$60,000 to help protect marine environment
THE Liberal National Coalition Government has made a $60,000 commitment to priority funding to kick-start research into the major sources of marine plastic waste and to determine the most cost effective options to reduce it.Every one of our favourite beaches and fishing is facing contamination by plastic waste, and the Coalition Government is now funding research to do something about it.$60,000 of priority funding has been made available under the National Environmental Science Programme to encourage better waste management practices and improved water quality outcomes for Australia’s marine environment.The National Environmental Science Programme focuses on collaborative, practical and applied research that informs on-ground action.
Growers keen to consider medicinal cannabis crops
I will seek further clarification on the process of growing medicinal cannabis following a meeting with about six cane farmers interested in the possibilities of diversifying into the field.Though it's early days in the formation of the process, I am keen to ensure growers in this region are early contenders for clinical trials.We already have the runs on the board in terms of plant cultivation, and we have the right natural resources in terms of good fertile soil and plenty of water, so we have a lot to gain from the introduction of a new crop like this.There are a number of growers who are interested, and a couple who have done some research on what might be involved.
Pitch for Defence business and jobs
I will investigate the possibilities of attracting Defence work for businesses in the Mackay region following the release of the 2016 Defence White Paper.To that end, I have invited Defence Materiel Minister Dan Tehan to Mackay to pitch the case for the city’s engineering support businesses, as well as the city’s building and construction businesses.The Defence White Paper outlines that $29.9 billion will be spent over the next decade, and that includes a considerable boost to Defence spending and infrastructure in the Townsville region.There will be Mackay businesses that either already have the capabilities to do this work, or could diversify into those capabilities.
Helping those keen to grow medicinal marijuana
I will be meeting with people in the region who have expressed an interest in growing medicinal cannabis, following today’s historic passage of legislation to legalise the process.Amendments passed to the Narcotic Drugs Act will ensure that people who would benefit from the use of medicinal marijuana will have access to a safe, legal and reliable supply.I have had calls from growers in the region who are keen to diversify into the production of medicinal marijuana and I will be presenting their case to the Health Minister Sussan Ley.Our region has good fertile soil and plenty of water, so we have a lot to gain from the introduction of a new crop like this.
Funding flows to boost community groups
COMMUNITY groups in need of cash injections to get capital projects up and running are encouraged to apply for funding under Round 2 of the Liberal National Government’s Stronger Communities Programme.Seven community groups have been successful in gaining funding for projects in my electorate and we have several others who should hear about their applications under Round One of this programme very soon.This is an excellent way for not-for-profit groups to secure funding for smaller capital projects and I encourage any group interested to contact my office as soon as possible to get more details.
Parliament gets the word on Urannah Dam
THE importance of Urannah Dam to provide future jobs and economic stability was highlighted by new Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Barnaby Joyce on the floor of parliament today.Minister Joyce spoke about the importance of building dams in response to my question on the importance of restoring agriculture as a fundamental pillar of the Australian economy.The importance of securing funding for a feasibility study on the Urannah Dam is vitally important for this region, and I’m doing all in my power to ensure we see that funding flow through.It’s heartening to see that it is getting the attention of leading decision makers in our government.
Dob in Ice Dealer launched
I welcome today’s launch of a new million dollar partnership between the Coalition Government and Crime Stoppers Australia to establish a national Dob in a Dealer campaign.The Commonwealth Government is providing $1 million to fund the national Dob in a Dealer campaign to raise awareness of methamphetamine, or ice, and encourage local communities to contact Crime Stoppers to help tackle the issue of manufacturing and distribution in their local area.Crimes relating to ice continue to be a concern for this region, with strong links between those who commit drug offences and those committing other violent crimes.Drugs such as ice can have devastating consequences for entire communities, and putting a stop to it will require a whole of community response. Police can’t do it alone.
Labor shows lack of support for Adani jobs
I have called on Dawson Labor candidate Frank Gilbert to decide whether he supports the development of Adani’s Carmichael Coal Project which will create thousands of much-needed jobs in the region.Mr Gilbert is telling people desperate for jobs that he supports Adani, but at the same time he’s attacking the project on social media.Last night Mr Gilbert attended a Bowen Chamber of Commerce meeting where I was guest speaker, and he told that audience that he supported the Adani project.But earlier this month on Facebook, Mr Gilbert posted a link to an article which attacked the Carmichael Coal Project and he himself commented that it was “ignorant and irresponsible” to back the fossil fuel industry.
Roads contract means jobs for Mackay
Mackay company Vassallo Constructions has won the $3 million contract to construct an overtaking lane near Thomsetts Road, south of Proserpine, and this means jobs for Mackay workers.I want to congratulate this Mackay business run by Vic Vassallo, on winning the tender on this project which has been brought forward by a year by the Liberal National Coalition Government to provide work when it is desperately needed.Despite false claims by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk that the project was part of Labor’s so-called ‘accelerated works program’ this project is not only fully funded by the Federal Coalition Government; we brought it forward by a year to support jobs in the region.
MP rejects BoM plan to take jobs out of north
BUREAU of Meteorology (BOM) staff paid me a visit in Canberra yesterday to explain their rationale for relocating three staff out of both Mackay and Townsville, but I'm still not convinced it’s the right move.I state again in no uncertain terms that I will not be supporting this change, which removes all on-the-ground weather bureau staff from our regional cities.If the bureau believes it’s a good move then they better get out and start explaining it to the public.
Salute to Warren Truss
I would like to pay tribute to Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Nationals Warren Truss, who announced his retirement today.It has been an historic day in Parliament with Warren announcing he will be stepping down after 26 years in Federal Parliament.Warren was the leader of the Nationals when I was elected in 2010, and he has given me no end of support over the last six years.
Other worker options in horticulture
I will support the Bowen Gumlu Growers in their push for a 15% flat rate of tax for backpackers. But growers should also consider other options when looking for workers.Growers need to realise though, that this is going to be very difficult to achieve.And though it's labelled a backpacker tax, this is not a tax.It’s the removal of the tax-free threshold which was increased from $6000 to $18,000 only a few years ago.The difficulty is this measure represents a $540 million saving to the Budget bottom line, and it’s going to be extremely difficult to find another avenue to recoup that saving.
PM to take tea with community
REPRESENTATIVES from Mackay’s community organisations are invited to meet with the Prime Minister at a special afternoon tea in Mackay on Monday afternoon.They will join the city’s civic and business leaders at the event, and I want to ensure that as many community groups as possible are represented.My office has contacted the vast majority of community groups and we’ve had a huge response. But I’d like to extend the invitation to other community group representatives who would like to take the opportunity to meet the Prime Minister.
There is no doubt; India wants our coal
INDIA’S Minister of State for Power, Coal and New & Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal thanked me for supporting Adani’s Carmichael Mine, Rail and Port Project during a chance meeting in the halls of parliament this morning.I had a brief chat with Minister Piyush Goyal and he stated in no uncertain terms that India was very keen to see the Carmichael Coal Project up and running.I assured him of my absolute commitment to seeing that happen too, and he thanked me for my support on this front.The Carmichael Coal Project promises jobs for Central and North Queensland, as well as prosperity for Indians being lifted out of energy poverty.
No refugees for Mackay
I have restated his position that there be no intake of any Syrian refugees in Mackay, following suggestions that other towns like Nebo and Middlemount should be considered for refugee resettlement.I firmly believe that Mackay is not in a position to take on the resettlement of any refugees, and my objections are not religious or cultural; they are purely economic.We have a severe unemployment issue in the region right now, and the facts are that refugees need considerable support for a number of years.
MP takes up BoM job losses with PM
THE loss of on-ground Bureau of Meteorology staff in Mackay and Townsville was raised directly with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in Canberra this morning.It was announced on Friday that bureau staff in both Mackay and Townsville would need to relocate after weather stations switch to fully automated systems between now and 2017.I was informed this morning that this decision to take away all of our on-ground weather monitoring staff from Mackay and Townsville, as well as other centres, was made by the management of the Bureau of Meteorology, rather than Environment Minister Greg Hunt’s office.Regardless of who made the decision, I am seeking to have it reversed.
MP urges Labor to support job-creating bill
THE call to put an end to extreme green legal warfare against job-creating projects in Central and North Queensland was on the agenda in Canberra this morning with the presentation of a Private Member’s Bill on the issue.I called on the Australian Labor Party to support the Liberal National Government’s amendments to the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act in order to put an end to frivolous legal challenges which held up major projects.An endless round of legal challenges from the extreme green eco-terrorists against projects such as Adani’s Carmichael Mine are destroying this country’s reputation and we risk sending investors elsewhere to secure the fossil fuels they will need for decades to come.
Losing BoM staff in the north is not on
LOSING on-the-ground Bureau of Meteorology forecasters in regional Queensland is a potentially life-threatening step for a region that faces extreme weather events.I’m disgusted by this move to cut Bureau of Meteorology staff in regional Queensland, including Mackay and Townsville.The Mackay radar system is notorious for dropping out.A new fully-automated system may be a better system, but the fact that there’s no-one around to fix things if needed is of grave concern.