Federal Budget: Far North left high and dry with key priorities ignored

The Far North’s capable business and political leaders put forward a compelling case for funds to diversify the region’s economy ahead of the federal budget – and it all but fell on deaf ears.

THE Far North has been comprehensively snubbed in the federal budget with no funding for water security or key projects including $50m wanted for a CQ University campus for which peak bodies including Advance Cairns pushed hard.

One specific initiative in Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s fourth budget was the announcement of 80 Commonwealth supported regional medical school places – for which JCU can tender.

Federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg. Picture: Brendan Radke

National Pharmacy Guild president Trent Twomey hailed it as a flagship announcement for Cairns.

“That means JCU would not only offer dentistry, pharmacy and nursing, but first to six year medicine, and that is exactly what Advance Cairns asked for, and (Federal MP for Leichhardt) Warren Entsch has delivered,” he said.

Advance Cairns chairman Nick Trompf said getting medical students to JCU Cairns was key for the future of a JCU University Hospital.

“Certainly our big ticket items were not addressed, significant projects, but we will be doubling down seeking commitments between now and the election – all is not lost,” he said.

The Coalition government, seeking a fourth term with pundits tipping a May 14 election, may believe that incumbent Warren Entsch is so entrenched that no sweeteners were necessary – or there may be campaign trail sweeteners on the horizon.

Federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch. Picture: Brendan Radke

Mr Entsch was not available for comment following the budget.

Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter labelled the budget ‘boring’ but noted there was $63m to attract backpackers.

Advance Cairns made a compelling case for a more diversified, less tourism reliant economy and sought commitments on defence, roads, health, education, and water security.

Its main ask was for the federal government to upgrade facilities at Cairns Port.

The organisation’s biggest request was $300m-$400m to fund a common user facility.

Last November, Labor made an election commitment to fund a $50m CQ University campus which would be capable of hosting 4,000-plus students by 2030 – a big ticket item conspicuously absent from the budget.

Advance Cairns chairman Nick Trompf says the group will be doubling down seeking commitments between now and the election

But Far Northerners will benefit from broader initiatives to address the rising cost of living.

Shelter Housing Action Cairns (SHAC) executive officer Sally Watson was sceptical of one-off cash payments of $250 for pensioners, welfare recipients and concession card holders.

“It is difficult to see how a one off payment of this magnitude is going to make any difference … the amount offered will do little to address rising housing costs and the timing is questionable,” she said.

CALL FOR SUPPORT WITH COSTS

BUSINESSWOMAN Karly Maymuru wanted to see initiatives to support small business and tourism in the federal budget.

Ms Maymuru, who is opening giftware store Saski and Storm on Aplin St this week, said many Far Northerners had lost work during the pandemic and diversification was needed.

Karly Maymuru is busy setting up her first business, a homewares store on Aplin Street called Saski & Storm. She would like to see some government incentives that would make it easier for small business to operate and less red tape in this year's federal budget. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Support for small business, help with rents – it’s really, really hard to get into business and there’s still vaccine mandates,” Ms Maymuru said.

“It is an unpredictable environment, it is risky going into business, but we are going to take the risk.

“Small business has copped it really hard, some incentives to help maintain a business and access to funding would be good.”

Ms Maymuru said the cost of fuel – unleaded was 211.9 cents on Tuesday – was prohibitive to transport goods.

Fuel tax dropped from 44 cents a litre to 22 cents from midnight.

“The cost of fuel makes you really stop and think about what you are doing, you’ve got to be quite strategic,” she said.

Originally published as Federal Budget: Far North left high and dry with key priorities ignored