THE BUCKS ST P HERE They promised big , we voted in four MPs, now Labor make ...

Manning calling in promises

THE Queensland Labor government is under pressure to stand and deliver for the Far North when the State Budget is brought down on Tuesday.

The Palaszczuk government made a host of election promises last year and in return the region gave the Premier four seats.

Now electors are expecting Annastacia Palaszczuk to honour the pledges.

Leading the charge is Mayor Bob Manning and at the top of his list are a $176 million convention centre extension, $120m dredging, $152m Smithfield bypass construction and the global tourism hub.

THE Queensland Government whipped out a suite of big-figure promises ahead of last year’s election and were rewarded with four seats in the Far North. Now it is time to pay. Cairns Mayor Bob Manning, off some of the major pre-election assurances – a convention centre extension, dredging, Smithfield bypass construction and the global tourism hub – said the city deserved and demanded a fair go.

“There’s no shortage of work out there for the State Government to do,” he said.

“We consistently get a lesser amount than other regions and we consistently get a lesser amount on a per-capita basis.”

Council bean counters will run through Tuesday’s 2018-19 Budget papers with a finetooth comb to help form the council’s own financial plan.

Cr Manning suggested there had been a post-election lull as new MPs and ministers became habituated with their roles.

Tuesday’s announcement will be a test of how much of the campaign was just porkbarrelling bluster rather than the genuine article.

“I wouldn’t be critical of local members about this because they haven’t had time to get their feet under the table,” Cr Manning said. “But there’s a bit of catch-up going on and that can’t last forever.”

Cairns MP Michael Healy said he would be asking tough questions if his electorate did not get what was promised.

“My expectations for all of these projects which have been announced is that we will see them in the budget,” he said.

ON THE MOVE: Barron River MP Craig Crawford talks up the Smithfield bypass plan. Top, Mulgrave MP Curtis Putt, Cairns MP Michael Healy and Cook MP Cynthia Lui.