What About Me? Calls out Cape and Torres

“I hear the desperate need for housing on Indigenous communities in the Cape and Torres Straits and will put my weight behind solutions and current proposals,” said Norman Miller, Independent Candidate for Leichhardt.

Peninsula Development Road (Photo Cape York Weekly)

“Kowanyama Mayor Territa Dick, on behalf of the Torres and Cape Indigenous Councils Alliance (TCICA) wrote to Prime Minister Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton asking them to provide six stand-alone one-bedroom units in eight townships if elected.

“This proposal is estimated to cost $20 million but it is needed to increase and diversify the kind of accommodation available and would improve workforce retention and ease overcrowding.

“Overcrowding increases social pressures, impacts plumbing and other infrastructure and the cost-of-living crisis is a further strain on families.

“While the candidates for the major parties, Labor’s Matt Smith and the Coalition’s Jeremy Neal have not backed the project, it is a sound one and has the backing of Cook MP David Kempton.

“Not only that, but neither of the major parties have committed any funding for Stage 3 of the Cape York Region Package despite the Peninsula Development Road being the region’s only road link to the rest of the nation. While it would have required $240 million to complete it, it would have made a significant difference as the road is the lifeblood of the region for businesses and citizens.

“It seems the Cape is the poor cousin to Cairns and region in election funding promises because that’s where most of the population of Leichhardt is. The major parties have nevertheless made other funding commitments to Cape York and Torres Strait.

“To the cry from the Cape and Torres region – ‘what about us,’ I say, don’t write me off because I am an Independent. If I am elected and there is a hung parliament, my support will be sought after, and I can get concessions for you. I can make a difference in holding the major parties to account, reminding them to keep their promises and steering their policy to support your needs.”