Manning calls for champion in North

CAIRNS Mayor Bob Manning is “disappointed” in the progress being made in Northern Australia.

He said regardless of whether Barnaby Joyce was removed from his position as Deputy Prime Minister for having dual New ZealandAustralian citizenship, the north still needed a powerful champion.

He said the development made since the Northern Australia White Paper was released had been minimal.

“I don’t think, if it comes to it, the next Minister for Northern Australia has to be someone from the North, but it has to be someone who has commitment and intent,” he said.

“We’re all disappointed in the North with the pace that Northern Australia is developing.

“When the White Paper was first introduced we were all excited in the Far North, but at the end of the day you’re judged by what you do, not what you say.”

Mr Manning said he was holding on to hope that Mr Joyce would remain in Parliament as both the Deputy Prime Minister and as Minister for Northern Australia.

“I think Barnaby Joyce is the best choice because he’s in a very powerful position as the Deputy Prime Minister and he’s a man of the land,” he said.

“But my plea to Parliament would be for the Government to sort this out as quickly as possible.”

Mr Joyce said in Parliament yesterday he gave up his dual citizenship.

“Over the course of the weekend we went through the process of renunciation,” he said.