Regional parliament sits in Cairns this week for the first time in 15 years, here’s all you need to know
Politicians from every corner of Queensland will fly to Cairns this week to convene parliament for three days, with opportunities for the public to be involved.
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Spiralling crime rates, water security and path to treaty are key issues expected to dominate when the full compliment of state politicians visits Cairns this week.
The almost fully renovated Cairns Convention Centre will host the sixth regional sitting of state parliament, and the first in Cairns since 2008, for three days from Tuesday, May 9 – an opportunity for Far North Queenslanders to watch democracy in action.
Local government and industry advocacy groups will use the opportunity to push their priorities in front of the state’s top decision makers, and issue-motivated groups will rub shoulders with their favourite MPs or stage protests to draw politicians’ attention towards topics of community concern.
While the government is in town, Cairns councillors are hoping to hear $5.2m worth of funding announcements for seven local projects.
These include the upgrade of Gordonvale’s Kenrick Park and construction of Trinity Beach’s Community Activity Space, as well as design works for Smithfield Mountain Bike Park’s expansion, the next two stages of the Northern Beaches Leisure Trail and the Cairns Community and Multicultural Centre in White Rock.
Advance Cairns has also put forward eight of its own advocacy priorities, including the Kuranda Range Rd upgrade business case, and will host the premier and deputy premier at a private lunch on Tuesday.
Cairns mayor Bob Manning said the council would be calling the government’s attention to local priorities.
“Our community is facing increasing issues of homelessness, crime and cost of living pressures and we are hopeful for announcements that will have tangible outcomes in these areas,” Cr Manning said.
But benefits run both ways.
The moving of parliament to Cairns, even for three days, also serves as a relatively inexpensive opportunity for the government, the opposition and small parties to appear in person before the people who will, in October 2024, decide if Labor should be afforded a fourth term, or if the LNP should take the wheel.
And the Far North’s four seats are very much up for grabs at the next election – something all parties are acutely aware of.
The full cost of this regional parliament sitting won’t be known until the event concludes; but, the cost of the last sitting, in Townsville in 2019, was $941,000.
“With an election coming up, the state government have taken this show on the road for their benefit,” Division 9 councillor Brett Olds said.
“But this is very good for the region too. We’re hoping the government drops some lollies while they’re here.”
The parliamentary agenda will feature topics of recent concern to Far North Queenslanders, and the opposition will almost certainly raise local issues during question time.
On Tuesday’s government business agenda, for example, matters relating to detention, corrective services, water and Path to Treaty are scheduled to be heard.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the regional sitting was an important opportunity for locals to hear key issues for their area debated, and hinted that some announcements of local importance would be made.
“It’s also about engaging and listening to the local community in their own backyard so we can help boost the local economy and provide better infrastructure and services for them,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“As part of the 2022/23 state budget, we’re investing $1.2 billion in the Far North’s infrastructure and capital works, $1.5 billion on health, $66m on education, $173m for social housing, all supporting thousands of good jobs.
“As part of our Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan our renewable energy projects pipeline is also supplying cleaner and more affordable energy for households, workers, businesses, the economy and regional communities such as here in Cairns.
“We can’t wait to share all the good news when parliament heads to the Far North next week.”
Opposition leader David Crisafulli said he would meet with residents, small business owners, community leaders and victims of crime during the week.
“When I became opposition leader in 2020, I made a commitment to travel to all corners of the State and listen to Queenslanders,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“We will be meeting with mayors and local government representatives to hear about the challenges gripping the Far North.
“I encourage all locals across the Far North to speak up and share their experiences with youth crime, hospitals, schools and soaring cost-of-living pressures.”
Residents are also invited to view parliament’s proceedings from the public gallery.
Question time, typically the most charged part of the day, is scheduled for all three days, but Wednesday’s session is scheduled for 6pm so the public has an opportunity to attend outside of work hours.
A free community breakfast has also been scheduled for 7am on Wednesday at the Cairns Esplanade’s Western Event Lawn.
The full schedule for the week is available on Queensland Parliament’s website.
Along with construction noises, politicians will have to conduct business to the backing vocals of local protests over issues of climate change and youth crime.
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