Leichhardt shapes up to be an election make or break
Australians will head to the polls on May 3, with the Far North to host one of the countries make or break contests.
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Australians will head to the polls on May 3, with the Far North to host one of the countries make or break contests.
Leichhardt is one of two seats in Cairns and includes communities north of Mount Sheridan through to the Cape and west to the Gulf.
For 26 of the last 29 years the federal seat has been held by LNP backbencher Warren Entsch who retained the marginal seat in 2022 with a 3.4 per cent margin.
But with Mr Entsch set to retire, Labor candidate and former professional basketballer Matt Smith, is in with a chance.
Mr Smith said he would listen and deliver.
“When I was nominated … all of the advocacy bodies said Cairns Water Security was the number one priority for this region. We have delivered,” Mr Smith said.
“In the 10 months since I’ve been a candidate, we have put over $500 million. That’s half a billion dollars of investment into the Far North. That’s me just as a candidate. Imagine what I can do with three years.”
Paramedic and LNP candidate Jeremy Neal offered a more immediate vision for the region — focused on cost of living relief.
“Over the last three years, I’ve seen how our living standard has drastically reduced across the Far North,” Mr Neal said.
“We’ve (regional Australia) been forgotten by Albanese despite us producing all of Australia’s raw materials, most of our nation’s food, and being caretakers for the most sensitive environmental areas.
“The regions are my home and I’ll be fighting to make sure we get our fair share.”
Taking in roughly a third of Queensland, Kennedy includes southern suburbs of Cairns such as Bentley Park, Edmonton and Gordonvale.
Bob Katter has held the electorate since 1993 and is one of only seven members to represent the seat since federation.
Former Police Sergeant and LNP candidate Annette Swaine will take on the Far North Icon, but with a margin of 13.4 per cent Mr Katter is expected to hold the seat comfortably.
Cairns Regional Council Mayor Amy Eden said she hoped to see an election commitment for housing.
“At the heart of our advocacy is a clear message: Cairns needs federal funding and forward commitments that reflect the scale of the challenges we face — particularly when it comes to housing and cost-of-living pressures,” Ms Eden said.
“Many in our community are doing it tough. Escalating rents, rising mortgage costs, and economic uncertainty are leaving families unable to plan for the future. A major contributing factor is a lack of housing supply.
“Unlocking the potential for 18,500 new homes in the Mount Peter Southern Corridor is one of the most significant solutions on the table — but Council cannot do this alone.
“ Critical trunk infrastructure must be delivered first, and that requires coordinated investment from State and Federal governments.”
Advance Cairns chief executive Jacinta Reddan called for investment in the region’s universities to strengthen skill shortages.
“We also want to see the additional $27.5m towards the CQUniversity CBD campus supported by both major parties as this expansion is essential for training critical allied health professionals such as nurses and physiotherapists,” Ms Reddan said.
“A healthcare system that offers access to medical practitioners and allied health professions is vital and we know that those trained region tend to stay in region.”
Originally published as Leichhardt shapes up to be an election make or break
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