Shorten ‘ deceived’ Townsville about support

QUEENSLAND LNP senator Matt Canavan says Bill Shorten’s changing stance on Adani mine is “grossly disrespectful” to Townsville.

The Resources and Northern Australia Minister said the Labor leader had “turned his back” on the region.

“Bill Shorten has been grossly disrespectful to the ( region’s) needs and demands and he’s done it in a deceitful way – only about a year ago he said he supports the mine,” he said.

“This reverse cheering from ( Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk) and Shorten is a bit soul destroying for us here in North Queensland.”

Senator Canavan also questioned the six- month deadline Mayor Jenny Hill issued Adani to start building the mine in the Galilee Basin.

“It seems arbitrary and unhelpful to me; the idea that it’s Adani’s fault for the delays that have occurred is just not true,” he said.

Herbert Labor MP Cathy O’Toole last night defended Mr Shorten and insisted she had not been betrayed.

“I don’t agree that we are expendable, Herbert is one of the most marginal seats. But let’s be really clear: it is imperative that Labor wins the seat of Herbert and more seats in North Queensland,” she said.

Ms O’Toole said the Turnbull Government was more “out of touch” with the North than Labor.

“I don’t think the current Government is doing anything,” she said.