Shooting ‘for change’ in the Douglas Shire
STATE ELECTION
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THE Katter Australian Party continued its active campaign throughout the Douglas Shire today as the race to the state election heats up.
Speaking from Mossman, KAP leader Bob Katter and his candidate for Cook Gordon Rasmussen have implored the Cook electorate to vote ‘for change’ on Saturday 25 November.
Their bold and visible push in the Port Douglas region is perhaps typified by a gigantic caricature on the outskirts of town depicting Rasmussen pointing a gun at a crocodile.
KAP have long stated a tougher stance on crocodiles is needed if the safety of the region’s beaches is to improve.
“I think there are a lot of issues in the Douglas Shire that we seem to be across that none of the other candidates want to talk about,” Rasmussen told Newsport.
“There are some important issues in this region, the crocodile issue being one of them, but that is broader than just the Douglas Shire.
“At the end of the day, any vote you put in for an LNP or ALP candidate in this electorate will just give you more of the same old, same old.
“It will continue to be ‘where’s Cook?'”
Rasmussen has promised to install a pedestrian crossing near the Port Douglas State School within six months if elected, and says developing ‘non-labor intensive’ industries for the region must be looked at.
“I’m here in Mossman today and there is not a soul on the main street, and it’s lunch time,” he said.
“What’s going on here.”
However, Labor candidate Cynthia Lui has made some election promises of her own should she replace outgoing independent MP Billy Gordon as the Member for Cook.
Lui says she’s listened to calls from the Douglas Shire community to improve access to the boat ramp at Newell Beach, with boaties set to benefit from $9.5 million to fund two major upgrades at Newell Beach and Yorkey’s Knob.
“This was one of the first issues that was raised with me as the candidate for Cook and I’m really pleased to be able to deliver this commitment,” Lui said.
“In addition to dredging work at the shoal adjacent to the Newell Beach boat ramp, a re-elected Palaszczuk Government will contribute $4 million to construct a new two-lane boat ramp with improved access, subject to environmental approvals being obtained.”
Lui’s Labor party has also slated an upgrade to boardwalks at Mossman Gorge and the Daintree, solar panels for Douglas Shire schools and a new 1.6 million ambulance station for Mareeba.
Just days out from the election, Rasmussan believes the ‘real power’ for the Douglas Shire region lay in having a strong cross bench.
“Neither of the major parties will have full power in their own right, so that’s when they’ll come looking for me as the Member for Cook,” he said.
“I’ll have a position of strength because they’ll need my vote (to get legislation passed). Look at what Robby Katter and Shane Knuth could get done by sitting on the cross bench for their electorates. That’s visible, tangible proof.”
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