Questions asked of Cairns business identity following ‘profanity laden’ argument between Cairns council’s former top bosses

A leading Cairns businessman has been snapped erecting a Team Eden corflute near former mayor’s home just days after a heated argument between two of the city’s most prominent former leaders led to a police report.

Cairns business identity Greg Nucifora is seen placing a corflute near mayor Bob Manning's home in Gordonvale.

A leading Cairns businessman has been snapped erecting a Team Eden corflute near former mayor Bob Manning’s home just days after a heated argument between two of the city’s most prominent former leaders led to a police report.

But the election volunteer said signs have been “lawfully erected” throughout the campaign for mayoral candidate, Amy Eden.

As first revealed by the Cairns Post, a short, profanity-laden argument erupted between former council chief executive John Andrejic and Mr Manning last month after the ex-CEO placed Team Eden signage near Mr Manning’s home.

Former Cairns Regional Council CEO John Andrejic placed a corflute promoting Division 5 councillor and mayor aspirant Amy Eden outside ex-mayor Bob Manning’s home in Gordonvale earlier this month. Image: Brendan Radke

Mr Manning then removed the sign leading to a tense altercation between the former work colleagues.

Mr Andrejic, who resigned after four years in the key civic post in late 2020, is a volunteer for Cairns mayoral candidate, Amy Eden.

During the dispute outside Mr Manning’s home it’s understood that Mr Andrejic called the 78-year-old Gordonvale resident, who retired last year citing health concerns, a “c**t”.

A report was filed with authorities but no charges were laid following the vitriolic confrontation.

Cairns businessman Greg Nucifora and former council chief executive John Andrejic are both volunteers for Amy Eden’s mayoral campaign. Image: Supplied.

But just two days after the incident occurred, prominent business identity Greg Nucifora – who is also campaigning for Ms Eden – returned to the same suburban street to place election signage near Mr Manning’s home again.

When contacted last month, the financial advisor said he had no knowledge of the dispute between Mr Andrejic and Mr Manning.

After obtaining exclusive images taken of Mr Nucifora near where Mr Manning lives, questions were emailed to the businessman seeking further information.

Cairns businessman Greg Nucifora has been placing corflutes around Cairns for Team Eden ahead of the local government elections. Image: Brendan Radke

In a statement, Mr Nucifora failed to answer any questions regarding his knowledge of the dispute between the former leaders and defended Team Eden’s use of election signage.

“The reality is that corflutes are a feature of this election and myself and other volunteers have been erecting them according to current CRC bylaws,” Mr Nucifora said.

“These coreflutes (sic) are positioned on high impact locations for maximum exposure to large population areas.”

“The sign was lawfully installed on February 3 but has now been removed by persons unknown.”

Former Cairns Regional Council mayor Bob Manning and ex-CEO John Andrejic were involved in a heated verbal confrontation outside Mr Manning’s home earlier this month. Image: Stewart McLean

The corflute presented an opportunity to campaign in a key area, Mr Nucifora said.

“In relation to the sign in question; in Gordonvale there is a subdivision with 365 dwellings with (a) single entry/exit road,” he said.

“This presented an opportunity for exposure to at least 7% of the Division 1 voting population with a single sign at the start of this busy thoroughfare.”

But Unity’s Division One councillor Brett Moller said it was “disappointing” to see Team Eden signage again placed near Mr Manning’s residence.

“It is disappointing to see this behaviour in local government elections,” Mr Moller said.

“For Team Eden that espouses integrity as a cornerstone of their election platform, this behaviour falls well short of what our residents would want to see in a would be Mayor and councillors from the Amy Eden team.”

Mr Nucifora, who is a private client advisor with Bell Potter Securities in Cairns, holds key board positions within several organisations in the Far North.

He has also served as the independent chair of the audit committee for Cairns Regional Council.

Both Mr Manning and Mr Andrejic declined to comment when contacted on Monday afternoon.

A campaign spokesperson for Team Eden declined the opportunity to add further comment.

Local government elections will be held on Saturday, March 16.

Originally published as Questions asked of Cairns business identity following ‘profanity laden’ argument between Cairns council’s former top bosses