MP takes up BoM job losses with PM
THE loss of on-ground Bureau of Meteorology staff in Mackay and Townsville was raised directly with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in Canberra this morning.It was announced on Friday that bureau staff in both Mackay and Townsville would need to relocate after weather stations switch to fully automated systems between now and 2017.I was informed this morning that this decision to take away all of our on-ground weather monitoring staff from Mackay and Townsville, as well as other centres, was made by the management of the Bureau of Meteorology, rather than Environment Minister Greg Hunt’s office.Regardless of who made the decision, I am seeking to have it reversed.
$5 billion funding bill for the North ready to go
THE draft legislation to enable the flow of $5 billion into projects in Northern Australia has been released and this is a key step in developing jobs and opportunities for the north.The exposure draft legislation for the $5 billion Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) paves the way for the flow of funding into the development of infrastructure, so that this region and other parts of Northern Australia can reach the potential we know is there.The north holds the country’s rich reserves of energy and resources, it has many thousands of hectares of arable land if we get the right water infrastructure, like Urannah Dam, in place, and we have world-class tourist attractions.
New Minister ready to tackle extreme greens
THE Liberal National Government’s new Minister for Resources, Energy and Northern Australia has wasted no time in addressing the issue of extreme green activism which is robbing the region of jobs and investment.Minister Josh Frydenberg has already noted the importance of Adani’s Carmichael Mine Project, and the threat to our economy posed by the campaigns of the extreme greens.He understands what’s at stake here, as their destructive extreme green campaigns will not only cost the people of this region jobs and opportunities; they are also likely to result in foreign investors going elsewhere for their coal and iron ore.
Northern door opens for investment
TODAY’S launch of the Northern Australia White Paper opens the door for industry-supporting projects like the Walkerston bypass and the Urannah Dam.The White Paper: Our North, Our Future, outlined a framework for supercharging the economy of North Queensland, the Northern Territory and the northern half of Western Australia.From mining and agriculture to tourism and services, the Government will be fostering and investing in industries to help the north prosper and grow.
Budget provides jobs, economic boost for North
NORTHERN Australia is a big winner in tonight’s Budget with a massive boost of $5 billion of investment.This is addition to schemes to provide more pathways to jobs for people of all ages, but particularly youth, immediate benefits for small businesses, and more childcare options for families.Northern Australia can now step up to the plate to drive economic development and play a vital role in the nation’s path back to recovery with the announcement of a new $5 billion Northern Infrastructure Facility.
Budget measures good for jobs & families
Families will find measures to make life easier, businesses will reap a tax cut and jobs will be created after the Liberal National Government’s Budget is handed down tomorrow.This Budget is about building jobs, growth and opportunities while still charting a path to debt reduction.A new Child Care Subsidy will be introduced from July 2017 which will mean families with incomes of between $65,000 and $170,000 will be around $30 a week better off.