Queensland parents Russell Field and Judy Lindsay have both grieved the loss of children but now stand on opposite sides of politics.
Mr Field is running as the Liberal National Party candidate for Capalaba at Saturday’s state election.
The Bayside seat is held by Labor’s Don Brown, and Ms Lindsay has thrown her support behind the incumbent.
Mr Field’s son Matthew, his partner Kate Leadbetter and their unborn child, Miles, were killed on Australia Day in 2021 when struck by a stolen 4WD. A youth under the influence of cannabis and alcohol was at the wheel.
The 17-year-old pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter and was jailed for 10 years.
Ms Lindsay’s 20-year-old daughter Hayley Russell was killed in a collision with a drunk driver a few kilometres from her home in 2009.
Although connected by the impact of unspeakable tragedy, the two parents are clearly separated by the political divide.
Mr Field said he was not contacted by the Premier after the crime that claimed his son’s life and this sparked his drive into politics.
“We’ve had no support whatsoever from the government,” he said.
“People don’t realise there’ll be victims before this next election. Everybody can be a victim tomorrow but they don’t know it yet.”
His main focus is making sure no one else goes through what he and his family endured.
Ms Lindsay is disappointed by a lack of support after she criticised former Redlands Mayor Karen Williams for drunk driving.
She was outspoken at the time, saying there was no excuse and that the episode amounted to a kick in the guts.
“I was the only person to come out and stand up against Karen, and Don (Brown) supported me there.
“So I’m supporting Don.”
