FEDERAL MP Warren Entsch has welcomed the news of a September 14 Federal Election, saying he was looking forward to locking in firm policy commitments that will benefit the Far North.
“The timing couldn’t be better, given that the Coalition has just announced its positive plan to build a strong and prosperous economy, and a safe and secure Australia,” Mr Entsch said.
“From talking to people all around the electorate, I know that they want a change and having a date now confirmed means that our plan can start working from Day 1.”
Speaking from Russia, where he is representing Australia at the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum, Mr Entsch emphasised that his focus during the next eight months will be on locking in policy commitments on issues such as;
– a solution to the property insurance crisis;
– establishment of the Tropical Campus of the Australian Institute of Sport and related infrastructure;
– ongoing upgrades to the Bruce Highway;
– supporting the creation of a new meeting and entertainment precinct in Port Douglas alongside the lagoon and waterfront redevelopment;
– the sustainable, multiple use of our oceans and waterways, particularly in regard to the Coral Sea Marine park; and
– fighting the proposed blanket World Heritage Listing of Cape York.
Mr Entsch has also again questioned when Labor will announce their candidate for Leichhardt.
“Julia Gillard has taken the unprecedented step of announcing the date of the election yet Labor still doesn’t have anybody to stand for the Far North,” Mr Entsch said.
“This again demonstrates how Labor doesn’t have a plan; their announcements are on the hop and they haven’t even got their candidates lined up before the start of what is essentially an eight-month election campaign.
“It is not dissimilar to the situation where Julia Gillard announced Nova Peris as a candidate for the Northern Territory Senate before she had even joined, or been endorsed by, the Labor Party, and again shows just how little respect the Prime Minister has for our region”.
