Anthony Albanese visits Gold Coast to launch Labor’s Fadden by-election campaign
The Prime Minister has made a whirlwind trip to the Gold Coast to launch Labor’s Fadden by-election campaign, but the reception wasn’t all nice on one crucial issue.
QLD News
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has shrugged off protesters and posed for selfies with teenage surfers during a visit to the Gold Coast.
The PM was on the Glitter Strip on Tuesday to help launch Labor’s campaign for the upcoming Fadden by-election.
He also met with Coast Mayor Tom Tate and business and tourism leaders over afternoon tea at the hip Burleigh Pavilion at Burleigh Heads.
Mr Albanese was confronted by a couple of placard-waving anti-light rail protesters but was quickly whisked inside the beachfront building by his security detail.
Cr Tate later told media that he and other city leaders had pitched the case for federal funding for the fourth and final stage of the light-rail project from Burleigh Heads to Gold Coast Airport at Coolangatta.
A $10m business case for the estimated $2.7b project is being finalised but there are fears it might not be built in time for the 2032 Olympics amid a Federal Government review of Australia’s $120b infrastructure pipeline.
Cr Tate said city leaders had pressed the importance of the tram extension to Mr Albanese, who – as Transport Minister in the Gillard Government – helped approve funding to get the light-rail system off the ground in 2011.
The mayor said he felt more confident about the project’s future after meeting with the PM.
“He was here to listen,” he said.
“The No.1 priority is our light-rail to the airport and Coolangatta and the Prime Minister can see and appreciate why we’re so passionate about it.
“He can see that Stage 3 (from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads) is already happening and in 12 months it’s set in stone.
“Therefore we want the light-rail to be well ahead of the Olympics. Matter of fact, I said we should have it well in advance of 2030.”
Mr Albanese is also launching the campaign for Labor’s Fadden by-election candidate, Letitia Del Fabbro.
The July 15 by-election has been sparked by the resignation of controversial former Morrison Government minister Stuart Robert.
The LNP holds the seat by a margin of more than 10 per cent and Mr Albanese has conceded Labor is “long odds” to win.
The PM posed for a quick selfie with teenage surfers after leaving the Burleigh Pavilion.
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Originally published as Anthony Albanese visits Gold Coast to launch Labor’s Fadden by-election campaign
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