John Harrison comments in the Brisbane Times (13.3.16) about the resignation from the Labor government of Cairns MP, Rob Pyne, and what it might say about the political culture of north Queensland.
‘One of the mistakes of our federation is that North Queensland is not a separate state. Politicians from north of Capricorn have long complained about the neglect of tropical Queensland by Brisbane-based governments.
‘Last week former Labor MP now independent Member for Cairns Rob Pyne complained that: “Far north Queensland has been the victim of historic neglect over recent years…We have double digit unemployment and youth unemployment of over 20 per cent, and we are badly in need of state funding for important infrastructure, like our local schools”.’