Tuesday 21 February 2012

Mossman troubling: O'Brien

: State Member for Cook, Jason O'Brien. Home page image by Raine and Horne.

Mossman will be the focus of State Member for Cook, Jason O'Brien, should he retain his seat after the March 24 election.

Mr O'Brien said he was worried about the economic state of the town which he believes needs greater diversity to survive into the future.

"The thing that's been troubling me over the last couple of years in particular is Mossman," he said.

"Port Douglas has gone through some really hard times in terms of the global economic downturn. You've got to hope that's turning around and the additional flights into Cairns and the marketing is going to help Port Douglas.

"What I'm worried about is Mossman, and what is the economic future for Mossman?

"We need to ask ourselves the hard question; what would happen tomorrow if the (sugar) mill closed down?

"It's not something that you want to happen but I think we need to put some contingencies in place and as part of doing that exercise start looking the economy of Mossman and how it could be broadened.

"That might mean projects like the botanic gardens project that's been kicking around up there, it might mean a railway project, obviously the gateway project is going ahead.

"We need to ask ourselves harder questions about how Mossman is going to develop and create its economic future in the next 15 to 20 years."

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Meanwhile, the battle for Cook is heating up between the two main party candidates, the LNP's David Kempton and Labor's Jason O'Brien.

Mr O'Brien, who has been the elected representative in Cook since 2004, told The Newsport on Friday that formal campaigning has now begun.

"The campaign kicks off properly on Sunday when the Premier goes to see the Governor.

"Of course I've been campaigning in the past few months in particular. I never stop campaigning to keep the seat, I work hard every day to get stuff like cyclone shelters for my electorate."

Despite the seemingly large challenge the Labor Government has on its hands to be re-elected in March, Mr O'Brien said the Premier's popularity is beginning to increase in the polls.

"The polls are showing the Premier is coming back. As you get closer to the choice the polls are narrowing.

"Mid-term people always want to send the government a message to do more."

Mr O'Brien would not be drawn on his future should he fail to be returned as Cook MP.

"I'm in it to win it. I've won it three times and it's always tough, I haven't had an easy election yet.

"Three conservative candidates have lined up against me. I like to think of myself as the progressive candidate, but they're always out to get you."

Mr Kempton joined the Shadow Minister for Health, Mark McArdle, in a visit to Mossman Hospital yesterday to inspect the facilities.

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Keith Pitt, 22-02-12 19:32:

Jason O'brien has his own email address that is public information. I won't post it but you can google him and get it. If you want to get the real message across to him, go straight to him. For me, I refer to this article and say that if Jason sends out letters saying that de-amalgamating would come at a great cost and is not viable, he is not serious about our region. Since Val has taken over she has done nothing but waste money. I distinctly remember her saying that she did not want to see this area turn into the Gold Coast. Yet she has done nothing but try to build some significant waste of tax payers money. Let's try to use the existing buildings that are over priced and under used before we build another. Since Val was sworn in she has tried for an Opera House that would rival Sydney, a Ferris Wheel for people to view the mud flats and now this. I seriously hope that people are happy to pay more rates if they vote for Val again. Don't vote for her if she raised your rates in the last term because that is what she will do to compensate for the Precinct. WAKE UP PEOPLE. She went broke within the first year after she got the Douglas Shire's money and will continue to miss manage if given the opportunity.

John BRTHOLOMEW, 22-02-12 18:07:

Good on you Jason. you have my vote for sure

Gillian Coe, 22-02-12 12:47:

Hello Jason
Why are you using posters left over from the 2004 election? I know about recycling but this is ridiculous or is this all you think this area is worth.

Mick , 22-02-12 00:12:

Spot on Jason , we need to use the momentum from the Gateway project to press on and put Mossvegas on the map,with Port benefiting as well.

Russell Jean, 21-02-12 19:04:

Mr Obrien I dont need to drive over to Mossman, as I get over there quite a bit(probably more than you??)to see how Mossman is going and see what is happening in this area. I see you hang your hat on a Federal Govt project?? I am saying in your story above you see that Mossman needs help and you have been thinking about it for the past couple of years but there hasnt been any major Govt injection into the area, other than the training projects you are supporting (State Govt). I am saying if you see it has problems then why not be proactive and get things moving yourself with the community?? Cant wait for other infrastructure projects to fall into your lap? Port Douglas has had to resort to getting out there with the current revitalisation project themselves to identify the problems and hopefully come up with some solutions and as usual no major help from any levels of govt?? It seems the Old Douglas Region continues to spin its wheels without that help it needs from the 3 levels of govt? Sit down with the areas within your electorate, the community, with pen and paper and talk to all the people and write down the wish list, the things they think could help bring the area out of the doldrums and show you truly are a progressive candidate for the seat of Cook!!

Jason O'Brien, 21-02-12 10:57:

Russell, please take a drive over to Mossman and have a look at the Gateway project that is emerging over there. While it is a lot of Federal Labor funding in the project, the state is supporting this with job readiness and training programs that have been in place for a couple of years. This will mean that the project is ready to go as soon as the construction starts. Of course there is more to do in Mossman than just the Gateway project. That's why I've been working with proponents of the Botanic Gardens' project too. There's other ideas out there as well. I just think they need to be brought together in a cohesive plan so that we start stimulating more hope and business confidence over there.

steve hull, 21-02-12 10:34:

Mark, does that mean the current govt looks organised ???

Russell Jean, 21-02-12 09:34:

Your worried about Mossman NOW !! What about since 2004?? Yeah thats right its election time and votes are needed??

Mark , 21-02-12 08:55:

Good luck Jason,
We are rooting for you!
LNP just dont seem to be organised. I mean who who lead if Campbell doesnt win his seat?