TROPICAL ORIGIN CAMP

LNP PLEDGE TO BRING EPIC CLASH TO THE NORTH

OPPOSITION Leader Tim Nicholls will make a formal bid for the State of Origin to come to North Queensland if the LNP wins the state election.

Townsville would host the match with Cairns and Mackay each vying to accommodate one of the teams’ training camps and a week-long rugby league festival.

Mr Nicholls will today announce the plan to bring a Queensland-NSW match to North Queensland within the next term of government.

“My pledge today is to throw the resources of government behind a North Queensland State of Origin bid. We want to bring this game to the North in 2020 or 2021 at the new Townsville Stadium, aka the Johnathan Thurston Arena,” he said.

“Within the first 100 days of a Nicholls LNP Government, we will instruct Tourism and Events Queensland to begin negotiations on North Queensland’s behalf.

“We know without government backing and support, bringing an Origin to North Queensland would be a tall order as we compete with Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.”

LNP candidate for Cairns Sam Marino said the game and festival would provide a huge boost to tourism.

“As part of the bid process, we request both the Blues and the Maroons are based in other northern rugby league strongholds such as Mackay and Cairns in the lead-up to the game,” he said.

“All the build-up of Origin would give North Queensland unmatched exposure, another reason why getting the teams based in Mackay and Cairns in the lead-up is so vital.”

MY PLEDGE TODAY IS TO THROW THE RESOURCES OF GOVERNMENT BEHIND A NORTH QUEENSLAND STATE OF ORIGIN BID. WE WANT TO BRING THIS GAME TO THE NORTH IN 2020 OR 2021 AT THE NEW TOWNSVILLE STADIUM ...

TIM NICHOLLS