Elections, cost blowouts and Katter’s: The biggest political stories of 2024 in North Queensland
A state election, cost blowouts and funding fights were some of the key political moments in Townsville for 2024.
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A state election, cost blowouts and funding fights were some of the key political moments in Townsville for 2024.
1. January 10 Townsville youth crime: $1 million for new staff in intensive, ‘slow’ repeat offender program
To kick off the year, the Labor state government announced a commitment of $1 million for a ‘slow but effective’ program for staff at Cleveland Youth Detention Centre.
Youth Justice Minister at the time Di Farmer said the program aimed to give young people and families with complex health and substance issues were given everyday support.
“You can only do four or five young people and their families (per staff member, per year). So that’s why it is very time consuming. And that’s why we need to boost this program,” the Minister said.
2. January 15 – A thousand jobs expected as CopperString kicks off
Copperstring was much discussed topic this year, with new employees starting in January for Powerlink.
The CopperString project is an 800km transmission line that would generate green energy along the rail corridor between Mount Isa to Townsville, finally connect the North West Minerals Province to the national power grid, and would develop construction jobs as well as flow onto manufacturing opportunities for the north’s capital.
In August Power Link chief executive Paul Simshauser said the project required realignment in the eastern and western areas to the line, because of different challenges, which would increase the costs to $6.2bn.
Deputy Premier Cameron Dick conceded the project’s cost increased to $6.2bn, and said the additional $1.2bn had not been accounted for in this year’s budget.
But it could be borrowed, and he committed to the project if Labor was re-elected in October, given its significance to Queensland’s economy.
3. July 4 – Haughton Pipeline costs to skyrocket to $420 million says Phillip Thompson
Whistleblowers from inside Townsville council blew the lid on the ballooning budget blowout for stage two of the Haughton Pipeline, which is now expected to cost $420m, says Federal MP Phil Thompson.
Mr Thompson’s shocking comments were made in a statement to the Federation Chamber of parliament on July 4 under parliamentary privilege.
After stage one of the project was completed in 2020, Townsville City Council said in 2021 that stage two would cost more than expected.
There was expected to be a $79m blowout, with costs increasing from $195m to $274m.
Mr Thompson said the council’s silence on the matter had been “deafening” after he wrote to Acting Mayor Paul Jacob two weeks ago asking for an urgent briefing.
In response, a Townsville City Council spokeswoman has acknowledged that it became apparent in early 2023 that the forecast costs for stage two would exceed the approved budget of $274m, comprising $195m from the state government and $79m from the council.
4. July 7 – Adult Crime Adult Time announcement
Four words had huge weight this year in the political world, with the LNP announcing their plan for Adult Crime, Adult Time in response to the outpouring of anger and frustration from Queenslanders on the youth crime crisis.
Announced on July 7 at the LNP State Convention, the major election pitch became the campaign slogan for the Opposition with the intention of changing the law if elected to ensure youth committing serious crime including murder, manslaughter, grievous bodily harm and dangerous operation and unlawful use of a motor vehicle would be sentenced as adults.
Mr Crisafulli accused the Labor government of “cuddling young criminals” for the past decade and argued it was too late for Premier Steven Miles.
The LNP policy announcement included $175 million to support young offenders in the 12 months after they are released from detention.
Adult Crime Adult Time was passed on December 12 after days of heated debates.
5. July 17 – Calls for Reef HQ funding
Herbert MP Phillip Thompson called out the Labor Government’s response to a Parliamentary question in regards to the update of the Reef HQ refurbishment, calling it a ‘kick in the guts’.
Mr Thompson said he lodged a question in writing in the House of Representatives on May 16, seeking clarity from Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek after no funding for Reef HQ was allocated in the Budget.
Mr Thompson called on the Government to be transparent and give an answer as to whether the aquarium would reopen, or if the Government intended to ‘shut down Reef HQ for good’.
He said he received a response, which he called a ‘non-answer’, with Tanya Plibersek’s office saying ‘the Australian Government continues to work with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority on next steps for the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium’.
6. July 18- Albanese visits Townsville to discuss Port, federal candidate and Reef HQ future.
Visiting the Port of Townsville on July 18 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke on the importance of the port for the city, reaffirming plans to widen and deepen the channel will make an ‘enormous difference’.
The $251 million State Government Channel Upgrade project is part of a broader $1.6 billion, 30-year expansion plan for the Port of Townsville.
While in Townsville Mr Albanese joined with recently announced Labor candidate for Herbet Edwina Andrew, saying he wants Townsville to have a Labor representative to take on incumbent Phillip Thompson.
On the future of Reef HQ Mr Albanese said he understands the aquarium is an ‘important asset for Townsville’, noting that he has been keeping up to date with Mayor Troy Thompson’s ‘bizarre’ saga.
“We’ve written to the council here. I understand the Mayor is a bit distracted at the moment,” he said.
“I have been following the rather bizarre revelations from the right wing Mayor in Townsville … I don’t know what is going on.
“There is money that is not yet fully allocated. We want the council to be able to come back to us.”
Mr Albanese announced on August 23 that the Labor Government will provide an extra $100 million to the Reef HQ project.
7. September 20 – North Queensland state: KAP wants talks at forefront of potential LNP election deal
Katter’s Australian Party revealed that a new North Queensland state will be at the forefront of any discussions if it holds the balance of power after the elections next month.
KAP Deputy Leader Nick Dametto said the party was contesting 10 targeted seats in North Queensland “that we actually want to win”.
He said he believed it would be close between Labor and LNP in southeast Queensland and it will “be a case of who wins the north runs the state”.
Mr Dametto rejected criticisms that any separate state would involve a duplication of politicians and bureaucrats.
8. September 26 – Thurston not eyeing political future
Cowboys legend Johnathan Thurston shut down the prospect he would gravitate to a political career, despite advocating for Townsville and Mount Isa youth intervention programs.
The premiership winner and future Immortal wields the type of sportstar status that political leaders would be desperate to have at their side, but denied a future in politics is on the cards.
He laughed when asked if he believed in a State of North Queensland – which is being pushed by Katters Australian Party – which hypothetically might have him as its Premier.
Mr Thurston stood alongside Premier Steven Miles on Wednesday, who announced a commitment of more than $2.65m in new funding and an annual rollout of almost $5m each year for the Johnathan Thurston Academy’s JTYouGotThis program.
9. October 6 Mundingburra LNP candidate reveals shock cancer diagnosis
The LNP candidate for Mundingburra has revealed a shock cancer diagnosis but that she remains committed to bravely contesting the state elections.
Janelle Poole, a Queensland Police Service officer who has served with distinction in Townsville, released a personnel statement confirming that she had been diagnosed with follicular Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
The cancer diagnosis comes just weeks before the October 26 election, where Ms Poole was looking to unseat Labor incumbent Les Walker at time.
But despite the health setback, Ms Poole remains determined, sharing that her treatment has already begun, and she’s ready for the fight ahead.
10. October 9 – LNP hopefuls remain tight-lipped on abortion as Crisafulli dodges questions on the issue
Pro-choice and anti-abortion advocates alike called on Opposition Leader David Crisafulli to show “real leadership” and definitively reveal if LNP MPs will be granted a conscience vote on the matter should the party take government at the election.
Mr Crisafulli, campaigning in Townsville, was asked about 39 questions on abortion -including his stance on the matter, whether LNP MPs would be given a conscience vote, and if he had spoken to his party room about the issue in recent days.
He refused to provide a definitive response and instead repeatedly said the issue was “not part of our plan”.
11. October 23 – Pre-polling shows strong numbers across Townsville electorates
As election day got closer, Townsville’s political candidates showed no signs of slowing down as they handed out how-to-vote cards and speak with voters at early voting booths across the city.
Exit polls conducted by the Townsville Bulletin on October 22 showed of 35 voters asked, 18 voted for the LNP, ten for Labor and seven for the KAP.
12. October 25 – Katter backtracks on vow to repeal abortion laws
Katter’s Australian Party leader Robbie Katter has backtracked on his vow to repeal abortion laws, saying only a Bill mandating care for a baby born alive would be introduced to parliament.
Addressing a firestorm prompted by his pledge to tinker with abortion laws in the next parliament, Mr Katter told Sky News his only plan was to reintroduce a Babies Born Alive Bill that failed earlier this year.
On October 8, Mr Katter said he would introduce laws to repeal or amend abortion laws, a revelation which has dominated the election campaign and placed enormous pressure on the LNP and David Crisafulli.
“They can be assured that there will be a repeal bill to vote on in the next parliament put forward by the KAP,” Mr Katter said at the time.
However while speaking to Sky News on October 22, Mr Katter said: “If a baby, planned abortion, comes out breathing, a heartbeat and is probably going to struggle for life – they can give it some care and dignity,” Mr Katter said.
Mr Katter told The Courier-Mail, however, “nothing has changed “ from his October 8 comment.
He said he stood by them and was now simply pledging to focus first on reintroducing his Babies Born Alive Bill.
13. October 26 – LNP claims victory across Townsville’s three seats
Reporters from the Townsville Bulletin were across the Townsville, Burdekin and Hinchinbrook electorates on election day.
The day began with keen voters making their voices heard, with ‘change’ a common theme.
As night came the party loyalist began to gather at events across Townsville, with the LNP function being held at The Ville and the Labor event being held at Jubilee Bowls Club.
Sitting MPs in Burdekin and Hinchinbrook both comfortably held onto their seats — but one still wasn’t ready to claim victory as of 10pm on election night.
Robbie Katter gave a victory speech to his supporters after calling Traeger, and he also called the seat of Hinchinbrook for his deputy Nick Dametto.
As the votes began to come in Labor MP’s Scott Stewart and Aaron Harper conceded defeat.
Townsville MP Scott Stewart was the first to concede in the seat of Townsville, with the LNP’s Adam Baillie declaring victory just after 9.30pm.
As of 9.30pm, Baillie had 37.96% of the vote ahead of Stewart on 32.65%.
Speaking at his supporters’ party at the Jubilee Bowls Club on election night, Mr Stewart said: “This has been a very long, hard fought battle as we know and unfortunately, I came second. But look what I would like to say is I really appreciate the people of Townsville.”
“My time has had come to an end, I’ve handed Adam Baillie the reigns.”
Mundingburra’s Les Walker said he got into the job “because we believe in the people we serve”.
Thuringowa’s Aaron Harper said he “had a hell of a run for a decade”.
“I have made the call to Natalie, and respectfully she ran a bloody good campaign,” Mr Harper said on Saturday night.
Over at the LNP camp there were emotions of a different kind, with Janelle Poole, Adam Baillie and Natalie Marr declaring victory in their three seats across Townsville in emotional speeches.
Incoming Townsville MP Adam Baillie said he would be a strong voice for the region.
An emotional Janelle Poole, who introduced herself as “your member for Mundingburra”, fought back tears as she thanked her family, saying it’s been a long journey.
Natalie Marr, who beat Aaron Harper for the seat of Thuringowa, thanked the support of everyone in the room.
14. October 27 – New MP’s step into new role
Still riding the high from their success on Saturday night, new Townsville MPs Natalie Marr, Adam Baillie and Janelle Poole have shared their first orders of business as they step into their roles.
Defeating Labor’s Aaron Harper in the seat of Thuringowa, Natalie Marr said on Sunday that she was ready to get straight to business and thanked the “amazing contributions” from her volunteers and supporters of her campaign.
A career police officer by trade, Janelle Poole will now sit in the seat of Mundingburra, and said Saturday night was the culmination of a “myriad of emotions”.
New Member for Townsville, electrician Adam Baillie, said he felt the community’s desire for change.
Mr Baillie said the LNP’s first order of business would be to have the Making Queensland Safer law in place before Christmas.
15. Bob Katter’s fifty years in politics: A look back
Federal MP Bob Katter denies his father was the reason he entered politics, but says rather it was his hatred for Gough Whitlam, who he believed ruined regional Australian livelihoods.
Mr Katter claims to be the last in a wave of federal parliamentarians that took an interest in politics because of Mr Whitlam, who he said reduced tariffs which increased vulnerability for the banana, sugar and cattle industries while prime minister in the 1970s.
Mr Katter has served 50 years across the Queensland and Federal parliaments, and if he wins next year’s election could potentially overtake the 52 year record set by former prime minister Billy Hughes.
Nationally Mr Katter is known for his colourful expressions and controversial moments, such as “let there be 1000 blossoms bloom” and an obsession with crocodiles.
Part bush poet, part preacher and all Australian, Bob Katter’s political stylings have left an indelible mark on not just the region he calls home, but how our country is perceived on the world stage.
From a crocodile tearing a person apart every three months in North Queensland, to producing a knife live on TV in his own Crocodile Dundee moment, Mr Katter has never been short of a headline grabbing outburst or off-colour remark during his long, fifty years of service to both the Queensland and federal parliaments.
16. December 19: Townsville hospital construction workers sacked after BPIC changes
Construction workers were sacked days before Christmas after the state government tore up a tender to upgrade Townsville University Hospital.
The Courier-Mail revealed on December 19 half-a-dozen workers from Besix Watpac’s Townsville office were notified they would be out of a job after Queensland Health withdrew from stage two of a $530m tender to expand the hospital.
Instead, the tender will be retested in the market following the recent abolition of Best Practice Industry Conditions.
Premier David Crisafulli said the tender competition would be stronger after the cost blew out by $480m.
Originally published as Elections, cost blowouts and Katter’s: The biggest political stories of 2024 in North Queensland
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