State Labor urged to act to save jobs and industry
stalemate over sugar marketing arrangements could be addressed before the end of the year if the State Labor Government steps up to the mark and makes the legislative changes the industry has been calling for since the dispute began.The need for action was on the agenda during a site tour at Queensland Sugar Limited’s Bulk Sugar Terminal in Mackay this morning with Federal Government’s Agriculture & Water Resources Minister Barnaby Joyce, Canegrowers Mackay chairman Kevin Borg and Canegrowers Queensland chairman Paul Schembri.The Queensland Labor Government can deal with this issue once and for all by changing legislation in the Sugar Act to ensure growers get a say over who markets their sugar.
Extreme greens urged to get out of the way
I am heading to Ahmedabad on a mission for jobs.I will be meeting with the Chairman of the Adani Group, Mr Gautam Adani, to deliver thousands of postcards of support from a community saying, ‘Yes, Mackay does support the Carmichael mine, Yes, we can supply a workforce, and Yes, we can be a service hub for the Carmichael Coal Project'.The extreme green movement, who have conducted a relentless campaign against the job-creating Carmichael Coal Project, need to understand that Adani needs coal, and will simply source it from somewhere else if they can’t go ahead with their mine in Australia.
On road to progress
Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss joined me to inspect progress on the $13.8 million Showgrounds intersection upgrade in Mackay today.This is one of many safety related projects included in the $241.8 million Bruce Highway – Black Spots programme, and it's another significant improvement which is nearing completion.“The Bruce Highway forms a key transport link along the east coast of Australia, connecting small towns with major cities, as well as suppliers with domestic and international markets,” Mr Truss said.
MP condemns NAB’s hefty home deposits
I am going to issue an invitation to the CEO of the National Australia Bank to visit Mackay and hear firsthand about the effects of the bank’s decision to restrict home loan lending to those who can stump up with a 30% deposit.More than 20 real estate industry leaders met with me this week to share their concerns about the bank’s ruling that buyers in Mackay are a “credit risk”.The National Australia Bank has led the way in kicking us when we are down with this hard-line approach to lending, and actions like this do nothing to stimulate the economy and encourage investment.
Last call for jobs support
28 October 2015: North Queenslanders have just two more days to return their “Postcards for Adani” to support jobs and economic growth through the Carmichael mine.
Job protection guaranteed in CHAFTA deal
NO foreigner will be allowed to fill a job in Australia that an Australian can do under new regulations to be introduced by the Liberal National Government.These regulations apply to the China Australia Free Trade Agreement (CHAFTA), the 457 visa regime, and all other such arrangements, and these regulations have won the support of the Labor Party.It always was the case that Australian workers would get the first go and a fair go at filling Australian jobs and the new regulations will make that doubly so.
Benefits of medicinal marijuana are many
A MOVE by the Liberal National Coalition Government to allow for the cultivation of medicinal cannabis is a compassionate and sensible one.It's a cause I have personally been championing for some time, and I welcome the potential for job creation in the region.There is plenty of evidence to support the use of medicinal marijuana. It’s a natural product which can provide very effective relief for those suffering from a range of debilitating illnesses.Our region also has a lot to gain through the introduction of a new crop that could boost our economy.
Extreme green bother brigade must be stopped
THE extreme green activists have put out the call for donations to fund another legal challenge of the Carmichael Coal Project before they even know what they can oppose.The action is another clear indication that the extreme greens are hell-bent on robbing the region of much-needed jobs and investment dollars.GetUp! has put the call out for donations to fund another legal challenge already, and by these actions they are proving the point yet again that this has nothing to do with conservation and everything to do with stopping coal projects.
Key intersection upgrade progressing rapidly
Work is progressing rapidly on major upgrades to the intersection of the Bruce Highway and Shakespeare Street and the Showgrounds in Mackay, and it's great to see this continued investment in local roads.This is a key intersection in the city, and the Bruce Highway link to the north and south.An upgraded intersection will improve safety and reduce congestion.
Carmichael Mine Project gets green light
THE long wait for a decision on the Carmichael Mine Project is over; with word today that Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt has approved the project.Workers and business operators throughout Central and North Queensland will be breathing a sigh of relief.The way is now clear for Adani to get on with the job of building the Carmichael mine and the associated rail infrastructure, and that means jobs and investment dollars will start to flow.
CQ MPs take action to ban 100% FIFO
A BILL to ban 100% Fly-In Fly-Out (FIFO) work practices is one of the first orders of business in Canberra next Monday, following the push by Michelle Landry and I to end discrimination by postcode.The Private Member’s Bill will seek to make it illegal for companies to lock people out of jobs based on where they live.The workers of this region deserve the right to apply for any job going, and should particularly be able to apply for jobs right on their doorstep.
Time to sign up to welcome campaign
THE postcards and signatures on the Adani campaign are rolling into the office as close to 1000 people register their support for the Carmichael Mine Project and Abbot Point coal terminal expansion.It is vital for the region to demonstrate its willingness to work on the project which will create thousands of jobs over the total project.We want to ensure we are a collection point for workers for the Carmichael Coal Project, and it has always been Adani’s intention that this be the case.
Labor fails to deliver on 100% FIFO
AFTER promising to end the practice of 100% fly-in fly-out mining arrangements in order to get elected, the State Labor Government has drastically failed to deliver.The Palaszczuk Labor Government made big promises ahead of the last state election, and stated in no uncertain terms that “the current practice of excluding potential workers from applying for jobs and training because of their residential postcode will not be allowed to continue”.Their FIFO committee has now released a report stating that it ‘does not support retrospective recommendations to current project approvals’.So they’ve had a committee working on this for months, and their recommendation will do nothing to end the existing practice of 100% FIFO operations.
MP will travel to India to deliver message
“We’ve got the workers, the industry capabilities and the experience to support your project Mr Adani, and we’re ready to get started.”This is the message I will share personally with mining investor Gautam Adani when I travel to India next month.The region’s need for jobs and investment is too important to leave to chance, and I will do everything in my power to ensure our region does not miss out on the opportunities the Carmichael Mine Project will bring.I’m asking everyone in Mackay to get on board with my campaign to let Gautam Adani know that we are ready and waiting to roll up our sleeves and get to work.
Extreme green rot must stop
THE latest extreme green court action mounted against the Alpha Coal Project demonstrates how important it is that the Federal Government stick with legislation to end the sabotage of coal projects.The people who pay the ultimate price for these vigilante court actions are the workers of Central and North Queensland in dire need of jobs, and the businesses desperate for a boost to the region’s economy.The extreme green activists will continue to mount challenge after challenge against coal projects like the Alpha Coal Project and the Carmichael Mine Project.