Election 2022: Everything you need to know for Saturday’s federal election
The Cairns Post has been doing a rolling coverage for the federal election 2022 soon after the election was announced. Here is everything you need to know for May 21 federal election.
Cairns
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cairns. Followed categories will be added to My News.
AS we get closer to the pointy end of the election, voters in the Far North will go to the polls to help decide two seats in the House of Representatives – Leichhardt which is currently held by Liberal Party MP Warren Entsch, and Kennedy, currently represented by Katter’s Australia Party MP Bob Katter.
Far North constituents have revealed key issues that will impact their vote to be the cost of living pressures, support for stressed health and police services, crime, housing, fewer politics around Covid-19, and greater economic support for small towns.
Read on below to find all the details around voting, including polling booths, postal votes, what happens if you contract Covid-19 on election day, and more.
Vision impaired voters
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) said that in the 2022 federal election, voters who are blind or have low vision can cast a vote using a dedicated phone service from any location.
AEC voting assistants are available to assist callers.
Telephone voting registration is available on weekdays until Friday, May 20, and is available from 8am to 12 midday AEST Saturday, May 21.
To register, call 1800 913 993 and callers will be asked questions to check details on the electoral roll and will be asked to choose a PIN.
Covid positive voters
The AEC said if you have tested positive for Covid after 6pm Tuesday, you can still apply for a postal vote until 6pm Wednesday, May 18, or you will be able to register for a secure telephone vote.
Telephone voting for people who have tested positive to Covid -19 began Wednesday evening. Only people testing positive after 6pm on Tuesday are able to access the service. Proof of a positive PCR or RAT test is required and can be submitted through the phone voting portal.
More information on what to do will be available from the AEC.
Here’s the list of polling booths where you can cast your vote in the electorates of Leichhardt and Kennedy in Far North Queensland on May 21.
Where to vote in FNQ: Full list of polling booths
Meanwhile, the Australian Electoral Commission has announced two Far North polling places in Kowanyama and Karumba as booths of “current concern” in regard to election day staffing. An AEC push to address staffing shortfalls announced Wednesday has resulted in extra workers signing on to staff election day voting booths.
In an early Friday update, Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers said that the election day polling venues currently identified to be of concern had decreased from 76 to 15.“This is an unalloyed good news story of community members stepping up for democracy in a pandemic but it’s not at all a clear runway – that’s not how running an election in a pandemic works,” Mr Rogers said.
The Kowanyama Multi-Purpose Centre has been identified as one booth that may not open on Saturday. Voters who have not pre-voted or voted by post will have to make an eight and half-hour round trip to cast ballots in Pormpuraaw if staff cannot be found to work at the polling station.
Voting on election day
You can vote at any polling place in your state or territory on election day. Polling places are usually located at local schools, churches and community halls, or public buildings.
A list of polling places will be available after the candidates have been declared and they are usually open from 8am to 6pm.
If on election day you are outside the state or territory where you are enrolled, you will need to vote at an interstate voting centre. A list of interstate voting centres will be available after the candidates have been declared.
How to vote
Voters in each electoral division cast a vote to elect one person (a Member of Parliament) to represent them in the House of Representatives.
The order of the candidates on the ballot paper for each electoral division is determined by a random draw.
To vote for a Member of the House of Representatives, you are required to write the number 1 in the box next to the candidate who is your first choice, and the numbers 2, 3, and so on against all the other candidates until all the boxes have been numbered, in order of your preference.
Voters in each state and territory elect Senators to represent them in the Senate. States have 12 senators and the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory each have two senators.
On the white Senate ballot paper, you need to either number at least six boxes above the line for the parties or groups of your choice, or number at least 12 boxes below the line for individual candidates of your choice.
The candidates will appear on the ballot in the following order:
1. Pat O’Shane, Socialist Alliance
2. Silvia Mogorovich, Informed Medical Options Party
3. Warren Entsch, Liberal National Party
4. Rod Jensen, Katter’s Australian Party
5. Adam Cropp, Fusion Party
6. Susanne Bayly, Animal Justice Party
7. Phillip Musumeci, The Australian Greens
8. Daniel Hannagan, United Australia Party
9. Geena Court, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation
10. Paul Roe, independent candidate
11. Elida Faith, Australian Labor Party
Different parties have made their election promises to the Far North. Find here what the major parties have told to the people of Far North ahead of the federal election 2022.
Federal election 2022: Leichhardt candidate Rod Jensen proposes 27 ‘miniports’, Ootann Rd upgrade
Federal election 2022: Can LNP, Labor, UAP or others beat KAP in Kennedy federal election?
Clive Palmer in town to support Leichhardt United Australia Party candidate Daniel Hannagan
MAY 5: Greens solution to FNQ’s housing crisis
ADDRESSING the housing crisis has become a central plank in the Greens election campaign with Senator Larissa Waters announcinga slew of policies in Cairns on Wednesday to address the issue.
Phasing out capital gains tax over five years, phasing out negative gearing for more than one investment property, also overfive years, and a million new homes, 16,000 of them slated for Cairns were among a range of ideas the Greens believe will alleviate the housing crisis.
Senator Waters made the announcement Wednesday at the Cairns Esplanade alongside Greens Leichhardt candidate Philip Musumeci and Greens Senate candidate for Queensland Penny Allman-Payne.
“If the Greens are in the balance of power after this election we will push the next government further to build affordable homes, change those tax perks that favour property investors and protect renters,” said Ms Waters.
The plan for new housing is coupled with a proposed shared equity scheme that Ms Waters said is different from the schemes proposed by Labor and the Coalition.
Labor recently announced 10,000 places per year as part of their Help to Buy scheme.
“Our plan is that government would build public affordable housing, but then people could live in them and their rent can be treated like a down payment to own,” said Ms Waters.
“There are legions of families, young people and older women who don’t have a roof over their heads.
“While the announcement from Labor is welcome, 10,000 is very small.”
Mr Musumeci could not confirm locations for the proposed 16,000 homes to be built in Cairns.
“We haven’t done planning at that level yet,” he said.
Real Estate Institute of Queensland’s Zone Chair Tom Quaid suspects, however, that the Greens’ capital gains tax strategy could result in higher competition for property and, therefore, higher prices.
“Removing negative gearing would disincentivise investors from getting into the property market as they will lose the specific benefits that currently make property an attractive option,” he said.
“Wiping out capital gains tax would likely encourage more speculation in the property market as investors seek the benefit of tax free returns.
“I would be interested to see how the Greens intend to implement these two policies in tandem.”
MAY 4: Leichhardt candidates savage major party decisions
PREFERENCE screws are turning as minor party candidates band together in Leichhardt and the majors release their how-to-vote wish lists.
Anger is simmering among the seat’s anti-mandate candidates over a perceived snub from one of the city’s most prominent political events.
Their exclusion from a recent Cairns Chamber of Commerce debate, which featured only five of 11 candidates due to time constraints, has prompted a series of minor-party rallies and forums in response.
The first starts at 11am on Thursday at Sebel Harbour Lights – a ticketed three-hour “meet the candidates” forum organised by anti-mandate group FNQ Businesses United.
Outspoken Cairns regional councillor Brett Olds is one of the organisers.
“We just want to give everyone a voice,” he said.
Controversial LNP anti-vax senator Gerard Rennick will host the event, with a guest list including candidates from the Informed Medical Options Party (IMOP), United Australia Party (UAP), One Nation, Australian Federation Party (AFP), Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) and the Fusion Party.
Another key event will kick off with the Small Party Preference Forum at the Serbian Cultural Centre in Edge Hill from 3.15pm on Sunday.
“We invite the voters of Leichhardt who want a safe, open and unfiltered view of the small parties, shut out (from the chamber debate) … to attend our forum,” organiser Steve Brech said.
IMOP, Fusion, One Nation, AFP and Animal Justice Party candidates have all confirmed their attendance.
The minor-party trifecta will be rounded out with a rally on the Cairns Esplanade at about noon on Saturday, May 14 – one week before election day.
Organiser and would-be preference whisperer Rod Davis – a former Douglas shire councillor – says the event aims to push a “put the majors last” preference plan.
The minor-party revolt comes as Coalition MP Warren Entsch and Labor candidate Elida Faith begin distributing their how-to-vote cards.
Ms Faith has placed Mr Entsch in the seventh slot, with Fusion, the UAP, IMOP and One Nation rounding out the bottom of the ballot.
Mr Entsch has One Nation in the second top slot – a decision savaged by Socialist Alliance candidate Pat O’Shane.
“My family have spent their lives fighting against racism,” she said.
“To see the LNP cosy up to One Nation in their Leichhardt and senate preferences is a kick in the guts to the proud First Peoples of Far North Queensland, as well as our multicultural communities.”
It is understood the Cairns Young Chamber of Commerce planned a second debate for minor-party candidates, but it was canned due to a scheduling clash with the FNQ Businesses United event.
MAY 1
LEICHHARDT is shaping up for a bellwether blitz as 11 candidates face off in the upcoming federal election.
The Cairns Post has put five questions to each candidate, with the exception of Paul Roe from the Australian Federation Party who did not respond.
Early voting centres open on May 9 ahead of the May 21 election day – so time is limited for political hopefuls to get their message out.
Susanne Bayly, Animal Justice Party
What suburb do you live in?
I am currently living in Atherton, I spend most of my time working as an active member within the Leichhardt community.
Why are you running?
The Animal Justice Party and I can imagine a world where animals and people live together in harmony with our planet. A world where we ensure the health of ourselves, our children, our planet, and animals. but in order to make it happen we need political representation that stands up for animals, people and the places we love.
Sum up your life experience, work experience in two sentences?
I have over 20 years’ experience across multiple industries in both the private and public sectors. I am an active animal rights and environmental advocate, regularly attending protests and rallies, participating in volunteer events, and educating the community at large in Leichhardt. We don’t need more “successful” people in government, we need people with good core values. The AJP and I approach everything with our values in mind: kindness, equality, rationality and nonviolence.
What, in your opinion, is the number one issue facing voters in Leichhardt?
Most people in Leichhardt know how lucky we are living here with the Heritage Listed Rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef and recognise that we are facing both a climate crisis and a wildlife extinction emergency and that strong urgent action is needed now. They desperately want to protect animals and nature. The undiscussed obstacles to climate action that voters in Leichhardt are facing currently are: overcoming historical and systemic privilege, disadvantage and inequality, or struggling with the rising costs of living, especially due to the pandemic. They are being held hostage, between choosing what they need now vs restoring their relationship with animals and nature for a safe future for all. After-all an informed, empowered population is best suited to protect animals, people and the planet.
If elected, what will be your priority when you enter the new parliament?
To stand up against all causes of climate change: Fossil fuels, and coal – as well as deforestation and animal agriculture the lesser known major contributors. To stop expansion, funding and subsidising of destructive and environmentally harmful industries so that we can invest our nation’s wealth into transforming to sustainable food systems, clean energy solutions, and protect, restore and re-wild our natural habitat. To prevent future pandemics, by addressing them at their root cause: the mistreatment and intensive exploitation of animals, such as in wet markets, live export ships, and factory farms, and the destruction of natural habitat. Zoonotic diseases are on the rise and are a real threat. I will call for a national register of perpetrators of violence and abuse against both animals and people so they can be prohibited from working with animals, children and other vulnerable people within the community. I will always call out violence and work towards an inclusive, caring society.
Geena Court, 51, One Nation
What suburb do you live in?
Whitfield
Why are you running?
For quite some time now we have sat idle and allowed politicians to insert themselves into our lives instead of doing the jobs we elected them to do. In the public consultations I’ve held throughout my campaign and prior to announcing myself this election as a Candidate, the biggest issues of concern people raise with me are the cost of living, affordable energy, water security, high taxes, foreign ownership, many of the issues could have been addressed in the past if the major parties we used to rely on really put Australians first. I am to be a voice for the people not a party person that has to toe the line at all costs, I have an open door policy irrespective of your political subscription. I’m standing up because we need real representation, real people prepared to work for the best interests of the people not the party.
Sum up your life experience, work experience in two sentences?
As a young child I was on a farm and at 15 I started a career in real estate spanning 36 years owning my own business for the past 22 years. I have also been in the construction industry and the tourism industry although I lost my business, Short Term Accommodation, due to Covid after 11 years.
What, in your opinion, is the number one issue facing voters in Leichhardt?
Equally as important as each other is stopping the mandates so people can go back to work, the Kuranda Range upgrade and our water security.
If elected, what will be your priority when you enter the new parliament?
My priority will always be a voice for the north, I’m a firm believer in simply getting the job done, listening to the constituents, acting in the best interests of the people I represent and working for better outcomes for our entire electorate and those who call our great electorate home.
Adam Cropp, 38, Fusion Party
What suburb do you live in?
Woree
Why are you running?
I am worried about Australia’s current trajectory toward a dystopian future and the criminal level of censorship present today both in our government and media.
Having lived in FNQ my entire life, I am appalled by how FNQ has always been ignored by both Canberra and Brisbane.
I am a passionate science communicator and I believe I would be the best candidate to replace Warren Entsch as the Ambassador for the GBR.
Sum up your life experience, work experience in two sentences?
I grew up in Port Douglas surrounded by the things I love most: the myriad of marine creatures inhabiting the Great Barrier Reef and the tranquil tropical rainforests of the Daintree National Park.
I have worked on the Great Barrier Reef for most of my life but also as an Expedition Leader for National Geographic from the remote jungles of Papua New Guinea to the frosty frontiers of Antarctica and everywhere in between.
What, in your opinion, is the number one issue facing voters in Leichhardt?
Both government transparency and the rising cost of living in FNQ.
If elected, what will be your priority when you enter the new parliament?
My priority if elected would be to keep the bastards honest via complete government transparency and an ICAC with teeth!
I would also reduce our cost of living by funding the FNQ Food Collective to reduce prices and increase the quality of our food while also building domestic petroleum refineries to get petrol back below $1 per litre.
We also have some of the slowest internet speeds in the world, so I would immediately connect FNQ to the rest of the world with high-speed internet to finally bring FNQ into the 21st century.
Warren Entsch, 71, Liberal National Party
What suburb do you live in?
Yorkeys Knob
Why are you running?
I am contesting this election because the community needs leadership, experience and stability as we start to rebuild following the global pandemic.
Sum up your life experience, work experience in two sentences?
I have had a diverse career including being a toilet cleaner, RAAF aircraft engine fitter, crocodile farmer, grazier and the long-serving Member for Leichhardt.
What, in your opinion, is the number one issue facing voters in Leichhardt?
The number one issue currently in Leichhardt is cost of living and the effects it is having on families.
If elected, what will be your priority when you enter the new parliament?
Deliver on my local plan and ensure policies such as the $10bn reinsurance pool delivers its intended outcomes to drive down insurance prices.
Elida Faith, 51, Labor
What suburb do you live in?
Redlynch
Why are you running?
I’m running because I have seen the struggle Far North Queenslanders are facing due to the failures of the LNP Government. For too long they have been neglected by the Morrison Government so I want to be a voice for them, and an advocate for our community in Canberra. We need action on the housing crisis and water security, upgrades to our local infrastructure, affordable and accessible health services, and investment in our local economy. I will deliver real solutions – I won’t just talk about it.
Sum up your life experience, work experience in two sentences?
I know what it is like to struggle; as a single mum I had to fight to put food on the table. And after working in community services for 13 years, I know first-hand the daily challenges faced by our communities. That’s why I put my hand up to run for the seat of Leichhardt; I want to be part of an Albanese Labor Government that won’t go missing in action when needed most.
What, in your opinion, is the number one issue facing voters in Leichhardt?
Skyrocketing cost of living is the number one issue – everything is going up except wages. The Morrison Government’s failure to act means Far North Queenslanders are falling further and further behind. Only an Albanese Labor Government will deliver a plan for a better future by easing cost of living pressures on families. We will do this by creating cheaper childcare, reducing your power bills, strengthening Medicare and delivering well-paid secure jobs for locals.
If elected, what will be your priority when you enter the new parliament?
My priority will always be working with our community to deliver Labor’s plan for a better future that will ensure generations of Far North Queenslanders can get ahead, and prosper.
Dan Hannagan, 42, United Australia Party
What suburb do you live in?
Kamerunga
Why are you running?
I am running because our political system is full of long-term public servants, career politicians and bureaucrats who are out of touch with the people who they are meant to represent. I was compelled to run because I could no longer complain about a system I was not willing to do anything about myself! I am so proud to run for Leichhardt because I truly love and care about our region and its people.
Sum up your life experience, work experience in two sentences?
I was born and raised in Cairns, my family has been in the region since the 1800s. After school I studied in Brisbane, then spent until my late 20s travelling and working around world and from then into my 30s until present day establishing my businesses and family.
What, in your opinion, is the number one issue facing voters in Leichhardt?
While not technically a “federal matter,’ the most common anecdotal concern I hear throughout electorate is Youth Crime. However, the truly pressing issue facing voters is what is widely referred to as “the elephant in the room,” that is, is our nations collective One Trillion Dollar Debt; it is the number one issue facing every single Australian.
If elected, what will be your priority when you enter the new parliament?
My priority would be to protect, restore and rebuild the economy to safeguard the future of our nation. Our best chance of creating a sustainable future for our nation, and the world, is through economic prosperity. We can do this here by processing our minerals in Australia, paying down our debt and investing in Australian education, Australian products and Australian services.
Rod Jensen, 43, Katter’s Australian Party
What suburb do you live in?
Bentley Park
Why are you running?
After working within the public sphere and finding more barriers than solutions, I thought I would try removing some of those by putting myself forward for public office.
Sum up your life experience, work experience in two sentences?
Work hardest when no one is watching. Be grateful to everyone, and leave things better than you found it.
What, in your opinion, is the number one issue facing voters in Leichhardt?
No matter which cross-section of community you come from, the single biggest issue for people is affordable living, linked with future opportunity.
If elected, what will be your priority when you enter the new parliament?
I think what I can offer most to the people of Leichhardt, apart from work ethic and integrity in parliament, is a resounding voice. It will be strong, real and it will be unapologetic.
Silvia Mogorovich, 42, Informed Medical Options Party
What suburb do you live in?
Mooroobool
Why are you running?
I am running in this important election to ensure freedom of choice and economic stability for the community. My aim is to return truth, transparency and accountability to politics.
Sum up your life experience, work experience in two sentences?
I’ve worked in a number of different roles through my life, as well as travelled extensively, which has given me a broad understanding of what we need here in Leichhardt. I have lived a life with the freedom to pursue my dreams, and I want that for future generations.
What, in your opinion, is the number one issue facing voters in Leichhardt?
I believe the number one issue facing voters is the lack of financial security – this is evidenced through the high rate of underemployment, the increasing cost of living, rent, and house prices. I understand how important it is to get people back to work, back to school and also have the time and money to enjoy our region.
If elected, what will be your priority when you enter the new parliament?
My priority will be to end all mask and vaccine mandates, and bring back true transparency to the scientific decision making process regarding health directives, and support a Royal Commission into the Pandemic Response.
Phillip Musumeci, 65, Greens
What suburb do you live in?
Cairns
Why are you running?
As an academic adviser at JCU Cairns, I’ve seen too many students struggling with multiple part-time jobs, expensive housing and poverty-level Centrelink payments. In a wealthy country like ours, everyone should have access to free education, a liveable wage and a secure future. But to achieve that, we need to make billionaires and big corporations pay their fair share of tax and stamp out corruption in government – which only the Greens will.
Sum up your life experience, work experience in two sentences?
I’m a fourth generation local, systems engineer and contract lecturer in computer science and engineering. I was born in Babinda, grew up on a family farm, co-founded a technology company exporting printers from Melbourne, field tested Cane Harvester and Sugar Mill R & D in Tully and Ingham, provided student care at John Flynn Townsville and JCU Cairns, and now work on precision GPS for products like the six robotic cranes at the Port of Auckland.
What, in your opinion, is the number one issue facing voters in Leichhardt?
From Cairns to Thursday Island, it’s obvious to those of us who live and work here that climate change is already affecting our everyday lives. So long as the major parties continue accepting donations from fossil fuel companies, they’ll continue supporting new coal and gas. This puts our reef and tourism at risk and squanders opportunities in green energy exports and clean smelting that can underpin a manufacturing revival for Australians.
If elected, what will be your priority when you enter the new parliament?
In the balance of power, the Greens will reintroduce our anti-corruption bill and push the next Government to create thousands of new jobs tackling the climate crisis, with a planned transition away from coal and gas by 2030 that leaves no one behind. That means free retraining, a job-for-job guarantee and wage subsidies for FIFO coal workers and communities, including in the far north.
Pat O’Shane, 80, Socialist Alliance
What suburb do you live in?
Holloways Beach
Why are you running?
I am running to fight for a community where everyone belongs and decisions are made for the public good before private profit.
Sum up your life experience, work experience in two sentences?
I am Kuku Yalanji from the Mossman area, where I grew up dirt poor and fought to get a good education, as my parents instilled in me that my role was to make the world a better place. I became a teacher, Australia’s first woman to head a government department, and Australia’s first Indigenous barrister and magistrate.
What, in your opinion, is the number one issue facing voters in Leichhardt?
The number one issues are the climate crisis and the housing crisis.
If elected, what will be your priority when you enter the new parliament?
My priorities are climate action, housing for all, free healthcare, free education, liveable incomes and genuine democracy.
APRIL 30
Slanderous accusations aired at a Pauline Hanson meet-and-greet election function have triggered an altercation among One Nation supporters at the Reef Hotel Casino.
On a tour of the Far North the One Nation leader spoke at a function on Friday evening before attending a breakfast at the Reef Hotel Casino on Saturday morning.
Leichhardt One Nation candidate Geena Court addressed the crowd before Ms Hanson took questions from supporters.
Ms Hanson said she was welcomed by “warm reception” of about 200 supporters.
The Cairns events come as One Nation made the call to preference the LNP ahead of “left leaning” minor parties and Labor in Leichhardt.
“We have preferenced the LNP ahead of Labor and the Greens,” she said.
“They have put me last in every seat, why would I preference a party that’s puts me last.
“One Nation has put all those left leaning parties last.
“We put those like-minded political parties before the majors because that’s what the people want.”
During the event on Friday tempers flared as an audience member aired conspiracy theories about the Australian Constitution and levelled allegations against Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Another member of the crowd told him to pull his head in and the agitator had to be restrained by his partner.
Ms Hanson said the supporter’s allegations referenced a fake website purporting to be the official page of One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts.
“He raised that, he had his say and he was talking about the Constitution. They feel like the Commonwealth has been taken over by an American company,” she said.
“People keep asking me if I will investigate but they are not getting the right information.
“We are not pushing that agenda at all.”
Ms Hanson made her own allegations against organisers of a candidates forum hosted by the Cairns Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday.
“Geena was not given an invitation, she is the most relevant candidate yet she was denied access,” she said.
Ms Court has been contacted on numerous occasions for comment.
Having lunch in Innisfail on Saturday Ms Hansen will lay a wreath in Cardwell on Sunday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea.
APRIL 27
A CLASH of personalities played out on stage as five of Leichhardt’s candidates went head-to-head in debate – but at least one issue had consensus.
There were fiery moments at the Reef Hotel Casino debate as Katter’s Australian Party candidate Rod Jensen accused his competition of dishing up the political equivalent of a prepackaged “Coles cake” to constituents.
He said new thinking was required, spit-balling an idea to allow couples to “split wages” so one parent could stay home and raise children without being taxed to the breadline.
Daniel Hannagan explained a United Australia Party (UAP) plan to give regional Australians a 20 per cent tax break, and apply a 15 per cent tax on iron ore exports to cut debt and boost domestic processing.
The Greens’ Phillip Musumeci panned the latter proposal, which he labelled “unfair” due to the UAP’s association with Clive Palmer.
The only subject all candidates agreed upon was building a new CQUniversity campus in the Cairns CBD.
Labor is the only party so far to commit $50m to a project expected to inject $500m into the Far North economy over then next decade.
The project would double the university’s students from 2000 to 4000 in Cairns and creating 330 construction jobs in the short-term.
Labor candidate Elida Faith has locked down a guarantee on her side of the fence – but the Coalition’s incumbent Warren Entsch hinted bipartisanship could be on the way.
“At the time when (Labor) announced it, I said thank you very much – it makes my job a lot easier,” he said.
“It is an outstanding project, it has been on the top of the list … let’s just see how we go.”
Ms Faith had an announcement of her own on Wednesday with opposition industry and innovation spokesman Ed Husic in town to name Cairns as a site of one of the 50 proposed urgent care clinics.
Ms Faith stopped short of committing to fund the 80 Commonwealth-subsidised medical student places required for the Cairns University Hospital to be viable.
However, she said Labor’s plan to plug skills shortages with 20,000 new university places – and fee-free TAFE courses in priority areas – would help fill gaps across the board.
“Having an additional 20,000 places at uni will help our health an education sectors, manufacturing et cetera,” she said.
APRIL 26
LABOR has trounced the federal government by committing $150m for the Cairns Marine Precinct (CMP).
Labor candidate for Leichhardt Elida Faith said the investment – which would need to be matched with state government funds – secured the region’s future.
“It is an absolute winner for our community, this investment is a no-brainer,” Ms Faith said.
She said limited waterfront land, inadequate wharf length and constrained deep water access restricted growth.
Earlier this month, Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch said he was confident the Coalition would stump up funding for a Cairns Marine Precinct common user facility, but a commitment is yet to be made.
Advance Cairns has pushed the project as a priority, and met with Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese a week ago, with Advance Cairns chairman Paul Sparshott saying Mr Albanese seemed to understand the issues of sovereign capability and diversifying the local economy.
The defence capability of HMAS Cairns and an expanded common user facility was thrown sharply into the spotlight with the Solomon Islands’ controversial new security pact with China.
The CMP would enable shipyards to hoist and carry out repairs on huge navy and border patrol ships.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has already flagged concerns about China establishing a naval military presence in the Solomon Islands after the US said it “would have significant concerns and respond accordingly” if China was allowed to establish a military presence.
Opposition Defence spokesman Brendan O’Connor, who has sought an urgent briefing with the government after Mr Morrison indicated if Beijing established a military presence it would cross “a red line”, said Northern Australia would play an increasingly important defence role.
“This investment will cement Cairns as a critical defence hub that will provide support to Australia’s naval fleet for decades to come,” Mr O’Connor said.
Advance Cairns says Cairns is one of the few ports in Australia that can offer the Defence Department significant expansion opportunities in berth and land facilities, and the CMP would be the first of four new regional maintenance centres, servicing vessels from HMAS Cairns, Darwin, the US and the Pacific Islands.
It says a huge step up in infrastructure and capability at CMP is critical for existing operators to complete for contracts.
The CMP currently has one shipyard that can lift a 3500-tonne vessel.
The new common-user facility would allow 120m-long ships with 5000-tonne capacity to be lifted.
The CMP failed to attract any funding in the federal budget although $1.5bn funding was allocated to Darwin.
Significant federal funding has gone into the marine precinct in recent years, including the recent awarding of $155m to upgrade wharves and refresh HMAS Cairns, a $70m regional maintenance centre contract to NORSTA Maritime, TAFE Queensland winning a $36m Pacific Patrol Vessel training deal, and the city’s three slipways scoring $8m apiece for upgrades.
A Meet the Candidates lunch organised by Advance Cairns, Cairns Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Tropical North Queensland is set for Wednesday April 27 at 11.30am at Pullman Reef Hotel Casino.
Leichhardt candidates including Federal MP for Leichhardt Warren Entsch, Labor candidate Elida Faith, Greens candidate Phillip Musumeci, United Australia Party candidate Daniel Hannagan and Katter’s Australian Party candidate Rod Jensen will be on a moderated panel.
Tickets are $85 for members and $69 for non-members.
APRIL 25: THE Coalition is hinting at an announcement for the Kuranda Range Rd that blows Labor’s $210m election commitment out of the water.
The Opposition made the single largest Far North election pledge to date last week with the announcement of major safety and resilience upgrades for the closure-prone highway.
Now Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch is alluding to something much bigger from the LNP – although it remains empty chatter until cash is on the table.
The incumbent suggested the only thing standing in the way of the funding revelation was locking down a time for Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce to visit.
“We will have Barnaby coming up,” he said.
“I’m quite comfortable with what will happen there.
“A little knee-jerk reaction is not going to fix the problem.
“We will be much more comprehensive with what we will be doing.”
A spokesman from Mr Entsch’s office echoed the sentiment in response to what he called “Labor’s very expensive guardrails”.
“The Deputy Prime Minister is well aware of the issue and he will have more to say when he visits very soon,” he said.
Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils executive officer Darlene Irvine has praised Labor for its commitment but said it fell short of what was required.
“We need to get to the final destination, which is a solution to enable productivity improvements and safety improvements, thus allowing economic growth,” she said.
“Whether it’s a widening of the existing alignment or a new alignment needs to be decided.
“The only way we can do this is by doing the work on it.
“It’s not going to get any cheaper by waiting.
“The cost was originally $500m (when studies were done in 2004), then it went to $700m, and now we’re looking at $1.1bn.
“If we wait another 2020 years, it’s going to double again.”
The Coalition’s hinted-at spend remains a mystery.
Mr Joyce has been in his electorate over the weekend for the Tamworth Country Music Festival but will be back on the road this week.
Advance Cairns has been lobbying for the National Highway to be extended from Smithfield through Kuranda to Mareeba. It also wants the state and federal governments to co-sponsor an $8.5m strategic urban development and transport plan for the region, and for Cairns Regional Council to implement a $2.5m growth strategy.
The Cairns Post has been spearheading the Fix Our Broken Link campaign to ensure politicians can no longer ignore what needs to be done.
Meanwhile, Katter’s Australian Party candidate for Leichhardt Rod Jensen is not easing up on calls for a $1.5bn “bridle track” tunnel and range crossing to be built.
He said Labor’s $210m safety commitment would only make matters worse.
“What is being touted here is subjecting road users to years of perpetual road works and stop-start traffic lasting into the foreseeable future,” he said.
APRIL 24: A Leichhardt candidate has made protecting Taylor Point on Trinity Beach from private development an election issue following a rally held on Sunday.
The Greens’ Phillip Musumeci gathered at Connemara Park, Trinity Beach with about 50 supporters and called for the state and federal government to buy the undeveloped headland to return to the Yirrganydji Traditional Custodians to manage the land.
“In the case of this piece of land, we have an interesting piece of dense vegetation, almost like a rainforest,” he said.
“When you look around at our greater area, along the coast, these things in urban areas are becoming really rare, this is the last which is why we’re promoting the fight for it.”
Mr Musumeci said they’ve called for all levels of government, local council, state and federal government to be involved in the buy back of the land.
“Even though that seems virtually impossible sometimes, there are some parts of our society that absolutely require co-operation between levels of government,” he said.
“In the end, you got to have your local council showing an interest.”
Mr Musumeci named this a “slow burning issue” and stressed the importance of the government to act now.
“This is our last chance, this fire will go out if we don’t do something now,” he said.
“I would say it’s been a failure.
“Sometimes we as people we need a kick up the backside to realise something needs to be done.”
Denis Walls, an environmental campaigner who was in attendance at the rally, said he had been in the fight to save Taylor Point for close to 25 years.
“It’s gone through very many different campaigns,” he said.
“The state hasn’t been working (on the issue) and that’s the problem.”
In February, Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon was asked if the state would buy back the land and a statement from the office deemed it more “appropriate” for Cairns Regional Council to manage.
“We would like state government to be involved,” Mr Walls said.
Mr Walls emphasised that the land was the last unallocated headland in Cairns and particularly encouraged support from members and the state government.
“There’s an opportunity with a new elected member of Leichhardt to join with the state government and buy the land back for public ownership.”
Mr Walls estimated the land value at a little over $6 million and predicted the market value would reach anywhere from $7m to $8m.
“I think a reasonable purchase price would be around $7.5 million,” he said.
APRIL 22 4PM: THE LEICHHARDT ballot has been drawn and the 11 candidates vying for election to the House of Representatives now know their position on the ballot paper, which voters will mark on May 21 2022.
Former magistrate and Socialist Alliance candidate Pat O’Shane will appear first on the ballot.
“I’m absolutely happy with that, couldn’t have wished for better,” Ms O’Shane said.
Labor candidate Elida Faith will appear eleventh, but does not expect the ballot positioning will be too consequential.
“It doesn’t matter where you sit on the ballot, it’s all about what the Far North Queensland community thinks on the day. This was my second time around and I’m just as determined to represent the Far North Queensland in Canberra,” Ms Faith said.
First time candidate Silvia Mogorovich will appear second on the ballot and anticipates that the position will be advantageous in collecting apathetic votes.
“A lot of people do donkey votes where they just write from top to bottom so I would pick up a lot of number twos from that. I’m really excited about that,” says Ms Mogorovich.
The candidates will appear on the ballot in the following order:
1. Pat O’Shane, Socialist Alliance
2. Silvia Mogorovich, Informed Medical Options Party
3. Warren Entsch, Liberal National Party
4. Rod Jensen, Katter’s Australian Party
5. Adam Cropp, Fusion Party
6. Susanne Bayly, Animal Justice Party
7. Phillip Musumeci, The Australian Greens
8. Daniel Hannagan, United Australia Party
9. Geena Court, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation
10. Paul Roe, independent candidate
11. Elida Faith, Australian Labor Party
APRIL 22: FNQ VOTER REGISTRATION NUMBERS SOAR SINCE 2019 ELECTION
THE massive wave of newcomers which now call the Far North home has been reflected in the number of voters enrolled to vote in the May federal election.
Almost 15,000 more people have enrolled to vote across the seats of Leichhardt and Kennedy for the 2022 poll compared to the last federal election in 2019.
On Thursday, the Australian Electoral Commission reported the Leichhardt electorate had 117,262 registered voters, up 7,807, while the Kennedy electorate had signed up 6,842 more to record 114,486 registered voters, before the enrol-to-vote deadline on Monday night.
A spokesperson for the Australian Electoral Commission said on Monday it was a record day for enrolments in the country’s history, with 214,000 applications received before the electoral rolls closed at 8pm.
Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers said more than 96 per cent of eligible Australians were enrolled to vote next month following a record high in 2019.
“(Monday) was the biggest single day of enrolment in Australian history with 214,000 enrolment applications received,” he said.
“An unmitigated success for the election and Australian democracy.”
It is understood that in 2019 95,945 people voted in Leichhardt which was won by LNP’s Warren Entsch with 33,753 votes or 37.6 per cent, while in Kennedy, 95,944 people voted with Katter Australia Party’s Bob Katter prevailed with 37,685 or 63.33 per cent.
Population data show 31,000 interstate migrants made their way to Queensland last financial year, with Melbourne and Sydney recording the biggest losses.
The Australian Electoral Commission said Monday was a record day for enrolments in the country’s history, with 214,000 applications received before the electoral rolls closed at 8pm.
Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers said more than 96 per cent of eligible Australians are enrolled to vote next month following a record high in 2019.
“(Monday) was the biggest single day of enrolment in Australian history with 214,000 enrolment applications received,” he said.
“An unmitigated success for the election and Australian democracy.”
APRIL 21: FAR NORTH CANDIDATES REACT TO ONE NATIONS CALLS TO BAN FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY
FEDERAL candidates have reacted to a foreign ownership ban proposed by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson in a bid to solve a deepening housing crisis.
Kennedy MP Bob Katter said he agreed with Ms Hanson’s calls for the federal government to join New Zealand and Canada in banning foreign ownership of residential properties.
“The restrictions and rules on subdivisions are also driving up houses prices, and the state and federal governments keep throwing money at people to buy houses,” Mr Katter said.
“This increases demand for housing, but it doesn’t increase the supply of housing, and as a result house prices continue to skyrocket.”
Mr Katter, who has long advocated for the Bridle Track Tunnel as an alternative to the Kuranda Range Road, said the housing issue could be eased alongside a worsening transport issue.
“So, let’s punch a hole through the range, and open up the land for affordable housing,” Mr Katter said.
“Let our people have their own kingdoms.”
His fellow KAP candidate for Leichhardt Rod Jensen said the Bridle Track would further open up Tablelands towns as viable living options for workers who commuted to Cairns.
Mr Jensen said first homeowner incentives should also be expanded to existing homes, to help with the pressure of supply in the construction industry.
But he did not believe banning foreign ownership would help relieve the Far North’s property woes.
Serving Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said easing the region’s housing crisis would take time.
He believed higher density housing and properties such as duplexes were part of the solution.
Mr Entsch also spruiked the federal government’s renewed New Home Guarantee scheme which was increased to include 50,000 places a year in the latest budget.
In response to Ms Hanson’s call to ban foreign ownership and cap immigration to ease competition, Mr Entsch said he “understood where she’s coming from”, but didn’t believe it would help the Far North.
“I understand it’s an issue in the cities, but foreign ownership isn’t a problem here.
“Meanwhile, there would be very few people in our tourism and business sectors who would want to be restricted from bringing in people for quality work here. A good example are doctors, outside the tourism industry.
“Our problem (for housing) isn’t overseas, it’s from New South Wales and Victoria, so do we ban them too?”
Socialist Alliance Leichhardt candidate Pat O’Shane said her solution to the housing crisis would be “more houses, for those who need them.”
“That means large-scale expansion of good quality public housing like we used to have, not money-making ventures for wealthy people – whether Australian or overseas.”
As part of her proposed ban, Ms Hanson said foreign owners would be given a 12-month grace period to sell Australian residential property.
The veteran politician said she also wanted to see immigration numbers reduced to ease competition for buyers.
HEADLINES
‘Had to close’: How Medicare rebate is squeezing out GPs
Minister ‘not sure’ of controversial Kuranda Range report
What China’s pact with Solomon Islands means for Cairns
APRIL 20: MEASURES to address a critical skills shortage and ongoing incentives to attract doctors to the Far North are among election priorities for Cairns Chamber of Commerce.
It wants an increase to the income threshold to encourage aged pensioners to return to the workforce for two to three days a week without impacting their pensions.
At present, if an aged pension recipient earns more than $180 per fortnight, 50c in every dollar is deducted.
The chamber also wants more invested in childcare subsidies to increase workforce participation of parents, chamber chief executive Patricia O’Neill said.
“These are two key demographics we believe would certainly go a long way to putting expertise back into the workforce,” she said.
“We have an issue with a generational gap, apprentices are coming in but not always getting the best engagement at supervisory level; everybody is time poor.
“Although our unemployment rate looks pretty reasonable at 4-5 per cent, it is probably not a true reflection of the availability of the workforce, and if we could look at ways in which it would be worthwhile to get these people into the workforce a couple of days a week, we’re bringing expertise back in,” Mrs O’Neill said.
“Pensioners have a wealth of knowledge and commitment, but are restricted and penalised for working.
“And what holds women back is that it is not worthwhile by the time they pay childcare, and that’s a huge skill set we’re not being able to use.”
Ochre Restaurant and Catering general manager and co-owner Carlie Elsum said she would welcome parents and older people seeking part-time work to address a critical labour shortage.
“We are fully booked, but we are only just starting to see some resumes coming through now, if we can get locals employed, that’s ideal, even better if it is the likes of mothers or pensioners getting back in to the workforce, we would be very happy to be involved with that,” she said.
“Older people obviously have got a lot of experience, and I think a lot of mothers generally just want to get back into the workforce.”
Mrs O’Neill said she was disappointed Opposition leader Anthony Albanese did not seek to meet with the chamber during his recent visit.
She said Prime Minister Scott Morrison had attended a chamber business lunch when he visited.
“He certainly took on board the priorities of the Cairns business community,” Mrs O’Neill said.
“We can only hope that we are being listened to, however, Albanese was here and didn’t contact the chamber. (Labor candidate) Elida Faith should have contacted the chamber to hear what small business priorities are.”
Extending the designated priority area (DPA) status, which helps attract GPs to the region, was critical too, she said.
“With a massive shortage of doctors, we need that extended so we become an area of attraction for new doctors to fill the gaps; it is more attractive for doctors to leave uni and go to a capital city than it is for them to come to the regions,” Mrs O’Neill said.
She said the chamber welcomed bipartisan support for Cairns Regional Council’s water security project.
UPDATE APRIL 20: Untouched headland on the Cairns coast is currently up for sale as an emerging political party is calling for its protection from private development.
Leichhardt candidate for the Greens, Phillip Musumeci, will rally on Sunday April 24 from 10 to 11am at Connemara Park in Trinity Beach for the Government to buy the land at Taylor Point and return care to Yirrganydji Traditional Custodians.
“The Greens want to tax billionaires and big corporations to expand Indigenous Protected Areas,” Mr Musumeci said.
“We can start right here in Cairns by protecting Taylor Point.
The area has been debated for years and was told by the Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon’s office in February that they would not be buying the land.
“This is the last remaining undeveloped headland on the Cairns coast. It’s crucial its pristine natural amenity is protected for both ecological preservation and recreational enjoyment by tourists and locals alike,” Mr Musumeci said.
Using Taylor Point as a local example of a bigger issue, Mr Musumeci said people and Country need to be put ahead of private profit.
“Governments at all levels have a history of putting developer profits before people and Country, but North Queenslanders also have a strong history of fighting back,” he said.
“If Leichhardt being a marginal seat in this election is what it takes for the major parties to listen, then let’s use that to protect Taylor Point once and for all.”
PERSONAL DETAILS
By law, it is compulsory for all eligible Australian citizens 18 years and over to enrol and vote in Federal Elections, by-elections and referendums.
Ahead of this year’s Federal Election, the cut-off date to enrol or update personal details is 8pm, Monday, April 18.
If you’ve moved house or changed your name since the previous election, which in Queensland was a state election, you must update your details with the Australian Electoral Commission.
Enrolling to vote or updating details can be completed online at the AEC website, or by completing a paper form available from Australia Post offices and the AEC site, and mailing it in. The deadline for paper forms is Wednesday, April 13, before your local post office closes.
However, paper versions of the enrolment forms can be uploaded to the AEC website.
To complete the forms, you will need a driver’s license, or an Australian passport or have someone who is enrolled confirm your identity.
FAR NORTH’S ELECTORATES
Before voting, it is important to understand which electorate you are enrolled in. The Far North is represented by two electorates – Leichhardt and Kennedy.
Leichhardt encompasses 148,559sq km starting from Cairns, north including Cooktown, Hopevale, Lockhart River and the Torres Strait Islands.
Leichhardt also include localities on the state’s west coast from Kowanyama in the south to Bamaga up north.
The electorate of Leichhardt shares a boundary with Kennedy, which covers 567,377sq km, and the two seats overlap sharing voters in parts of the Cairns Regional Council area, part of the Carpentaria Shire Council, and part of the Mareeba Shire Council.
For Far North voters, the Division of Kennedy on the east coast of the Far North includes Gordonvale in the north, down to Cardwell, however the electorate does stretch into Townsville City Council suburbs.
The western localities in Kennedy include Mareeba, the Atherton Tablelands, Mount Garnett, Georgetown, Kurumba and Normanton.
The Australian Electoral Commission website provides a search engine allowing residents to confirm which division their address is placed in.
VOTING
While most voting generally takes place on election day – May 21 – there are a number of alternative options including early votes, postal votes, mobile voting and telephone voting and interstate voting.
Prior to election day
If you can’t get to a polling place on election day you can vote at an early voting centre. A list of early voting centres will be available after candidates have been declared.
For residents overseas, there may be an option to vote at an overseas polling booth depending on your location, with the AEC set to announce locations soon.
However, for anyone certain they will be unable to get to a polling place on election day, they have the option of postal voting, which must be applied for by completing a form an AEC postal voting form. The AEC will then send you a postal voting pack.
Postal vote ballot papers must be completed and witnessed on or before election day and must be received by the AEC within 13 days of the election.
AEC mobile polling teams visit many voters who are not able to get to a polling place. Mobile polling facilities are set up in some hospitals, nursing homes, prisons and remote areas of Australia.
And finally, voters may have the option of telephone voting. Legislation was passed in early 2022 to allow for Covid-affected voters to cast a telephone phone.
Up until the Wednesday before election day, Covid-affected Australians can apply for a postal vote.
Telephone voting for people with Covid-19 will be an emergency measure for the final three voting days only.
To vote via telephone, residents must call 1800 913 993 to register for telephone voting which can be done as late as election day. During registration a voter will chose their unique PIN number and then use the same telephone number and PIN number to cast a vote.
Cairns Post reporters from the prepolling booths
Voting for the federal election officially started on May 10and by the end of day one of pre-polling, the Cairns Post reporters have taken FNQ’s pulse, surveying more than 200 early voters at four booths across Leichhardt and Kennedy. Here’s the live coverage from May 10.
More Coverage
Federal Election 2022: FNQ voters spin out of long campaign
Local Cairns and national federal election news: Subscribe before you decide
Originally published as Election 2022: Everything you need to know for Saturday’s federal election
‘Deaf ears’: Dad warns of looming ‘tragedy’ for hospital staff
A father of a Cairns emergency department nurse is calling for swift action on hospital parking and safety risks, raising his concerns that nothing will change until tragedy strikes.
Arrest video: Rider busted with gun and cash after prang
A man who broke his leg after crashing into a car while on the run from police with a backpack full of cash and a gun then attempted to steal the damaged vehicle before being arrested.