Federal election 2022: FNQ voters reveal election issues
Far North residents reveal the major issues that will impact who they vote for on May 21 including skyrocketing cost of living, the housing crisis and rising crime rates.
Cairns
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REDUCING cost of living pressures, more support for stressed health and police services, crime, housing, less top-level politics around Covid-19 and greater economic support for small towns were revealed as key issues FNQ voters were considering in the lead up to the Federal Election.
The Cairns Post surveyed a cross section of residents in the seats of Leichhardt and Kennedy, who identified the issues they wanted candidates to focus on before making their way to the ballot box on May 21.
Innisfail registered nurse and mum Michelle Appo said youth crime was one of the biggest problems in the region and said the Federal Government needed to do more to support state services in combating the issue.
Ms Appo said she’d like to see commitments towards “constructive programs” that would facilitate under privileged youths.
“There’s nothing for kids to do here yet we have a pub on every corner of the town,” she said.
“The ones that make it in sport are the privileged. But if mum and dad don’t have money, they end up wandering around looking for trouble.
“No kid should be in that position, so I would say it’s all well and good to get elected, but make sure you actually have a plan for the youths and something educational, we don’t need things like arcades or games, they can get enough of that at home.”
Cairns CBD, small business operators said they were concerned about the seemingly endless increase of cost of living expenses coupled with ongoing crime rates were impacting their customers.
As tourists return to Cairns, the importance of the city beige a safe place to visit as well as for residents to live, work and shop was an important topic.
At The Dispensary Coffee Shop, barista manager Oswaldo Neto, said his customers are worried about the prices rising across all areas of spending.
Mr Neto said the customers at the Orchid Plaza outlet have indicated two areas of concern.
“Cost of living is one,” he said.
‘The other big issue is quality of life.”
Meanwhile, Dijo Clothing owner Sarah Turner, said from her perspective, the key election issues included rising food, grocery, fuel and powers costs as well as city crime rates.
“Increased cost of living expenses impacts on visitors and tourists who have less disposable income,” she said.
”And the CBD crime rates and rise of homelessness need to be addressed.”
Fellow Oceania Walk Arcade business owner, Jo Lees who had been at Jo’s Scissors of Gold Salon, for 55 years, agreed.
Ms Lees said she is very concerned about CBD crime rates, not only because they concern her clientele, but also because of the huge negative impact on the people and the wider community involved.
Ms Lees said she wanted politicians to “stop talking and start taking real action” to kerb juvenile crime and make Cairns a better place for everyone.
“It takes a village to raise a child,” she said.
“We must have law which insist people have greater accountability for their actions.”
Redlynch resident, Oliver Voss said housing is a huge issue.
“The housing crisis. part of the issue is that we’ve got very little land available in Cairns,” he said.
“There’s a rental vacancy rate of close to 1 per cent, so people are finding it really hard to find a home.
Scowcroft resident Caroline Polak said politicians need to work on creating real solutions for everyone in the sphere of law and order.
“I would like something done about a youth crime, I had my car stolen and obviously I felt violated because my house was broken into, and I was a victim,” she said.
“But then I got around to thinking, the kids are victims too, because apparently kids in out of home care are six times as likely to be expelled or suspended from school.
“So every system is failing, and I wish we could be more empathetic, and support them.”
WHAT YOU SAID
What are the key issues for you this federal election?
David Evans from Cooya Beach
Making sure retirement age is not going up. Retirees able to work more without affecting pension. Security of our international borders and keeping our resources for us first.
Tara Bennett from Port Douglas
Solutions for the critical housing shortage being experienced throughout regional Australia.
Lex Shinn from East Innisfail
I think this government has done well they've been quite even with what they've offered Kennedy. The main thing would be to support our key industries in sugar and bananas and make sure they're keeping everyone employed.
Jasran Kalkat from Innisfail Estate
There really is a limited availability of health services and everyone has to go to Cairns. I'd like to see the government provide more resources there. I'd also like to see decentralisation or the government support new industries to come to town so we can employ more people locally.
Krystal Fischer from Kewarra Beach
They really need to get the vaccine messaging right, I also think families are doing it really tough with food going up and petrol going up.
Josephine Schmidt from Innisfail
I want to see all governments stop playing politics with Covid, but in this election I want to see someone take charge of mandates around nursing homes. There are elderly people in there that are alone and can't be visited by family if they're not vaccinated.
Ashleeann Collier from Cardwell
I think there should be a focus on the children and healthcare because at the end of the day I don't think there is much for kids.
Carla Broccardo from Innisfail
There's nothing happening in Innisfail, we only have about two big events each year and no one has the confidence to open a new business. We need a government that will support economic stimulation in regional towns, and that probably means a cash injection. We'd also like to see more employment opportunities here so our youth don't have to move away to find work.
Vincent Bianchi from Multy Cut Meats at Yorkeys Knob
As a small-business owner what is important to me is the consistency. Where has the consistency gone? We are so indecisive at the moment so it is hard as a small business to make judgments.
Brett Livingstone from Mundoo
I think support for health services will be a key issue in the election. But really, I just want to see less politicians. They're extremely annoying. They just say 'I said this, or I didn't say that', but it's always lies.
Denis Keefe from Kewarra Beach
I think cost of living is important to me and my grandkids and children. I think the second most important is post Covid recovery in the field of tourism.
Vicki Desmond from Trinity Park
More money needs to be spent on health. There needs to be more doctors and nurses because there's been quite a shortage. Recently our doctor retired and we were left floundering.
Pauline Mackenzie from Manunda
In Manunda we have problems with the level of crime - that's one of the main issues, and I know it won't be solved overnight.
Lofe'Dna Korua from Earlville
One of the things here is that the living costs for rentals are quite high. They should be doing something about rentals, it's ridiculous.
Carmel Buckley from Whitfield
One big issue for me is aged care - my mum is now in aged care. Another one is where the parties stand on foreign policy, especially with the war overseas and a lot of people are concerned with that. China's influence and its close relationship with the Solomon Islands is another issue, as is health care.
Manunda Wayne Ramm from Manunda
The big issues for me this federal election are taxation, trustability and relatability.
Gai Patmore from Holloways Beach
I would say housing. I keep wondering why they don't put more money into housing projects. It would have a range of benefits and would help with unemployment as well.
Judy Tiziani from Holloways Beach
I think Far North gets left out of so many decisions. The shortage of doctors is massive and the fact Covid has had a big impact I think FNQ needs to become more of a priority.
Mervyn Lee from Bayview Heights
Climate change. It's about time they did something about it. And helping casual workers get decent pay.
Gay Redmile from Kewarra Beach
We just retired and moved up to Cairns from the Gold Coast - so anything to help pensioners and aged care.
Ian Desmond from Trinity Park
Crime and people stealing cars is most important. There are too many kids stealing and robbing houses. When I was a kid the coppers would pick us up. There needs to be more discipline and respect.
Fiona Stokes from Trinity Beach
Homelessness is a big issue. The cost of living is absolutely disgusting at the moment. Fuel prices have come down but they are still high. I think there needs to be some more help for small businesses.
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