Coalition candidate calling for critical Far North funding stonewalled by LNP

A Far North LNP candidate says she supports Labor’s plans to build critical infrastructure at the Cairns airport and fund one of the region’s peak tourism bodies – even if her party won’t back them.

Yolonde Entsch LNP Candidate for the state electorate of Cairns, during a recent media conference in the city’s CBD. Picture: Liam Kidston.

A Far North LNP candidate says she supports Labor’s plans to build critical infrastructure at the Cairns airport and fund one of the region’s peak tourism bodies, despite her own party failing to match the key election promises.

The ALP has announced Tourism Tropical North Queensland will receive $10m to support the return of international visitors and domestic tourists to the region, if re-elected on Saturday.

Additionally, Member for Cairns Michael Healy has backed establishing a $45m common user hangar in what would be a major boost for the aviation sector.

A conceptual render of the 10,000sqm common use maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) hangar, a key piece of the eastern aviation precinct.

But the Coalition has yet to match Labor, even though the party’s candidate, Yolonde Entsch has lobbied hard for the initiatives behind the scenes.

“We absolutely understand the importance of tourism to our region for jobs and for our economy,” Ms Entsch said.

“It is something that I would be advocating for. Just because it hasn’t been announced during this period, or up until now, it doesn’t mean that it’s a ‘no’.”

Advance Cairns has called on the LNP to double down on the commitments, effectively ensuring their go-ahead regardless of which party is swept into power on Saturday.

The proposed facility is estimated to create around 100 jobs during construction and increase the region’s capacity to service and maintain aircraft from across the Asia Pacific region.

Ms Entsch agreed the 10,000sqm hangar had the potential to grow the Far North’s aviation sector significantly.

“I do, absolutely, support creating that (for the) aviation industry,” Ms Entsch said.

“I met with (Skytek chief executive) Alana McKenna 12 months ago when she was trying to build a hangar for their business.

“Even behind the scenes, I would still be advocating because I am about our community and that will be a question for after October 26.”

Member for Cairns Michael Healy says that key election promises announced by Labor in his electorate should have received bi-partisan support. Pics Adam Head

But Mr Healy argued the LNP should’ve already stumped up the cash.

“We need investment in this city,” he said.

“They are not investing in a new satellite hospital, they’re not investing $57m in our (TAFE) schools which will be fantastic for our tradesmen, our sparkies, our chippies.

“They’re not investing in our new hangar at the airport … they’re not investing in Cairns. We are.”

Meanwhile, Ms Entsch declared she received no preferential treatment as a result of her relationship with husband and Member for Leichhardt, Warren Entsch, in relation to a grant she received from the federal government.

Ms Entsch’s company, YLE Enterprises, was given a $213,725 grant from the Morrison government to run the Doomadgee Pottery Studio Project between 2019 and 2021.

“Absolutely not,” she said.

“It wasn’t part of the application process. Anyone can go back and have a look at the work that I did in Doomadgee.

“Gosh, have a look at the Doomadgee Potters’ Instagram page and see the incredible work that was delivered in that community.”

Originally published as Coalition candidate calling for critical Far North funding stonewalled by LNP