New LNP candidate for Cairns Yolonde Entsch quizzed over husband Warren’s register of interest

A newly-minted LNP state candidate for Cairns was quizzed over her longheld Airbnb business and why it wasn’t added to her MP husband’s parliamentary register of interests until March 29.

The wife of a federal politician who will stand for the LNP at the next state election has admitted she owns a property which her husband did not declare on his register of interests for the past four-and-a-half years.

On Friday morning Yolonde Entsch appeared beside state opposition leader David Crisafulli outside a Manunda supermarket, where he welcomed her as the party’s candidate for the seat of Cairns.

Mr Crisafulli deflected questions about Ms Entsch’s part in her husband Warren Entsch not declaring income from the Airbnb on their jointly-owned property, despite it operating since 2018.

He claimed the question was a matter of sexism not ethics.

On March 31 Yolonde Entsch was formally announced by state opposition leader David Crisafulli as the state LNP candidate for Cairns. Picture: Alison Paterson

“I saw the comment this morning from the Minister who represents the Far North,” he said.

“But I am going to call it out for what it is, a male politician criticising a Cairns citizen of the year for something that her husband has apparently done in 2023.

“I am going to call that statement out, sorry (because) people need to stand on their record.”

MPs are required to declare the registrable interests of their spouse including sources of income more than $1000 per annum and company activity of which they hold a directorship under federal parliamentary resolutions.

Warren Entsch voting at Trinity Beach State School with wife Yolonde and daughter Mackenzie. File Picture: Brian Cassey

Ms Entsch, who is a director of YLE Enterprises, Cairns 2020 Citizen of the Year and chief executive of Wheels of Wellness, initially dodged the question of ownership of the Airbnb which is located at the couple’s Malanda cattle farm and where she is named by Airbnb as a ‘superhost’.

“The Airbnb is located on the farm that Warren and I own together,” she said.

“The business is part of a company and it is all declared.”

According to the Register of Member’s Interests of the 47th parliament, Mr Entsch’s register was updated on March 29 to include Ms Entsch as a shareholder YLE Enterprises and ‘hospitality’ and ‘activities of company,’ were added to the details.

However, when asked directly if she owned the entity which comprised the Airbnb Ms Entsch agreed.

“I own it,” she said.

Earlier Ms Entsch said she was proud to be a candidate to represent her beloved Cairns community.

She said was constantly hearing about cost of living, crime and housing as the main issues concerning the local community.

“My work has been focused on empowering communities to engage and act, which is precisely the approach I will take as a candidate and an MP should I be fortunate enough to be elected.”

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Originally published as New LNP candidate for Cairns Yolonde Entsch quizzed over husband Warren’s register of interest