David Crisafulli hits back at claims he’s scared to return to Townsville

David Crisafulli has held back tears as he hit back at Government claims he was afraid of returning to his former hometown during this week’s sitting of regional parliament in Townsville.

DAVID Crisafulli has held back tears as he hit back at Government claims he was scared to return to his former hometown of Townsville during this week’s sitting of regional parliament.

The LNP member for Broadwater — who previously represented the electorate of Mundingburra before he was booted out of office in the 2015 election — grew emotional as he addressed the chamber today.

He said he had left the Townsville community with his “head held high” and would be willing to a “cop a blast for losing every day”.

“But what I won’t cop is the Tourism Minister (Kates Jones) coming in here and saying that I am scared to see friends and family,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“I’ll tell you about scared.

“I had coffee with my mother in-law this morning and her beautiful little street in Heatley has gone to the pack. The police are there every second day.

“I’ll tell you about scared. My gym partner whose property value isn’t worth what it was seven years ago when he bought the house.”

The now-Gold Coast based MP said losing his Mundingburra seat in the 2015 election — when Labor was unexpectedly swept to power — gave him the greatest lesson in his life.

“I was a young man in a hurry and I needed a lesson and I received it,” he said.

“On the 1st of February, I had to wake up and tell my family I couldn’t provide for them and it was a great lesson.

“I am delighted that parliament is back here, because this city did so much for me.”

Originally published as David Crisafulli hits back at claims he’s scared to return to Townsville