David vs David: Premier’s regional spending stoush

Tensions within the LNP have emerged as a Far North MP called out premier David Crisafulli for a forecast lack of spending across regional Qld in the lead up to the 2032 Games.

Cook MP David Kempton and Premier David Crisafulli.

Tensions within the LNP have emerged with Member for Cook David Kempton calling out the premier for a forecast lack of spending across regional Queensland in the lead up to the 2032 Games.

At a recent Mareeba Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Mr Kempton said his electorate would “struggle” for funding with the $10bn Olympics set to “suck out so many resources” for regional electorates.

While in Cairns premier David Crisafulli disputed the MPs takedown of the LNP budget, highlighting the $7.2bn deal with the federal government to upgrade the Bruce Highway in January.

“I’ve spoken to David, and … I disagree with him,” Mr Crisafulli said.

Tensions within the LNP have emerged with Member for Cook David Kempton calling out the premier for a forecast lack of spending across regional Queensland . Picture: Samuel Davis

“Within three months, I managed to sign a deal with the federal government to finally get them to pay their fair share.

“We’ve now got a plan where we’ve put politics aside, got the best and brightest to plan it, and there’s over a dozen projects that are rolling out at the moment.”

But Opposition spokesman for transport Bart Mellish said deep cuts to infrastructure projects in the Far North would hurt the region for years to come.

“We see timeframes pushed out, and we see funding allocations stripped from the budget, particularly in Far North Queensland,” Mr Mellish said.

Labor shadow transport minister Bart Mellish and Cairns MP Michael Healy at Cairns Western Arterial Rd.

“Projects like road projects across the Cairns region, they’re being put on the back burner for David Crisafulli and his Olympics down in Brisbane.”

Member for Cairns Michael Healy said a lack of certainty around key projects, including upgrades to the Western Arterial Rd, Kuranda Range Rd and a new surgical ward for Cairns hospital were disappointing.

“You’ve just have to look and see where we invested in the past, we invested in our hospital, we have invested significantly in our roads, the southern access,” Mr Healy said.

“I believe that David Crisafulli has told his regional MPs that there is very little in the coffers … because they have to pay for the Olympics.

“We are sick and tired of seeing our money go down south to invest in their infrastructure.”

Mr Crisafulli insisted that he would stick up for regional electorates.

“Queensland’s waited a couple of generations for a government that understands that this state is bigger than Brisbane,” he said.

“And I can assure you that I’ll keep making sure that we’re recieving Queensland’s fair share.”

Originally published as David vs David: Premier’s regional spending stoush