Business leaders reflect on federal election outcome and highlight region’s priorities

Life in opposition might be a familiar for North Queenslanders, but our leaders aren’t going to let the government forget about the region. Here’s why.

Miranda Mears talks on Townsville’s future under Labor.

North Queensland business leaders are concerned that the region could be overlooked by the returning Labor government with the Herbert electorate now considered safe.

Labor’s landslide win at the polls last weekend will mean that the local MP Phillip Thompson is in opposition for at least the next three years.

Townsville Chamber of Commerce president Miranda Mears said the election result had reinforced a familiar reality for the region.

“While that does present challenges, it also strengthens our resolve. Regardless of political lines, we are committed to working with all elected representatives to champion Townsville’s priorities,” Ms Mears said.

“Townsville plays a central role in some of the nation’s most important sectors — defence, energy, health, education, logistics – and that contribution deserves to be backed with investment, infrastructure, and forward-thinking policy.

Townsville Chamber of Commerce president Miranda Mears

“Some in our business community were hoping for stronger signals from the government around broader economic reform – including action on productivity, tax, and cost-of-living pressures for small and medium businesses.”

She hoped that post-election local needs, potential, and advocacy would bring renewed attention to our region, and pledged to continue advocating fiercely at all levels for the projects and reforms that matter, including improved infrastructure, liveability, workforce capability, housing, and a fairer deal on insurance and business costs.

Townsville Enterprise chief executive Claudia Brumme-Smith. Picture: Leighton Smith.

Townsville Enterprise chief Claudia Brumme-Smith said the federal government understood that North Queensland was an economic powerhouse for Australia, held a vital strategic role in our nation’s defence, and was a gateway to trade in the Indo-Pacific region.

“While all three (local federal members) are in opposition, it’s critical that our region stays front of mind with the Albanese Government because we have precisely what the new Government needs in order to meet their and our mutual goals,” Ms Brumme-Smith said.

“North Queensland’s natural assets and the new industries we are focusing on developing are strongly aligned with the new government policies and focus areas, including, renewable energy, green manufacturing, education and skills development, and housing initiatives to build more than 100,000 new homes.”

Townsville Chamber of Commerce chief executive Heidi Turner and PVW Partners’ Managing Partner Carl Valentine attended a post-budget breakfast at The Ville. Picture: Leighton Smith.

PVW Partners’ Managing Partner Carl Valentine said Phillip Thompson has been a wonderful advocate for Townsville from opposition, and it would be “very poor form” if the region was overlooked by the re-elected government.

He said local business owners would be disappointed about the opposition failing to make a $30,000 instant asset write off a permanent feature of our tax system, and would be wary of any further regulation.

“I am concerned the re-elected Labor government does not have a strong focus on productivity, tax reform, insurance costs or other drivers of regional prosperity (or indeed national prosperity),” Mr Valentine said.

“A real concern will be short-term focused measures to generate additional tax revenues, like taxation of unrealised gains in some superannuation accounts, rather than focusing on making government expenditures more effective and productive.”

JCU adjunct professor Colin Dwyer

RWC Townsville selling principal Graeme Russell. Picture: Supplied.

James Cook University adjunct professor Colin Dwyer was looking forward to the federal and state governments working together and quickly, to improve safety and reliability on the northern Bruce Highway.

Ray White Commercial principal Graeme Russell wasn’t expecting Townsville to be getting too many handouts during Labor’s next federal term.

He wanted to see Mr Thompson focused on the “insurance rort” faced here in the north, Reef HQ rebuilt, and more funding for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

Originally published as Business leaders reflect on federal election outcome and highlight region’s priorities