Michael Backo

I am an Indigenous Juru South Sea Island man. I have lived in the Burdekin all my life and have worked in the local sugar industry for 20 years and am currently a Union Delegate. I negotiate on a regular basis to make sure that my fellow workers have a safe work environment and are given fair work opportunities within the Industry. I want to contribute to the futures of our next generations.  

I would like to be involved in creating activities for the young people of our community to recognise and develop their skills and allow them to be involved in projects such as protecting and maintaining our estuary and river systems and maintaining the wetlands. I would engage with government agencies and local sugar cane farmers. I would like to be involved with renewable projects that would assist the community with the cost of their energy bills such as solar, hydrogen and battery power.  

Right now I believe that people want to be heard about their day to day issues. I want to sit down face to face with people and listen to what they would like me to raise and help them achieve an outcome that is in the best interest for everybody within the community. I am very aware that people are frustrated with not being able to be heard about issues and that desperately needs to change.

In the first 100 days I will be engaging with all aspects of the community such as rate payers, business owners, community organisations, schools, government agencies, Indigenous Elders and farming organisations to listen to their concerns so that I am able to have an understanding of their expectations. I would like to be able to assess what the Council have been working on and achieved in this last term. I want to be able to report back to the community on a regular basis.

‍