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AAP
AAP
Politics
Nick Gibbs

LNP focus on health in Qld by-election

The LNP's Colin Boyce has switched to federal politics, triggering a by-election in Queensland. (AAP)

The Liberal National Party candidate is pushing for better healthcare in central Queensland seat of Callide after former MP Colin Boyce switched to federal parliament.

Voters in the seat that covers North Burnett, Western Downs and Banana Shire will go to the polling booths on June 18.

Callide takes in farming areas, coal mines and one of the state's biggest coal-fired power plants.

While climate change, energy and mining have dominated political debate in the seat in recent years, the LNP's Bryson Head says he's campaigning to improve health care.

"I'm not okay with the prospect of a colleague of mine at Dawson coal mine having an accident and waiting hours for an ambulance, because they're sitting here at Rockhampton waiting to offload their other patients," the 26-year-old told reporters on Monday.

"That's why I'm standing up here as the LNP candidate for Callide, because I'm going to fight for a better health care system for everyone in the bush."

The Callide by-election was called after Mr Boyce successfully ran for the federal seat of Flynn.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says Labor will field a candidate, while Katter's Australian Party is expected to announce their pick later on Monday.

Independent candidate Adam Burling, who polled third in the 2020 state election, is also expected to run, as is One Nation's Sharon Lohse.

Callide covers a vast agricultural area, at least four major coal mines, a number of coal seam gas projects and the Callide coal-fired power station.

The LNP holds the seat with a margin of 15.8 per cent.

Nominations for the by-election close at noon on Tuesday.

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