Burdekin group receives arts boost
INDIGENOUS artists in the Burdekin will start work on brightening up the region with a series of art installations after receiving Liberal National Government funding of more than $71,000.The Gudjuda Reference Group Aboriginal Corporation will undertake the Culture Transcends Time through Art project, which is about connecting Indigenous people in the Burdekin region with their culture in a changing environment through the creation of four art installations.Those involved in the project will be mentored by local artist Dr Farvardin Daliri, and they will design and develop four sculptures: a sea turtle, an Aboriginal man, a South Sea Islander cane cutter and an Australian swagman.
Still time to apply for agriculture grants
Farmers and fishers have another fortnight to apply for a share of $2.2 million in small grants to increase industry capacity and support the adoption of productive management practices.Our farmers are some of our most dedicated conservationists and sustainable land managers. They manage pests and weeds, often at their own cost, to the benefit of the entire community.
Solution for stalled jobs
12 NOVEMBER 2015: Thousands of jobs in North Queensland could flow sooner if Federal Labor was willing to back the workers of the resource industry. In parliament last night, I proposed a solution to the stalled Carmichael Coal Project, which would see construction begin sooner and thousands of jobs come on line.
More jobs in highway works
11 NOVEMBER 2015: More road construction jobs will be created when overtaking lanes are added to the Bruce Highway near the O’Connell River north of Bloomsbury. Tenders for the construction have been issued for a south-bound overtaking lane near Thomsetts Road.
Greens jump to the shark's defence
10 NOVEMBER 2015: Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, the greens want to roll out the red carpet to Jaws.
State Labor urged to act to save jobs and industry
stalemate over sugar marketing arrangements could be addressed before the end of the year if the State Labor Government steps up to the mark and makes the legislative changes the industry has been calling for since the dispute began.The need for action was on the agenda during a site tour at Queensland Sugar Limited’s Bulk Sugar Terminal in Mackay this morning with Federal Government’s Agriculture & Water Resources Minister Barnaby Joyce, Canegrowers Mackay chairman Kevin Borg and Canegrowers Queensland chairman Paul Schembri.The Queensland Labor Government can deal with this issue once and for all by changing legislation in the Sugar Act to ensure growers get a say over who markets their sugar.
Extreme greens urged to get out of the way
I am heading to Ahmedabad on a mission for jobs.I will be meeting with the Chairman of the Adani Group, Mr Gautam Adani, to deliver thousands of postcards of support from a community saying, ‘Yes, Mackay does support the Carmichael mine, Yes, we can supply a workforce, and Yes, we can be a service hub for the Carmichael Coal Project'.The extreme green movement, who have conducted a relentless campaign against the job-creating Carmichael Coal Project, need to understand that Adani needs coal, and will simply source it from somewhere else if they can’t go ahead with their mine in Australia.
On road to progress
Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss joined me to inspect progress on the $13.8 million Showgrounds intersection upgrade in Mackay today.This is one of many safety related projects included in the $241.8 million Bruce Highway – Black Spots programme, and it's another significant improvement which is nearing completion.“The Bruce Highway forms a key transport link along the east coast of Australia, connecting small towns with major cities, as well as suppliers with domestic and international markets,” Mr Truss said.
MP condemns NAB’s hefty home deposits
I am going to issue an invitation to the CEO of the National Australia Bank to visit Mackay and hear firsthand about the effects of the bank’s decision to restrict home loan lending to those who can stump up with a 30% deposit.More than 20 real estate industry leaders met with me this week to share their concerns about the bank’s ruling that buyers in Mackay are a “credit risk”.The National Australia Bank has led the way in kicking us when we are down with this hard-line approach to lending, and actions like this do nothing to stimulate the economy and encourage investment.
Last call for jobs support
28 October 2015: North Queenslanders have just two more days to return their “Postcards for Adani” to support jobs and economic growth through the Carmichael mine.
Job protection guaranteed in CHAFTA deal
NO foreigner will be allowed to fill a job in Australia that an Australian can do under new regulations to be introduced by the Liberal National Government.These regulations apply to the China Australia Free Trade Agreement (CHAFTA), the 457 visa regime, and all other such arrangements, and these regulations have won the support of the Labor Party.It always was the case that Australian workers would get the first go and a fair go at filling Australian jobs and the new regulations will make that doubly so.
Benefits of medicinal marijuana are many
A MOVE by the Liberal National Coalition Government to allow for the cultivation of medicinal cannabis is a compassionate and sensible one.It's a cause I have personally been championing for some time, and I welcome the potential for job creation in the region.There is plenty of evidence to support the use of medicinal marijuana. It’s a natural product which can provide very effective relief for those suffering from a range of debilitating illnesses.Our region also has a lot to gain through the introduction of a new crop that could boost our economy.
Extreme green bother brigade must be stopped
THE extreme green activists have put out the call for donations to fund another legal challenge of the Carmichael Coal Project before they even know what they can oppose.The action is another clear indication that the extreme greens are hell-bent on robbing the region of much-needed jobs and investment dollars.GetUp! has put the call out for donations to fund another legal challenge already, and by these actions they are proving the point yet again that this has nothing to do with conservation and everything to do with stopping coal projects.
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.
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.
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.