Minor parties get messages across
PREFERENCE screws are turning as minor party candidates band together in Leichhardt and the majors release their how-to-vote wish lists.
Anger is simmering among the seat’s anti-mandate candidates over a perceived snub from one of the city’s most prominent political events.
Their exclusion from a recent Cairns Chamber of Commerce debate, which featured only five of 11 candidates due to time constraints, has prompted a series of minor-party rallies and forums in response.
The first starts at 11am on Thursday at Sebel Harbour Lights – a ticketed three-hour “meet the candidates” forum organised by anti-mandate group FNQ Businesses United.
Outspoken Cairns regional councillor Brett Olds is one of the organisers.
“We just want to give everyone a voice,” he said.
Controversial LNP anti-vax senator Gerard Rennick will host the event, with a guest list including candidates from the Informed Medical Options Party (IMOP), United Australia Party (UAP), One Nation, Australian Federation Party (AFP), Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) and Fusion Party.
Another key event will kick off with the Small Party Preference Forum at the Serbian Cultural Centre in Edge Hill from 3.15pm on Sunday.
“We invite the voters of Leichhardt who want a safe, open and unfiltered view of the small parties, shut out (from the chamber debate) … to attend our forum,” organiser Steve Brech said.
IMOP, Fusion, One Nation, AFP and Animal Justice Party candidates have all confirmed their attendance.
The minor-party campaign will be rounded out with a rally on the Cairns Esplanade about noon on Saturday, May 14 – one week before election day.
Organiser and would-be preference whisperer Rod Davis – a former Douglas shire councillor – says the event aims to push a “put the majors last” preference plan.
The minor-party revolt comes as Coalition MP Warren Entsch and Labor candidate Elida Faith begin distributing how-to-vote cards.
Ms Faith has placed Mr Entsch in the seventh slot, with Fusion, the UAP, IMOP and One Nation rounding out the bottom of the ballot.
Mr Entsch has One Nation in the second top slot – a decision savaged by Socialist Alliance candidate Pat O’Shane.
“My family have spent their lives fighting against racism,” she said.
“To see the LNP cosy up to One Nation in their Leichhardt and senate preferences is a kick in the guts to the proud First Peoples of Far North Queensland, as well as our multicultural communities.”
It is understood the Cairns Young Chamber of Commerce planned a second debate for minor-party candidates, but it was canned due to a scheduling clash with the FNQ Businesses United event.