News
19 March, 2024
Ariana sets her sights on politics
Beachmere resident, Ariana Doolan has been put forward as the new LNP candidate for Pumicestone.
At only 22 years of age, if successful, Ariana would become the youngest woman to enter Queensland state parliament: a noteworthy accomplishment to add to Ariana’s already substantial list of achievements.
Ariana said she was feeling excited about the challenge ahead, and the opportunity to work in the community.
She said she was confident she could bring energy and a new focus to issues concerning the constituents of Pumicestone in her bid to unseat the current Labor incumbent Ali King MP at the October state elections.
“I was drawn to politics because I have a passion to serve, and want to make a difference and impact in the community.
What better way to do it than through Queensland parliament,” she said.
Ariana said she wanted to join the LNP (Liberal National Party) because she believed in the core values of the party and liked their community of people.
She said working alongside member for Glasshouse Andrew Powell MP had also influenced her decision to join the party.
“Andrew has been such a great role model for me so that has also influenced my decision,” she said.
“I would be immensely proud if I was elected to enter parliament.
“I also think it would be good for young people to see someone who has worked hard, put in the eff ort and is aspirational.
“When you dream big and work towards your goals you can achieve great things and that are what I want put forward particularly to young people.”
Addressing the issue of scepticism around her youth and capacity to enter politics, Ariana said she would remind people that the previous LNP leader Lawrence Springborg was the youngest person to enter Queensland parliament at age 21 and he went on to become leader of the party and is the current party president.
“I’ve also got a lot of experience in the public and private sector. Even though I’m only 22, I’ve been working since I was 15,” Ariana said.
“I’m just going to focus on what’s important to my community and their priorities, and hopefully they’ll see my energy and enthusiasm and my commitment to serve and not my age.”
Ariana said she hoped that as a younger person she could also bring a lot of other young people with her on the journey.
She said while she was still finalising her university studies in Business and Environmental Science, she planned to shift her focus to full-time campaigning.
“I want to fundraise hard, campaign hard and make an impact,” she said.
While not ruling out a tilt at the top job in the future, Ariana said her immediate focus was firmly on the Pumicestone electorate.
When asked if she wanted to be Premier one day, Ariana responded:
“I want to be member for Pumicestone first, then I’ll set my goals higher.”
“At the moment I’m totally focussed on winning this election on October 26 and then I’ll see how I go!” she laughed.
