Edwina Andrew fails to back Riverway Stadium pledge

Labor won’t be backing in a pledge for broadcast quality lighting at one of North Queensland’s premier sporting facilities. Here’s why.

Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson with Thuringowa Bulldogs junior Alfie Kirchner and former Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson at Riverway Stadium. Picture: Evan Morgan

The Labor candidate for Herbert has not confirmed if the party will back an election promise from LNP’s Phillip Thompson.

Mr Thompson’s announced on Friday a $6m dollar commitment if, he is re-elected and Coalition is elected, to provide “broadcast quality” lighting to make Riverway Stadium fit to host national and international games.

The funding announcement this year saw an additional $1m promised by Mr Thompson on top of what he promised in 2022.

Labor Herbert candidate Edwina Andrew at Townsville Port. Picture: Evan Morgan

Townsville’s Aussie cricketing legend Mitchell Johnson stood in solidarity with Mr Thompson to bring the lights to Riverway, a fight for which has been going for nearly a decade.

Labor’s candidate for Herbert Edwina Andrew said recycling a commitment from the previous election “only demonstrates how ineffective a representative Phillip Thompson is.”

At the last federal election Mr Thompson committed $5m to the funding if the government was re-elected, but was unsuccessful as now-Prime Minister Anthony Albanese took over the role from Scott Morrison.

Labor said the investment required to upgrade the lights currently, according to Queensland Cricket, was $7m and said the funding from Mr Thompson would not be enough to cover the upgrades.

ALF Queensland and Cricket Australia will cover the shortfall.

Townsville City Council owns and operates Riverway Stadium and in 2022 then Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill disputed the figures, saying there was a ‘$3m shortfall’ in the pledge, which was $5m at the time.

Originally published as Edwina Andrew fails to back Riverway Stadium pledge