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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sugar, it’s sweet with me
The push for a sugar tax in Australia by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver was not one that would win him any accolades in the sugar-growing regions of Queensland.I’m no poster boy for health and fitness, but sugar is not the only nutrient to blame for obesity and that point has been made previously by the Dieticians Association of Australia.Introducing a sugar tax would cost jobs in this part of the world, and that’s the last thing we need right now.Operations like the Mackay Sugar Refinery which produces sugar purely for the domestic market, as well as our sugar mills and even cane farms would face job cuts if such a plan was introduced.
Training facility benefits Whitsunday workers
AN Airlie Beach business is poised to provide the specialised training which will be needed for the construction industry when the Adani Carmichael Coal Project gets the final go-ahead.I visited Whitsunday Construction Training last week and met operators Peter and Diana Utber.They are providing a business service to ensure Whitsundays locals get jobs when Abbot Point and the Carmichael mine come on track.Any worker who wants to upskill and get training in high risk construction, which are the skills which will be needed when the Adani mine, rail and port project gets the final go-ahead, will be able to get that training right here in the Whitsundays, and that will save them precious time and money.
Campaign points to need for ring road jobs Now
DUE to the positive response to my pointed campaign for action on the Mackay Ring Road, I'm extending the cut-off date to return signed petitions.This petition urges the State Labor Government to throw more resources into the design phase of the Mackay Ring Road, so that work on the massive job-creating project can get under way.We desperately need jobs in the Mackay region right now, and the construction of the Mackay Ring Road will create 600 jobs.
Bank branch closure a disappointing move
THE decision by Suncorp Bank to close their Whitsunday branch at Cannonvale is a disappointing move.I have been advised that Suncorp will close their branch at Cannonvale on May 20, and while I appreciate that banking behaviour has changed, there are many customers who appreciate face-to-face service.The loss of banking services is always felt keenly in smaller communities and it erodes confidence in the area.I expect this also means a loss of jobs in our region.
Two weeks left for Stronger Regions applications
I join with Minister for Regional Development Fiona Nash in reminding interested parties they have until March 15 to submit applications for funding under Round Three of the National Stronger Regions Fund (NSRF).The NSRF aims to support priority infrastructure projects in regional communities, stimulating jobs and growth.This latest round of the National Stronger Regions Fund is open to submissions from local governments and incorporated not-for-profit organisations.It’s particularly important during out current economic climate.
Labor shows lack of support for Adani jobs
I have called on Dawson Labor candidate Frank Gilbert to decide whether he supports the development of Adani’s Carmichael Coal Project which will create thousands of much-needed jobs in the region.Mr Gilbert is telling people desperate for jobs that he supports Adani, but at the same time he’s attacking the project on social media.Last night Mr Gilbert attended a Bowen Chamber of Commerce meeting where I was guest speaker, and he told that audience that he supported the Adani project.But earlier this month on Facebook, Mr Gilbert posted a link to an article which attacked the Carmichael Coal Project and he himself commented that it was “ignorant and irresponsible” to back the fossil fuel industry.
Roads contract means jobs for Mackay
Mackay company Vassallo Constructions has won the $3 million contract to construct an overtaking lane near Thomsetts Road, south of Proserpine, and this means jobs for Mackay workers.I want to congratulate this Mackay business run by Vic Vassallo, on winning the tender on this project which has been brought forward by a year by the Liberal National Coalition Government to provide work when it is desperately needed.Despite false claims by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk that the project was part of Labor’s so-called ‘accelerated works program’ this project is not only fully funded by the Federal Coalition Government; we brought it forward by a year to support jobs in the region.
MP rejects BoM plan to take jobs out of north
BUREAU of Meteorology (BOM) staff paid me a visit in Canberra yesterday to explain their rationale for relocating three staff out of both Mackay and Townsville, but I'm still not convinced it’s the right move.I state again in no uncertain terms that I will not be supporting this change, which removes all on-the-ground weather bureau staff from our regional cities.If the bureau believes it’s a good move then they better get out and start explaining it to the public.
Other worker options in horticulture
I will support the Bowen Gumlu Growers in their push for a 15% flat rate of tax for backpackers. But growers should also consider other options when looking for workers.Growers need to realise though, that this is going to be very difficult to achieve.And though it's labelled a backpacker tax, this is not a tax.It’s the removal of the tax-free threshold which was increased from $6000 to $18,000 only a few years ago.The difficulty is this measure represents a $540 million saving to the Budget bottom line, and it’s going to be extremely difficult to find another avenue to recoup that saving.
There is no doubt; India wants our coal
INDIA’S Minister of State for Power, Coal and New & Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal thanked me for supporting Adani’s Carmichael Mine, Rail and Port Project during a chance meeting in the halls of parliament this morning.I had a brief chat with Minister Piyush Goyal and he stated in no uncertain terms that India was very keen to see the Carmichael Coal Project up and running.I assured him of my absolute commitment to seeing that happen too, and he thanked me for my support on this front.The Carmichael Coal Project promises jobs for Central and North Queensland, as well as prosperity for Indians being lifted out of energy poverty.