ACCC must investigate Wilmar stalemate
12 OCTOBER 2016: I have called on the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to urgently investigate the stalemate between North Queensland cane farmers and Singaporean sugar miller Wilmar this morning.
Best welfare is helping to secure and hold a job
12 OCTOBER 2016: The best form of welfare government can provide is to fund initiatives that help people to find and keep a job. The Liberal National Government’s focus on ensuring young Australians are job-ready has been strengthened with the launch of grant guidelines for the second round of the Empowering YOUth Initiatives.
Labor sweeps QLD dam projects under the carpet
11 OCTOBER 2016: Urannah Dam and a host of other water projects in North Queensland have been swept under the carpet by the Queensland Labor government, putting thousands of job opportunities on hold.
Week highlights suicide prevention
10 OCTOBER 2016: Mental Health week, which starts today, is an opportunity to highlight the important suicide prevention work undertaken by individuals and organisations in North Queensland.
Million dollar boost to aged care facility
It was a pleasure to represent the Prime Minister today at the opening of a new specialist care wing which will provide a million dollar boost to Townsville’s aged care facilities.The Good Shepherd Home at Annandale was successful in gaining further funding under the second round of the National Stronger Regions programme last year, and today we celebrated the opening of a new wing for the facility which features 90 new rooms with private ensuites, a premium accommodation floor, a high care accommodation floor and an entire level dedicated to the care of dementia patients.This project has been completed over two stages and features three levels, and it provides a premium care facility for Townsville’s aged community.
Flicking the switch on cricket lights funding
A PROJECT which will drive sports tourism in Mackay and draw cricket and AFL fans from far afield will now become a reality thanks to a significant boost of Federal Government funding.I’m happy to announce that Harrup Park Country Club’s application for $497,026 in funding under the National Stronger Regions Fund (NSRF) to upgrade the lighting at their Premier Oval has been successful.This means that Harrup Park will be able to meet the standards required by Cricket Australia and the AFL to host premier sporting events during the popular evening timeslot which is televised.This million dollar project ($997,026 in total) will stimulate the economy and create jobs both now and into the future.
$266,000 in the hoop for Burdekin basketball
I am pleased to announce that I have fulfilled an election commitment to the Burdekin Amateur Basketball Association made during the final days of the recent election campaign.I spoke to Burdekin Amateur Basketball Club president Steve Plaza at the time, and gave an undertaking that I would do my utmost to secure the funding they were seeking to make their outdoor stadium a reality.They now have more than $266,000 on the way.
Work kicks off at Sandy Gully
We've turned the sod to mark the commencement of work on the Sandy Gully Bridge upgrade north of Bowen today, and this $57 million project will improve safety and flood immunity on this 3.7 kilometre stretch of the Bruce Highway.The project will create in excess of 100 jobs, and I was happy to see this work was awarded to a Mackay-based business, Vassallo Constructions.This section of the Bruce Highway floods regularly in bad weather and closures can seriously impact on drivers in the region.
Decision on backpacker tax a win for region
TODAY’S announcement by Treasurer Scott Morrison that a backpacker tax of 19 cents in the dollar will be introduced next year, rather than a proposed 32.5 cents, is a win for our regional economy.Those in the horticultural, agricultural and tourism sectors in this region had legitimate concerns about the effects of a backpacker tax and I was happy to champion their cause and seek a fairer deal to ensure that the backpacker workforce was not decimated.
University teacher excellence celebrated
14 SEPTEMBER 2016: Congratulations to local academics and professional staff from CQ University and James Cook University on being recommended for citations for their outstanding contributions to student learning.
Three little words can save a life
8 SEPTEMBER 2016: R U OK? Sometimes it’s the simplest words that are the hardest to say, but today we are being encouraged to start a conversation with someone if we notice they are struggling to cope. Today is R U OK? Day, a day to take the first step, check in and reconnect with those around us - after all, we are stronger together.
Register shows who owns our land
7 SEPTEMBER 2016: The first report from the Register of Foreign Ownership of Agricultural Land was released by the Liberal National Government today. I have long been an advocate for the register and this report provides the basic transparency needed to ensure oversight and confidence in agricultural investment.
Prices to drop on 2000 medicine brands
5 SEPTEMBER 2016: More than 2000 medicine brands treating common conditions will drop in price for North Queenslanders from next month – some by as much as 50 per cent or more.
Proudly fly the Aussie flag
2 SEPTEMBER 2016: I am encouraging all North Queenslanders to proudly fly the flag to celebrate National Flag Day tomorrow (Saturday 3 September).
Study grants take students to Indo-Pacific
1 SEPTEMBER 2016: North Queensland students from CQ University and James Cook University will have the opportunity to put their studies into context through Liberal National Government study grants of more than $1 million.
Action trumps review on banks
31 AUGUST 2016: I chose action to pull the big banks into line today rather than another inquiry because actions speak louder than words and wasted time.