Government Whip Terry Sullivan, Tourism Minister Margaret Keech, Local Government Minister Desley Boyle, Mr Brett Raguse and Energy Minister John Mickel

Labor candidate for the State seat of Beaudesert, Mr Brett Raguse, held a function at the Beaudesert RSL on Monday night to meet business and community members.

At least 100 people turned up to see the candidate and listen to his vision for the electorate.

Minister for Local Government, Environment and Women, Desley Boyle introduced him to the gathering noting that Beaudesert was a 'neglected' part of South East Queensland due mainly to its under-representation in Parliament by the present member.

"There are 'different' times ahead for Beaudesert. It is no longer mainly a farming area, and with over 1,000 people per week coming into South East Queensland, the semi-rural developments will also no longer be viable into the future.

"At the next election the people who will decide who is to be their representative will be the 'swinging voters'," she said.

Other Ministers present on the night included Minister for Energy and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy John Mickel, and Minister for Tourism, Fair Trading and Wine Industry Development, Margaret Keech. The Government Whip, Terry Sullivan, whose family originally came from Beaudesert was also present along with the ALP State Secretary, Mr Milton Dick.

In his address Mr Raguse noted that there are now over 68,000 people living in the electorate and that the area badly needed supporting infrastructure to accommodate the population. He stated that it was not about party politics but about good representation.

"Other regional areas are getting a much better deal than Beaudesert because they are effectively represented in Parliament," he said.