Far North MPs cancel CUF meeting ahead of Treasurer’s visit to Cairns

The LNP’s commitment to turn Cairns into a one-stop shop servicing major vessels from across the Pacific has been questioned.

Treasurer David Janetski pledged $38.4m for planning and enabling works for the Common User Facility in last week’s budget which is estimated to cost around $400m overall and include a 5000-tonne shiplift and new hardstand areas.

The LNP’s commitment to turn Cairns into a one-stop shop servicing major vessels from across the Pacific has been questioned after a meeting with industry leaders and Far North MPs was cancelled with little notice last week.

But the state government has hit back, declaring that the meeting to discuss the future of the major project has been rescheduled.

Treasurer David Janetzki pledged $38.4m for planning and enabling works for the Common User Facility in last week’s budget which is estimated to cost around $400m overall and include a 5000-tonne shiplift and new hardstand areas.

Senior figures, including representatives from Austal, Norship and Tropical Reef Shipyard, were scheduled to give Member for Mulgrave, Terry James and Member for Barron River, Bree James a tour of the proposed site in Portsmith on Tuesday morning.

But it’s understood attendees were informed the meeting wouldn’t go ahead late on Friday afternoon.

Treasurer David Janetzki cancelled an appearance with major industry leaders in Far North Queensland with little notice, last week. Photo Steve Pohlner

The snub coincides with the treasurer’s visit to Cairns to talk up the budget at a business lunch on Tuesday.

Member for Cairns Michael Healy said the state’s top bookkeeper should have donned a hard hat and joined his LNP colleagues onsite in the city’s industrial sector.

“This would have been the perfect opportunity for David Janetzki to understand why this project is so important to the Cairns region,” Mr Healy said.

“All it shows is that the LNP doesn’t care about this project and they’re happy to turn their backs on Cairns.”

With the shiplift expected to take around 18 months to build, Mr Healy said any further delays to the project would only hurt the region’s economy.

Construction underway on marine upgrades to the wharf and dock facilities at HMAS Cairns Navy base. Picture: Brendan Radke

“This would see hundreds of millions of dollars invested in the region,” he said. “It’s about wealth creation for our community.”

The Far North’s LNP MPs needed to explain why the meeting was cancelled.

“This project needs strong representation from all of us,” Mr Healy said.

“Just because Brisbane doesn’t want doesn’t mean you can’t turn up. It’s so disappointing.

“They need to represent their electorate and not Brisbane’s interests.”

Member for Cairns Michael Healy said the state’s top bookkeeper should have donned a hard hat and joined his LNP colleagues onsite in the city’s industrial sector. Picture: Samuel Davis

Ms James and Mr James did not respond to questions related to why the meeting was cancelled.

But an LNP spokeswoman said the former Labor government’s failure to appropriately cost the project had hindered development.

“The Cairns Marine Precinct Common User Facility is just another example of the former Labor Government chaotically mismanaging projects and having no regard for Queensland taxpayers’ money,” the spokeswoman said.

“Unlike the former government, who hid a $466 million blowout from Queenslanders, the Crisafulli Government is working with stakeholders to investigate the best way forward for the people of the Far North.”

It is understood the meeting will now be held this Friday.

Originally published as Far North MPs cancel CUF meeting ahead of Treasurer’s visit to Cairns