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Labor endorses ex-serviceman for Qld seat

Georgie MooreAAP
Liberal MP Phillip Thompson will face Labor's John Ring in Herbert at the next federal election.
Camera IconLiberal MP Phillip Thompson will face Labor's John Ring in Herbert at the next federal election. Credit: AAP

Two ex-servicemen will slug it out for the Queensland seat of Herbert when Australia heads to the polls, with Labor endorsing a former RAAF member.

Aviation firefighter John Ring, who spent almost 15 years with the air force, will go up against Liberal MP and Afghanistan veteran Phillip Thompson.

Mr Thompson won the Townsville-based seat from Labor's Cathy O'Toole with a swing of more than eight per cent in 2019.

Mr Ring has credited previous proposed changes to aviation firefighting services with inspiring him to run for parliament.

"Along with many of my firefighting colleagues we fought hard to stop the government from going ahead with the cutbacks that threatened to leave airports in regional Queensland without a firefighting capacity stationed at the airport," he said on Tuesday.

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"I'm a local who loves my hometown and I believe with my 15 years of experience in the RAAF I have a strong understanding of the issues faced by our broader community and our service men and women."

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese labelled Mr Ring a strong advocate for regional health services and local jobs.

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