Voters quite prepared to ditch old allegiances

CONCERNS over the performance records of the major parties are plaguing Cairns locals in the lead-up to the state election.

Many locals say they are prepared to vote against their usual party in a bid to see sustainable change made in the Cairns region.

McLeod St resident Earl Barnett said he wanted to see a government in power that would put the Far North first.

“I’d like to see Far North Queensland put on the map, because the rest of the state seems to get all the funding,” he said.

“Everything’s forgotten above Townsville.”

Smithfield’s Peter Briody said his faith in Labor and the LNP had been shot after watching years of party politics.

He said it would take a change in government to see real change.

“My concern is that the es- tablished parties should be ousted, and we should get an independent party in. A change is as good as a rest,” he said.

In the Northern Beaches there are concerns about housing and employment.

Holloways Beach resident Rob Dawaddiez said he was tired of seeing the skilled workers he knew struggling to find long-term employment.

“We need more jobs created and we need better access to housing, “he said.

“There are plenty of people on the beaches who have the right tickets and qualifications to work, but there just aren’t enough jobs.

“Right now we’re just going in circles.”

The health of the Great Barrier Reef, road conditions and upgrades for schools are other concerns being voiced by members of the Cairns community in the lead-up to the November 25 election.