General News
4 November, 2024
Three new MPs in FNQ
LABOR has been shown the door in the Far North following the LNP’s majority win last weekend.
Only one ALP MP remains – former tourism and sports minister Michael Healy, who was able to fend off a strong challenge by the LNP’s Yolonde Entsch.
But the three other seats held by the ALP are expected to switch over to the LNP.
Former LNP Cook MP David Kempton returns to the seat after beating Labor’s Cynthia Lui.
Ex-Cairns mayor Terry James should take the once Labor stronghold of Mulgrave from Richie Bates after postal votes are counted.
The LNP’s Bree James grabbed the bellweather seat of Barron River from Craig Crawford while Shane Knuth, as predicted, retains Hill for Katter’s Australia Party.
David Crisafulli is the new LNP premier.
Ms James said their hard work paid off.
“Thank you Barron River. To everyone that helped our campaign over the past 388 days, thank you so much. Our hard work paid off,” she said.
“We didn’t expect the votes, we earned them.
“You voted for a fresh start, and I’m so honoured and proud to be part of the incoming Crisafulli LNP government.
“Thank you to my incredible volunteers and the whole LNP team, who were the backbone of this campaign. We could not have won without you.
“Thank you to the countless people who invited me into their homes, lives, and shared with me your stories. I’m here to fight for you.
“I will never take this significant responsibility for our region for granted.”
Mr Kempton thanked the electorate of Cook “from the bottom of my heart”.
“I promised safe hands, a strong voice and to turn up every time,” he said.
“That starts today. I am so grateful to Max, my team, supporters and friends who put in a 110 per cent and to those who voted for me – I am back. Thank you.”
Mr Healy thanked “the people of Cairns”. “I am so honoured to be re-elected as your local member,” he said.
“I promise I will never let you down”.
In the meantime, Advance Cairns is looking forward to Mr Crisafulli’s vision for the region.
Advance Cairns chief executive officer Jacinta Reddan said, while results were yet to be finalised in a number of seats across the state (including Mulgrave), regional Queensland had sent a clear message with a swing of more than nine per cent to the LNP.
She said as a result, Advance Cairns’ expectations were high for the LNP to deliver for the Far North – which with a population heading towards 300,000 was the largest in the state outside SEQ (and indeed in northern Australia) and has an exciting era of growth ahead.
“We look forward to hearing the new premier articulate a vision for the future which includes investments in key sectors such as health, aviation and tourism – all of which are essential to a vibrant and resilient economy – as well as enhancing road connectivity to Cairns northern beaches, Atherton Tablelands and to Cape York and fostering growth in agriculture by harnessing more of the economic opportunities offered by our abundant rainfall,” Ms Reddan said.
As of Wednesday afternoon these were the latest results. Distribution of preferences will be published on November 6.
Barron River
JAMES, Bree (LNP): 12,458 (40.18 per cent)
CRAWFORD, Craig (ALP): 10,130 (32.69 per cent)
CAMPBELL, Ben (KAP): 2514 (8.11 per cent)
EICENS, Peter (ON): 2747 (8.86 per cent)
CREW, Denise (The Greens): 3156 (10.16 per cent)
Cairns
COURT, Geena (ON): 4896 (16.95 per cent)
HOLT, Josh (Greens): 3182 (11.01 per cent)
HEALY, Michael (ALP): 10,419 (36.06 per cent)
ENTSCH, Yolonde (LNP): 9422 (32.61 per cent)
CUTHBERT, Shane (IND): 972 (3.3 per cent)
Cook
AMOS, Duane ‘Mossy’ (KAP): 4680 (20.1 per cent)
KEMPTON, David (LNP): 7843 (33.79 per cent)
LUI, Cynthia (ALP): 7646 (32.95 per cent)
CAMPION, Peter (ON): 1541 (6.64 per cent)
MILLER, Troy (Greens): 1497 (6.45 per cent)
Hill
COX, Jennifer (Greens): 2118 (6.6 per cent)
HODGKINS, Michael (ALP): 4805 (14.9 per cent)
LACHLAN, Matt (IND): 739 (2.3 per cent)
TURNER, Brenda (ON): 2149 (6.69 per cent)
MCCOLLUM, Cameron (LNP): 8137 (25.35 per cent)
KNUTH, Shane (KAP): 14,152 (44.09 per cent)
Mulgrave
DANIELS, Nicholas (LCQ): 1688 (5.83 per cent)
LESINA, Steven (KAP): 4715 (16.28 per cent)
RAYMOND, David (IND): 1965 (6.78 per cent)
EVERETT, Peter (Greens): 1169 (4.04 per cent)
BATES, Richie (ALP): 7030 (24.27 per cent)
JAMES, Terry (LNP): 7976 (27.53 per cent)
MCINNES, Michael (ON): 2510 (8.66 per cent)
SEARLE, Leslie (FFQ): 559 (1.93 per cent)
FLOYD, Ian (IND): 341 (1.18 per cent)
BATZKE, Yodie (IND): 1013 3.5 per cent
