North Qld State: Thurston won’t be premier of breakaway North

Johnathan Thurston’s dedication to supporting at-risk youth in Townsville, Mount Isa and Cairns has placed him in the centre of election politics. This is how he responded to tricky political questions.

Cowboys legend Johnathan Thurston shut down the prospect he would gravitate to a political career, despite advocating for Townsville and Mount Isa youth intervention programs.

The premiership winner and future Immortal wields the type of sportstar status that political leaders would be desperate to have at their side, but denied a future in politics is on the cards.

He laughed when asked if he believed in a State of North Queensland – which is being pushed by Katters Australian Party – which hypothetically might have him as its Premier.

“I’m very happy with what I’m doing now, I’ve got an amazing team around me with the JT Academy, and we’re delivering programs in Cairns, Townsville and Mount Isa, and we’re seeing some really good success rates from the program,” Mr Thurston said.

“So no, I will not be taking up politics.”

And it was “not a question for me” when Mr Thurston was asked if Premier Steven Miles and opposition leader David Crisafulli needed more to offer North Queensland, but he said “there’ll be conversations to be had” within the next month as the election draws closer.

Mr Thurston stood alongside Premier Steven Miles on Wednesday, who announced a commitment of more than $2.65m in new funding and an annual rollout of almost $5m each year for the Johnathan Thurston Academy’s JTYouGotThis program.

The funding boost would increase the number of young people involved in the 10 week course by 200 people, which would improve their anti-social behaviour with mentorship, and it was this rollout to address youth crime that Mr Thurston was focused on promoting.

Mr Thurston said he was putting his brand on the line by taking on a youth program that was accepting taxpayer funding, but he did so because he believed it to be working.

Johnathan Thurston talks at a press conference about funding for the JTYouGotThis program, and takes on questions to do with state politics and funding for North Queensland. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“It’s a big risk on my behalf as well, you know, throwing my name and brand into such a big part of politics” he said.

“You know, at the top of everyone’s tree is youth crime, and we’re just a small part of a solution, and you know, breaking the cycle with these young people.

“I’ve got some big companies that I’m an ambassador for as well, so you know, this is also taxpayers’ money that we’re using to run these programs as well.

Johnathan Thurston and the Queensland Premier Steven Miles join in a team building game with JTYouGotThis program graduates. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“That’s something that I don’t take for granted, the staff don’t take for granted.

“I’ve never backed down from a challenge, and … I take pride in my community, I take pride in my culture, and to have a great team around us that deliver these programs is key to the success of it.”

KAP deputy leader Nick Dametto vowed to use a balance of power and influence in the north to negotiate splitting the state into state.

Johnathan Thurston and the Queensland Premier Steven Miles race each other in teams with JTYouGotThis program graduates, in a game that involves building bridges across ‘lava’. Picture: Shae Beplate.

While Mr Dametto and Mr Crisafulli said youth crime was the pressing issue for Townsville voters, Mr Miles had dismissed his opponents’ focus on a crime platform.

“We have a long-term plan for this region, including to continuing to deliver community safety, our community safety plan is working, it is reducing offending here and now is not the time to throw that plan out, because that plan is working,” Mr Miles said.

He did not support the concept of a North Queensland state, and was like-minded with Mr Crisafulli when it came to seeking to unite a divided Queensland.

Johnathan Thurston and the Queensland Premier Steven Miles walk together into the JTYouGotThis program announcement along with State MPs Aaron Harper and Les Walker. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“Well, I have a vision for our state’s future, Mr Crisafulli wants to talk our state down, now they are very, very clear differences, and he might prefer to focus on fear and loathing, but I prefer to focus on hope and a vision for the future,” Mr Miles said.

Mr Crisafulli promised while visiting his former neighbourhood of Douglas this week that North Queensland would have a leader who understood they needed their “fair share” if the government changed.

“I want people in North Queensland to know that there is a better way than what they’ve been getting, and this place holds a special place in my heart,” Mr Crisafulli said.

Originally published as North Qld State: Thurston won’t be premier of breakaway North