Federal election 2025: Labor claims Cairns Regional Council had ‘secret list’ for LNP

A Queensland Senator has questioned whether Cairns council has provided a “secret list” of election priorities to an LNP candidate.

A Queensland Senator has questioned whether Cairns council has provided a “secret list” of election priorities to an LNP candidate, following a flurry of announcements in the must-win seat of Leichhardt.

But Cairns Regional Council says it is willing to work with all candidates ahead of the federal election next month.

Last week the LNP’s candidate Jeremy Neal pledged $1m towards an upgrade of Muddy’s Playground and a $2m commitment towards the Northern Beaches Leisure Trail.

That prompted Cairns-based Labor senator Nita Green to question whether the former councillor had been provided with additional projects the council had been seeking funding for.

Labor senator Nita Green is questioning whether Cairns Regional Council has shared a secret list with the LNP’s Leichhardt candidate. Picture: NewsWire / David Beach

“We can’t fund projects we haven’t heard about,” Ms Green said.
“If (the) council is giving a secret list of projects to one party, they’re not serving the best interests of Cairns.”

In response, a council spokesman pointed to the election wishlist on its website and said the organisation had been “clear” about its priorities.

“(The) council is keen to work with all state and federal parties to advance the interests of Cairns,” the spokesman said.

“We have been clear about our key advocacy priorities which are published on our website.

“Securing Cairns Housing Foundations remains the top priority ahead of the federal election.”

Upgrades to the playground and the trail are Cairns Regional Council projects but the latter did not feature on the local government’s “Advocacy priorities for the 2025 Federal Election” webpage.

Cairns Regional Council says it’s willing to work with all parties and candidates in the lead up to the election. Picture: Brendan Radke

Caught off-guard by Mr Neal’s announcements, Labor’s Leichhardt candidate Matt Smith responded by declaring it was a “long campaign” and there would be “plenty of announcements going forward”.

But on Friday Ms Green said Labor was unaware of the council’s entire priority advocacy list.

During the week, Mr Neal pledged $15m towards a $30m high performance centre at Barlow Park – a project in conjunction with the North Queensland Cowboys to relocate the club’s NRLW side from Townsville to Cairns.

LNP Leichhardt candidate Jeremy Neal holding Arlo, 9 months, as he pledges $1m towards the Muddy's Playground upgrade. Pictured alongside Cairns councillors Anna Middleton, Trevor Tim, Cathy Zeiger, Brett Moller, Matt Tickner, Brett Olds, Rhonda Coghlan and Kristy Vallely.

The former paramedic also matched Labor’s $87.5m towards the Cairns Water Security Project on Thursday.

Last week Ms Green and Mr Smith spruiked Labor’s delivery of community batteries, including one in Cairns North as well as the government’s $15.9m investment, first budgeted in 2022, towards climate change initiatives in Torres Strait.

On Friday, Mr Smith pledged $4.1m towards the upgrade of Endeavour Park which was matched by Mr Neal.

FORMER ORIGIN STAR ENTERS LEICHHARDT RACE

Greg Dowling leaves the field with a bloodied face during Game II of the 1991 State of Origin against New South Wales.

Meanwhile, former Brisbane Bronco Greg Dowling has confirmed that he will run for Clive Palmer’s Trumpet of Patriots in the seat of Leichhardt.

“I feel as though I can do something for the area,” the former Northern Pride CEO said.

“We’re lacking in infrastructure in the region. It needs a big overhaul and I know what a team game’s all about.”

Clive Palmer in Townsville endorsing his Clive Palmer's United Australia Party candidates. Candidate for Townsville Greg Dowling in 2020. Picture: Alix Sweeney

After having contestedmultiple elections while living in Townsville, Mr Dowling said he returned to Far North last year, where he now resides in Bayview Heights.

“I’ve run a few times for things while I was in Townsville. I tell you, I should have (run for mayor) last time because I would have got it.”

Greg Dowling recruited former NRL star Todd Carney to the Northern Pride in 2018. Picture: Brendan Radke

Suspended Townsville mayor Troy Thompson won the election in 2024. He is currently serving a suspension after it was revealed that he misled voters about his military history.

Mr Dowling, who played 11 games for Queensland before retiring in 1991, quit the Pride in 2018 following a turbulent period that included the recruitment of NRL bad boy Todd Carney.

The federal election will be held on May 3.

Originally published as Federal election 2025: Labor claims Cairns Regional Council had ‘secret list’ for LNP