An immigration law expert, business owner and Public Service Medal winner from the hinterland has entered the race to become the Sunshine Coast’s next mayor.
Wayne Parcell is running as a non-aligned independent candidate in the March elections and says “ultimately, I will be answerable to the people of the Sunshine Coast, not to a political party headquarters”.
A Montville resident since 2005, Mr Parcell has run the Rangebow Festival for the past two years and has served as president and vice-president of the Montville Village Association. He has also turned the near-derelict Montville tennis courts into a thriving community asset.
Mr Parcell said he had a strong affection and attachment to the hinterland.
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“Living on the hinterland, I appreciate the economic and cultural diversity of the entire region,” he said.
“It is fundamental to community engagement and delivery that there is recognition of the distinct communities, their differences and their contribution within our region.
“Everyone needs a champion they can rely upon who, like me, believes in diversity, inclusion, sustainability and reconciliation – those values are intrinsic to sound decision-making and equitable outcomes for everyone.”
Mr Parcell was educated in Brisbane and was the first in his family to attend university, studying law at the University of Queensland.
He received the Public Service Medal in 1996 in the Australian Honours List for his outstanding service to Australia, which preceded his successful career in law, small and global businesses, as well as with not-for-profits.
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His career has spanned more than 40 years, with 30 years of experience as a solicitor specialising in immigration law, in his own business and then as a partner in a global consulting firm as global immigration partner. His experience across a range of government agencies included taxation, defence, intelligence and security, and immigration. He has worked with a range of national and international government agencies, alondside government ministers, senior bureaucrats, diplomats, the ACTU and industry leaders.
“In March 2023, I resigned from LNP membership after just 12 months, because the party’s values around social justice did not resonate with mine,” he said.
“It had been almost 40 years since I had resigned from the Queensland Young Liberals after which I was not aligned with any political party. My adult life has been spent in pursuit of my passion of service for better.”
Describing himself as an “economic conservative with a social conscience – these fundamentals are not mutually exclusive”, Mr Parcell says he would deliver financial responsibility with social justice and environmental sustainability.
“We need to address the rising community disappointment about decision paralysis in planning processes and outcomes,” he said.
“Effective decision-making requires a council that listens attentively to the diverse needs and concerns of each community. Informed decisions can follow greater transparency of process.”
Mr Parcell said he was inspired to run for the mayoralty by his passion to service to the community.
“My life has not been one of privilege. Growing up in housing commission in Brisbane’s south, in an environment of domestic violence, focussed my attention,” he said.
“From age 15, in addition to my optimism and resilience, I developed a deep passion for service to the community to make a difference so that others could be what they could see. It was important to drive change that would bring benefit to other people besides myself.
“My life’s purpose has been in service to people, through my work in government and in business. I value diversity, inclusion, sustainability and reconciliation, and these values support a healthy, thriving community.
“My record of determination and achievement against significant challenges is well documented and acknowledged with awards including the Public Service Medal and a special award from the Australian Tourist Commission.
“I believe, as mayor, I have the vision, the capacity and the capabilities to bring the change that matters to the people of the Sunshine Coast.”
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