General News
9 May, 2025
The new and old show
The once LNP stronghold of Leichhardt has switched to Labor as Matt Smith rode on the red wave that swept across Australia at the federal election last weekend.
As expected, the ‘King of Kennedy’ Bob Katter (Katter Party) was returned for the 12th time.
After 26 years of LNP government in Leichhardt under the leadership of Warren Enstch (who has retired) a new era has begun after the community elected Mr Smith.
The former Taipan and long-time Cairns resident defeated LNP candidate Jeremy Neal with 49,248 votes, 11,576 votes over his rival (37,672), and a 10.1 per cent swing and although Mr Neal didn’t concede the election until Sunday, with 100 per cent of the votes counted, Mr Smith has officially secured the seat starting a new era for Leichhardt.
Urgent care clinic priority
Mr Smith said he planned to deliver on all ALP promises, but out of all his campaign promises – which include tax cuts for all taxpayers, funding for the Great Barrier Reef and reef jobs, a $39 million commitment to housing, $275m for a new bridge in Kennedy Highway and more – his main priority was the Cairns Urgent Care Clinic.
“Sunday was a big day and this victory is taking a bit of time to set in but the work starts immediately,” he said.
“I’m headed to Weipa this week for the Western Cape symposium to talk about some of their economic opportunities over the next 10 to 15 years and I’m looking forward to it.
“Before we can look at how we’ll be making things differently I’ve got to go out and spend some time with these communities.
“Before Christmas I hope to get to every community on the Cape, spend some time with everybody and make sure I’m listening to all of the communities.
“We want to deliver on everything we’ve committed to but I think the first cab off the rank would be the urgent care clinic for the Northern Beaches. That one should be relatively quick.
“Some of these projects are going to take a little bit more time.
“Obviously the $7.2 billion investment into the Bruce Highway, that’s a multiple year project, we still need to get the planning done on the Kuranda bridge, so I think the first thing we’re going to do is focus on health.”
‘I’m ready to listen’
Mr Smith said he was grateful for the community’s trust and that he was ready to listen to their needs.
“I thank you all for your support,” he said.
“I want everybody to know that my door is always open if you need anything. Reach out, we’re here to help.”
Mr Katter easily swept to his 12th victory, beating his opposition to be the Federal Member for Kennedy for the next three years.
The maverick politician has been the federal representative for Kennedy since 1995 and has no plans to step away from politics anytime soon, declaring he’ll die in the job.
Seven candidates lined up to try to topple the ‘King of Kennedy’, who, as of Thursday, had secured 65.76 per cent of the vote (two candidate preferred), with the LNP’s Annette Swaine scoring closest to Mr Katter, with 34.24 per cent.
‘Bridle Track’ push
In this campaign, Mr Katter has been pushing for his ‘Bridle Track’ as a main commitment to the electorate in a bid to establish an all-weather, efficient route to the coast.
He has also made it clear he wants to stop immigration and has vowed to continue the fight against major supermarkets amidst criticism of their treatment of farmers and how they monopolise the grocery sector.
After the election, a humbled Mr Katter thanked his supporters, his family and those who volunteered to spread his message.
“Elections aren’t won by blokes in suits. They’re won on the backs of the people who stand out in the sun and the rain, handing out how-to-vote cards for days on end,” he said.
“So, this victory belongs to them. God bless every one of you. I can’t thank you enough.
“The same goes for my wife Susie, my five children, and even my grandchildren, who have worked tirelessly throughout this campaign to make so much of it happen.
“I certainly couldn’t have done this without them.”
He says the people of his electorate continue to vote for him because the major parties have failed to support the region.
“I didn’t get re-elected because I’m some sort of outstanding character. I’m just a boy from Cloncurry.
“More members of parliament might get similar results if they actually served their electorates and listened to the people every once in a while, and not some party room in Brisbane or Canberra.
“North Queenslanders are fed up with being called resilient. We’re fed up with getting scraps while Brisbane gets its pleasure palaces, grand roads, rail and other infrastructure.
‘Don’t ignore the bush’
“The people of Kennedy know the major parties aren’t fighting for them. If you ignore the north, if you ignore the bush, you do it at your own peril.
“The people are rising up in righteous anger, and I don’t blame them one bit.”.
Mr Neal went the way of many other LNP candidates and current members who became victims of a massive swing against Peter Dutton’s party.
The Opposition Leader lost his own seat of Dickson, forcing the Liberals to have to decide on a new leader.
As of Thursday morning, the Australian Electoral Commission had Labor with 92 seats and LNP with 42.
