Cripps not even close to high ground

THE Shadow Minister for Natural Resources and Mines and Shadow Minister for Northern Development Andrew Cripps should know better than equate public servants’ wages with the Cross River Rail ( CRR) ( TB, 3/ 9). There are provisions to ensure nurses etc are paid by the state.

As for the Tully/ Millstream project, surely he knows his argument for a feasibility study is reinventing the wheel?

According to the Federal Department of Agriculture and Water Re- sources website notes a total of $ 750,000 ( ex GST) was given to the Tablelands Regional Council for this purpose from May 2016.

An advisory committee has been formed, a tender promulgated and a project manager engaged.

With the vote passed by State Parliament to scrap the supposedly fully funded CRR, with a saving of $ 5.4 billion, why not fund infrastructure projects in the North?

The bigger question is why didn’t Mr Cripps push for this when the Newman Government was in power?

While he is correct in saying that Shane Knuth MP makes overtures about how he has supported this important project, it is worth noting Bob Katter does not. Regardless, you can tell there is a scramble to claim the high ground on many issues prior to a state election.

If only we can keep the pollies honest then voters can make an informed choice. KEN CAREY, Ravenshoe.