This Saturday we are publishing our second 2022 Federal Election Scorecard update, reflecting the commitments made by political parties vying for the seat of Herbert against the project priorities identified in our 2022 Unlock the North Budget Submission, which you can access here.
Unlock the North remains an important document for our region. It is the result of long term, ongoing engagement and consultation with business, industry and government sectors across the footprints of Townsville, Burdekin, Hinchinbrook and Charters Towers councils.
Our mandate is to focus on the projects and policies that will create economic opportunity and prosperity for North Queensland into the future, typically looking 5 - 10 years ahead. It advocates for smart, strategic investments today that will make our region a stronger, healthier and more vibrant place to live, work and do business into the future.
Townsville Enterprise CEO Claudia Brumme-Smith said that it was a good start to the election campaign for North Queensland, and now it was up to the parties to find bi-partisan support for projects.
"This weekend marks halfway in the election campaign and it’s hard not be pleased with the funding announcements made for our region, so far.
We now have well more than $7 billion committed for projects including Hells Gates Dam, NQ Spark, Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct, and our emerging green hydrogen industry.
This figure is staggering, and the result of consistent and united advocacy over many months and years from political, industry and business leaders across North Queensland. Townsville Enterprise is proud to have led much of this work, and we have secured far more than any other comparable regional centre.
However, we need to recognise that of these commitments, right now only $70 million toward hydrogen is bi-partisan and locked-in. The rest is at the whim of the electorate and may come to nothing once the dust settles after polling day, that is $7.2 billion committed from the LNP and $58 million committed from Labour.
Our region needs to stand united for defence investment, for green energy and advanced manufacturing, and for dam investment. Excuses and political spin will get us nowhere.
We’re calling on anyone with an interest in the future of North Queensland to get in touch with your candidates and urge them to provide bi-partisan commitment to investments into our region this election campaign.”
