Entsch's excuses begin

Media Release.

Tony Abbott's new Ministry has not even been sworn in yet but Member for Leichhardt, Warren Entsch is already backing away from projects earmarked for the Far North. Queensland Senator Jan McLucas said a $4.8 million commitment by the Rudd Labor Government to revitalise the Cairns CBD appears destined for the chopping block. "Just one week into this term of government and Mr Entsch, true to form, is already dismissing any sort of commitment for the Cairns CBD and is levelling criticism at other levels of government about the project," Senator McLucas said. "Federal Labor backed the revival of the city centre, Cairns deserves the same support from the new Abbott Government and the local member, Warren Entsch." Following the election of Campbell Newman and the LNP last year, Cairns lost $38 million earmarked for the upgrade of the CBD. "Already it seems that Warren Entsch has taken a page out of Campbell Newman's book, stepping away from projects that Federal Labor supported." Senator McLucas said comments on local ABC radio this morning by Mr Entsch also suggest he will also let a range of infrastructure projects in Cape York and the Torres Strait fall through. "The construction of sea walls in the Torres Strait, a range of infrastructure projects approved under Round 5 of the Regional Development Fund (RDAF) and the $210 million package to upgrade roads and essential community infrastructure in Cape York are under threat under Tony Abbott." Among the RDAF projects are - • Renovation of Aurukun library • Cooktown foreshore development • Kowanyama slaughterhouse and butchery operation • Thursday Island projects including Douglas Street beautification, library renovation and Lift for Life program at the local gym. "Warren Entsch must guarantee these projects will not stall under the Abbott Government," Senator McLucas said. "The Far North can't afford Tony Abbott to cut. Our regional and remote communities can't afford having critical investment and the local jobs they generate ripped away." Federal Labor prioritised regional Australia, investing nearly $16 billion in 11,000 projects nationwide. Two-thirds of the infrastructure budget went straight into regional Australia to build the infrastructure we need for the future and support local communities and local jobs.