Sophie Lester

Chief of Staff / Journalist - WIN News Canberra via QLD▪️ [email protected] ▪️ All views are my own

[Sophie Lester @SophieMLester]

Labor leader Anthony Albanese @AlboMP has touched down in #Cairns to discuss the Opposition’s plans for the Far North, including announcing a familiar face as the candidate for Leichhardt. I’ll have the full story tonight on @WINNews_CNS 6pm. Channel 8 & 80(HD) | @saveourvoices

[WIN News Cairns @WINNews_CNS]

The PM and Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price meeting with personnel at the HMAS Cairns this afternoon, revealing the successful tender for the $155m wharf upgrades. We’ll have all the details tonight at 6pm.
Ch 8 & 80(HD) | #WINNews6pm
#SaveOurVoices @saveourvoices

[Sophie Lester @SophieMLester]

Prime Minister @ScottMorrisonMP has touched down in #Cairns, talking to business leaders about the Coalition’s $10 billion reinsurance pool to drive down costs for northern operators. I’ll have the full story, tonight on @WINNews_CNS

[WIN News Cairns @WINNews_CNS]

A fresh round of the #Cairns Holiday Dollars is hoped to spur even more spending on our best #FNQ attractions, supporting operators in their recovery 🌴🛥 @SophieMLester has the details coming up on WIN News after 6.
Channel 8 & 80(HD) | #WINNews6pm #SaveOurVoices @saveourvoices

[Sophie Lester @SophieMLester]

A Senate Committee report released today recommends the Coalition widens the scope of its Northern Australia Agenda to properly unlock the north’s potential. I’ll have that story and more from 6pm on @WINNews_CNS

[Sophie Lester @SophieMLester]

The Federal Government says its $10m contribution to #Cairns art gallery is a COVID recovery must, but the local state MP says direct support to operators would be a better use for the cash splash. I’ll have the story tonight on @WINNews_CNS

[Sophie Lester @SophieMLester]

Strong Easter visitor numbers, and a hotel reopening made even better by #NZ confirming its two-way travel bubble will open in just under a fortnight. I’ll have the latest coming up on @WINNews_CNS after 6.

[Sophie Lester @SophieMLester]

Great to see plenty of interstate visitors pouring in to Cairns Airport today, just a couple of hours after the Brisbane lockdown was confirmed to lift. I’ll have the latest on Qld’s COVID situation tonight on @WINNews_CNS

[Sophie Lester @SophieMLester]

Cairns Wake Park would usually be gearing up for an action-packed Easter weekend, but is instead joining other operators riding a wave of traveller uncertainty. I’ll have the latest on the #QLD clusters and what it means for FNQ tonight on @WINNews_CNS

[WIN News Cairns @WINNews_CNS]

Long queues at #Portsmith COVID testing clinic this morning, but FNQ operators are hopeful the lockdown will end in time for the long-weekend, with a visitor boost sorely needed. We’ll have all the details at 6pm. Ch 8 & 80(HD) | #WINNews6pm
#SaveOurVoices @saveourvoices

[Sophie Lester @SophieMLester]

#Cairns leaders are hopeful Brisbane’s 3-day snap lockdown won’t scuttle long-term traveller confidence, especially as Jobkeeper’s withdrawn. I’ll have the details of what today’s news means for FNQ tonight on @WINNews_CNS #saveourvoices @saveourvoices

[WIN News Cairns @WINNews_CNS]

Meet the Far North croc wranglers in training, snapping up valuable experience with an industry legend at his CQ croc farm 🐊 see this daring duo in action on tonight at 6pm.
Channel 8 & 80(HD) | #WINNews6pm #SaveOurVoices @saveourvoices

[Sophie Lester @SophieMLester]

This is what cotton looks like 96 days after planting 👀 I’ll have the story on this emerging industry for #FNQ coming up on @WINNews_CNS tonight at 6. #localnews @CottonAustralia

[WIN News Cairns @WINNews_CNS]

Expected Easter traffic through @cairns_airport is on par with 2019 levels and operators and accommodation providers couldn’t be happier. We’ll have the full story on the sorely-needed confidence boost tonight at 6pm.
Channel 8 & 80(HD) | #WINNews6pm #SaveOurVoices @saveourvoices

[Sophie Lester @SophieMLester]

@annastaciamp meets with one of the Cairns Holiday Dollars campaign winners in #PortDouglas to launch a new industry reference panel, steering the ship for the tourism sector’s recovery. I’ll have the story tonight on to @WINNews_CNS #WINNews6pm #SaveOurVoices

[Sophie Lester @SophieMLester]

Far Northern operators are welcoming the Coalition’s $1.2b support package that will see airfares slashed to drive domestic tourism, though some worry it doesn’t go far enough to help businesses moving off Jobkeeper. That story coming up on @WINNews_CNS

[Sophie Lester @SophieMLester]

@studycairns took part in a @teqld forum in #Cairns today, driving marketing efforts to lure international students to the Far North as it pushes to bring more of these lucrative learners back into Australia. I’ll have the story #FIRSTON @WINNews_CNS tonight. #LocalNews

[Sophie Lester @SophieMLester]

I’ll have the story after 6 tonight. @WINNews_CNS #localnews

[WIN News Cairns @WINNews_CNS]

Tropical Reef Shipyard & Austal have signed a new partnership with Thales to assist the #Navy grow its shipbuilding and sustainment capacity in Cairns, bringing a boatload of opportunities. That story coming up on @WINNews_CNS @saveourvoices #saveourvoices

[Sophie Lester @SophieMLester]

@TAFEQld will deliver training and support to Guardian-class patrol vessel crews through the Pacific, thanks to a $36m Commonwealth cash splash. That story coming up on @WINNews_CNS tonight at 6pm.
Ch 8 & 80(HD) | #WINNews6pm
#SaveOurVoices @saveourvoices

[Sophie Lester @SophieMLester]

I’ll have the story tonight on @WINNews_CNS covering off the latest in state and federal support for the Far North’s tourism industry.

[WIN News Cairns @WINNews_CNS]

Federal treasurer @JoshFrydenberg says details of a post-Jobkeeper package will be delivered within days, but there shouldn’t be an expectation of an economy-wide wage subsidy, leaving some Far North operators disheartened. We’ll have all the details tonight at 6 @saveourvoices