Member for Dawson, 2024 has been a year of championing the people, and seeing those efforts transform lives.
Whether it's securing crucial funding for volunteer organisations or advocating for a safer highway, Andrew’s work reminds us that real progress is about making sure every win counts—no matter how big or small.
And when he does have a win, it’s the community that reaps the rewards.
One of Andrew’s proudest achievements this year has been his work with Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) Whitsundays. After successfully securing funding for the organisation last year, Andrew had the honour of officially opening their new Operations and Training Centre. It’s a facility that will significantly enhance VMR’s ability to serve the community and ensure the safety of those who enjoy the waters around the Whitsundays.
“The work that VMR Whitsundays do is crucial when it comes to keeping our boaties and fishers safe on the water," Andrew shared.
The new facility will better equip VMR Whitsundays to handle day-to-day rescue operations and full-scale search and rescue efforts. For Andrew, it was a deeply fulfilling moment after months of hard work and advocacy.
“The volunteers deal with high-pressure situations to keep our waters safe, and this new centre means that the team at VMR Whitsundays will be better equipped to handle the challenges they face.”
Another key win this year was Andrew’s advocacy for families raising children with autism. He successfully secured $2 million in federal funding for the AEIOU Foundation, allowing them to expand their early intervention services by opening a new centre.
"I fought hard to secure that funding because I know how critical early intervention is for children with autism. This isn’t just about numbers on a page; it’s about giving families real hope and practical support,” Andrew said.
The Federal Member for Dawson’s commitment to safety isn’t limited to the water. One of his most pressing campaigns this year has been "Back Our Bruce"—a push for essential upgrades to the Bruce Highway. In particular, the section between Bowen and Home Hill has been identified as the most dangerous stretch of the entire highway, and Andrew has been vocal in calling for federal and state governments to act.
“As someone who spends a lot of time on the Bruce Highway, travelling to meet with businesses and constituents in my electorate, I’ve experienced the dangers of the Bruce firsthand,” he said.
His concerns are shared by locals, many of whom have signed his petition demanding immediate action.
“It’s really the lifeblood for us. It’s the main artery from Brisbane to Cairns. It’s how our farmers get their produce to market, it’s how we all get our supplies from the cities, and it’s how we get our families home safely.”
Andrew is pushing for a long-term plan for the Bruce Highway that focuses not just on the southern end near Brisbane but addresses critical safety concerns in regional areas like Dawson.
"I’d like to see an actual plan for the Bruce, not just starting in the southeast corner and working its way up. We need to put in more overtaking lanes and begin dual-laning each way. I understand it’s a big project and won’t be done overnight, but there needs to be immediate improvement.”
While the long hours on the road are a downside to the job, Andrew says it’s the "touch points" with the community that keep him motivated.
“I really love talking to my constituents.
“The more I talk to people, the better prepared I am when I go to Canberra to fight for their needs.
“There’s nothing more powerful than standing up in parliament and delivering exactly what your community is telling you.”
This connection with the community extends far beyond legislative matters. Andrew is deeply committed to helping his constituents with everything from NDIS issues to immigration and passports through his local office in Mackay.
"We don’t send anyone away here. If someone comes in with a problem, we’ll try to help them, and if we can’t, we’ll steer them in the right direction."
Andrew says that what frustrates him is when people assume he or his office can’t help without even asking.
"Give us a crack!
“Sometimes there are things we can do which may seem small but make a huge difference to people’s lives."
As 2024 draws to a close, Andrew is already looking ahead to the challenges of 2025. With a federal election looming, he’s more committed than ever to fighting for the people of Dawson. From securing better infrastructure to tackling the rising cost of living, he’s determined to ensure that the needs of regional Australians aren’t overlooked.
One of the issues at the top of his agenda is bringing back the Agricultural Visa, which was scrapped by the current government.
"Fruit and veg prices have soared because farmers can’t get the labour force needed to pick the produce.
“It’s falling on the ground and rotting in fields, and that’s driving up prices for consumers.”
Energy costs are another major concern, with businesses facing astronomical increases in their bills.
"When energy costs rise, everything else follows. We need to get this under control to ease the pressure on both businesses and household consumers."
Andrew’s dedication to the community is rivalled only by his devotion to his family. His wife, Raylene, plays a pivotal role, helping him stay on top of political appointments, and their grown children, despite having spread their wings, remain close.
"At the beginning of the year, we managed to spend time with the kids in Canada," Andrew shared.
"It might be our last big family holiday together as they start their own families."
His youngest son, Tommy, recently moved to Wagga Wagga, where he’s now teaching kids with special needs after spending a year overseas. His daughter, Shannon, follows in her father’s political footsteps, working for Senator Susan McDonald. And eldest son Jack, a civil engineer lives with his wife Zoe and labrador Wally, just up the road in Townsville.
While Andrew hasn’t found much time this year for his favourite past time of fishing and crabbing, he looks forward to a quieter Christmas.
"I’ve done my time putting together trampolines and swing sets on Christmas Eve, so this year, I’m hoping to put a crab pot or two in the creek, put my feet up, and watch some cricket," he said with a smile.
After a year of hard work and community wins, it’s a well-deserved break for a man who’s spent 2024 fighting for the people of Dawson—one victory at a time.
