Cairns Regional Council Mayor Bob Manning announces resignation

Cairns’ second longest serving mayor in history has sensationally announced his immediate resignation.

Cairns Mayor Bob Manning has announced his immediate resignation. Picture: Brendan Radke

Cairns’ second longest serving mayor in history has sensationally announced his immediate resignation.

Bob Manning, elected to the top job in 2012, said he had made the decision based off medical advice.

He is the longest serving mayor of Cairns Regional Council, and second in the history of the city.

“This is a decision Claire (Mr Manning’s wife) and I have made together based on medical advice, and it is for that reason alone,” Mr Manning said.

“It is a great honour to have served almost 12 years as mayor of the city of my birth.

“Similarly for Claire, who has served this city as mayoress, and this is something she has done caringly and thoughtfully.

“It was never in our make up to seek recognition or reward, but I especially want to thank the people of Cairns who made us feel so welcome.

“Our beautiful city has changed greatly and for the better, and I thank all of those who have played a part in this — councillors, management and staff.

“We can have much confidence in the future and what it will bring for the people of our beautiful city.”

Cairns Mayor Bob Manning casts his vote into the ballot box for the referendum on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament. Picture: Brendan Radke

Mr Manning’s passion projects have included the bed tax — a 2.5 per cent tax for tourists that was blocked by the state government, and his decades-long fight to have an NRL team based in Cairns.

That dream edged the closest it has been to reality this year with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese backing a Papua New Guinea team in what would be the 18th NRL side.

Mr Manning’s time as mayor was embroiled in a gruelling investigation by Queensland’s Crime and Corruption Commission over a $150,000 payable loan that he received in 2015 from a prominent lawyer connected to several past developments in Cairns.

Mr Manning’s resignation was announced at 8.30am on Friday. Picture: Brendan Radke

The exhaustive probe, which included a raid on his home in May 2021, ended with no charges laid.

Mr Manning served as the Cairns Port Authority boss from 1984-2002 before stints at NQEA Australia and as boss of Hermes Airports Limited (Cyprus).

He was the Longreach Shire Council from 1977-1984 and served as a Lieutenant in the Australian Army.

In the 90s Mr Manning was the chair of Tourism Tropical North Queensland and was a national council member of the Tourism Council of Australia.

Mr Manning with the late Kevin Byrne, a former mayor of Cairns Regional Council. Picture: Sandhya Ram

Mr Manning was named the Cairns Citizen of the Year in 2002 and became a life member of TTNQ and an honorary member of Airports Council International in that same year.

He was also awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 2004.

As Cairns mayor he spent time as a board member and deputy chair with the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, was chair of Anglicare and the Salvation Army and spent more than seven years from 1993 as a board member of Airports Council International for the Pacific region and the World Governing Board.

Mr Manning is the second longest serving mayor in the history of Cairns; behind William Aloysius Collins who was mayor from 1927-1949.

When asked what his advice would be to the new council elected at the March 2024 election, Mr Manning said: “We need to learn to have a bit of fun. It’s so serious, and everyone wants to know everything ... we can’t do that all the time.”

Mr Manning conceded he was “tired”, and looking forward to retirement with his wife Claire.

It is understood deputy mayor Terry James, who is running for mayor, will act in the position until council votes on who its interim leader will be.

Originally published as Cairns Regional Council Mayor Bob Manning announces resignation