Not a cent has been committed to the Peninsula Developmental Road in the five-week campaign by any of the candidates or parties battling to claim the 150,000 square kilometre Leichhardt electorate. Photo: Facebook (Coen Mechanical).
Cape York has missed out on any significant direct election commitments as candidates and parties focus their campaign promises – and the wallets of taxpayers – at voter-dense parts of the Leichhardt electorate.
Neither major party has offered to spend a cent on stage three of the Cape York Region Package (CYRP) during the five-week campaign, despite the Peninsula Developmental Road (PDR) being the only road link between the resource-rich region and the rest of the country.
Remote leaders, residents and business operators had been hoping either Prime Minister Anthony Albanese or Opposition Peter Dutton would commit the $240 million needed to progress stage three of the CYRP as part of a barrage of northern election promises, however, most of the money offered up to voters ahead of Saturday’s election has been earmarked for Cairns and the surrounding area.
In late 2024, the State Government committed $60m to continue sealing the PDR, but the $300m project hinges on Canberra honouring an existing 80:20 joint funding arrangement and putting its share on the table.
Labor candidate Matt Smith offered a $2m package for preventative health measures in remote Cape York communities, and the Albanese government’s promise of a Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation of its commitment to the remotest part of the electorate.
“Labor is investing $2m for preventive health measures up the Cape – this would include skin and cancer checks, as well as eye and ear health checks, because we know that preventative health leads to better health outcomes,” he said.
“On top of this, we are investing in universal mobile coverage for Cape communities, massively improving safety and connectivity.
“We’re also capping the costs of 30 essential items in remote stores, dealing with the rising cost of groceries that impacts Cape communities.”
Jeremy Neal, who has been flying the Liberal National Party (LNP) flag while campaigning with former Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch, said the party’s regional policies would provide direct benefit to Cape York.
“The LNP has announced a $20 billion Regional Australia Future Fund, which will deliver a guaranteed annual funding for regional and remote communities, including Cape York, to fix local roads and transport networks, grow the health workforce, deliver childcare services, improve connectivity and support local businesses,” he said.
“We have also committed to making the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) permanent, with a $7b fund capacity.
“This significant investment in the NAIF, which is currently scheduled to close in June 2026, will supercharge the local economy and jobs market, driving investment in Cape York by providing private enterprises the long-term certainty they need.”
