In the last three editorials we have looked at election issues affecting our region.
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We first looked at unemployment and the high cost of flights, then we looked at youth crime, and most recently we turned the focus on fly in fly out.
In our poll of readers about what their most important issue was, all the above dominated the answers.
However ahead of our election debate on Tuesday night, we look at some of the other important issues affecting North West Queensland.
Firstly there is the poor state of our health in this part of the world.
Report after report shows our region comes in bottom of most health indicators for the state.
There are any number of reasons for this, some of which are related to our other election issues such as high unemployment and poor socio-economic status.
Indigenous people experience poorer health outcomes than Queenslanders generally and we have a high Indigenous population in our region.
Last week Labor promised $16m to expand the Deadly Choices Healthy Lifestyle Program for Indigenous Queenslanders.
Deadly Choices focuses on increasing levels of physical activity, reducing smoking, better nutrition and regular health checks.
Continued investment in our hospitals and training programs is also a good way we can help health outcomes and also drive economic opportunity in the North West.
Education is another important state election issue. The LNP has promised to invest $20.25 million in helping mature-age job seekers find meaningful employment.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls said the investment would help them re-train, learn a new skill and gain employment”.
They will invest $9m towards a dedicated job and skills match co-ordination service to help mature-age job seekers upskill and $5.25m towards initiatives to address the Queensland Skills Shortage List.
Labor has a five point plan to support teachers. The plan involves, increasing the number of positions and transition programs, establishing teaching centres of excellence, providing incentives to hire in rural areas, more coaching and professional development and building expertise across the curriculum – Derek Barry