Cairns City Forum | Candidates under the spotlight

Candidates for Mayor and for Divisional Councillors will take to the stage this Sunday to put their case as to why citizens should vote for them.  The public will have an opportunity to ask their opinions on issues as diverse as the Cairns Entertainment Precinct, the City Masterplan, rates, youth crime, airport mangroves, public transport and many more issues.

Kicking off at 1.30pm in City Place, organisers say they are prepared for any kind of weather.  “Underwood Party Hire are providing three large marquees so that should keep everyone dry and cool” said Angus Gasson, one of the main organisers.

“We are expecting an even larger turn out than last time because there are a lot of new faces in this election and the public are keen to find out about the people running in their own Divisions” said Pamela Taylor, another organiser.  

With former Ports North chief Bob Manning confirming he will definitely be attending the Toastmasters Cairns City Forum in City Place this Sunday, the only mayoral candidate still to confirm is Margaret Cochrane.

“It’s great that the Cairns City Forum has been organised to give people a chance to quiz their local candidates. Whilst many people have election fatigue after the long State government election, I believe that people are interested in local issues and will be keen to attend” said Mayor Val Schier.    

A veteran of local politics, Ross Parisi, was elected Councillor on former Mulgrave Shire Council in 1976 at the young age of 23yrs.  “Ross is back in the running for Cairns Regional Council and he will be speaking at the forum on Sunday” said organiser Angus Gasson.

Meanwhile Michael O’Loughlin, better known to his radio listeners as ‘Locco’, has also now confirmed he will be speaking at the forum.

“We are counting on Locco to bring his well-known sense of humour with him.  While some of the issues are serious of course, we mustn’t lose touch with the lighter side of things” said Gasson.

The Toastmasters Cairns City Forum begins with a live music performance by Johannes Selhofer at 12.30pm, this Sunday 01 April in City Place. 

“Of course some of the candidates like 4CA radio personality ‘Locco’, rugby star Rod Jensen, and Cairns Taipans’ sales manager Matt Bolton, many people are already familiar with but maybe wondering how they will go in the political arena” Taylor added.

As with the last Cairns City Forum, Toastmasters International will be chairing the event.

The event will be podcast live thanks to an internet link to 12 Bar Café in City Place.  

There will be breaks between sessions with performances by local contemporary folk artist  Jeremiah Johnson who will play songs from his forthcoming album, as well as classical guitarist Johannes Selhofer.

Cairns City Forum - Program

Sun 01 Apr, City Place, Cairns

12.45pm                    Performance by classical guitarist Johannes Selhofer.

Forum 2

1.20pm                      Opening address

1.30pm-2.30pm      Mayoral Candidates

Forum 3

2.30pm-7pm            Councillor Candidates

2.30pm-3.45pm      Divisions 1, 2, 3, 4    

3.45pm-4.15pm      Performance by contemporary folk artist Jeremiah Johnson

4.15pm-5.30pm      Divisions 5, 6, 7

5.30pm-6.45pm      Divisions 8, 9, 10    

6.45pm-7pm            Closing address

For further information contact:

Angus Gasson 0404 191 411, 

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