Senate candidate withdraws to focus on new role of State Recovery Coordinator

A former Newman government minister has has stepped away from his senator ambitions to instead focus on helping flood-wrecked North Queensland rebuild.

Newly appointed State Recovery Coordinator Andrew Cripps, centre, shows the flood damage to Police Minister Dan Purdie. Picture: Supplied

A former Newman government minister has stepped away from his senator ambitions to instead focus on helping flood-wrecked North Queensland rebuild.

Newly appointed State Recovery Coordinator Andrew Cripps is a former Hinchinbrook deputy mayor and was a parliamentary colleague to Premier David Crisafulli during the Newman government.

The former resources minister was ousted from state politics while in opposition by incumbent KAP Nick Dametto, who is also concentrating on the devastation and clean-up of the region he represents, parts of which have been slammed with more than 1500mm within 10 days.

There were concerns from Deputy Opposition Leader Cameron Dick on Wednesday that Mr Cripps would not be able to focus on the federal election alongside his recovery co-ordinator role, but a state government spokesman said Mr Cripps withdrew from the Nationals ticket several days ago to focus on the recovery role.

Mr Cripps on Thursday confirmed he withdrew his nomination for the senate so that he could focus on the region’s disaster recovery.

“I can’t do both, it’s not compatible, this needs my full attention,” he said.

“What has to happen now is that we have to get on with the job of supporting local

communities to recover.

“That’s bigger than any short-term political ambition that I have.”

Newly appointed State Recovery Coordinator Andrew Cripps speaks about the recovery for North Queensland. Picture: Supplied

Mr Cripps’ senate candidate website remained active until about 5pm Wednesday, around which time it was taken down, but it promoted his Tully roots, as well as his accomplishments such as being appointed Chair of the Australian Government’s Resources 2030 Taskforce.

Mr Cripps said he had no hesitation accepting Mr Crisafulli’s request to accept the position for the region’s benefit.

“Like all of my fellow residents of Ingham, I went through a week without mains power and after living in the Hinchinbrook Shire for 20 years, I saw flood waters where I have never seen them before,” he said.

“I was very fortunate, as I did not have any flood water in my house.

“I believe this will be a very challenging role, but I had no hesitation in agreeing to Premier Crisafulli’s request to take it on, because I see it as an opportunity to continue to serve the people I know, the communities I love and the industries I admire across North and Far North Queensland.”

Mr Cripps will focus on recovery needs of flooded communities and give advice based off his local knowledge to government departments, as well as provide updates on recovery operations.

He would also develop a state recovery plan and work alongside Queensland Reconstruction Authority chief executive Major General Jake Ellwood.

Andrew Cripps, David Crisafulli, Dale Last and John Hathaway with former Premier Campbell Newman. Pictures: Jack Tran / The Courier Mail / News Corp

As Mr Dametto expressed concern for further Bureau of Meteorology warnings, which could reshift his focus from attending parliament, he also said politics could be set aside for the sake of devastated Ingham and Cardwell communities.

He said the previous Hinchinbrook MP had invaluable skills and political connections needed which would be an asset for state recovery.

“When it comes to working with the Crisafulli government, one of their own is probably going to be … best to relay messages into their ministerial offices,” Mr Dametto said.

“I didn’t even know he was on the senate ticket to be honest,” he said.

Mr Crisafulli said recovery will take a long time but that the focus would be on developing further resilience.

“The road to recovery is a long one, but one that requires strong leadership and local experience.

“This recovery isn’t just about rebuilding, it’s about building back stronger than ever and our government is up to the challenge of delivering that,” he said.

Originally published as Senate candidate withdraws to focus on new role of State Recovery Coordinator