Cook MP Cynthia Lui cops backlash over ‘mobile’ visit to Mareeba

State MP for Cook Cynthia Lui is staging a three-hour ‘mobile office’ in Mareeba today but locals are unimpressed with the Cairns-based politician’s efforts.

A FLYER posted on social media advising State MP for Cook Cynthia Lui would be in Mareeba for three hours on Tuesday copped a massive community backlash.

The flyer said Ms Lui would hold a ‘Mareeba mobile office’ from noon to 3pm at Mareeba IGA.

The response was so vitriolic that the social media site administrator was forced to shut down comments.

Ken Harley, who is advocating for a new highway between Mareeba and Cairns, said it was pointless talking to Ms Lui because he had raised the issue with her, as well as funding for PCYC, but he said two weeks later Ms Lui said she had never met Mr Harley and did not know anything about the highway proposal.

Locals called Ms Lui ‘the invisible woman’ and sarcastically commented it was generous of Ms Lui, who has a base in Cairns, to spend three hours in her own electorate.

State MP for Cook Cynthia Lui has copped criticism from Mareeba locals who say she has overlooked them in favour of a focus on Cape York communities. Picture David Clark

“Cynthia who? What does she do again,” commented Brendan Keeling.

Several people suggested if Ms Lui was out the front of Mareeba IGA she would witness first-hand crime and anti-social behaviour in the town.

“If the sitting member for this electorate came out more often, instead of hiding away in Cairns, people might be more (favourably) disposed to her – she should be taking an active part in this community and standing up for what is so sorely needed in the community,” Steffany Fenton said.

Mareeba residents want Ms Lui to take decisive action on issues including youth crime.

Mareeba resident Barry Simpson, who has been lobbying for practical solutions to youth crime such as an independently-run drop in centre, said prolonged problems went unanswered.

Ms Lui said she spent a lot of time in Mareeba.

“The most important part of my job as the local state member is to be out speaking with and importantly listening to my community,” she said.

“I spend a lot of time in Mareeba working with the community on a range of issues.

“I work hard to get out to the many different communities in my electorate to hear views from constituents first hand - mobile offices are one part of how I get out and about in the community.”

Ms Lui was first elected in 2017 and won a second term at the November 2020 state election.

Once a very safe Labor seat, Cook has become more marginal over the last decade.

Cook is one of four geographically large electorates that is allowed to be under the state enrolment quota.

It is the state’s fourth largest electorate, covering a land area of 196,836sq km.

Originally published as Cook MP Cynthia Lui cops backlash over ‘mobile’ visit to Mareeba