Cairns Gallery Precinct: Entsch hits back at Healy over funding for gallery precinct

Warren Entsch has lashed out at claims the federal government’s $10m funding for the Cairns Gallery precinct project is a “big shiny object” during a visit from the deputy prime minister.

MEMBER for Leichhardt Warren Entsch lashed out at Cairns MP Michael Healy’s claims that the federal government’s $10m funding for the Cairns Gallery precinct project was a “big shiny object”.

Mr Entsch joined Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and Cairns mayor Bob Manning in town for the announcement of $10m in federal funding to match the council’s funding for the project.

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Mr Healy told the Cairns Post that the announcement distracted from other genuine projects for the community post-JobKeeper.

Mr Entsch said the state member should focus on state funds instead of criticising funding spent on projects he supported.

“This was one of the top three projects we committed to and this was supported by all levels of government including the state,” he said.

An artist's impression of Cairns Gallery Precinct, which will include the design of a new world-class Indigenous art gallery as well as transforming and connecting three heritage-listed buildings in the precinct. Picture: supplied.

Mr Entsch said the state government had its own role to play in funding for shelters such as the Murray Street community hub, which Mr Healy accused the federal and local governments of de-funding.

“The federal government has spent $8m to domestic violence, there’s still $9m sitting in the state treasury that they haven’t committed,” he said.

“As far as community hubs are concerned, the last time I looked, all of these were funded by the state government.

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“He should be talking to the people in Brisbane and saying what about the funding that you guys have the capacity to deliver.”

Mr McCormack said the precinct would be a boost for bringing tourists back to the region when international travel eventually resumed.

“When you come to Cairns there’s plenty to see and do, but on (wet) days like today when the poolside isn’t the place to be, when you have a cultural precinct such as this, it’s only going to attract more visitors,” he said.

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Originally published as Cairns Gallery Precinct: Entsch hits back at Healy over funding for gallery precinct