FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GIVES LABOR WAKE UP CALL

The Queensland Party Candidate for Cairns D.J. Hunt has called on the state Labor Government to review  the location of the proposed cultural precinct in light of calls to protect vital port operating areas by the Federal government.

Mr Hunt said "The Federal government is calling on authorities to provide planning for the strategic use of ports with the predictions that port operations will triple in the next few years. The Federal government can clearly see what their state counterparts can not. And that is that the land available for direct port related activities is a finite resource that needs to be protected.”  

The calls from the Federal government to provide master plans for port operators have impacts in terms of the proposed location for the Cairns cultural precinct and should be grounds to review the proposed location.

“The claims that the proposal has been seen by the Federal minister and this somehow gives them blanket approval to proceed is nonsense. A lot of the parties involved that support the current location only do so due to the bullying and threats by the Member for Cairns that the funding will be withdrawn if it does not go where she says.” Mr Hunt said.

“Cairns MP Desley Boyle should look at the commitment from the Federal government who are supporting the project regardless of where it goes. Mayor Schier has a vision for this precinct and the benefits it will bring to our area but at least she is prepared to listen and look at the arguments. We have seen this type of bullying over and over in Queensland with Traveston dam, public asset sales and now the cultural precinct.”  He said.

Mr Hunt stated “There is a need to have enough vision for our city past the next election and make sure that we get this right. We do not want to hinder our future development and growth in terms of port operations because we did not have the courage to stand up to the threats and bullying of the state government. The solution is simple. Take away the threats and intimidation and debate the issue on its merits. I would ask this one simple question. If Desley Boyle gave a similar commitment that the Federal government has to support the precinct wherever it goes, would we put it there?”