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Unassuming WW11 commando presented with message of thanks

THE stories that Mackay man Joe Wills can tell about his service during the Second World War have been heard by very few people.That’s because this unassuming man chose to stay quiet about his experiences as a commando fighting the Japanese in New Guinea.The 93-year-old has clearly not had the recognition he deserved though I was able to rectify that in some small measure this week by presenting Joe with a Certificate of Appreciation.

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Region to supply workers & services for Adani

THE announcement today from Adani that Mackay, Bowen, Townsville and Rockhampton will all play key roles in providing manpower and services for their Carmichael Coal Mine Project will provide the region with a huge confidence boostThis is the news that everyone has been waiting to hear – workers and businesses in Mackay and Bowen, as well as those in Townsville and Rockhampton – will all benefit from the Carmichael Mine Project as we have the people, the logistics and the mining services hubs to service this project.

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Hollow boast from Labor candidate

Labor’s claim on approving the Carmichael Mine (Bowen Independent, 6/4/16, P8) is a hollow boast, considering Labor are still holding up the approval of the Abbot Point port expansion.The Labor Party ran a half page ad for their candidate in the upcoming federal election but what they failed to mention was they’re still yet to approve the Abbot Point port expansion.In fact Labor’s State Environment Minister Steven Miles is on the record stating he will not issue the Abbot Port approval until Adani has the finance for the project.

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Region’s capabilities on show

THE capabilities of Mackay’s mining services industry were on display today when I toured a number of Resource Industry Network businesses with the Minister for Northern Australia Matt Canavan.The mining services sector businesses has demonstrated their ability to adapt to changing conditions, and it was a pleasure to show the new Minister for Northern Australia just what Mackay is capable of.Today we have seen demonstrations of versatility in action from businesses such as Consolidated Plastics, Techserve, Ziggy’s Engineering and Absolute Enterprises, as well as North Queensland Bulk Ports.

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Landowner suffers $350,000 rip-off

I'VE gone into bat for a Mackay landowner who is owed more than $350,000 in compensation from the State Government’s Transport and Main Roads Department.Charles Ogilvie, who operates Blue River Landscape Supplies adjacent to the Edmund Casey Bridge at Foulden, has run out of options to get a fair deal, after land for the construction of the Edmund Casey Bridge was resumed in 2006.The valuer for Transport and Main Roads (TMR) determined that the value of the land, just on its capacity and not income potential, was $450,000.Mr Ogilvie was finally paid $100,000 about 18 months ago, but TMR has since said they have improved the value of his land and they don’t have to pay him any more money.

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Labor needs to stand with North Queensland workers

JOBS and a vital boost to this region's economy are still under threat from frivolous extreme green legal challenges and the only way to end them once and for all is through legislation in the federal parliament.The Adani Carmichael Coal Project is by no means certain while the extreme green legal challenges remain in the courts despite yesterday's mining lease approval.I'm calling on my Labor opponent to join me in the fight for local jobs by backing legislative action to end those green legal challenges.

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Fight is on to keep owner driver truckies on the road

A DECISION today by the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal (RSRT) will see scores of truck drivers across the region lose their livelihoods and small trucking businesses close down according to Federal Member for Dawson George Christensen, who said he would seek legislation to abolish the RSRT.The RSRT have announced today that they will ignore the calls from owner driver truckies all over the country and push ahead with their totally unfair minimum payment rate which will take effect from Monday.What this means is that the Labor-established and Labor-stacked tribunal has set a minimum payment rate for owner drivers which will effectively price them out of business.They are being told they must charge a rate for their services which is above that of drivers who are employees signed up to unions.I’ve met with dozens of owner driver truckies since this information of payment rates hit them out of the blue and knocked them for six.

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Hospital jobs losses a bogus claim

MEMBER for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert has been found guilty of unnecessarily scaring doctors and nurses about job losses following today’s COAG decision on hospital funding.Ms Gilbert wanted to pre-empt the outcome of today’s Council of Australian Governments meeting and proclaim that Mackay was in danger of losing 32 doctors and 113 nurses.There was never a danger that jobs would be cut.It was the size of the increase that was in dispute.It was the size of the increase that was in dispute.

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Seeking mayors’ support for $100 million rescue package

I will seek the support of incoming mayors across the region for my $100 million rescue plan next week which will help businesses diversify and help workers to retrain for new jobs.I have meetings scheduled with new Mackay mayor Greg Williamson, new Whitsunday mayor Andrew Willcox, new Burdekin mayor Lyn McLaughlin and continuing Townsville mayor Jenny Hill next week to explain the Bowen Basin Growth Fund rescue package I am lobbying for.I will be asking them to lend their voices to this call for support which will help businesses diversify and provide retraining for local retrenched workers.

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Green light for food labelling a win for shoppers, farmers and workers

The agreement by the states and territories to sweeping reforms on country of origin food labelling is great news for Aussie shoppers, Aussie farmers and Aussie workers.This is yet another great outcome for Australians from the $4 billion Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper, crafted and delivered by The Nationals.The new food labelling system will give Australian consumers the clarity they deserve, without imposing an excessive burden on businesses.It’s also a boost for Aussie farmers, and will secure jobs in agriculture and food processing for Aussie workers.

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Empowering businesses will create jobs

Businesses looking to export are the big winners from a new Coalition Government initiative to provide quick and easy access to trade information.A new FTA Portal will help local businesses take full advantage of Australia’s free trade agreements with the three north Asian powerhouse economies of China, Japan and South Korea.Opportunities for small and medium businesses to diversify are crucial right now and this tool will help make that happen.

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Supporting NAIDOC Week

FUNDING is available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups who want to celebrate NAIDOC Week as part of the Liberal National Government’s commitment to the celebration of the history, culture and achievements of First Australians.The 2016 NAIDOC grant funding round is part of a more than $2 million commitment from the Australian Government to support NAIDOC celebrations in July this year.

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New NQ state could be best in country

THE idea of a separate state for North Queensland should be determined by a referendum of North Queenslanders only, and I will write to all MPs, senators and mayors who represent areas above the Tropic of Capricorn to invite them to be part of a concerted push for such a move.This issue has been talked about for too long and what we really need now is some action.The people of the north deserve a fair hearing on this, and a group of influential state, federal and local government leaders would be well placed to push for a referendum on the formation of a new state of North Queensland.

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Wilmar negotiations welcome

We've had good news late today that Wilmar Sugar will begin negotiations with cane growers which recognise their right to a say over who markets their sugar.I’m pleased to hear that Wilmar is now ready to come to the negotiating table following the changes to legislation passed in State Parliament late last year, and thank goodness the tantrum is over.Wilmar have now written to growers to say that they will comply with the new laws which enable growers to choose who markets their sugar, whether it’s Wilmar or Queensland Sugar Limited.

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More aged care places

Older Australians will benefit from a substantial increase in funding for aged care services, with 123 new places approved in my electorate.There is a strong demand for aged care in Mackay and these additional places are essential in ensuring our elderly receive the quality care they deserve.In Mackay: 100 new residential aged care places to be provided by Ozcare Mackay, at a new facility yet to be built.

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Funds flow to youth service

FUNDING for a vital youth service in Mackay is secure for a further two years.YIRS One Stop Youth Shop was granted just under $200,000 to continue their vital support work with disadvantaged and vulnerable young people.YIRS has a great track record of working with young people and their families who really need support on a whole range of issues such as mental health, substance abuse, relationship breakdowns and homelessness.

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Fighting threat to jobs and truckie businesses

THE fight is on to protect the livelihoods of owner driver truckies whose future hangs in the balance over a disastrous ruling by a tribunal established by the former Gillard Labor government and stacked with Labor appointees.The Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal, a body set up by the previous Labor Government, has ruled that owner driver truckies can only be engaged by clients at a minimum payment rate, which is above that of employee truck drivers, effectively pricing them out of business.While the new rate is set to take effect from 4 April, both owner drivers and the Federal Liberal National Government have intervened to request the start date be pushed back until next year to enable further consideration of a move that could put thousands of owner drivers out of business.

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NQ access to NDIS on the way

18 MARCH 2016: North Queenslanders living with disability will have access to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) from November 1. The NDIS will enable participants in Mackay, the Whitsundays, and Isaac region to get lifelong individual support packages, with the right to select the support and services that are right for them. It’s one of the largest social policy reforms in Australia’s history.

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Concerns of horticulture industry heard: Backpacker tax to go! By George Christensen

The concerns of those in the horticultural industry have been heard, and the plan to introduce a 15% flat rate of tax for backpackers will now face a full review.Tourism Minister Richard Colbeck has announced a cross-department review so that we can take a long hard look at the issues surrounding the so-called ‘backpacker tax’ to make sure that we do not disadvantage growers who have been relying on backpackers to harvest their crops.I have had numerous phone calls and meetings with those in the horticultural industry, and I agreed to support the Bowen Gumlu growers in their push for a 15% flat rate of tax, rather than the proposed 32.5c tax for every dollar earned for those on working holiday visas.

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