General News
7 June, 2024
Independent stands up for Cook
COOK electorate voters will have even more choice at October’s State election, with an independent candidate launching his bid to win the seat.
Yen Robert Loban (pictured) says he has lived in the electorate for four decades and thinks it is high time it had better representation and one that was not connected to the major political parties.
The Thursday Island local says people are “sick and tired” of major political parties who have been “neglecting the Cook electorate for decades”.
“They are known for a lot of promises for Cook but fail to deliver,” he said.
“I want to do more than what Cynthia Lui and David Kempton have ever done for the people of Cook. We all deserve better.”
Mr Loban has a strong record of working in the health sector, with 13 years’ experience in Queensland Health, a degree in Health Promotion, and an associate degree in Community Management and Development.
“My understanding of issues affecting the electorate of Cook spans almost four decades,” he said.
“We need more frontline health service staffs in remote communities and to invest in first class health facilities to treat illnesses such as cancers.
“In particular, we have to address and tackle excessive spending in the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme currently from sending patients to Cairns. We should invest locally and create jobs.
“We need to invest in creating employment for young school leavers, creating successive pathways to universities and further training and development as well for all constituents in Cook.”
Mr Loban says other critical issues were around freight, roads, housing, crime, education and small business.
“I will address and lobby governments for increased funding for the electorate to do more for freight subsidies, Ergon rebates, and bringing down the high cost of living,” he said.
“The government also needs to invest in the expansion of schools and build more schools to address future demands.
“I will make it my priority in my first elected term in office to secure funding to build more housing to cater for the demand, tackle issues of over-crowdedness, homelessness and bringing back affordability to renters.
“There also needs to be investment in providing more police officers in the electorate and work towards finding solutions and programs for offenders rather than prisons as our only fixed solution – perhaps, invest in community CCTV's as an option for prevention?
“A priority of mine will also be to address at all three tiers of governments - Federal, State and Local – about the poor condition of our roads that we've had for decades.”
“When it comes to small business, let’s get back to creating and investing in more goods and services and food outlets, industries and sectors to cater for the unpredicted future. I believe in small businesses and they have my full support.”
