Far North MP questions whether Common User Facility meeting was cancelled in favour of LNP coffee meeting

The LNP’s “breakfast club” appears to have skipped a key meeting with Cairns industry leaders in favour of a coffee catch up with party members at an inner city cafe this week.

Member Mulgrave, Terry James and Member for Barron River, Bree James, have hosted an LNP gathering at a cafe in Cairns' CBD. Mr and Ms James cancelled a meeting with proponents of the Common User Facility in Cairns on the same morning. Picture: Facebook

The LNP’s “breakfast club” appears to have skipped a key meeting with Cairns industry leaders in favour of a coffee catch up with party members at an inner city cafe this week.

But the party says a tour of a proposed site was pushed back to allow more time to discuss the major project which has been plagued by delays and forecast cost blowouts.

Far North MPs Bree James and Terry James were scheduled to meet with maritime businesses on Tuesday to discuss the future of the long-awaited Common User Facility.

The sector, along with business advocacy groups have campaigned hard for the project, estimated to cost more than $400m, which it believes can be a major wealth generator for the region.

The early morning meeting was cancelled late on Friday afternoon with the party failing to provide attendees with a reason.

Member for Cairns Michael Healy has asked why Far North MPs Bree James (pictured) and Terry James cancelled a meeting with Cairns business leaders this week. Picture: Liam Kidston

On Tuesday, Ms James posted on her Facebook page a photo of her and the Member for Mulgrave posing with party staffers along with former candidate for Leichhardt Jeremy Neal at the Chambers coffee shop.

“Team power at the LNP Party Breakfast this morning at The Chambers in Cairns,” Ms James posted.

“Every Member is only as good as the team behind them, and I’m incredibly fortunate to work alongside such dedicated professionals in my electorate office.

“These breakfast gatherings remind us that effective representation is truly a team sport.”

A party spokeswoman said the cafe sit down started at 8am while the abandoned meeting with maritime leaders was set to start at 8.30am.

Treasurer David Janetzki also attended the gathering with the party faithful.

But snubbed business leaders had reason to question why the meeting was called off, Member for Cairns Michael Healy said.

“This is about priorities,” Mr Healy said.

“The fact that you would prioritise this over the builders of our economy is concerning.

“These are significant contributors to our economy seeking clarification of what this government’s view is of the Common User Facility.

“And yet it looks like they’ve ducked off to the breakfast club. The priority should be your electorate not complying with a minister or internal party members.”

In a statement, Ms James said the meeting had been shifted to later in the week to allow more time with stakeholders.

“The meeting is very important and deserves adequate time to meet with stakeholders,” she said.

“The meeting was moved to Friday to enable more time (with industry leaders).”

Queensland Treasurer David Jantezki, Minister for Finance Ros Bates and Assistant Tourism Minister Bree James speak on a panel at the Chamber of Commerce members lunch, held at the Cairns Convention Centre on Tuesday. Picture: Brendan Radke

Mr Janetzki dismissed concerns that Cairns’ maritime sector had been disregarded at a press conference on Tuesday.

“These guys (Mr James and Ms James) are going to be meeting with them in due course,” he said.

“What I’m focused on is making sure the right outcome is delivered for the Far North to invest into those industries.”

Following a catch up with Ports North at a Cairns business budget lunch on Tuesday Mr Janetzki said: “I will continue to work with shareholding ministers... as the review of the project continues.”

It is unclear whether Treasurer David Jantezki joined the Member for Mulgrave, Terry James and Member for Barron River, Bree James for a coffee on Tuesday morning. Picture: Brendan Radke

Proponents have said the critical marine infrastructure could steer Cairns’ economy out of troubled waters, create more than 1000 jobs and develop new markets for the Far North’s maritime sector.

Under the current proposal the CUF would include a 5000-tonne shiplift in Portsmith.

Originally published as Far North MP questions whether Common User Facility meeting was cancelled in favour of LNP coffee meeting