But the region had other plans for the recently appointed Member for Barron River.

“Cairns stole my heart,” she said with a smile.

“In my teenage years, I decided I wanted to live near the Great Barrier Reef and I’ve been here ever since.”

Having been raised on a single mother’s pension, Ms James said her strong work ethic was forged from an early age.

“Life was always about needs, not wants,” she said.

At just 10 years old, her small business ventures started by selling handmade artwork and Avon to her teachers and neighbours.

“It taught me respect for money and the value of working hard for your goals,” Ms James said.

Ms James said the money she made helped her throw a surprise 40th birthday party for her mother, a gesture she believes instilled a deep sense of the value of hard work, independence, and giving back.

“I realised then that helping others brought joy,” she said.

In 2007, she started a premier lifestyle and entertainment magazine, PakMag, for parents.

The publication started to support families and businesses.

“I started PakMag (because) when you are raised to earn things instead of expecting them you work hard, you work smart, and you never take things for granted,” she said.

As a small-business owner for more than two decades, her professional journey spanned several industries — most notably the music, entertainment, and media sector.

This is part of the drive which fuels her political career, as she strives to serve the people of Barron River with the same passion and commitment.

“My values mean everything to me, I have always been drawn to roles where I am making a difference,” she said.

Describing love and connection as the two pillars and a “strong driver” for motivation, Ms James said her family, friends and the community meant the world to her.

“Health is also important as without it everything else suffers so I am very strict on myself.”

It’s through her commitment to making a difference in her community which she said defines her latest role, one she takes “seriously”, as a state member of parliament.

Despite the challenging nature of the new role, Ms James said she would continue to bring a creative and adventurous energy to her work.

“Tenacious, creative, energetic and passionate,” is how the LNP member describes herself.

After taking more than a year off work to campaign with her husband, Trent, balancing full-time university, Ms James said the family were forced to live on a tight budget.

After winning the bellwether seat in October, she said her children had one pressing question for their mum, “Can we finally get a dishwasher now?”

When the family’s dishwasher broke, they decided not to replace it.

Now, Ms James said the new dishwasher would serve as a reminder to her family, of the sacrifices and hard work they made together.

“My kids are very proud,” she said.

Giving a rare glimpse inside her personal life, Ms James said she valued maintaining a balanced lifestyle — whether it’s freediving off the coast, hiking through the rainforest, or spending time with her family.

“I enjoy cooking, reading, playing music and spending time with my beautiful family and friends,” she said.

“The water is my happy place, and being out in nature, with my nearest and dearest.”

However, the hard working mum said time alone was also key for her sanity.

Now adding politician to her long list of job titles, Ms James said she doesn’t take her relationships with the community lightly.

Trust is earned by delivering on your word, she said, pointing to her door knocking efforts during her campaign as pivotal moments which deepened her connection with the people of Barron River.

“Everyone I met along the way motivated me to step up and be their advocate,” she said.

“I am only here because the people of Barron River placed their trust in me.

“I believe trust is the outcome of delivering on your word, being true to who you are, and holding yourself to standards you set.”

A deep connection to the community is not just about the work she does today; Ms James added — it’s about long-term change.

As Assistant Minister for Early Learning, she is focused on improving early education in Queensland, with an emphasis on supporting mothers returning to the workforce.

“I want to see more accessible services, like developmental checks for every child attending kindy,” she said.

“The LNP has committed $5000 in grants for women wanting to return to the workforce, this will go towards the cost of new clothes, training, and even childcare.”

Looking ahead, her goals are clear.

Professionally, she is dedicated to securing better outcomes for the region.

She’s advocating for projects such as the Smithfield Mountain Biking tracks and a new turtle rehabilitation centre on Green Island.

“I want to see upgrading to community halls to be more resilient for our community, and improving our infrastructure and roads,” she said.

Personally, her drive is a simple yet meaningful goal of continuous improvement.

“Every day, I aim to be a better person today than I was yesterday,” she said.

It’s this philosophy which also informs her leadership style and fuels her vision for the future, she said.

For Bree James, the journey from musician to politician may be an unconventional one, but she believes challenging times don’t last — “tough people do”.

“We all have tough times, it’s how we deal with them that matters,” she said.

emma.cam@news.com.au