The Minister for Northern Australia Senator Matt Canavan paid his second visit to Mount Isa in as many weeks as the federal election campaign enters the last two weeks.
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Senator Canavan was a guest speaker at our sister paper Queensland Country Life’s Grow Queensland forum in Charters Towers on Thursday and then on Friday flew to Cloncurry to check out the site of the proposed Cave Hill before continuing to Mount Isa for lunch and other engagements before calling in on the Mount Isa Show.
The North West Star caught up with Senator Canavan at the Smoking Gun Café at lunchtime where he was a guest of local businessman Joel Pate.
Senator Canavan said he was enjoying being on the campaign trail and meeting people.
“We’ve been in the region in the last couple of days and yesterday we announced another $33 million for the Flinders Highway which is in addition to the $25 million we announced in Mount Isa for more overtaking lanes,” Senator Canavan said.
“I’ve announced now $250 million in road funding across northern Queensland, a quarter of a billion investment in roads in an election campaign in the north is a new and unique experience.”
Senator Canavan put it down to the government’s focus on northern Australia.
“This morning we were out looking at the Cave Hill Dam site, another project getting money from our agenda, very important for Cloncurry but it will take the pressure of the entire northern water system,” he said.
“Bob Katter is saying we’re a ‘gonna government’ but it’s better to be out there saying you’re going to do something than never doing it.”
Senator Canavan praised Joel Pate for his work transforming the Smoking Gun Café.
“The story here is great, there used to be graffiti all over it, gave it a paint job, secured the place and he’s improved the whole community by his actions,” he said.
“As a Minister I can do big infrastructure but the community is only as strong as the individuals who make it up and Joel is doing an excellent job.”
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
