In 1960 my grandfather Frank took a leap of faith and left his homeland of Italy for North Queensland. He saw Queensland as a land of opportunity. Over 60 years later, my family still believes Queensland is a land of opportunity. Our Government is working hard to ensure these opportunities continue today. We are delivering a Fresh Start for Queensland ...About the Premier
Why I Get Up Before the Sun
I learned the value of hard work on my family's sugar cane farm in Ingham.
Before dawn, my Nonno would rise for work to cut cane by hand to make a living. He arrived in Queensland from Italy back in 1960. He came to this State because it was a place where aspiration and possibility combined to create opportunities. It was a place where anyone from any walk of life could have a crack and succeed.
He saved his pay and eventually bought the farm that my parents still call home today. The hope of reward for effort and opportunity is what drives me every day.
1970: Growing up on the Farm
David was born and raised in Ingham in North Queensland. He was taught the values of hard work and private enterprise on his family's sugar cane farm that still operates today. His parents' strong connections to his local town instilled in him his passion for service and his community. He completed his primary and high school education in the town and landed his first job working at the Ingham Coles deli.
1998: Growing a Career
David's love of news, sport, and his community guided his choice of tertiary education. In 1997, he enrolled to study a Bachelor of Journalism at James Cook University in Townsville. Eighteen months before graduating, he returned home to Ingham as a cadet reporter with the Herbert River Express. He loved North Queensland and wanted to see more of it.
In 2000, he started a job covering the entire region as a reporter for WIN News in Townsville.
2002: Starting a Family
For David, family is everything. He was married to Tegan in 2002 in the Whitsundays. His first daughter was born soon after in 2005, before their second child arrived in 2007. His daughters keep him grounded and inspire him every day to make sure each generation of Queenslanders is better off.
2004: Fighting for Better Communities
David was passionate about his community but was frustrated by the lack of progress occurring throughout his local area. Despite Townsville City Council being entirely controlled by the Labor Party, David decided to have a crack at politics. He was elected under a platform of transparency and integrity.
In 2008, he was elevated to the position of Deputy Mayor of Townsville, where he helped lead the merger of the Townsville and Thuringowa Councils into one of Queensland's largest local governments.
2012: Member for Mundingburra
David's fight to improve his region and Queensland was only just getting started. In 2012, he was elected to the Queensland Parliament for the seat of Mundingburra. It was the first time a Liberal-National Party candidate had won the seat in a general election.
He was appointed Minister for Local Government and immediately got to work. During his time as a Minister, he led the transformation of councils to deliver power back to local communities and reformed the way we recover from natural disasters. In his first year of service, David visited every council across the state to listen to their needs.
2015: Back to Business
Following the 2015 state election, David offered support to businesses working across telecommunications, planning, and media sectors. His family moved to the northern Gold Coast where he became heavily involved in local sporting and charity organisations.
2017: Building for the Future
David was again elected to the Queensland Parliament as the Member for Broadwater in 2017. He was appointed Shadow Minister for the Environment, Science and the Great Barrier Reef, and Shadow Minister for Tourism. He was a strong voice for increasing protected areas and for the need to deliver more eco-tourism projects across Queensland.
David worked with tourism operators across Queensland and advocated for them during a tough period for the industry.
2020: Fighting for the Right Priorities for Queensland's Future
On November 12, 2020, David became Queensland's Opposition Leader. For four years, David travelled across the State and listened to Queenslanders. He put forward solutions to the issues that mattered to Queenslanders and assembled a team to deliver for them.
2024: A Fresh Start for Queensland
David is focused on ensuring Queenslanders can access the essential services they need.
He is up before the sun and working hard every day to improve the lives of Queenslanders.
He is charting a new direction for this great State.