Newsroom

September 2, 2024

Katter's Australian Party (KAP) has proudly launched its candidate for the Far North Queensland seat of Mulgrave today; Steven Lesina.

In what has been described as a ‘rags to respect’ story, Far North Queensland born and bred Lesina has overcome an all too common tough upbringing to quickly become a respected and revered leader in his community.

Launching the KAP’s candidate at the Walker Road sporting Precinct, KAP Leader Robbie Katter said he was in awe of the respect that Mr. Lesina held within the peri-urban electorate.

“I’ve always grown up with football as the lifeblood of the community,” Mr Katter said.

“From my schoolboy days through to representing my hometown and the wider region, I know the social fabric that football, and all those who make it happen week by week, are to our communities.

“Steven is such a great example of those who go over and above, not just encouraging and coaching the next generation of footballers in Far North Queensland, but also striving to empower those less fortunate to better themselves while playing a game we all love,” the KAP leader said.

Steven Lesina is a Cairns Southern Corridor educator, teaching at Bentley Park College, and has taken on leadership roles such as Year Level and sports coordinator.

‘Lesina’ to his team mates and colleagues, Steven is passionate about everyone from Bayview Heights to Deeral and Yarrabah to Little Mulgrave being able to overcome individual adversity and be able to contribute and give back to the community.

Reflecting on when KAP founder and Federal Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter telephoned him to ask him to consider running for Mulgrave, Lesina saw the offer as an honour and a great responsibility.

“It’s not every day that you answer your phone to hear ‘Steven, it’s Bob Katter – I’d like you to run for state parliament’!” Mr Lesina said.

“I never thought about becoming a politician – all I have worked hard to do in my career is help better the lives of those around me. So, I needed some convincing, but after a few quick considerations, and I was in.

“I just can’t help but take any opportunity I can to contribute to creating a better life, and opening up opportunities for my community,” the KAP Candidate for Mulgrave said.

The Federal Member for Kennedy reflected on the decades that he had been in public office, making special note of the Brisbane and Canberra based ‘representation’ that the people of Mulgrave have had.

“Brisbane and Canberra parties come up here and think they know what’s going on, and what we need up here.  Little do they know!” the Member for Kennedy said.

“We’re sick of having ‘local’ members who vote for Brisbane rail tunnels yet won’t support a Kuranda range tunnel,” Mr Katter said.

Mr Lesina is hitting the ground running, canvassing the views of the wider Mulgrave electorate.

“I am so passionate about my local people, our communities, and defending our Far North Queensland way of life,” Mr Lesina said.

“As I grew up, I had many challenges and barriers to navigate, but now that I’m able to give back, I’m ready to offer a real Far North Queensland voice for my community – not one that is beholden to a Brisbane HQ trying to win woke Brisbane votes,” the KAP Candidate for Mulgrave said.

The KAP Leader Robbie Katter, flanked by sitting KAP MPs and candidates said Steven was just what the people of Mulgrave were craving for – down to earth, hardworking, local representation.

“The KAP team and I are here to show the people of Mulgrave that they have a real opportunity for real representation – not a has-been or an ever-aspirant ‘politician’.  Steven is a real voice for real Far North Queenslanders, supported by a party who is based in North Queensland – not Brisbane,” Mr Katter said.