Key intersection upgrade progressing rapidly

Work is progressing rapidly on major upgrades to the intersection of the Bruce Highway and Shakespeare Street and the Showgrounds in Mackay, and it's great to see this continued investment in local roads.This is a key intersection in the city, and the Bruce Highway link to the north and south.An upgraded intersection will improve safety and reduce congestion.

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Carmichael Mine Project gets green light

THE long wait for a decision on the Carmichael Mine Project is over; with word today that Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt has approved the project.Workers and business operators throughout Central and North Queensland will be breathing a sigh of relief.The way is now clear for Adani to get on with the job of building the Carmichael mine and the associated rail infrastructure, and that means jobs and investment dollars will start to flow.

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CQ MPs take action to ban 100% FIFO

A BILL to ban 100% Fly-In Fly-Out (FIFO) work practices is one of the first orders of business in Canberra next Monday, following the push by Michelle Landry and I to end discrimination by postcode.The Private Member’s Bill will seek to make it illegal for companies to lock people out of jobs based on where they live.The workers of this region deserve the right to apply for any job going, and should particularly be able to apply for jobs right on their doorstep.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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