This page contains information relating to Shane Cuthbert's political associations. If you would like to know more about the work Shane Cuthbert is doing in your local community, consider also the following pages; Volunteer, Advocate and Humanitarian.
Shane has been recognised as an emerging leader in the local Cairns community and as a business leader nationally. Shane is no longer a member of any political groups and no longer contributes to state and federal policy via membership with the Australian Labor Party however, Shane Cuthbert continues to advocate for Cairns and makes regular submissions to Queensland Government inquiries, having been asked to speak to various Queensland Government Parliamentary Committees. Shane is also a member of the United Nations Association of Australia's QLD Division and attends MOST Cairns Regional Council meetings.
Champion of the Underdog and Community Leader Rob Pyne
I first met Former Cairns MP Rob Pyne in early 2021, just after his re-election to the Cairns Regional Council as a Division 2 Councillor. Rob Pyne had asked me if i would be interested in meeting him to discuss local issues, agreeing to collaborate together in the future where possible. Having the opportunity to build such strong relationships with respected members of the Cairns community such as Rob, allows me to better advocate for those that may be disadvantaged.
Recently Rob Pyne made a public call for legal help, putting together a legal defence team as he was being sued by the CEO of the Local Government Association of Queensland, Greg Hallam. As a young law student i reached out to Rob Pyne and offered to help as part of his team. To sit at the bar table with Rob has been an honour. CLICK HERE to learn more about the trial.
I have a lot of respect for Rob Pyne, he truly is the champion of the underdog. Rob Pyne is a former member of parliament and the first permanently disabled MP in Australia. Prior to his election as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland, Rob served two terms as a Cairns Regional Councillor. CLICK HERE to learn more about Rob Pyne.
Cairns Regional Council (Local Government Level)
Former Cairns MP and Division 2 Councillor Rob Pyne asked Shane Cuthbert to consider the Cairns Regional Council election 2024 and to consider also, the possibility of running for a seat.
Rob Pyne, Cairns Councillor for Division 2 says 'Shane Cuthbert is extremely passionate and visible here in the local community', and says also 'Shane Cuthbert is well placed within the business and social communities of Cairns, as a business owner and Cairns Volunteer of the Year Nominee'.
Shane Cuthbert says 'he is across all issues' and has been 'advocating for a safer, greater Cairns for quite some time'.
Shane Cuthbert has attended MOST Cairns Regional Council General Meetings and Cairns Regional Council Planning and Environment Meetings. Usually, as the only attendee besides Cairns Post reporters Peter Carruthers and Isaac Mcarthy, this has allowed Shane Cuthbert to better understand Local Council processes, decisions and Cairns issues.
From Left: Nita Mabo (Sisters Inside), Ruby Wharton (Sisters Inside), Division 2 Councillor Rob Pyne, Local Cairns Advocate Shane Cuthbert, Human Rights Advocate and Sisters Inside Founder Deb Kilroy, Cairns Mayor Bob Manning.
South Cairns (Local Government Area)
The Cairns South encompasses the area between gordonvale and the Cairns CBD and includes the suburbs of Edmonton, Woree, White Rock, Bentley Park.
Division One Councillor Brett Moller (Leadership and Governance)The area known as South Cairns is seperated into three divisions. Division One Councillor Brett Moller is a fantastic advocate for the local community of Gordonvale and its surrounds. Cairns Councillor Brett Moller in my opinion is the most advanced in terms of governance and leadership having practised law and served as the Chair of Ports North, State President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland and Director on the Australian Chamber of Commerce Board. Divison 1 Councillor Brett Moller represents the areas of Gordonvale Bramston Beach and Babinda.
Division Two Councillor Rob Pyne (Experience and Social Issues)Divison Two Councillor Rob Pyne is arguably the most successful politician in Cairns, very well known throughout the Cairns community having served as the Member for Cairns between 2015-2017. Prior to serving as Cairns MP Rob Pyne had served as both a Divison 2 Councillor and Division 3 Councillor for Cairns from 2008-2015 . The Pyne family name is quite well known as Tom Pyne, Robe Pyne's father served as Mayor of Cairns and Mulgrave shire for 30 years.
Shane Cuthbert first met Rob Pyne, having reached out to gather his support for a Youth Advisory Committee, having been recommended by the Cairns Young Chamber economic stimulus paper to which, he had made a contribution in 2019-2020. Rob immediately supported the move and asked to meet with him and they continue to work together on a number of projects.
Shane Cuthbert first met Rob Pyne, having reached out to gather his support for a Youth Advisory Committee, having been recommended by the Cairns Young Chamber economic stimulus paper to which, he had made a contribution in 2019-2020. Rob immediately supported the move and asked to meet with him and they continue to work together on a number of projects.
Division Three Councillor Kathy Zeiger (South Cairns Advocate)Shane Cuthbert first met Cairns Councillor Cathy Zeiger at the Cairns Crime Forum, a local community event held at Cazalys to address the escalating Crime issues affecting Cairns residents in 2020. Division 3 Councillor Cathy Zeiger represents the areas of White rock and Woree having taken the seat when former Division 3 Councillor Rob Pyne withdrew to run for the State Parliament seat, becoming member for Cairns in 2015 in the first Palaszcuzk Government. If you would like to know more about the forum CLICK HERE
Division Four Councillor Terry James (Deputy Mayor)
Division Four Councillor Terry James. Cairns Councillor Terry James is one of the least vocal in Council meetings and across social issues however, having served on Cairns Regional Council 1999-2008 (when Division 2 Councillor won an election against him in Division 3) and again from 2012 to Current and previously on Cairns City Council 1994-1995. Divison 4 Councillor Terry James represents the areas of Earlville, Kanimbla and Mooroobool, and parts of Manoora and Manunda
Division Five Councillor Amy Eden (Young, Energetic and Branding Extraordinaire)
Division Five Councillor Amy Eden is one of the younger councillors, narrowly elected in 2020, having run against long serving Councillor Ritchie Bates. Cairns Councillor Amy Eden is the most active Councillor in terms of getting out and about within the community, speaking with and engaging with locals, she is also the easiest to contact and accessible via most social media platforms. Amy Eden is a 'new age' Councillor.
Amy is well recognised for her leadership and commitment to the community. She has won the Australian Institute of Management Cairns Community Leader (2017) award, the Cairns Business Women’s Club Volunteer of the Year (2017) award and was a finalist of Cairns Regional Council’s 2019 Citizen of the Year awards. Committed to working in the community, Amy has volunteered countless hours to establish and support the Manoora Community Garden (view Amy's TEDx talk) and the positive movement project, 3MPride. Division 5 Councillor Amy Eden represents the areas of Cairns city, Cairns North, Portsmith, Westcourt, Parramatta Park, Aeroglen, Bungalow and part of Manunda. It also includes Green Island.
Amy is well recognised for her leadership and commitment to the community. She has won the Australian Institute of Management Cairns Community Leader (2017) award, the Cairns Business Women’s Club Volunteer of the Year (2017) award and was a finalist of Cairns Regional Council’s 2019 Citizen of the Year awards. Committed to working in the community, Amy has volunteered countless hours to establish and support the Manoora Community Garden (view Amy's TEDx talk) and the positive movement project, 3MPride. Division 5 Councillor Amy Eden represents the areas of Cairns city, Cairns North, Portsmith, Westcourt, Parramatta Park, Aeroglen, Bungalow and part of Manunda. It also includes Green Island.
Division Six Councillor Kristy Valelly (The Imperfect Mum)
Division Six Councillor Kristy Vallelly is a fantastic advocate for the local community and one of the most genuine Councillors. Cairns Councillor Kristy Vallelly was an early supporter alongside Rob Pyne of the Youth Advisory Committee, recommended by the Cairns Young Chamber economic stimulus paper to which, Shane Cuthbert contributed in 2019-2020. If you would like to know more about the Cairns Young Chamber Economic Stimuls Paper CLICK HERE
Divison 6 Councillor Kristy Vallelly operates the popular 'imperfect mum' online blog and represents the areas of Brinsmead, Crystal Cascades, Kamerunga, Redlynch, Freshwater and Stratford.
Division Seven Councillor Max O'Halloran (Development)
Division One Councillor Max O'Halloran is a local legend, personable, welcoming and kind. Cairns Councillor Max O'Halloran is one of the more supportive Councillors of development having a background in construction and roofing.
Divison 7 Councillor Max O'Halloran also loves his sports, The former Footscray (now Western Bulldogs) and Carlton AFL player is a life member and coach with AFL Cairns, Patron of Cairns Bands and the Rondo Theatre, and a life member of Tobruk Pool and North Cairns Football Club and represents the areas of Edge Hill and Whitfield, as well as parts of Manoora, Manunda and Brinsmead. Max has stated that he will not contest the Cairns 2024 election.
Division Eight Councillor Rhonda Coghlan (Sports)
Division Eight Councillor Rhonda Coghlan is a fantastic advocate for the local community of Gordonvale and its surrounds. Cairns Councillor Rhonda Coghlan is the most passionate about local community sporting organisations, always happy to advocate on thier behalf and support grants and funding for sports around Cairns. Divison 8 Councillor Rhonda Coghlan represents the areas of Barron, Caravonica, Holloways Beach, Machans Beach, Smithfield, Yorkeys Knob, and Trinity Park.
Division Nine Councillor Brett Olds (Strong, Outspoken and Popular)
Division Nine Councillor Brett Olds is one of the most popular Councillors and has competed in the Cairns Show esky races and played Cairns Celebrity Basketball with Triple MMM Presenter Elliot Lovejoy. Cairns Councillor Brett Olds isnt afraid to give it to the State Government and does not hold back when advocating for his community.
I first met Brett Olds as a guest on his local radio show discussing Cairns Issues, you can check that out HERE. Divison 9 Councillor Brett Olds represents the areas of Trinity Park and the suburbs of Trinity Beach, Clifton Beach, Kewarra Beach, Palm Cove and Ellis Beach.
Australian Labor Party (State of Queensland) Membership Dispute
Shane Cuthbert is no longer a member of the Australian Labor Party (State of Queensland) but has asked the Supreme Court of Queensland (unsuccessfully) and the Court of Appeal (still deliberating) to consider reinstating his membership. 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.
