State election: Barron River run and won with LNP’s Bree James edging out Labor incumbent Craig Crawford
The fight for the Far North’s bellwether seat is over with the LNP’s Bree James claiming Barron River in a see-sawing contest that ultimately proved crucial to the Coalition forming government at this state election.
Cairns
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cairns. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The fight for the Far North’s bellwether seat is over with the LNP’s Bree James claiming Barron River in a see-sawing contest that ultimately proved crucial to the Coalition forming government at this state election.
Elected in 2015, Labor’s Craig Crawford had proven a formidable opponent, serving as a minister under former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk before returning to the back bench in 2023.
But after being preselected more than a year ago, Ms James said she went to work mobilising an army of volunteers within her community.
“I put a lot of pressure on myself,” she said.
“I’m a bit of an overachiever, I’ve been in small business my whole life, so for me, I’ve always wanted to do the best I could which was 388 days ago.
“Whether or not it was a bellwether or not didn’t matter to me. I still wanted to earn everyone’s votes, I didn’t expect it.”
The high stakes has led to both candidates delivering stinging criticisms of each other at times, including Mr Crawford calling on his rival to resign after she posted a picture of a campaign banner defaced to resemble Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler.
In the post, a plug for a German festival event, was accompanied with the comment: “Even my banner is getting in the spirit and celebrating my German heritage”.
Ms James later apologised for the post.
“Last Friday night I was pretty much ready to write myself off,” Mr Crawford said.
“But after Bree’s (social media) post (last Saturday) and as the abortion issue emerged, by Monday it felt as if the ground had shifted underneath us.”
With the muggy wet season approaching, Mr Crawford said door knocking had proven more challenging than in the past.
“It’s definitely been hotter and that’s a real drain on your body and I’m also four years older,” he said.
“I’ve had volunteers go down at polling booths with heat stress. It’s been the most interesting campaign that I’ve seen yet with sudden twists and turn.”
After drawing praise from the LNP’s top brass for her strong campaign, Ms James maintained her pace towards election day.
“It’s been a really big couple of weeks on pre-poll,” she said.
“I think it’s 100 hours of pre-poll and 10 hours of polling today and I was there for 102 of those hours.
“I fought hard for every single vote and I’m feeling relieved that the campaign has come to an end.”
While robust debate over key issues, including the Barron River Bridge, Kuranda Range Road and the future of Taylor Point drew plenty of attention, the election ultimately came down to two issues, Ms James said.
“Crime is the biggest thing,” she said. “I had people today that had been broken into last night which is just atrocious.
“Housing would be the second thing with a 0.7 per cent rental vacancy.”
Originally published as State election: Barron River run and won with LNP’s Bree James edging out Labor incumbent Craig Crawford
Kuranda Range closed following serious crash
The Kuranda Range is closed this morning following a crash.
How votes are tracking across Far North Qld
A bellwether seat appears destined to return to the Coalition this state election but the party’s hopes of a Far North Labor wipeout seem less likely with three candidates still in the fight to retain their seats. FOLLOW LIVE.