The Queensland State 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 Cairns Election. Shane Cuthbert is a Former Criminal turned Law and Psychology Graduate, Advocating for the Youth, Justice, Human Rights, Homelessness, Mental Health and Domestic Violence. He will contest the 2024 Queensland State Election as an Independent. CLICK HERE for a full biography.
Political Parties
Liberal National Party - Labor Party - One Nation - Katter's Party - Greens - Independents
Cairns Electorates
Cairns - Mulgrave - Barron - Cook
Barron River ElectorateMona Mona - Ellis Beach - Palm Cove - Clifton Beach - Kewarra Beach - Trinity Beach - Trinity Park - Yorkeys Knob - Smithfield - Holloways Beach - Machans Beach - Barron - Stratford - Kamerunga - Barron gorge - Redlynch - Speewah - Koah - Kuranda Barron State Election CandidatesBree James - Craig Crawford - Peter Eicens
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Shane Cuthbert (Independent)
According to Google, Shane Cuthbert is the most popular candidate in the Cairns State Elections. Google measures the average number of searches conducted for each candidate and compares them with each other using the keyword research tool. Although candidates like Yolande Entsch do not yet register on the platform, the Major Parties still have a considerable amount of support across the State.
Cairns State Election Data According to Google.
In any event, Shane Cuthbert hopes to increase his 16.5% vote share during the Cairns State Election. Shane Cuthbert ran a campaign earlier during the Cairns Regional Council Election held in March, as a Division 4 Candidate. The Cairns electorate encompasses Divisions 4, 5 and 7 and Shane Cuthbert, having recieved major media attention believes his campaign, although Local, reached the wider community of Cairns and this is evident in the data compiled by Google. As at Monday 23rd September, Shane Cuthbert enjoyed an average 10x more google clicks than any other candidate.
Shane Cuthbert Announces his Campaign for Cairns
Shane says "I learned a great deal about myself, elections, politics and local issues during the Cairns Local Government election, engaging with the community prior to, during and since the election, knocking on doors, attending events and speaking to residents from across Cairns".
As the ONLY Candidate addressing the BIG Issues, besides former Assistant Police Commissioner and Mayoral Candidate Paul Taylor, he learned that Cairns residents were not ready to support Local Government Candidates, tackling issues such as housing and crime. Many residents were confused about the role Local Government plays in these issues and considered them ‘State’ issues only. Despite educating voters, they learned something. If you must educate voters, you have already lost. Now, he is running for the State seat on State issues.
As the ONLY Candidate addressing the BIG Issues, besides former Assistant Police Commissioner and Mayoral Candidate Paul Taylor, he learned that Cairns residents were not ready to support Local Government Candidates, tackling issues such as housing and crime. Many residents were confused about the role Local Government plays in these issues and considered them ‘State’ issues only. Despite educating voters, they learned something. If you must educate voters, you have already lost. Now, he is running for the State seat on State issues.
Shane Cuthbert and Local Businesswoman Perri Conti address the Cairns Regional Council
Since the last election, Shane has spent 2-3 nights a week in the CBD, working with Cairns most disadvantaged, at-risk and vulnerable youth reducing crime. He has also been advocating for YOU, speaking with the Legal Affairs and Safety Committee and the youth Justice Reform Committee with friend, former Magistrate Pat O’Shane AM.
Recently, Shane addressed the Cairns Regional Council proposing a range of alternative responses to crime and the re-activation of the CBD and he says he is "More experienced, more educated and more dedicated to making Cairns Safe Again!"
It is clear that there is a section of the community willing to get behind him, a section of this community that feels disadvantaged, unheard and neglected by the major parties and that section of the community is growing. It is growing because the cost of living and crime are out of control, rents are sky rocketing and there are less homes available.
Shane says "Currently, there are 6000 people in Cairns are at risk of homelessness".
It is clear that the major parties no longer represent us and I believe it’s time for change. Don’t send your vote to brisbane, keep it here in cairns and vote for an independent candidate, truly representative of YOU and the people of cairns.
Recently, Shane addressed the Cairns Regional Council proposing a range of alternative responses to crime and the re-activation of the CBD and he says he is "More experienced, more educated and more dedicated to making Cairns Safe Again!"
It is clear that there is a section of the community willing to get behind him, a section of this community that feels disadvantaged, unheard and neglected by the major parties and that section of the community is growing. It is growing because the cost of living and crime are out of control, rents are sky rocketing and there are less homes available.
Shane says "Currently, there are 6000 people in Cairns are at risk of homelessness".
It is clear that the major parties no longer represent us and I believe it’s time for change. Don’t send your vote to brisbane, keep it here in cairns and vote for an independent candidate, truly representative of YOU and the people of cairns.
Shane Cuthbert and Division 5 Councillor, former Cairns MP Rob Pyne call on the Major Parties
to 'forget politics' and fund Social Housing projects.
Bree James (Liberal National Party)
Shane Cuthbert first met Bree James during Cyclone Jasper and the Flooding event which followed. Bree James and Cuthbert were both engaged heavily in flood recovery efforts with Bree organising many community cook-ups, family fun days and fundraisers for the Northern Beaches community specifically, Machans and Holloways Beach as well as Kamerunga and Caravonica. In just one day, Cuthbert and Bree James along with many volunteers at the Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron packed 2000 meals cooked by Elsa and Cathy before we took them to the hubs.
Bree James is well positioned to win the seat of Barron in the upcoming election and has been working lirelessly in the community this year. A community Bree James says 'stole her heart'. "I came to Cairns over 20 years ago and this city stole my heart and has been my home ever since".
Bree James's focus is on Barron residents, consistently let down with broken promises and funding shortfalls that have increased crime in the area. "Far North Qld is a billion-dollar economy with the Great Barrier Reef, farming and agriculture, tourism and many other industries creating a lifestyle that many of us are here to enjoy. Yet funding to our region is the lowest spend per capita and aggregate than any other region in QLD in the last decade" says Bree James.
Bree James is a mother, business owner and proud community advocate who knows she can influence decisions that will benefit the Barron community, families, businesses and the environment. I wish Bree James all the best and look forward to seeing her again on the campaign trail.
Bree James and Shane Cuthbert prepared, distributed and provided meals to the Machans and Holloways Hubs following the Floods earlier this year.
Craig crawford (Labor Party)
Of all the politicians Shane Cuthbert has met, he believes Craig Crawford to be one of the most humble, down to earth and genuine. As a former Paramedic and Union Delegate, Craig Crawford spent many years defending the workers' rights and entitlements of Paramedics which led him to politics in 2015. Craig Crawford is dedicated to standing up for local businesses, workers, and their families.
Craig Crawford grew up on a dairy farm, ran a small country motel and a locksmith business and during this time he also served as a volunteer fire fighter for 20 years. Shane Cuthbert recalls listening to one of Craig Crawford's speeches, where he remembered listening to the radio, as fellow firefighters lost their lives not far from his location and how this moved him and another, hearing about his days as an ambulance officer and some of the tragic scenes he was faced with. Craig Crawford has dedicated his life to public service and supporting the community.
He believes in equality, opportunity, fairness and reform. Craig Crawford voted yes to legalising same-sex marriage in 2017, decriminalising abortion in Queensland in 2018, Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) in 2020, he voted yes for new laws to criminalise coercive control and strengthen consent laws to better protect victims of domestic, family and sexual violence in 2024 and also voted for the new Climate bill to accelerate the roll-out of renewable energy and cuts to pollution in 2024.
He believes in equality, opportunity, fairness and reform. Craig Crawford voted yes to legalising same-sex marriage in 2017, decriminalising abortion in Queensland in 2018, Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) in 2020, he voted yes for new laws to criminalise coercive control and strengthen consent laws to better protect victims of domestic, family and sexual violence in 2024 and also voted for the new Climate bill to accelerate the roll-out of renewable energy and cuts to pollution in 2024.
Peter Eicens (One Nation)
Peter Eicens, recently retired from the Queensland Police Force, served for 34 years, including assignments in Cairns and Smithfield and 15 years at a single officer station in Western Queensland. Peter Eicens has been married for 36 years and has two sons.
With strong family values and a rich history of professional and personal experiences, Peter Eicens is known for his approachable, down-to-earth nature and common-sense approach to life’s issues, aligning well with One Nation's policies.
Peter Eicens is contesting the seat of Barron River due to the rise in crime and lawlessness in Queensland, coupled with high living costs and inadequate government response. He believes the two major parties have lost touch with real issues.
With strong family values and a rich history of professional and personal experiences, Peter Eicens is known for his approachable, down-to-earth nature and common-sense approach to life’s issues, aligning well with One Nation's policies.
Peter Eicens is contesting the seat of Barron River due to the rise in crime and lawlessness in Queensland, coupled with high living costs and inadequate government response. He believes the two major parties have lost touch with real issues.
Australian Labor Party (State of Queensland) Membership Dispute
Shane Cuthbert is no longer a member of the Australian Labor Party (State of Queensland). The Australian Labor Party (State of Queensland) and its Administration Committee which includes current federal speaker of Parliament Milton Dick MP and Queensland State Premier Annastacia Palusczuzk MP among others, cancelled Shane's membership citing grounds 'membership was no longer in the best interest's of the Party' however, Shane Cuthbert told Channel 7 News that the reason his membership was cancelled after 14 months of support and significant campaign contributions is discriminitive.
Shane claims that he was told by Australian Labor Party (State of Queensland) party insiders and paid employees of the party that his membership was reconsidered due to an 'implied criminal history' and over 'how it looks'. Shane Cuthbert Still supports the Labor Party however, has recently critisized some of the decisions and legislation introduced by the Party especially in regards to new youth crime responses.
If you would like to know more about Shane Cuthbert's membership dispute with the Australian Labor Party (State of Queensland) CLICK HERE
Shane claims that he was told by Australian Labor Party (State of Queensland) party insiders and paid employees of the party that his membership was reconsidered due to an 'implied criminal history' and over 'how it looks'. Shane Cuthbert Still supports the Labor Party however, has recently critisized some of the decisions and legislation introduced by the Party especially in regards to new youth crime responses.
If you would like to know more about Shane Cuthbert's membership dispute with the Australian Labor Party (State of Queensland) CLICK HERE
Australian Labor Party (State and Federal Government Level)
Shane Cuthbert joined the Australian Labor Party in October 2020, just prior to the Queensland state election. In September 2021, Shane became registered with the Cairns Central Branch and became actively involved as a volunteer for Elida Faith's campaign team. Elida Faith unsuccessfully ran as the first female, Federal Labor Candidate in the division of Leichardt during the 2022 Federal election. In November 2021, Shane became a member of the Labor Left and the LEAN (Labor's Environment Action Network).
Being a member of the Australian Labor Party allowed Shane to better advocate for the community at local, state and federal levels, vote on and suggest new policy and build relationships with other members, candidates and representatives of the party. During his membership term Shane Cuthbert supported a proposal to raise the age of criminal responsibility in Queensland among others.
United Workers Union
As the Australian Labor Party works so closely with Australian Unions and the amazing work they do advocating on behalf of working Australians, Shane was invited to join the United workers Union as a solidarity member and in late 2021, marching side by side with Senator Nita Green, Federal Leichardt Candidate Elida Faith and union members from the AMWU, CFMEU and the ETU in support of workers from the Cape Flattery silica mine. Workers in the Cape Flattery silica mine have requested equal pay for equal work and better working conditions from their employer Mitsubishi. Due to the ongoing dispute between Shane Cuthbert and the Australian Labor Party (State of Queensland) this was too, cancelled.
