Labor finally announces its Mulgrave candidate after long delay

Running mates have turned rivals in the the race for a crucial Far North seat that could determine the fate of the upcoming state election.

Premier Steven Miles with the ALP’s candidate for Mulgrave, Richie Bates and Sports Michael Healy .Pic Annette Dew office of the Premier

Running mates have turned rivals in the the race for a crucial Far North seat that could determine the fate of the upcoming state election, with former Cairns councillor Richie Bates set to replace a retiring MP as Labor’s candidate for Mulgrave.

The ALP finally ended weeks of speculation on Tuesday afternoon with the 11th hour contender confirmed following a vote by members on Monday evening.

It means that after multiple false starts for the party, the 58-year-old father-of-two and avid cyclist has been entrusted with sprinting to the finish line as voters march to the ballot boxes in just 45 days’ time.

Richie Bates has previously served as a coach with Cairns Cycling Club coach.

“We know the city’s growth is in Mulgrave,” Mr Bates said in a statement.

“That’s why the Miles Labor Government is investing in the critical services and infrastructure we need.

“My priorities are cost-of-living, health and housing. Labor has a clear plan to deliver what matters to Queensland, unlike the LNP whose only plan is to cut much needed services.”

Mr Bates’ path to preselection started with veteran MP Curtis Pitt announcing his decision to quit politics in Parliament late last month.

Just days later, the outgoing Speaker exclusively revealed to the Cairns Post that he would back award-winning actor Aaron Fa’Aoso as his preferred successor.

Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt is retiring from the safe ALP seat at the upcoming Queensland state election, after serving 15 years with the Labor party. Picture: Brendan Radke.

But warning signs emerged when Premier Steven Miles failed to back Mr Pitt’s pick, foreshadowing lobbying within Labor’s ranks for an alternative candidate.

Labor isn’t the only party to have had challenges in finding its preferred political aspirant.

Cairns’ Division 1 councillor Brett Moller had been a near unbackable favourite to enter state politics before the LNP’s Far North members threw their support behind former mayor Terry James earlier this month.

Former Cairns councillors Richie Bates and Terry James will now battle to become the region’s next Member for Mulgrave. Picture: Anna Rogers

Mr Bates and Mr James, both former Unity councillors — prior to Mr Bates’ defection — who sat next to each other in chamber meetings, must now face off in a fight for Mulgrave alongside four other candidates vying for the prized Far North seat.

While Barron River is considered Queensland’s bellwether seat, Mulgrave will be critical to Labor’s hopes of retaining government.

The incoming candidate paid tribute to Mr Pitt and his father, Warren, who together represented the electorate for more than three decades.

“The Pitt family has a strong legacy for Labor in Mulgrave, and I will build on that,” Mr Bates said.

Mr Bates, a former railway technician who’s most recently worked as a political advisor for Member for Cairns Michael Healy, is expected to be formally announced as the party’s candidate on Friday.

MULGRAVE AT A GLANCE

Incumbent: Curtis Pitt (ALP – retiring)

Contenders: Richie Bates (ALP), Terry James (LNP), Steven Lesina (KAP), Yodie Batzke (Independent), Dave Raymond (Independent), Michael McInnes (One Nation)

Election date: October 26

Originally published as Labor finally announces its Mulgrave candidate after long delay