Airports opening to world of jobs
GOVERNMENT-funded provision of customs and immigration services at Mackay and Whitsunday Coast airports will be critical for international flights enabling job creation and economic growth.The Liberal National Government has been providing free customs and immigration services to the Townsville airport since it began international flights to Bali earlier this year.I have already spoken with the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, seeking similar arrangements for international airport operations at both Mackay and the Whitsundays.
Sugar growers stand firm on choice
THOUGH a small group of sugar cane growers in the Burdekin have exercised their right to sign up with Wilmar mills for the 2017 season this hardly resolves the marketing issue for the vast majority of growers who are fighting for the right to say no to the foreign-owned miller.About 30 independent growers signed interim arrangements for the 2017 season.But this is not a deal which has been accepted by any collective, as both Pioneer Cane Growers and Burdekin District Cane Growers groups remain opposed to Wilmar’s plans to take full control of the marketing of sugar.
We are at war with radical Islam
24 NOVEMBER 2015: Amending the Citizenship Act to strip Australian citizenship from dual nationals who commit acts of terrorism or who fight for Islamic State is a key weapon for freedom in the war against radical Islam.The Australian Citizenship Amendment (Allegiance to Australia) Bill 2015, which seeks to allow for dual citizens to have their citizenship stripped in such circumstances, is currently being debated in federal parliament at a very prescient time.
Syrian refugee screening critical
We need watertight security screening of Syrian refugees to protect Australians from terrorism attacks.I put a Question on Notice to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Peter Dutton, today requesting the exact procedures, questions, and checks that would be made when screening the 12,000 Syrian refugees the government has committed to accept.I have also asked who will conduct the screening and what assurances they can provide to the Australian people that the screening process will be effective.
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.