General News
15 July, 2026
MP slams boundary changes
MEMBER for Cook David Kempton has branded the redistribution of the Cook electoral boundary as “ill-conceived and bordering on ridiculous”.
The boundary redistribution proposed by the ECQ in March carved a large portion of the southern area, including Wylandra Estate and the Mareeba Airport, both of which after submissions were included in the final boundary.
“As if the proposed redistribution wasn’t bad enough, it beggars’ belief that almost all of Mareeba Shire and over 30% of my electorate has now been removed and placed in the new seat of Flinders (currently Traeger),” Mr Kempton said.
“All of the western part of Mareeba Shire, including Dimbulah and Chillagoe and as far north as the Mitchell River, taking in a vast area of farms and stations, small towns and families, that have no social, economic, cultural, family, business ties or even access to Mount Isa will now be represented by a Member of Parliament who lives in Mount Isa, a 10 hour drive away,” he said.
“The areas Koah, Speewah, Kuranda and Mona Mona will now be included in Cook.
“What the ECQ has done to the people of my electorate is careless and will have a massive impact on their future.”
