General News
12 August, 2020
Edward “Nipper” Brown LNP candidate for Cook
The Express can exclusively reveal that the LNP candidate for Cook will be former Mareeba Shire Councillor Edward “Nipper” Brown.
With the Queensland State Election less than three months away, The Express can exclusively reveal that the LNP candidate for Cook will be former Mareeba Shire Councillor Edward “Nipper” Brown.
Nipper is a long term resident of the shire and narrowly lost to Angela Toppin for the position of Mayor at the May 2020 council elections.
Nipper confirmed that he had been selected. “I am proud to have been selected as the LNP candidate for the seat of Cook for the upcoming state election.”
Nipper said his first point of business would be moving the electorate office back to Mareeba. “Voting for me as the member for Cook is the best way of getting the office moved back into Mareeba.”
“It doesn’t make sense that you have to drive through Mareeba to get to the local member's office in Cairns.
“I hope people will get behind me as I will be the best voice for people of Cook.”
Nipper said that Labor had failed the Far North on jobs, crime and health.
“Unemployment is rising fast in this electorate, but Labor has no plan for our economic recovery,” he said.
“The LNP’s plan will stimulate the economy, create a decade of secure jobs and drag Queensland out of recession.”
Mr Brown said the LNP would launch a crackdown on youth crime with tougher laws, 24/7 monitoring of offenders on bail and mandatory jail terms for third convictions.
“Crime in Far North Queensland has exploded since Labor was elected in 2015, with robbery increasing by 103% and car theft increasing by 76%.”
“An LNP Government will bring back consequences for crime,
“We also want to see more early intervention with a ‘justice reinvestment’ trial to break the cycle of offending and reduce the over-representation of Indigenous offenders in youth detention centres.”
Nipper also claims that the waiting list for surgery at Cairns Hospital increasing by 146% since 2015.
“The massive increase in the surgery waiting list is unacceptable and shows Labor cannot be trusted with our health services,” Mr Brown said.
“An LNP Government will partner with the private sector to slash surgery waiting lists and ensure patients are seen within clinically recommended times.
“There is no point having empty beds in private hospitals when people are waiting for surgery.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said she welcomed the selection of Edward ‘Nipper’ Brown as her party’s candidate for the state seat of Cook.
“Only the LNP has a plan to create more jobs in Cook and drag us out of recession,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Around 8400 people are unemployed across Far North Queensland, but Labor has no plan for our recovery. Labor hasn’t even got a Budget.
“Only Nipper Brown and the LNP have a plan to get Cook working again.
“The LNP economic plan includes investing in the Nullinga Dam, cutting red-tape and a no-new-tax guarantee to encourage firms to invest.”
