MP defends Olds’ role

LEICHHARDT MP Warren Entsch has defended a Cairns councillor’s decision to work in his office after a debate broke out over potential conflicts of interest.

Division 9 councillor Brett Olds had planned to stand for LNP preselection in the federal seat of Leichhardt until Mr Entsch reversed his retirement plans in March.

The popular local politician – who secured 86.71 per cent of the vote at the 2020 election – has since taken up a two-day-a-week position as an administration assistant in Mr Entsch’s office.

He faced a grilling at last week’s council meeting over the appointment but said he was still putting in a lot more than 40 hours a week as a councillor on top of a long list of volunteer positions.

“I think those criticising me are just trying to deflect attention,” Cr Olds said. “It is only going to make me a better community representative.

“Warren’s office deals with a whole different set of issues to council, and there’s so much opportunity to learn.”

The new gig means Cr Olds will be able to travel with Mr Entsch to remote areas of Cape York and the Torres Strait as an employee, helping to build his profile in preparation for any future federal election tilt.

It is a time-honoured tradition for all sides of politics.

Labor preselection frontrunner for Leichhardt Elida Faith has taken a job in Nita Green’s office and can therefore shadow the senator on taxpayer-funded travel.

Several Cairns councillors have jobs outside their elected roles, including Deputy Mayor Terry James, who runs architect firm JB Design, and Cr Brett Moller, who is a consultant to Vandeleur and Todd Solicitors.

Mr Entsch said he found the criticism of the appointment laughable.

“It gives him an opportunity so, down the track if he wants to stand (for Leichhardt), he knows the ramifications for his family and what to expect,” he said.

“I’ve said it quite openly within the party – if anybody has an interest in taking on the role sometime in the future, I’m more than happy to give them a bit of work experience.

“But I’m not expecting him to come play politics. I expect him to do the job.”