Jets Leagues Club in Ipswich was a sea of red on Sunday for the official start of Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann’s 2025 election campaign.

With the election to be held on 3 May, Treasurer Jim Chalmers was in town to launch Mr Neumann’s campaign at the packed venue, along with Labor Senate candidate Corinne Mulholland and around 120 local Labor Party volunteers and supporters.

The Treasurer said he was delighted to support his friend and colleague’s re-election and acknowledged Mr Neumann’s strong record of delivering for his electorate.   

“There’s no better, harder-working Member of Parliament in this country than my friend Shayne Neumann. I was proud to launch his campaign and very grateful to his huge team of supporters and volunteers,” the Treasurer said.   

“This election is a clear choice for voters in Blair between Labor which is all about easing the cost of living and strengthening Medicare, or Peter Dutton who will cut everything except your taxes.

“In the Budget I handed down last week, we provided two more tax cuts for every taxpayer in Blair, more energy bill relief and cheaper medicines to help with the cost of living.

“Shayne Neumann is a valuable part of the federal Labor team and has delivered so much for his community in parliament.

“It’s only by re-electing an Albanese Labor Government and Shayne Neumann that we can keep delivering the jobs and opportunities that Blair needs and deserves.”

Mr Neumann said he was delighted to have the Treasurer back his re-election campaign and was determined to continue to fight for a better deal for his electorate.

“Since I was elected, I have worked hard to ensure better funding for services and greater investment in local infrastructure, and I have a track record of delivering for our community,” Mr Neumann said.

“Under an Albanese Labor Government, I have been able to secure millions of dollars in funding for much-needed transport and community infrastructure for Ipswich, the Somerset Region and Karana Downs area.

“Last week’s Budget locked in $20 million in funding for Brisbane Valley Highway safety upgrades, bringing the total Federal Government contribution to $40 million.

“This builds on $138.5 million for the Mount Crosby Road Interchange upgrade, $42.5 million to fix the Bremer River Bridge, $16 million towards Cunningham Highway businesses cases, including the Amberley intersection, $12.5 million for planning the next stage of the Ipswich Motorway, and $3.4 million to complete a business case for the Ipswich to Springfield rail line.

“I have also delivered a new Ipswich Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, so locals can get access to bulk-billed healthcare, as well as upgrades to the Ipswich Showgrounds, and improved facilities for Ipswich Hockey and Ripley Valley Football Club.

“Now is the time to keep building with more cost of living relief and investing in the future by strengthening Medicare, investing in housing and education, advancing reforms to make our economy stronger, and building a Future Made in Australia.

“This year, voters in Blair will face a clear choice: Labor’s plan to Build Australia’s Future or Peter Dutton’s promise to cut the services locals rely on.

“That’s the choice people in Blair face: build or cut.”