Timing failure for LNP

THE LNP has been accused of playing “catch- up” on a vital upgrade for the Port of Townsville with a last- minute bid to fund the project.

The criticism from Labor came after the Townsville Bulletin revealed LNP Herbert candidate Phillip Thompson had written to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, asking him to support the port’s application for $ 75 million in federal funding for the Townsville Channel Capacity Upgrade.

“The Townsville community see this as a project that is vital for our future growth and I’ll fight to see that it is done,” Mr Thompson said.

But Herbert MP Cathy O’Toole said funding the port, which Labor has committed to, was a “no- brainer” that should not take this long to decide.

“This has been a long- term project for Townsville, this is not new,” she said.

“As soon as it was clear that a commitment was needed, I went straight to the leadership team and spoke with Bill Shorten and said this is absolutely critical, we need this, and they agreed.”

“So, I say if the LNP want the port expansion then they’d better vote for me because I’ve got the money on the table.”

Ms O’Toole said she did not agree with past suggestions from Federal Government ministers that the port was a suitable candidate for a loan from the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility ( NAIF).

“It needs to be a fully funded project that doesn’t have to be paid back,” she said.

“There is precedent, the Federal Government has funded the port before … and we know that this upgrade will deliver millions into our economy and support jobs not just in construction but ongoing.”

Townsville MP Scott Stewart said the LNP needed to “stop playing politics” and fund the channel upgrade.

“While Malcolm Turnbull equivocates on this project, the people of North Queensland are paying the price with less economic certainty, limits on trade capacity and increased shipping costs,” he said.

Mr Stewart said Mr Thompson’s letter to the PM was a “reactive stunt”.

“The LNP need to explain to the people of Townsville what their position is and why they are leaving the people of Townsville without certainty on this critical project.

The $ 193 million project is partially funded, $ 75 million from the State Government and $ 43 million from the port.

The 4 ½ - year upgrade would enable the port to increase the number of containers it receives annually from 78,000 to 350,000 by 2050.