Labor turns up the heat in battle to retain Far North seats

Queensland Labor says it’s confident regional candidates are playing to win after leaked internal data raised alarm bells within the party and a damning Newspoll revealed David Crisafulli is poised to deliver the LNP a majority government.

Labor candidate for Mulgrave Richie Bates, Member for Cook Cynthia Lui, Queensland Premier Steven Miles, Member for Cairns Michael Healy and Member for Barron River Craig Crawford stand between the giant gantries of a shiplift in the Austal shipyard, Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

Queensland Labor says it’s confident regional candidates are playing to win after leaked internal data raised alarm bells within the party and a damning Newspoll revealed David Crisafulli is poised to deliver the LNP a majority government.

The ALP officially launched its election campaign in Cairns on Saturday, highlighting how critical the Far North will be in determining the result come October 26.

Based on the 2020 election, three of Labor’s 15 most marginal seats – Barron River, Cairns and Cook – are all in Far North Queensland with Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt’s retirement turning the electorate into an open race.

Newspoll’s most recent two-party preferred data has the Coalition 10 points ahead of Labor.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles launches the Labor Party's state election campaign with a function and speeches at the Austal shipyard in the Port of Cairns in Far North Queensland. Picture: Brendan Radke

But with the regional launch falling on AFL grand final day, Premier Steven Miles invoked his inner footy coach, declaring his side has the players and the game plan to claim an against all odds come from behind victory.

“Now is not the time to change course,” Mr Miles said to around 100 supporters on Saturday.

“Now is the time to stay the course with a plan that is working.”

A recent report by the Australian revealed that no regional Labor MPs made it onto the party’s internal leaderboard which tracks door knocking and phone calls made to voters in each electorate earlier this month.

Party insiders believe the LNP’s candidate for Barron River Bree James has campaigned more aggressively than her rival, incumbent Craig Crawford, so far. Picture: Brendan Radke

By comparison, the LNP’s candidate for Barron River, Bree James has consistently been one of the best performers within the Coalition, party insiders said.

But the man Ms James is hoping to unseat, incumbent Craig Crawford said campaigns worked differently outside the southeast corner.

“You cannot compare the work that occurs in Far North Queensland to Brisbane,” Mr Crawford said.

“The heat up here is very different and I think you’ll find across all sides of politics, all campaigns, volunteers and candidates feel this heat.

“You might be able to doorknock for eight hours in Brisbane, I challenge you to do it for more than two hours in Cairns.”

Cairns resident Sila Wilson is excited to meet Queensland Premier Steven Miles at Cazalys Sports Club during the AFL Grand Final on Saturday. Picture: Brendan Radke

Candidates in regional electorates have more avenues to reach voters than those closer to Brisbane, Mr Crawford said.

“It isn’t all about knocking on people’s doors,” he said.

“We’re fortunate to have our own media market (in the Far North). Campaigning for us, can be very different to Brisbane.

“I think we’ve got a great team. The work that our team is doing is great. In Cairns, we have our own media market and so do our candidates in Townsville, Mackay and those places.”

Premier Steven Miles hit the pavement on Saturday afternoon, joining Tourism and Sport Minister Michael Healy in door-knocking jaunt through Cairns’ suburban streets. Picture: Annette Dew

In contrast, the Premier said rapping on regional Queenslanders’ doors would prove key to holding critical seats.

“I’ll be doing plenty of door-knocking and calling voters,” Mr Miles said.

“In fact, if I wasn’t talking to you, I’d be out there right now. Our next stop will be a door-knocking blitz.

“Everyone in my team will be door-knocking more because that’s one of the most important ways to reach voters.”

Queensland Premier Steven Miles says the Labor . Picture: Brendan Radke

If Labor hopes to retain the seat of Mulgrave it will likely have to do so with limited support from the outgoing Mr Pitt.

In his valedictory speech in parliament earlier this month, the Speaker failed to acknowledge incoming ALP candidate Richie Bates, who has entered a crowded seven-candidate race.

Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt at the Labor Party's state election campaign launch at the Austal shipyard in the Port of Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

The omission didn’t go unnoticed amongst the party faithful who wished the Far North MP, who was in attendance at the Cairns launch, could have formally backed the former Cairns councillor despite having endorsed actor Aaron Fa’Aoso prior to preselection.

Mr Crawford said the weather, much like the state election, was only just starting to heat up.

“It’s hot and it’s only going to get hotter,” he said.

Labor is expected to announce a candidate for Hinchinbrook, held by Katter’s Australian Party deputy leader Nick Dametto, later this week.

Originally published as Labor turns up the heat in battle to retain Far North seats