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Artists invited to apply for Catalyst

APPLICATIONS for funding under the new national arts fund called Catalyst are now open, and I encourage organisations in the region to consider what is on offer.The Catalyst – Australian Arts and Culture Fund is open to small, medium and large arts organisations at national, regional and community level.It will support projects that demonstrate innovation and increase access and participation in Australian cultural life, or that enhance our international reputation.There is a special emphasis on supporting projects in the regions.

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That's entertainment

A production of Bram Stoker’s classic, Dracula, and a performance by emerging Far North Queensland talent Greta Stanley are cultural experiences Mackay audiences can look forward to in 2016 thanks to two Liberal National Government funding programs.I am pleased to announce that Mackay audiences will benefit from the Federal Government’s support for artists through the Playing Australia Regional Arts Touring Fund and the Contemporary Music Touring Program, respectively.The Shake & Stir Theatre Company will receive $495,026 to fund a touring production of Bram Stoker’s classic horror story, Dracula, and this will include a visit to Mackay.

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Boosting Great Barrier Reef protection

On Oceans Day at the Paris climate summit, a commitment of $58 million in funding from the Reef Trust spearheaded a suite of measures by the Liberal National Government to continue to build the health and resilience of the iconic Great Barrier Reef.This new commitment of $58 million between 2015 and 2019 brings the total Australian Government’s investment through the Reef Trust to $91.3 million.This third phase of investment will support farmers and land owners to improve their land management practices and reduce the runoff of key Reef pollutants – into the Great Barrier Reef catchment and boost the resilience of the reef.We are working with farmers, graziers and cane growers to improve their efficiency and to help the reef.

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State Labor need to ‘cop it sweet’ on sugar deal

THE sugar industry owes a debt of gratitude to the Liberal National Party, Katter’s Australian Party and independent state MPs who stood up for a grower’s right to a say over who markets their sugar in the Queensland Parliament last night.Though the Palaszczuk Labor Government now intends to seek Federal intervention on a deal which backs growers rather than foreign millers, they have little chance of succeeding.I particularly congratulate the LNP Shadow Minister for Agriculture Deb Frecklington and Katter Australia Party MP Shane Knuth on their considerable efforts to secure this amendment to the Sugar Act which will ensure that growers have a real choice over who markets their sugar.

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Bank to reassess Mackay lending restrictions

The National Australia Bank (NAB) has promised to reassess their lending restrictions for Mackay home buyers.Earlier this year the NAB changed their guidelines for Mackay to restrict home loan lending to only those who could provide a 30% deposit.Following a meeting in October with more than 20 real estate industry leaders, I issued an invitation to the National Australia Bank’s CEO to visit Mackay and hear firsthand about the effects of the bank’s ruling that buyers in Mackay were essentially a "credit risk".

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MP in push for improved mobile coverage for Alligator Creek

I went into bat for the people of Alligator Creek south of Townsville in Parliament this morning, with a push for improved mobile phone coverage for the area.I nominated Alligator Creek as my top priority for funding under Round 1 of the Mobile Black Spot Program, but unfortunately the network providers had a different set of priorities and Alligator Creek missed out.Nominations for Round 2 are now open and I’m doing everything I can to ensure that Alligator Creek gets improved coverage this time round.

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PM agrees with stance on climate document

PROMPT action was needed yesterday to ensure that a communique which would cost jobs and harm rural and resources sectors was not signed during the Paris conference.I contacted both Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Environment Minister Greg Hunt directly because the communique could have spelt the end of the diesel fuel rebate which protects off-road users such as farmers and mining companies.The loss of that rebate would add millions of dollars to the operating costs of mining companies, and thousands of dollars to farmers, and this would cost jobs at a time when we can least afford any more imposts.

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Region needs a ‘year of opportunity’ in 2016

27 NOVEMBER 2015: A dedicated agency tasked with job creation and industry development could make 2016 a year of opportunity for the greater Mackay region.

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More work for the Bruce

26 NOVEMBER 2015: Work is set to begin on constructing two overtaking lanes on the Bruce Highway between Proserpine and Mackay, with a contract for the $7 million project being awarded to Doval Constructions. These constructions projects on the Bruce Highway are bringing jobs and economic growth to the region. The jobs and wages that will come into the region are a welcome boost to the local economy in the short term and in the long term, a more efficient Bruce Highway keeps the economy on the move and more productive.

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Airports opening to world of jobs

GOVERNMENT-funded provision of customs and immigration services at Mackay and Whitsunday Coast airports will be critical for international flights enabling job creation and economic growth.The Liberal National Government has been providing free customs and immigration services to the Townsville airport since it began international flights to Bali earlier this year.I have already spoken with the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, seeking similar arrangements for international airport operations at both Mackay and the Whitsundays.

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Sugar growers stand firm on choice

THOUGH a small group of sugar cane growers in the Burdekin have exercised their right to sign up with Wilmar mills for the 2017 season this hardly resolves the marketing issue for the vast majority of growers who are fighting for the right to say no to the foreign-owned miller.About 30 independent growers signed interim arrangements for the 2017 season.But this is not a deal which has been accepted by any collective, as both Pioneer Cane Growers and Burdekin District Cane Growers groups remain opposed to Wilmar’s plans to take full control of the marketing of sugar.

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We are at war with radical Islam

24 NOVEMBER 2015: Amending the Citizenship Act to strip Australian citizenship from dual nationals who commit acts of terrorism or who fight for Islamic State is a key weapon for freedom in the war against radical Islam.The Australian Citizenship Amendment (Allegiance to Australia) Bill 2015, which seeks to allow for dual citizens to have their citizenship stripped in such circumstances, is currently being debated in federal parliament at a very prescient time.

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Syrian refugee screening critical

We need watertight security screening of Syrian refugees to protect Australians from terrorism attacks.I put a Question on Notice to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Peter Dutton, today requesting the exact procedures, questions, and checks that would be made when screening the 12,000 Syrian refugees the government has committed to accept.I have also asked who will conduct the screening and what assurances they can provide to the Australian people that the screening process will be effective.

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Burdekin group receives arts boost

INDIGENOUS artists in the Burdekin will start work on brightening up the region with a series of art installations after receiving Liberal National Government funding of more than $71,000.The Gudjuda Reference Group Aboriginal Corporation will undertake the Culture Transcends Time through Art project, which is about connecting Indigenous people in the Burdekin region with their culture in a changing environment through the creation of four art installations.Those involved in the project will be mentored by local artist Dr Farvardin Daliri, and they will design and develop four sculptures: a sea turtle, an Aboriginal man, a South Sea Islander cane cutter and an Australian swagman.

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Still time to apply for agriculture grants

Farmers and fishers have another fortnight to apply for a share of $2.2 million in small grants to increase industry capacity and support the adoption of productive management practices.Our farmers are some of our most dedicated conservationists and sustainable land managers. They manage pests and weeds, often at their own cost, to the benefit of the entire community.

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Solution for stalled jobs

12 NOVEMBER 2015: Thousands of jobs in North Queensland could flow sooner if Federal Labor was willing to back the workers of the resource industry. In parliament last night, I proposed a solution to the stalled Carmichael Coal Project, which would see construction begin sooner and thousands of jobs come on line.

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