Labor has secured the Far North Queensland seat of Leichhardt, with Matt Smith elected to replace retiring LNP MP Warren Entsch who served in the position for 26 years.
Mapoon man and Cape York advocate Jack Wilkie-Jans says Labor must now prioritise the region's urgent needs.
Mr Wilkie-Jans congratulated Mr Smith and acknowledged Mr Entsch's service, but said the federal election campaign failed to address Cape York and its issues.
"I congratulate Matt on his election, and thank Warren for his service. But, there's no time to waste - there's overdue work to do," he said.
"Labor, as well as the LNP, shamefully went to the polls with zero commitments for Cape York.
"We were scarcely mentioned by our local candidates, nor visited by any party leader."
He said recent discussions on space and data industries and defence upgrades must be matched with a clear policy and consultation framework.
Mr Wilkie-Jans called for investment in the Lakeland Irrigation Area Scheme and a Regional Agriculture Masterplan which includes land tenure reform and diversification.
He also urged the Federal Government to commit $60 million for Stage 3 works of the Peninsula Development Road upgrade and to address a growing transport issue at the Jardine River Ferry, which remains out of service and needs to be replaced with a bridge.
"Where's the commentary on access for goods and services via affordable and routine freight, and more resilient telecommunication - e.g. there are microwave towers every 30kms of the PDR which remain unused," Mr Wilkie-Jans said.
"Is sustainable forestry, aquaculture and fisheries on the agenda for the returned Albanese Government's investment via the existing Developing North Australia framework?
"We must also look to the mining status quo, which itself must navigate the future of the Chinese markets for their raw materials, in the gradually heating waters of expansionism across the Asia-Pacific."
Cape York Peninsula spans around 290,000 square kilometres with a population of about 17,000.
Despite its small population, the region is home to rare earth deposits, resource extraction, agriculture, tourism, land management, and Indigenous art.
In 2024, the Leichhardt electorate's economic contribution to Australia's GDP exceeded $1 billion, with the state seat of Cook returning an estimated $500 million.
Mr Wilkie-Jans said Labor's only commitment so far has been a proposal to close the region to what he called a "vaguely defined and controversial World Heritage Listing," currently under state government review.
He noted the upcoming Western Cape Futures Symposium, hosted by the Western Cape Chamber of Commerce on May 7 and 8, is a chance for the new MP to hear directly from the region.
"It's soon after the election, but it will be an invaluable opportunity for incoming Member, Matt Smith, to learn directly from the people, businesses and innovators, and investors of the region as to what we need help with," Mr Wilkie-Jans said.
"It's about seeing a more prosperous and resilient economy for my home region over the coming decades, while Rio Tinto's bauxite mining operations begin to wind-up.
"I encourage Matt to come up to Weipa and attend. He will find it a great learning exercise and find us very welcoming and willing to get to work together."
