Candidate Responses to Supercharging North West Queensland Need a Jumpstart

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The Mayors of North West Queensland have published a 2020 State Election Candidate Scorecard highlighting the responses received to their call to commit to “Supercharge the Region that Helps to Supercharge the State”.  

The North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NWQROC) wrote to each of the major parties and independent candidate contesting the election seeking a response on the priorities that will help communities across North West Queensland grow and prosper. 

Cr Jack Bawden, NWQROC Chair said: “Our region goes above and beyond to help supercharge the State. We inject more than $5billion into the economy annually and have industries that have kept the State’s economy going during the COVID-19 pandemic. All backed up by a region of lifters committed to growing not only their region, but sharing the benefits with the State.”

“Ahead of the State Election we had one clear message for candidates hopeful of our vote -  for us to keep up this momentum there needs to be real investment and real collaboration to help all Queenslanders unite and recover!”

Queensland Labor, Katter’s Australian Party, Liberal National Party and Independent Craig Scriven each responded. The assessment of their response has formed the basis of the NWQROC 2020 State Election Candidate Scorecards.

“In the preceding months we have welcomed some positive responses and announcements that answer some of our priorities,” Cr Bawden said. 

“That includes some additional funding for roads, funding towards water and energy projects, and boosting Works for Queensland. However, this is has fallen far short of the supercharge we were looking for.

“We were hopeful of greater leadership from candidates to step up and harness the outstanding potential of regional and remote Queensland - to deliver investment and policy that will sustain and create jobs and support future economic growth across the State and nation,” Cr Bawden said. 

“By bringing these responses together in a ‘scorecard’ we have a clear record of commitments (or lack thereof) so that North West Queenslanders have something they can hold politicians accountable to now, and into the future. 

“Our Election Platform leaves a valuable legacy, developed over months of hard work and collaboration with eight councils all in agreement, it has put North West Queensland in the hands of political leaders and even further up the agenda.

“We look forward to working with the next Queensland Government to make North West Queensland, and in turn, the State, even stronger. With much needed investment in vital infrastructure such as roads, water, housing, energy and connectivity, our industries that already contribute so much can continue to grow and deliver even more for Queensland into the future,” Cr Bawden said.

For more information and to download the Election Platform visit: www.nwqroc.com.au/2020StateElection

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Media contact: Aleisha Domrow | 0423 116 865  aleisha@ascribe.com.au