Herbert candidates Edwina Andrew back NQ campaigns as Peter Dutton, Anthony Albanese absent from Townsville

With just three weeks to go before the Federal Election, key big ticket items for the future of Townsville have failed to secure financial backing from the candidates in NQ and major party leaders have been noticeably absent from the region.

Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have been absent from NQ.

With just three weeks to go before the Federal Election, key big ticket items for the future of Townsville have failed to secure financial backing from the candidates in North Queensland and major party leaders have been noticeably absent from the region.

Neither Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who was in Cairns last week, or Opposition Leader Peter Dutton have visited Townsville during the election campaign.

The last time the pair were spotted in the North was during and after the February floods.

Both Labor and Liberal candidates for Herbert are running smaller, community-focused campaigns, but chief executive of Townsville Enterprise Claudia Brumme-Smith said whichever government took power would need to invest in regions like Townsville, where there would be return on industry investments in biofuels, energy and manufacturing.

“Townsville and North Queensland is the economic powerhouse which will support any and all levels of Government, no matter their persuasion once elected in May, so it’s disappointing that key party leaders are yet to visit the region to recognise and reward this contribution,” she said.

“The new federal government will need to focus on defence, critical minerals, manufacturing, energy generation, fuel security through SAF and biofuels, and the answers always leads back to North Queensland. We urge both candidates to visit Townsville North Queensland and commit to projects that will secure the future of Australia.”

Herbert MP Phillip Thompson backed his “grassroots” campaign for Townsville’s sporting and community clubs, rejecting any notion that complacency was creeping in.

“My job is to work for the people and that’s what in will continue to do,” he said.

“There is no complacency at all. I’m not focused on who’s running in the election.”

Federal Member for Herbert, Phillip Thompson with Jubilee Bowls Club deputy chair Gary Hicking and secretary Glenda Mann. Picture: Evan Morgan

So far, he has committed $1.035m for groups including Townsville Touch Football and TheatreiNQ, as well as $2.2m for upgrades to the changerooms at Townsville and District Rugby Club, and a $150,000 package for CCTV and safety upgrades to ten different volunteer groups.

“Sporting clubs and community groups are the backbone of our region and I’m really proud to be supporting so many of them through recent election commitments,” Mr Thompson said.

In fact, Mr Thompson said he was “disgusted” with the Labor and the council’s politicisation of key projects for North Queensland like the concert hall, adding it was “at the cost of our community.”

When it came to the Townsville Waterfront Upgrade, he said the community has been “very vocal to me about their outrage that $6.9m was being wasted on a pedestrian bridge between Flinders Street East and Ross Creek.”

But despite his feelings about the big ticket items on the wishlist of North Queensland leaders, Mr Thompson backed his position.

He said historically, Herbert had been a “bellwether” seat.

Herbert MP Phillip Thompson, Labor Senator Nita Green and Labor candidate for Herbert Edwina Andrew.

“It was only two elections ago that it was the most marginal federal seat in Australia, so it is certainly not a “safe seat”,” Mr Thompson said.

“I work hard to listen, act and deliver because voters should always be respected and our community fought for.”

Mr Thompson would be drawn into debate about Mr Dutton visiting the region, but did say: “watch this space”.

“Peter Dutton is a great friend of Townsville and has been here many times over the years.

Pictured is the electorate of Aston candidate Manny Cicchiello, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton Development and Senator Jonno Duniam Shadow Minister for the Environment Fisheries and Forestry as they a visited a new homes building site in the suburb of Wantirna in the Aston electorate outside Melbourne in Victoria. Picture: Richard Dobson / Newswire

“I work hard to be Townsville’s voice in Canberra and ensure our region is never forgotten or left behind, as we saw with the recent disaster payments that excluded so many impacted people in our region.

“I worked with the community to fight for fair and equitable funding that mirrored Labor’s blanket coverage in the southeast. The fact we were able to secure a much better deal for the people of North Queensland shows that we are important and our collective voice matters.”

Labor’s Herbert candidate Edwina Andrew said her number one focus was addressing the cost of living, and the impact that nationwide policies on Medicare, energy bill relief and cheaper childcare to make an impact in Townsville.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the campaign trail In QLD. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visits the Barron River Bridge north west of Cairns near Kuranda, joined by Senator for Queensland Nita Green and Labor candidate for Leichhardt Matt Smith, to announce a $245 million commitment from a re-elected Labor Government towards a new bridge on the Kennedy Highway a main link for Far North Queensland. Picture: Jason Edwards / NewsWire

“I’ve spoken to thousands of people in Herbert about Labor’s commitments to things like energy bill relief, cheaper childcare, cheaper medicines and strengthening Medicare so everyone can see a doctor for free,” she said.

Ms Andrew said Labor has “never taken Townsville for granted”, and recognised the city as Australia’s biggest garrison city.

“That is why the Albanese Government has invested millions of dollars in upgrades at Lavarack Barracks and RAAF Base Townsville and why we continue to back projects like these in the city,” she said.

“I will always advocate for what the people of Townsville need now and into the future.”

There is no word on whether or not Mr Albanese will stop by Townsville before May 3.

Mr Albanese and Mr Dutton’s offices were contacted for comment.

Originally published as Herbert candidates Edwina Andrew back NQ campaigns as Peter Dutton, Anthony Albanese absent from Townsville