Terry James MP
Member for Mulgrave
Terry James MP - Member for Mulgrave
As the Member for Mulgrave, my goal is to keep you informed about all that is happening within, and affecting, our great part of Far North Queensland. This website is just one of the many ways I’ll keep you updated on the new initiatives delivered by the Crisafulli Government to build a vibrant, safe, and prosperous community. Here, you’ll find updates on what’s happening both within our local community and across our great State. Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with what I’m doing each week.
About
Terry
Born and educated in Cairns, Terry is a fourth-generation local whose family history in Far North Queensland dates back to the late 1800s on the Hodgkinson Gold Fields.
He founded JB Design (Cairns) Pty Ltd in 1977 and led the company for 46 years as Director and Building Designer before selling the business in 2023.
Terry served in local government for 22 years, beginning with the former Cairns City Council and later the Cairns Regional Council. He held roles as Councillor, Deputy Mayor, and ultimately Mayor of Cairns from December 2023 to March 2024.
For more than 40 years, Terry has been an active community volunteer, contributing to organisations including the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation, FNQ Youth Assistance Fund, Harald’s House, Cairns & District Youth & Recreation Association, and the Australian Volunteer Coastguard.
His extensive business and local government experience has given him strong skills across community infrastructure, disaster management, community safety and environmental management.
Maiden Speech
Presenting my Maiden Speech to the
58th Queensland Parliament.
Queensland Budget 2026 - 2027
The latest Queensland Budget has been delivered, focused on strengthening the foundations of our “fresh start” and delivering on commitments to the community.
Key highlights include:
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No new or increased taxes
Queenslanders will not face any new or higher taxes for the second year in a row.
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Targeted cost-of-living relief
The Budget includes practical measures to ease everyday expenses, including reduced energy costs through the Energy Roadmap.
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Support for families and households
Key programs are continuing as promised:
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Back to School Boost
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Play On! Sports Vouchers
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Permanent 50 Cent public transport fares
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Safer communities
Investment in stronger laws, more police, early intervention and rehabilitation programs, and increased support for victims.
We recognise that many Queenslanders are doing it tough. This Budget delivers structured, reliable cost-of-living relief while continuing to invest in safer communities and essential services you can count on.
To find out more, click on the link below.
Breach Bail, Go to Jail
Have your say on strong bail laws.
Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own home and community. Yet for too long, Queensland families have lived with the consequences of Labor's youth crime crisis, as repeat offenders cycled through a revolving door of crime and reoffending.
That's why I'm proud to support the Crisafulli Government's plan to restore safety where we live through stronger laws, more police, targeted early intervention and meaningful rehabilitation programs.
Our Adult Crime, Adult Time laws are already making a difference, helping drive down victim numbers across Queensland. But we know there is more work to do.
The next step in putting victims' rights ahead of offenders' rights is strengthening Queensland's bail laws.
Too often, serious repeat offenders are arrested, taken before the courts and then released on bail, only to go on and commit further offences in our communities. Queenslanders rightly expect that those who repeatedly break the law will be held accountable for their actions.
That is why the Crisafulli Government has introduced the Breach Bail, Go to Jail and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 to Parliament as the next phase of Adult Crime, Adult Time.
These reforms will deliver the strongest bail laws in the country and ensure there are real consequences for serious repeat offenders.
The proposed reforms include:
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Creating a new offence for committing a serious crime while on bail.
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Introducing a mandatory minimum sentence of 12 months imprisonment, to be served in custody.
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Applying the reforms to youth offenders who commit an Adult Crime, Adult Time offence while on bail.
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Applying the reforms to adults who commit an Adult Crime, Adult Time offence, child sexual offences under Daniel's Law, or coercive control offences while on bail.
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Introducing a tougher bail test requiring offenders to demonstrate they will not commit further serious offences if released.
These changes are designed to stop the revolving door of crime and put community safety first.
While Labor voted against mandatory sentencing measures for serious offenders who breach bail and has indicated support for raising the age of criminal responsibility, the Crisafulli Government is focused on delivering the stronger laws Queenslanders have been calling for.
After a decade of weak laws that saw victim numbers rise dramatically across the state, our reforms are delivering results. According to Queensland Police data, victim numbers have already fallen by 9.6% under Adult Crime, Adult Time reforms.
We know there is still a long way to go, but we remain committed to restoring safety where we live, supporting victims and ensuring repeat offenders face appropriate consequences for their actions.
We want to hear what you think about the changes we’ve introduced.
Mulgrave Electorate Survey
As your State Member, I make it my business to be available. Wherever we cross paths, let me know what’s on your mind!
GALLERY
Here are just a few of the many photos captured across our
wonderful Electorate of Mulgrave.
I spoke in Parliament about the recently revised Queensland Crocodile Management Plan—the QCMP 2025.
The Crisafulli Government has delivered the most significant update to crocodile management in almost a decade. Developed with input from communities in Far North Queensland, the new QCMP puts human safety first and ensures local voices are heard.
Key changes include:
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Upgrading three high-use recreation waterholes on the Mulgrave River to Targeted Crocodile Removal Zones, focusing on crocodiles over two metres and those displaying dangerous behaviour.
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Elevating the Barron River near Mareeba and the Southedge Dam to Reportable Removal Zones, where any reported crocodile can be targeted for removal.
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Expanding ‘Zone F’ in the Mareeba Shire for automatic removal of crocodiles in atypical habitats.
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Installing permanent educational signage at high-risk locations, developing targeted marketing campaigns, and producing educational materials in traditional and common tourist languages.
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Enhancing engagement with Indigenous communities and enabling real-time crocodile sighting reporting through the QWildlife app.
The new QCMP includes a mandatory five-year review and, crucially, an annual four-week consultation period that will give locals communities the chance to have their voices heard. Feedback and proposed changes to zoning will be considered on a rolling basis. This empowers local communities to provide feedback and propose changes, ensuring the plan remains responsive and effective, without waiting years for a full review.
The revised crocodile management system is practical, evidence-based, and community-focused. The Crisafulli Government will continue to strengthen our approach, protect our people and our environment, and support the industries that underpin our regional economies through ongoing improvements and engagement embedded in the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan 2025.
Click on the link below to read the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan 2025 in full.
Mulgrave Electorate Office
Phone: (07) 4237 1100
Email: mulgrave@parliament.qld.gov.au
Address: 94-96 Norman Street, Gordonvale QLD 4865
Opening Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 4:00pm
(Meetings by appointment)