ABOUT 50 people attended a ‘northern’ launch of current MP Jason Costigan’s election campaign at the Reef Gateway Hotel in Cannonvale on Monday night.
Host Michelle McNevin from Bowen started the night by saying she would be very disappointed if the work of the past three years by a new LNP government could not continue after January 31.
She described Mr Costigan as “a good guy” and someone who “means very well”.
“And I’ve never, ever, seen anyone more passionate than the Member for Paradise as he so rightly calls this place,” she said.
“There would not be a rock, a dog or a person that he would not know in this shire and I think that’s a very special trait that nobody else I know has in the political world.”
Mr Costigan then outlined his vision for the region which included continuing to grow a four-pillar economy in agriculture, construction, resources and tourism and continuing to advocate for the building of the Urannah Dam.
“My vision for the Whitsundays is a grand one,” he said, suggesting he hoped it could eventually be the location for an international gateway on the Queensland Coast.
Other points Mr Costigan raised included Abbot Point, which he described as “a good thing for our region”.
“But I want to remind everyone here tonight that had Labor won the last election we would have had Abbot Point on steroids – 13 times as much dredge spoil going into the drink – can you imagine what that would have done for tourism?” he asked.
Mr Costigan again spoke about Queensland’s debt and his party’s plan to reduce it.
“The job’s far from done ladies and gentlemen – you’ve all got kids and grandkids and unless the blue and gold team wins on January 31, I’m not going to sugar coat it – they won’t have one,” he said.
Mr Costigan conceded “we haven’t won back-to-back elections in the Whitsundays for a long time”.
“I’m taking nothing for granted,” he said.
“But you know what, I love being the Member for Paradise and I walk over hot coals for the people of the Whitsundays.”
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