Minister for Tourism invited to Whitsundays
THE move to appoint a dedicated minister for tourism is a win for the Whitsundays.I welcome the appointment of Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck to this role, and I have already issued an invitation to the new minister to visit one of the country’s biggest tourism drawcards, the beautiful Whitsundays.I have invited Senator Colbeck to meet with industry representatives so he can learn more about the north and hear about any concerns or issues they may have.
New Minister ready to tackle extreme greens
THE Liberal National Government’s new Minister for Resources, Energy and Northern Australia has wasted no time in addressing the issue of extreme green activism which is robbing the region of jobs and investment.Minister Josh Frydenberg has already noted the importance of Adani’s Carmichael Mine Project, and the threat to our economy posed by the campaigns of the extreme greens.He understands what’s at stake here, as their destructive extreme green campaigns will not only cost the people of this region jobs and opportunities; they are also likely to result in foreign investors going elsewhere for their coal and iron ore.
WWF dredges up more lies
WORLD Wildlife Fund (WWF) were called out during a hearing for the Register of Environmental Organisations in Canberra for using an image of dredging in Boston Harbor to create false impressions about the Abbot Point port expansion in North Queensland.I challenged WWF about an image used by the Fight For The Reef campaign (which is run by WWF in conjunction with the Australian Marine Conservation Society) in a social media promotion soliciting donations to their cause.The original photo could be found here on istockphoto*, run by Getty Images, where it is described as: “A dredge is making a part of Boston Harbor deeper so that it can handle different ships and boats. A big scoop pulling water a (sic) debris from the bottom clearing a way for progress.”
Boost to benefit Mackay businesses
SMALL businesses in the Mackay region will soon have access to specialist advice thanks to a Liberal National Government funding boost of $770,000.A dedicated small business advisor will be appointed within weeks, to provide businesses with assistance to help them navigate changing economic conditions.What this means for small businesses in Mackay is that they will have a dedicated adviser in the city who can help them with everything from their finances through to staff team building and engaging customers in our digital world.
Sugar industry issued with marketing ultimatum
SUGAR industry representatives were given an ultimatum on marketing in Canberra today by the Minister for Industry and Science Ian Macfarlane.About 40 people from various sectors of the industry attended the meeting at Parliament House this morning organised by the Industry Minister.There was a very robust discussion with questioning and rebuttals, and all points of view were heard.However due to the impasse, the Minister has announced he will appoint an independent mediator to work with the industry on resolving this, and the industry now has 30 to 45 days to achieve that resolution.
Funding security for Men’s Shed groups
MEN’S sheds in the region can apply to secure funding for their organisations until 2019.They play an very important role in our community to keep men active, contributing to their mental health and physical wellbeing.To provide certainty, the Abbott Government has guaranteed funding for Men’s Sheds for a further three years to 2019.
Labor’s take on refugee crisis is hypocritical
LABOR’S plan to bring in tens of thousands of refugees smacks of hypocrisy.Labor opposes the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement on the totally fictional basis that it’s a threat to Australian jobs but they propose to take in more than 20,000 extra refugees who will be able to take Australian jobs without labour market testing.