Use your vote wisely

IF YOU live in the federal seat of Leichhardt and didn’t know it already, you’re very special. While I’m sure your schmick new hairdo is terrific and that your donations to Lifeline are much appreciated, it’s for another reason that you are special and will be extremely important come May. That’s because Leichhardt will have the eyes of every political junkie and (interested) voter on it as we go to the polls. It is one of the seats that Scott Morrison’s LNP and Bill Shorten’s Labor Party are expected to duel it out in because if they win here, they will most likely take home all the chips. That’s because Leichhardt is a bellwether seat. There has only been one occasion since 1972 that it hasn’t been held by the Federal Government. It should make this federal election one of the most exciting in many years. And it could mean the Far North is in for a shower of a different kind – major funding announcements, the likes of which we haven’t seen in decades.

The Tropical North is certainly ready for that and it appears the Prime Minister is eager to get started, announcing today they will grant $60 million to the hospital’s vision to become a tertiary institution. This real announcement is a terrific sign and one sure to get our civic leaders salivating. Our nation’s leader is also planning a visit to this beautiful part of the world next week and he is most welcome.

There has been much talk over the past several years about what we want here and there is a general consensus that the need to build Nullinga Dam and expand and reinvigorate HMAS Cairns are the top priorities.

Other subjects close to the hearts of Northerners are electricity and insurance prices. And dare I say there have been regular conversations, perhaps not relevant for this election but the next, about a rectangular stadium for a new NRL club to play in.

There will be other battlefields and it is hoped the climate change debate will not entirely decimate our beloved Reef.

I’m preparing for the onslaught of the usual ideological debate from commentators in which I believe mainstream Australia has well and truly grown tired of.

“The Left want to turn us all into politically correct alarmists.”

“The Right are a bunch of elitist racists raping the world of its natural resources.”

In living rooms and around barbecues Australians haven’t stopped caring about politics, they are crying out for explanations and ideas.

Leichhardt candidates will have their chance to explain their policies and state their cases at the Cairns Chamber of Commerce and Advance Cairns election debate on April 30.

There are many loud voices but it is important to listen to the ones that are calm, clear and resolute. A politician who does that will get my vote every time.

I’M PREPARING FOR THE ONSLAUGHT OF THE USUAL IDEOLOGICAL DEBATE FROM COMMENTATORS IN WHICH I BELIEVE MAINSTREAM AUSTRALIA HAS WELL AND TRULY GROWN TIRED OF.