Compassion At The Core
Nigel Dalton’s First Year As Mackay’s Voice In Parliament
A familiar face in the Mackay community, Nigel Dalton MP has built his first year in parliament around empathy, service, and a relentless drive to make life better for others. From helping a mother and her two children find emergency accommodation when he was first elected, to championing major legislative reform over the last twelve months, he’s proving that leadership grounded in kindness still has a powerful place in politics.
“I think what drives me to keep going is compassion… compassion and keeping people as safe as possible,” Mr Dalton said.
“If we can engage with families, help parents be better supported, and give young people opportunities to thrive, we create safer, stronger communities and that’s what I strive to do.”
Since his election in late 2024, the former police officer has transitioned from serving on the streets to serving in parliament, and while his office may have changed, his focus remains on the people.
“Honestly, I don’t know what I expected when I was first elected, but it’s been interesting, challenging, and very rewarding.”
Dalton’s fingerprints are already on several key pieces of legislation, including Jack’s Law, giving police the power to search for knives without prior suspicion, and Daniel’s Law, which allows parents to access information about child sex offenders living nearby.
“That one went straight to my heart,” he said. “Having worked with Bruce and Denise Morcombe for many years, being in parliament the day it passed was deeply significant.”
Mackay’s mining community has also benefited from Dalton’s advocacy, with the appointment of a local mining coroner ensuring families get faster answers in times of tragedy. He’s equally proud of the tangible wins for the region, from the $1.6 million upgrade for Mackay Netball’s spectator shade to $1 million in funding for Chances House, supporting homelessness services.
“There’s over $3 million invested across our community through grants, schools, and infrastructure,” he said.
“Seeing projects like the Mackay State High School Hall come to life makes all the work worthwhile.”
Still, the first-year MP admits the adjustment has been quite tiring, but ultimately fulfilling.
“The days are long,” he said. “But even when I’m tired, I remind myself that I’m doing this for the people, and that’s what keeps me going.”
And when he’s not in the public eye, Mr Dalton also takes pride in maintaining his health by swimming, walking, and trying new things like Pilates. In the new year, he is looking forward to becoming a grandfather in March and cherishes time spent with his beloved wife Sue and their two adult children Alice, and Angus.
As for lessons learned, Dalton says it all comes back to connection.
“Sometimes you achieve more sitting in a coffee shop talking to someone than at a big event,” he said. “I believe that’s how you really understand what people need.”
As new opportunities in 2026 await, Dalton hopes to see further progress on local housing, hospital expansion, and long-awaited female change rooms at Mackay’s rugby league grounds. But above all, he wants to keep listening.
“I prefer working here in Mackay than in parliament,” he said simply. “This is where I feel most connected. Helping one person at a time, because that’s where the real change begins.”
