CEO Column - November

15th November 2017

A word from Townsville Enterprise CEO, Patricia O’Callaghan...

Elections can be confusing at the best of times, but the first week of this year’s State Election has to go down in the history books as one of the most bewildering.

It started out fairly standard, with the major parties travelling to Townsville early in the week announcing a number of projects and policies. However it took a turn last Friday that none of us were expecting.

The Premier’s announcement to veto State support for a Federal Government loan to Adani’s Carmichael Rail Project is not supported by Townsville Enterprise. This decision is putting thousands of jobs for regional Queensland in jeopardy and has left our community in limbo once more. This is the largest job generating infrastructure project in Australia’s recent history, and bipartisan support is imperative.

The key commitments of reducing the cost of power and securing a sustainable water supply lead our election priorities, but let’s not forget about the rest. We all have a strong vision for the region and that’s certainly not about just getting the basics right.

It shouldn’t be a matter of either or, it’s about and. Tourism infrastructure, leveraging defence industries and an efficient rail line from the North West Minerals Province to Townsville lead our election package, in addition to urgent energy and water reform.

We want to hear a lot more from every party about what their plans are for Townsville North Queensland and how they can ensure our city and region will prosper. This is why we have extended invitations to the leaders from Labor, LNP, One Nation and KAP to take part in a Leaders Debate prior to the November 25 Election.

This election has the power to set our region’s direction for the next 150 years. Townsville North Queensland needs to stand its ground, and not shy away from holding political parties accountable for assisting our immediate and long-term future - a future that is too precious to be a by-product of party politics. Let’s back ourselves, stand stronger as one and be a loud voice during this State Election.

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