General News
10 March, 2024
Keen ‘eyes’ on Cuthbert
INDEPENDENT Cairns Regional Council candidate Shane Cuthbert admits that his campaign is being watched closely because if elected to division 4 he believes he will be the first elected politician who has been in jail.
“I am challenging stereotypes, stigma and barriers to change, in order to prove that, not only is it possible to turn your life around, but it’s possible to get a seat at the table where decisions affecting all Australians are made,” he said.
“The biggest issues affecting residents are youth crime, housing affordability, availability and the cost of living.
“As a former youth offender, now law graduate, I advocate regularly for the Cairns community on the issues of youth crime, having spoken to various Queensland parliamentary inquiries in the past.
“We don’t have any programs or facilities open past 11pm, even though crime peaks between 12am and 2am.
“I have been advocating for a 24-hour youth centre for some time, perhaps a new council will support such a program and offer one of its halls, community spaces or properties to be used for this purpose. I was one of those kids. I was disadvantaged, physically and sexually abused, bullied and went down the wrong pathway in life.
“I lived and breathed crime and now I’m on the other side, I know what works and what doesn’t. I believe it will take someone like me in a position of influence to make a difference in this space.
“Hopefully come March 16, I will have enough community support behind me to make this happen.”
Mr Cuthbert believes the $3.6 million annual cost of the council’s CCTV network is a waste of money and he does not back an extension into the suburbs. He also wants more practical help for displaced people on the city’s streets.
“In regards to infrastructure, traffic should be diverted from Carnation Drive through to Irene Street, where the master plan provides that Irene St is the main arterial road.
“However, despite the installation of chicane/median strips and reducing the speed limit to 50km/h, residents are still complaining of loud noise,” Mr Cuthbert said.
“In addition, the popular Kanimbla pump track needs shade sails, trees, more seating and public toilets installed,” he said.
For a full list of his policies visit: https://shanecuthbert.com/
