| Honorific-Suffix: | MP |
| Constituency Am: | Rockhampton |
| Assembly: | Queensland Legislative |
| Term Start: | 26 October 2024 |
| Predecessor: | Barry O'Rourke |
| Birth Place: | Forster, New South Wales, Australia[1] |
| Party: | Liberal National |
Donna Marcia Kirkland is an Australian politician.
She was elected member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland for Rockhampton in the 2024 Queensland state election.[2]
Kirkland first attempted to enter politics at the 2016 Queensland local elections when she contested Rockhampton Regional Council's Division 7. However, she was narrowly beaten by incumbent Stephen Schwarten.[3] [4]
Recontesting the division at the 2020 Queensland local elections, Kirkland was successful in getting elected, defeating her only opponent Noeleen Horan.[5] [6]
After the resignation of mayor Margaret Strelow in 2020, Kirkland was one of a record 17 candidates to contest the 2021 Rockhampton mayoral by-election.[7] Attracting more than 9% of the primary vote, Kirkland polled in fifth position behind Tony Williams, Chris "Pineapple" Hooper, Russell Claus and Cherie Rutherford.[8]
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic in November 2021, Kirkland declined to publicly declare whether or not she was vaccinated, stating: “As the opportunity to partake in Covid-19 vaccination, currently considered our best defence against Covid, is not mandatory and is completely on a voluntary basis, it is my understanding that everyone’s decision in this is, and any other medical procedure, retains the right to personal choice and privacy.”[9]
In October 2024, Queensland opposition leader David Crusafulli announced Kirkland as the LNP's candidate for the seat of Rockhampton at the 2024 Queensland state election.[10]
At a press conference on 11 October 2024 during the election campaign in October 2024, Kirkland was questioned about her stance on Queensland's abortion laws when it was revealed she had shared a pro-life Facebook post from the Australian Christians Party in 2019 and described abortion as "the greatest human rights abuse of our time."[11] Questioned about potential changes to Queensland abortion laws if the LNP were elected as well as her own personal views, Kirkland repeatedly said "it's not a part of our plan" and "we have ruled it out" before Crusafulli stepped in to take questions.[11] [12]
Kirkland is a mother of 6 and grandmother of 17.[13]