Puzzling noshows by Pitt

THE new Labor cavalry has come riding into town just a week after the new State Government is sworn-in and fresh cabinet ministers are appointed.

The posse, led by Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad, was on a victory lap of the region which was critical to the ALP’s success in George St.

The Far North delivered four of the five seats to Labor and our reward? – the dumping of former treasurer Curtis Pitt, who was handed the ceremonial role of Speaker, and a junior portfolio of fire and emergency services to second termer Craig Crawford of Barron River.

Yesterday Ms Trad opened the vital Bill Fulton Bridge expansion to alleviate traffic congestion at Brinsmead. Also making announcements were Health Minister Steven Miles and Agricultural and Fisheries Minister Mark Furner, accompanied at all or some by Mr Crawford, new Cairns MP Michael Healy and Cook MP Cynthia Lui.

But nowhere to be seen was Mr Pitt, the Member for Mulgrave, who was returned with a healthy majority and who was the face of the government throughout the election campaign in the Far North, leading the region to victory.

The excuses included he was otherwise engaged or they simply didn’t know. Is this the way to treat an MP, who has been returned four times and who was a senior minister as Treasurer in the last government?

Let’s hope he will be with Tourism Minister Kate Jones today when she launches a community consultation program for the Global Tourism Hub.

Brisbane may have cast aside Curtis Pitt, but we haven’t. Nick Dalton Deputy editor FOR THE RECORD: The Cairns Post is committed to accurate, fair and fearless publication of news and commentary. But we acknowledge and aim to promptly correct errors when they occur. Corrections, clarifications and explanations the newspaper wishes to make will appear in this space. If you are aware of an error in this newspaper, please contact editorial@cairnspost.com.au or phone 4052 6627.