‘Not sustainable’: Copper announces Cook candidacy, calls out lack of critical infrastructure in Cape York

Improving Cape York’s crumbling road network will drive the cost of essential services down and reduce reliance on freight being delivered by sky and sea, the newest KAP candidate says.

Former police officer Duane Amos has announced he'll run for Katter's Australia Party for the electorate of Cook in this year's state election. Picture: Samuel Davis

Improving Cape York’s crumbling road network will drive the cost of essential services down and reduce the region’s reliance on freight being delivered by planes and barges, Katter’s Australia Party (KAP) says.

The minor party unveiled its candidate for Cook on Friday with high profile police officer Duane Amos set to challenge the LNP’s David Kempton and Labor incumbent Cynthia Lui at the October election.

Senior Sergeant Duane Amos has worked throughout Cape York during his police career. In 2020, Mr Amos served as the Director General’s Senior Officer, leading the Community Recovery Response in Cairns and Aurukun. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Mr Amos, whose policing career has seen him work in remote communities including Aurukun, Weipa and Kowanyama, said funding to flood proof the Peninsula Development Road would ease pressure on families across the region.

“If you can spend $30m on an overpass for cassowaries to cross south of Innisfail, why can’t you spend $30m on securing bridges in the (Cape York) network?” Mr Amos said.

“That drops the price of freight and cost of living for the people who have to pay those costs.

“At the moment, it’s not sustainable.”

Peninsula Development Road with Mt Molloy in backdrop. Picture: TTNQ.

The state government introduced a $64m freight subsidy in an attempt to drive cost of living pressures down throughout Cape York and the Torres Strait in 2023.

But community leaders claim costs for essential items still remain too high with shipping company SeaSwift heavily relied upon during the wet season.

The former Senior Sergeant, who helped displaced residents return to country following 2020’s Aurukun riots, said better practices were needed to ease the burden on communities.

“We need to have some discussions about how we get people back home,” Mr Amos said.

“The current policy where a person has to be homeless for three months in Cairns before they can get an assisted flight home isn’t good enough.

“Three months pushes people into homelessness … and our social services network beyond what they can actually do.

“It’s devastating.”

Member for Traeger, Robbie Katter, KAP candidate for Cook, Duane Amos and Member for Hinchinbrook, Nick Dametto in Cairns on Friday, May 10, 2024. Picture: Samuel Davis

If elected, Mr Amos said his main office would be based within the electorate.

Ms Lui controversially moved her office from Mareeba to Cairns in 2019, drawing criticism from voters and Member for Kennedy Bob Katter.

“In 50 years as a member of Parliament, I have never had another member take their office out of the electorate and move it an hour-and-a-half away from their electorate,” Mr Katter said.

Mr Kempton has also committed to working out of the electorate if he wins.

Originally published as ‘Not sustainable’: Copper announces Cook candidacy, calls out lack of critical infrastructure in Cape York