Time to sign up to welcome campaign
THE postcards and signatures on the Adani campaign are rolling into the office as close to 1000 people register their support for the Carmichael Mine Project and Abbot Point coal terminal expansion.It is vital for the region to demonstrate its willingness to work on the project which will create thousands of jobs over the total project.We want to ensure we are a collection point for workers for the Carmichael Coal Project, and it has always been Adani’s intention that this be the case.
Labor fails to deliver on 100% FIFO
AFTER promising to end the practice of 100% fly-in fly-out mining arrangements in order to get elected, the State Labor Government has drastically failed to deliver.The Palaszczuk Labor Government made big promises ahead of the last state election, and stated in no uncertain terms that “the current practice of excluding potential workers from applying for jobs and training because of their residential postcode will not be allowed to continue”.Their FIFO committee has now released a report stating that it ‘does not support retrospective recommendations to current project approvals’.So they’ve had a committee working on this for months, and their recommendation will do nothing to end the existing practice of 100% FIFO operations.
MP will travel to India to deliver message
“We’ve got the workers, the industry capabilities and the experience to support your project Mr Adani, and we’re ready to get started.”This is the message I will share personally with mining investor Gautam Adani when I travel to India next month.The region’s need for jobs and investment is too important to leave to chance, and I will do everything in my power to ensure our region does not miss out on the opportunities the Carmichael Mine Project will bring.I’m asking everyone in Mackay to get on board with my campaign to let Gautam Adani know that we are ready and waiting to roll up our sleeves and get to work.
Extreme green rot must stop
THE latest extreme green court action mounted against the Alpha Coal Project demonstrates how important it is that the Federal Government stick with legislation to end the sabotage of coal projects.The people who pay the ultimate price for these vigilante court actions are the workers of Central and North Queensland in dire need of jobs, and the businesses desperate for a boost to the region’s economy.The extreme green activists will continue to mount challenge after challenge against coal projects like the Alpha Coal Project and the Carmichael Mine Project.
Mackay small business advisor up and running
SMALL business owners in the region now have a dedicated advisor based in Mackay to help them with everything from finances through to team building.Small businesses are the bedrock of our economy, and if we support them, they can boost their performance and employ more staff.Having access to the right advice at the right time can make all the difference and that is why the appointment of a small business advisor based here in Mackay is so important.I congratulate Lindon Lawn on his appointment to the role of small business advisor.
NBN satellite launch signals jobs and connections
TODAY’s launch of the NBN Co Sky Muster satellite means high speed broadband for those in remote areas is one step closer, as are the associated 900 extra jobs in Queensland the total NBN Co rollout requires.The Sky Muster satellite will provide high speed broadband capability in some of the more remote areas of the country so if there are pockets in this region which can not be reached by other TODAY’s launch of the NBN Co Sky Muster satellite means high speed broadband for those in remote areas is one step closer, as are the associated 900 extra jobs in Queensland the total NBN Co rollout requires.The Sky Muster satellite will provide high speed broadband capability in some of the more remote areas of the country so if there are pockets in this region which can not be reached by other TODAY’s launch of the NBN Co Sky Muster satellite means high speed broadband for those in remote areas is one step closer, as are the associated 900 extra jobs in Queensland the total NBN Co rollout requires.The Sky Muster satellite will provide high speed broadband capability in some of the more remote areas of the country so if there are pockets in this region which can not be reached by other methods, this satellite will provide that connectivity.It also means the need for up to 900 extra workers in Queensland to speed up the total NBN rollout.
People of Bowen have their say
THE people of Bowen will finally have their say tomorrow on the actions of extreme green groups and their job-destroying tactics.A public hearing being conducted by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment will provide an opportunity for business owners, business groups and individuals to give their side of the story on issues such as the development of Abbot Point.People in Bowen feel like they’re the political football when it comes to resources development in this country and they’ve had enough of it.
Turtle tale a political ploy
IN their latest effort to kill off jobs, the extreme greens have used the plight of turtles nesting to stop the Abbot Point coal expansion.The Australian Marine Conservation Society are now trumpeting the fact that this area is a hotspot for marine turtles in their endless attack on the job-creating expansion of the Abbot Point coal terminal.This is despite the fact that Adani funds the local indigenous people, the Juru people, to run a turtle nesting program where they go and actually install protection barriers around the nesting turtles to stop other animals – foxes, pigs, dogs – from getting into nests and destroying hatchlings.
Students can hone skills for parliament
YOUNG people with a hankering for politics and community representation can get started on their journey by entering the My First Speech Competition.High school students in years 10 to 12 can hone an important skill for politicians by writing their first speech, and three winners will then be invited to present their speech live at Parliament House.An MP’s first speech is an important one as it provides an opportunity to outline the issues they are passionate about.Students are asked to imagine that they are a newly elected MP and write and present a three minute speech.
Construction starts on $45 million Yellow Gin Creek upgrade
CONSTRUCTION is now underway on a $45 million project to help floodproof the Bruce Highway at Yellow Gin Creek, south of Ayr.This morning I turned the sod on this project, which will replace the existing floodway with a two-lane, two-way bridge and wider, higher road approaches.The works will include an upgrade of the intersection at Beachmount Road, which provides access to the small coastal settlement of Wunjunga.
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.”