Cheeky bid to lure Dark Mofo to Cairns

A QUEENSLAND MP has launched a daring bid to snatch Dark Mofo from Hobart.

Cairns Labor MP Michael Healy has seized on comments by Hobart Lord Mayor Ron Christie that the event had crossed the line this year with its inverted crosses and its funding by the council should be reviewed.

Mr Healy is leading the push to lure the event north, writing to Dark Mofo organisers advising them if Hobart City Council pulled the plug on funding, Cairns would step up.

In his letter to Dark Mofo organisers, Mr Healy writes: “I would be more than willing to meet with you to discuss the prospect of hosting Dark Mofo in Queensland.”

Mr Healy said unlike Ald Christie, he had no issue with an influx of tourists.

Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman laughed off sugges- tions the festival could move.

“Dark Mofo is Tasmanian born and bred and here to stay,” he said. “I don’t think Queensland would want to lose another State of Origin battle this week.”

Dark Mofo creative director Leigh Carmichael poured cold water over any suggestion the festival could move. “There certainly have been approaches, a couple of quite serious requests to look at moving,” he said.

“Dark Mofo specifically belongs in Hobart. I just don’t think festivals that are picked up and dropped into other places necessarily work.”