Save the Cairns Taipans

Aaron Grabau - 2009 Cairns Sportsperson of the Year

March 13th
(c) The Cairns Post

THE saviour of the Cairns Taipans may come from an unexpected quarter after the LNP pledged to sign a $1 million bank guarantee required for the club to continue hitting the boards next season.

Labor Treasurer Andrew Fraser has also expressed an interest in saving the troubled Snakes.

Opposition treasury spokesman Tim Nicholls told The Cairns Post that if elected the LNP would provide the guarantee if it was the last thing needed for the club to retain its licence with Basketball Australia.

"We think Cairns needs a shot in the arm, the tourism industry has been savaged," he said.

"We need to provide support to our regional centres so community life can go on."

Mr Fraser said Cairns MP Desley Boyle had already raised this issue with him and if re-elected the Bligh government would look carefully at the proposal.

"While it is unusual for a government to be a guarantor, however in this case all options would have to be carefully considered."

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