LNP launches major push to win Hinchinbrook with stream of minister visits

The LNP has deployed ministers and private jets in an unprecedented campaign blitz to end five years of Katter dominance in a coastal seat they may struggle to win.

LNP candidate for Hinchinbrook Wayde Chiesa and Housing Minister Sam O'Connor. Picture: Nikita McGuire

State government ministers have been racking up their frequent flyer points in a bid to nearly-a-decade of Katter’s Australian Party dominance in the coastal North Queensland seat of Hinchinbrook.

In the six weeks since the governing party announced Ingham-born businessman and radio caller Wayde Chiesa as their candidate, cabinet ministers have visited North Queensland 17 times – averaging about three visits a week.

That compares to just nine visits in the six weeks prior to Mr Chiesa’s campaign starting, almost doubling the number of visits in the same span of time.

The Townsville Bulletin understands the government’s private jet has even been used on at least one occasion to ferry a minister in from down south.

A government spokesman said the Minister’s diaries would “categorically disprove this scare campaign launched by the Labor Party”.

“ … But to be clear, you bet we are showing up and fighting for North Queensland like we have all year, and we are going to keep doing it,” he said.

“This is an important moment for North Queensland where a vote for Labor or Labor’s Katter candidate Mark Molachino risks opening the door to Labor’s weak crime laws in regional Queensland.”

The Townsville Bulletin has not discussed this story with the Labor Party.

Hinchinbrook state by-election candidate Wayde Chiesa-LNP, at the Deeragun pre-poll voting booth. Picture: Shae Beplate.

James Cook Univerity political analyst Professor Liam Moore said it wasn’t uncommon for the governing party to significantly ramp up their presence during a by-election.

“As opposed to a regular state election, there is no caretaker period for the state government before a by-election,” Professor Moore said.

“So these Ministers would ostensibly be fitting these trips in around their ongoing role in Government.

“It is not unusual for Australia though, we see similar things in other by-elections, such as the recent election in Kiama, NSW.”

That election resulted in a win for the NSW state government - after a swing to Labor and the Liberal party away from disagraced independent, former Liberal party member Gareth Ward.

However, a win for the LNP in Queensland in Hinchinbrook is likely to be much harder, although Premier David Crisafulli has made no secret of the fact he wants to see his former hometown brought back into the fold.

However, he has acknowledged a victory would be difficult.

“I’m under no illusions how big a task this will be but I hope the people of Hinchinbrook see in who we have chosen that we are going to give this a shot and we are giving the best opportunity to vote for someone who can make a really good contribution,” Mr Crisafulli said.

Former Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto held the seat with a 13.2 per-cent margin.

Mr Dametto has said he would vote for Mr Molachino in the by-election.

LNP candidate for Hinchinbrook Wayde Chiesa at Port Hinchinbrook. Picture: Cameron Bates

Mr Molachino, like Mr Crisafulli and Mr Chiesa, is an Ingham-born local, but has faced persistent criticism from the LNP because of his past ties to the Labor party - particularly during his time as Deputy Mayor and a Townsville City Councillor in ‘Team Jenny Hill’.

On several occasions, cabinet ministers attending to business in Townsville have appeared alongside Mr Chiesa in order to air accusations that Mr Molachino is hiding allegiances to Labor.

Mr Molachino has steadfastly denied the claims and says he left the Labor party after growing frustrated with what he perceived was a lack of commitment and consideration to the regions.

Professor Moore said even if the LNP weren’t able to secure a swing big enough to claim the seat, they would be looking to make a strong showing the first test of their electoral appeal since they wrestled government from Labor last year.

“It is clear from the stream of visits from the Premier and his Ministers that the LNP sees this as an importanT test of their Government just over a year since the state election. Even though the seat was formerly held by the KAP, there is a sense this is still a test of the Premier’s and the Government’s popularity,” Professor Moore said.

“While this may have been to some degree unavoidable, due to the Premier’s hometown being in the Hinchinbrook electorate, it is now clear that the LNP’s investment of time and resources into the by-election mean it has now become critical for them to have a strong result.”

While Mr Chiesa has been present for several big-ticket announcements - including a $10 million investment into planning for the North Shore intersection and the government’s successful bid to secure an international Rugby League game for Townsville - he’s stopped short of describing policy like his support of “Breach Bail, Go to Jail” law changes, as campaign pledges.

He’s also outlined several other measures as local priorities - including increasing CCTV presence in Ingham and upgrading local amenities as well as supporting the government’s plans to upgrade the Bruce Highway and redevelop the Port of Hinchinbrook.

Originally published as LNP launches major push to win Hinchinbrook with stream of minister visits