There are 67 days until this year’s likely federal election date and Cape York voters are likely to play a big role in deciding who will be the next Member for Leichhardt.
The LNP’s Warren Entsch will look to keep his perfect election record intact as he faces challenges from what could be a record number of candidates.
There are already four others in the race, with still a few more likely to be added to the mix.
Elida Faith is back again for the Labor Party, having been soundly beaten by Mr Entsch at the last election.
In the two-party-preferred count in 2019, Mr Entsch had 54.2 per cent of the vote, ahead of Ms Faith with 45.8 per cent.
However, the bookies believe it will be much closer this time around.
Mr Entsch is still the favourite at $1.60, but Ms Faith is considered a genuine rival at $2.40.
You can virtually write your own ticket about any other party or candidate.
Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party has named Cairns man Daniel Hannagan as its candidate for Leichhardt.
There is no profile for him on the UAP website.
Pauline Hanson’s One Nation will be represented by Geena Court, a Cairns-based businesswoman in the property market.
“Australian politics needs to be about the people, not power and greed,” her profile reads.
“It’s time for families and small businesses to get the support they need when they need it. I’m sick of seeing real Australians suffer while politicians pontificate and enrich themselves at our expense. We need a better class of politician.”
Cairns woman Susanne Bayly will stand for the Animal Justice Party and has listed climate change as one of the big issues.
The Informed Medical Options Party has named Silvia Mogorovich as its candidate for Leichhardt.
“Silvia has been a key organiser and presenter at numerous freedom rallies around Far North Queensland, igniting unity and hope within the community,” her profile reads.
The Greens will be represented on the ballot paper by Phillip Musumeci.
“I was born in Babinda and grew up on a local family farm where I did weekend work, like other neighbouring teenagers,” his profile on The Greens website reads.
“I went to school locally before completing an engineering education in Townsville and Canberra. I live in Cairns with my wife and son.”
The only Indigenous candidate in the field at this stage is Pat O’Shane, a Kuku Yalanji woman from Mossman.
Ms O’Shane was the first female Aboriginal teacher in Queensland, working for eight years at Cairns High.
She was the first Aboriginal woman to head a government department.
She is perhaps best known as Australia’s first Aboriginal barrister and magistrate, before retiring from the bench in 2013.
Ms O’Shane announced her tilt at Leichhardt in December and will run for the Socialist Alliance party.
Interestingly, no candidates have been announced for Katter’s Australian Party.
While a date for the election has yet to be locked in by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, most believe it will be held on May 14, leaving just two months for the campaign race to heat up.
Labor is currently listed as a $1.30 prospect of winning the election, ahead of the Coalition at $3.30.
This article appeared in Cape York Weekly, 8 March 2022.
