During my time as the Member for Hinchinbrook, I have done my best to be a strong voice for the people of the Hinchinbrook electorate, who has stood up for North Queensland.

 In the wake of the proposed changes to state electorate boundaries, I fully intend to continue representing the local communities in the Hinchinbrook electorate.

My initial reaction to some of the proposed changes by the Redistribution Commission are that they are impractical, such as the excision of a large area of the Cassowary Coast Region.

This does not appear to take account of the long association and similar economic, industry and community links between the Cassowary Coast Region and the Herbert River district.

The Commission also seems to have totally ignored well established transport and service links between the Palm Island community and Townsville.

I will be examining the proposed changes and along with my parliamentary colleagues and the LNP, giving consideration to a submission to the Redistribution Commission.

I will be contributing to the internal processes of the LNP in relation to the remaining steps of the redistribution and won’t be making any further public comment.

In the meantime, I remain focused on my existing responsibilities as the Member for Hinchinbrook and the issues that are important to them and to North Queensland.

Andrew Cripps MP

Member for Hinchinbrook