Let us compare our city
Miss Universe hopefuls already winners
CAIRNS leaders are eager to get their hands on a new federal government tool that will compare Australia’s 22 biggest cities on key areas including employment, housing affordability and infrastructure spending.
The Federal Government is building a National Cities Performance Framework that will collect data from cities around the country and will allow leaders to track their region’s progress against global competitors.
Assistant Minister for Cities Angus Taylor orchestrated the inaugural Cities Reference Group meeting in Sydney yesterday, spruiking the development of the new data collection tool.
“The Performance Framework will bring together important metrics about Australia’s largest cities in one accessible online location,” he said.
There were, however, no Far North Queensland-based representatives on the minister’s 25-person reference group.
Division 5 Cairns Regional Councillor Richie Bates welcomed the development of the new frameworks but questioned why there was not FNQ representation on the reference group.
“Australian cities aren’t a one size fits all. FNQ deserves to be represented on the reference group as the emerging and strategic tropical world city of Northern Australia.”
Advance Cairns chairman Kevin Byrne said anything that improved government planning processes would be welcomed.
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FAR Northern beauties Benita Williams, Laura Hanlon and Rielli Portegys are among 28 young women vying to be named Miss Universe Queensland tonight.
It’s the first time Ms Porte- gys, a 21-year-old from Millaa Millaa, has done anything like this.
“I’m extremely excited but also extremely nervous,” she said. “I wanted to step out of my comfort zone, which I think will be really good for life experience.”
The experience has already helped boost her confidence.
Ms Williams, who was born in Mossman but lives in Cairns, said she wasn’t expecting to win and was just enjoying the whole experience.
“I’ve been so nervous for the last week but now I’m excited and I can’t wait,” Ms Williams said.
All three girls, who are with Lu Lu’s and Blak Model Management, have been in Brisbane for a week in preparation for the Miss Universe Queensland State Finals at Lightspace in the state capital from 7pm.