ACTION WILL HELP LABOR TAKE FNQ GROUND

AUSTRALIA has a new Prime Minister as Anthony Albanese takes office this week and Labor plots a course to set its own agenda in government. But the Far North has the same MPs, after voters returned Warren Entsch in Leichhardt and Bob Katter in Kennedy.

Mr Entsch, as a backbencher, used to claim to have the ear of the PM and key ministers, but his party is no longer in government.

Mr Katter, who has relished his influence as a kingmaker, will not hold the same sway.

A promise is a promise and our new Prime Minister appears to be a man of his word. In an inspiring speech on election night he talked of his dreams for Australia and the progress he wanted his government to achieve.

Labor clearly outdid the LNP in the election pledges comparisons.

It is this ambitious, some might say big-spending, approach that has helped the party regain power.

It was not, however, enough to get Labor candidate Elida Faith elected here. That goal might not have been achieved, but the Far North has goals of its own.

The money promised for important big ticket items, like the Kuranda Range Road upgrade and the marine precinct, needs to be spent as quickly and effectively as possible.

Far North voters will not be impressed if these important infrastructure plans are slow in rolling out, or quietly slip down the pecking order at budget time.

Leichhardt has long been regarded as a marginal seat worth fighting for by both major parties.

Despite Mr Entsch defying the Labor surge this time, Labor will have the seat on their hit list at the next federal election.

Then, proven action, not just promises will be powerful.

Sean Atkins

Chief of staff