O’TOOLE UP FOR THE FIGHT

Herbert Labor MP Cathy O’Toole says she’s “ready for the fight” to retain her seat at the next federal election.

Ms O’Toole ( pictured) won the seat by just 37 votes in 2016, making Herbert the most marginal electorate in the country.

“I think it’s fair to say that you never take anything for granted in an election campaign,” she said.

“An election campaign is a hard fight regardless of who’s running against you, but I’m ready … Townsville is my hometown, it is my community and I will fight for it.”

Ms O’Toole said her newly selected opponent, LNP candidate Phillip Thompson, represented the Prime Minister’s track record in Herbert.

“Phillip Thompson is Malcolm T Turnbull’s man … and Malcolm Turnbull has delivered nothing for Townsville in the last two budgets,” she said. Ms O’Toole said she believed her track record in securing $ 100 million for long- term water security, $ 200 million for energy and $ 75 million f for the Port of Townsville showed she could deliver for North Queensland. “In less than two years I got nearly l $ 400 million in infrastructure on the table, commitments that demonstrate I’m effective for my community,” she said. Ms O’Toole said she always worked for the best interests of North Queensland. “The mere fact I took on Clive Palmer is a very clear example I will do what it takes to hold people to account when they hurt people in my community,” she said.