STATEMENT FROM PHILLIP THOMPSON MP
The people of Townsville have been screwed over today.
In an atrocious political sell-out, Council has traded a nation-leading Concert Hall for a $60-million pedestrian bridge.
I have serious questions about the timing of today’s decision. I was promised the finalisation of the Concert Hall Business Case by the Albanese Government 18 months ago. The fact it has only gone to Council today, a week out from the Prime Minister’s Townsville visit, absolutely stinks.
This is a clear political ploy to cut the Concert Hall funding, use the money for a glossy announcement on Reef HQ next week, and screw North Queensland and its future.
Councillors were elected on a platform of transparency. The fact that the Concert Hall Business Case remains hidden from the people of Townsville after so long is unacceptable and a major letdown.
Both the Concert Hall and Reef HQ were funded and announced under the City Deal. They should both be delivered as a priority and I call on the civic and community leaders in our city to fight tooth and nail to ensure that happens.
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