Advance Cairns 2025 federal election candidates’ forum tests personal vision
The major party Leichhardt candidates were tested on leadership vision, first 100 days and how they’d succeed if in opposition, at a candidates’ forum on Thursday.
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The major party Leichhardt candidates were tested on leadership vision, first 100 days in parliament and how they’d succeed if in opposition, at a candidates’ forum on Thursday.
But as attendees departed Advance Cairns’ Candidates on the Couch event, they were still undecided on who “won” the battle between Labor’s Matt Smith and the LNP’s Jeremy Neal.
Advance Cairns chief executive Jacinta Reddan, who co-hosted with Tropical Tourism North Queensland’s chief executive Mark Olsen said the aim of the forum was to provide guests a better personal understanding of the two candidates – the advocacy body’s members believed would be the most likely to win member for Leichhardt.
What does leadership mean to you and who is a leader you admire?
Mr Neal said as a paramedic he was often in “very demanding situations” where you have to think on your feet.
“And the big trick is to definitely take the team with you, don’t throw them under the bus,” he said.
Mr Neal said a leader he looked up to was former United Kingdom Prime Minister Winston Churchill, because he “fought and fought and fought”.
Mr Smith said leadership was about “inspiring change” and understanding the different personalities.
“Sport being the obvious example … some people like to be ridden hard, some need to be built up, some people need to be shown the way,” Mr Smith said.
He said former US President Barack Obama was a leader he looked up to as he “inspired hope” being a “black president out of a country that did have slavery”.
What does your first 100 days look like?
“Buy a jacket,” Mr Smith said noting he only owned one before declaring the first thing he would do is head to the remote communities of the Cape.
“The nature of the campaign is that we do spend more time in Cairns.
“After that we need to start to have those discussions here in Cairns … and start getting our road map for everybody, it doesn’t matter what I want, it’s what this city requires. I will get us there, you just articulate where it is we want to go.”
Mr Neal said his first 100 days would be to “keep the energy up” and focus on introducing cost of living and crime legislation to parliament.
“Because when I door knock across the community, these are the issues they want to see fixed.”
How might you behave differently as the member for Leichhardt in opposition?
Mr Neal conceded this was a “realistic” situation he needed to contemplate.
“I’m happy to work with any side to make sure the Far North is represented … but I think through my work as a paramedic for so long it shows you can work with people from all walks of life and make sure their voice is heard.”
Mr Smith said it would mean sticking by and advocating for the ideas he took to the election.
“The job isn’t just advocating for policy, it’s helping people work their way through Centrelink, work their way through Medicare, Department of Veterans Affairs and to make sure everyone understands my door remains open.”
Those attending agreed Mr Smith received points for communication and well-rehearsed party policy, whereas Mr Neal delivered sharper responses featuring greater detail of local issues but at times lacked succinct articulation of the Coalition’s plans.
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Originally published as Advance Cairns 2025 federal election candidates’ forum tests personal vision
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