POLLIES SWOOP
BRISBANE HEAVIES VISIT:
THE pressure is on for Far Northern MPs to go into bat for the region as Deputy Premier and newly minted Treasurer Jackie Trad takes the reins.
“With the amazing local members you now have representing Far North Queensland, including the former treasurer Curtis Pitt, but also Craig Crawford … Michael Healy and … Cynthia Lui,” Ms Trad said.
“They’ll be knocking on my door I have no doubt.”
But one of the men she is relying on was noticeably absent at a number of major announcements across the Cairns region yesterday.
Mulgrave MP Curtis Pitt was nowhere to be seen as Ms Trad took a look “at some of the innovative things we’re doing in Cairns” including opening the $34.2 million Bill Fulton Bridge duplication, which was a passion project for the former treasurer.
“He had other commitments and couldn’t make it,” Ms Trad said.
Fire and Emergency Services Minister and Member for Barron River Mr Crawford was ready to be a strong voice for the Far North, saying it was “an integral part of every regional member” to ensure that the community’s voice was heard “in Cabinet, in Parliament … everywhere”.
He joined Ms Trad, Member for Cairns Mr Healy and Member for Cook Ms Lui on the Cairns Western Arterial Rd.
“This is the first major project that we’ve brought off in Barron River,” Mr Crawford said, adding that it was “the first of many” with the Smithfield Bypass next to come.
“We’re hearing cars honking their horns behind us,” he said. “I guess it epitomises what the locals think about this – a great project, a great project delivered on time.”