Surfing champion Wayne 'Rabbit' Bartholomew has been tapped as Labor candidate for the Gold Coast seat of Burleigh Heads in the forthcoming Queensland election.
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He will be up against current Liberal National member Michael Hart who has held the coastal electorate for eight years.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced Mr Bartholomew's candidacy against a backdrop of blue sky and golden sands at Burleigh on Sunday.
The former world title holder - who won the World Surfing Championships in 1978 - said he felt very privileged to be part of Ms Palaszczuk's team.
"I've been an ambassador for the Gold Coast in some form through my surfing since I took off overseas as a 17-year-old, nearly 50 years ago," Mr Bartholomew said.
He praised the premier for her handling of the coronavirus pandemic in Queensland, saying the state was among areas in "the best shape of anywhere on the "entire planet."
"I challenge anyone to love the Gold Coast more than I do," he said.
Mr Bartholomew was made a member of the order of Australia in 2009 and conducted into Queensland Sport's Hall of Fame the same year.
According to the announcement on Queensland Labor's Facebook, the surfer will run on a platform of better public transport and more secure local jobs, as well as "fighting against inappropriate development and protecting our ocean."
Australian Associated Press
