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Cairns Regional Council Election 2024
The Cairns Regional Council Election will take place in 2024 and Shane Cuthbert is well placed, as a politically active member of the Cairns community to comment on the many Cairns Divisional candidates and Mayor position up for grabs.
Shane Cuthbert has attended MOST Cairns Regional Council General Meetings, Cairns Regional Council Planning and Environment Meetings and shares various networks with current and aspiring Cairns Councillors.
The Cairns Regional Council Election will take place in 2024 and Shane Cuthbert is well placed, as a politically active member of the Cairns community to comment on the many Cairns Divisional candidates and Mayor position up for grabs.
Shane Cuthbert has attended MOST Cairns Regional Council General Meetings, Cairns Regional Council Planning and Environment Meetings and shares various networks with current and aspiring Cairns Councillors.
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Mayor Candidate Dennis Walls (Community First)
Denis Walls has lived in Cairns for 33 years and is a former education manager and university teacher. He is married to Stella and they have two adult sons.
He is an active community member with extensive political, social and environmental experience. He has been privileged to serve our local community through roles including former President of Edge Hill scouts, soccer coach, President of Cairns Community Radio, a newspaper columnist and radio broadcaster for 10 years, Spokesperson for Save Trinity Inlet and the Cairns Wetlands Park, Convenor of the Far North Greens, President of CAFNEC, Spokesperson for Aquis Aware, Save Taylor Point and the Jack Barnes Boardwalk.
Denis is keen on sports and plays veterans league soccer and table tennis. He is an avid birdwatcher and singer.
His focus if elected as Mayor will be on delivering open, accessible and accountable local government with sustainable and sensible planning for the future welfare of Cairns. He vows to serve full-time in the role.
He is committed to keeping rates down and basic services up. As the son of a Scottish banker, he knows that money should never be borrowed for grand schemes with little public benefit.
He says "For too long we have been let down by councillors more interested in secrecy, conflicts of interest and short-term planning, increasingly out of touch with the needs of everyday Cairns residents".
Denis is proud to lead a fresh team of candidates that really walk the talk and put our Cairns community first.
He is an active community member with extensive political, social and environmental experience. He has been privileged to serve our local community through roles including former President of Edge Hill scouts, soccer coach, President of Cairns Community Radio, a newspaper columnist and radio broadcaster for 10 years, Spokesperson for Save Trinity Inlet and the Cairns Wetlands Park, Convenor of the Far North Greens, President of CAFNEC, Spokesperson for Aquis Aware, Save Taylor Point and the Jack Barnes Boardwalk.
Denis is keen on sports and plays veterans league soccer and table tennis. He is an avid birdwatcher and singer.
His focus if elected as Mayor will be on delivering open, accessible and accountable local government with sustainable and sensible planning for the future welfare of Cairns. He vows to serve full-time in the role.
He is committed to keeping rates down and basic services up. As the son of a Scottish banker, he knows that money should never be borrowed for grand schemes with little public benefit.
He says "For too long we have been let down by councillors more interested in secrecy, conflicts of interest and short-term planning, increasingly out of touch with the needs of everyday Cairns residents".
Denis is proud to lead a fresh team of candidates that really walk the talk and put our Cairns community first.
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Division 3 Candidate Liam Smith (Community First)
Cairns born and bred, Liam Smith grew up in Bayview Heights running barefoot through the rainforest. He went to Trinity Anglican School in White Rock, was involved in Bayview Heights scouts for 12 years, and lives at Mt Sheridan.
Shane Cuthbert first met Liam as a volunteer on the Federal Election Campaign for Elida Faith. Liam has an extensive background in supporting Unions and the Australian Labor Party.
Shane Cuthbert first met Liam as a volunteer on the Federal Election Campaign for Elida Faith. Liam has an extensive background in supporting Unions and the Australian Labor Party.
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Division 6 Candidate Dr Nicole Sleeman (Community First)
Dr Nicole Sleeman knows that health and well-being starts outside the doctor's room. She is passionate about creating healthy communities, and believes we can be stronger and more resilient if we design our spaces and plan our initiatives more thoughtfully.
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Division 7 Candidate Renee Lees (Community First)
The Cairns Post recently identified Renee Lees, as one of Councillor Rob Pyne’s socialist team mates however, Renee Lees has refused to adopt similar branding, colours and policy citing ‘visibility issues with Division 4 candidate and independent Shane Cuthbert’.
Rob Pyne says that “I support Renee Lees, but she has not aligned with others, leaving her out on her own and (as I well know) being on your own makes winning really, really, hard!”.
This following a statement by Councillor Pyne that “Matthew Calanna would poll higher in Division 4 where the Calanna name is iconic. However in Division 7 his name is still well known. He has been prepared to align with others in a professional team. A capable candidate who will listen and run under ‘shared branding’ Matthew is assured of victory”.
Renee Lees unsuccessfully attempted to align with team Amy Eden following the departure recently of team Eden Division 7 candidate and resterautuer Sam Byrd however, has announced she has now joined the community first team.
Rob Pyne says that “I support Renee Lees, but she has not aligned with others, leaving her out on her own and (as I well know) being on your own makes winning really, really, hard!”.
This following a statement by Councillor Pyne that “Matthew Calanna would poll higher in Division 4 where the Calanna name is iconic. However in Division 7 his name is still well known. He has been prepared to align with others in a professional team. A capable candidate who will listen and run under ‘shared branding’ Matthew is assured of victory”.
Renee Lees unsuccessfully attempted to align with team Amy Eden following the departure recently of team Eden Division 7 candidate and resterautuer Sam Byrd however, has announced she has now joined the community first team.
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Division 8 Candidate Phillip Musumeci (Community first)
Former Greens Senate Candidate, Phillip is a long term Division 8 Caravonica resident who grew up on a farm in Mirriwinni. He attended local schools and now works as a systems design engineer. He is married to Annett and has one son. He loves cycling, swimming, and raising funds for the Cardiac Challenge.
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Division 9 Candidate Carine Visschers (Community First)
Carine Visschers has lived in the northern beaches for 28 years, had a long professional career in the Department of Housing and community organisations, and raised two children.
She is a volunteer community organiser and leader in local climate action groups as well as actively working to create connections and support for refugees, young people and other groups.
She is a volunteer community organiser and leader in local climate action groups as well as actively working to create connections and support for refugees, young people and other groups.
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Community First
Following crisis talks with various teams and groups, Community First has finally announced themselves as a seperate group of candidates. Renee Lees (Division 7) was reported as aligning with a Socialist Alliance team alongside Rob Pyne (Division 5) and Pat O'Shane AM (who was running Division 8) however, Renee Lees refused to team up alongside their running mate Shane Cuthbert instead, attempting to join team Eden following the departure of Sam Byrd.
Carine Visschers (Division 9) had joined Rob Pyne (Division 5) and Shane Cuthbert (Division 4) early on in the year however, decided against joining them, committed to a socialist alliance/greens team.
Rob Pyne (Division 5) was invited by the Community First team to join however Liam Smith (Division 3) did not wish to align with Mr Cuthbert following his suit against the Australian Labor Party (State of Queensland) Smith, a union man thoroughly supports.
Currently, the team has no plans of running candidates against Rob Pyne (Division 5) or Shane Cuthbert (Division 4).
The Community First Team is led by Dennis Walls (Mayor Candidate) and supported by Liam Smith (Division 3), Dr Nicole Sleeman (Division 6), Renee Lees (Division 7), Phillip Musumesi (Division 8) and Carine Visschers (Division 9).
Video Courtesy Channel 7 News Cairns
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Division 4 Candidate Shane Cuthbert (Independent)
Shane Cuthbert is the most popular candidate in the Cairns Regional Council Elections according to Google having received National and International media coverage during the election campaign. The increased media attention is something local Cairns Councillors have not received in the past, especially in Division 4.
As at Thursday 23rd November, Shane Cuthbert enjoyed an average 10x more google clicks than any other candidate including both Mayoral Candidates Amy Eden and Terry James, who receive on average 70+ google quiries per month compared to Cuthbert's 790+ AS SEEN ON
As at Thursday 23rd November, Shane Cuthbert enjoyed an average 10x more google clicks than any other candidate including both Mayoral Candidates Amy Eden and Terry James, who receive on average 70+ google quiries per month compared to Cuthbert's 790+ AS SEEN ON
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Over the last four years, Shane Cuthbert has volunteered with the Salvation Army, Red Cross, Australian Marine Conservation Society, COUCH, Cairns Helpers Helping Those in Quarantine, Lifeline, Australian Youth Climate Coalition Cairns, Cairns and Far North Environment Centre, Domestic Violence Anonymous, Tangaroa Blue and Greenpeace. He has also volunteered with the Cairns Ironman event, Crankworx, the Reef Restoration Foundation, Mayor Bob Manning's Christmas Appeal and many others.
Speaking publicly at the St Vincent De Paul Societies CEO Sleepout and Lifeline's Out of the Shadows, suicide prevention events last year, Shane says that "through volunteering, individuals have the power to help themselves whilst helping others", a powerful statement. Shane Cuthberts commitment to volunteering in communities spans more than 20 years.
Shane Cuthbert has been heavily supportive of the greater Cairns community, standing side by side with indigenous leaders during Black Lives Matter protests, holding a candle for young Cassius outside the Cairns Library, protesting climate inaction during UNESCO's visit to Cairns, speaking to victims of crime who gathered outside the Cairns Convention Centre during the Queensland Parliamentary visit and, the list goes on. Over the past four years, Shane Cuthbert has made quite the name for himself as a community leader and advocate.
On Indigenous Rights, The Cairns Regional Council recently voted down a reconciliation plan becuase of references to 'the Voice' and 'Path to Treaty'. This, a Council with the largest percentage of First Nations Peoples in any other Council area throughout Queensland. Shane Cuthbert, as part of a NEW Cairns Regional Council will support a reconciliation plan.
Speaking publicly at the St Vincent De Paul Societies CEO Sleepout and Lifeline's Out of the Shadows, suicide prevention events last year, Shane says that "through volunteering, individuals have the power to help themselves whilst helping others", a powerful statement. Shane Cuthberts commitment to volunteering in communities spans more than 20 years.
Shane Cuthbert has been heavily supportive of the greater Cairns community, standing side by side with indigenous leaders during Black Lives Matter protests, holding a candle for young Cassius outside the Cairns Library, protesting climate inaction during UNESCO's visit to Cairns, speaking to victims of crime who gathered outside the Cairns Convention Centre during the Queensland Parliamentary visit and, the list goes on. Over the past four years, Shane Cuthbert has made quite the name for himself as a community leader and advocate.
On Indigenous Rights, The Cairns Regional Council recently voted down a reconciliation plan becuase of references to 'the Voice' and 'Path to Treaty'. This, a Council with the largest percentage of First Nations Peoples in any other Council area throughout Queensland. Shane Cuthbert, as part of a NEW Cairns Regional Council will support a reconciliation plan.
Recently, Councillor Rob Pyne critisized the Council appointment of Division 4 Councillor Terry James as Mayor following the resignation of former Mayor Bob Manning without a by-election.
Division 9 Councillor Brett Olds has put his hand up to become interim Mayor over the next three months in order to prevent a Unity team majority boost in the polls come elections in March.
Current Division 2 Councillor Rob Pyne says a caretaker Mayor should be appointed for the next three months, someone who is not running as a potential Mayor in fairness. He says, the appointment of Terry James as Mayor would be an unfair advantage for the Unity team to have.
Current Division 2 Councillor Rob Pyne says a caretaker Mayor should be appointed for the next three months, someone who is not running as a potential Mayor in fairness. He says, the appointment of Terry James as Mayor would be an unfair advantage for the Unity team to have.