Concerns of horticulture industry heard: Backpacker tax to go!
The concerns of those in the horticultural industry have been heard, and the plan to introduce a 15% flat rate of tax for backpackers will now face a full review.Tourism Minister Richard Colbeck has announced a cross-department review so that we can take a long hard look at the issues surrounding the so-called ‘backpacker tax’ to make sure that we do not disadvantage growers who have been relying on backpackers to harvest their crops.I have had numerous phone calls and meetings with those in the horticultural industry, and I agreed to support the Bowen Gumlu growers in their push for a 15% flat rate of tax, rather than the proposed 32.5c tax for every dollar earned for those on working holiday visas.
Concerns of horticulture industry heard: Backpacker tax to go! By George Christensen
The concerns of those in the horticultural industry have been heard, and the plan to introduce a 15% flat rate of tax for backpackers will now face a full review.Tourism Minister Richard Colbeck has announced a cross-department review so that we can take a long hard look at the issues surrounding the so-called ‘backpacker tax’ to make sure that we do not disadvantage growers who have been relying on backpackers to harvest their crops.I have had numerous phone calls and meetings with those in the horticultural industry, and I agreed to support the Bowen Gumlu growers in their push for a 15% flat rate of tax, rather than the proposed 32.5c tax for every dollar earned for those on working holiday visas.
Sugar, it’s sweet with me
The push for a sugar tax in Australia by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver was not one that would win him any accolades in the sugar-growing regions of Queensland.I’m no poster boy for health and fitness, but sugar is not the only nutrient to blame for obesity and that point has been made previously by the Dieticians Association of Australia.Introducing a sugar tax would cost jobs in this part of the world, and that’s the last thing we need right now.Operations like the Mackay Sugar Refinery which produces sugar purely for the domestic market, as well as our sugar mills and even cane farms would face job cuts if such a plan was introduced.
Burdekin group secures funding for machinery display centre
A group of enthusiasts who are keen to preserve the mechanical history of the Burdekin region and beyond have received a boost of nearly $10,000 under the Liberal National Government’s popular Stronger Communities Programme.The Burdekin Machinery Preservationists have been hard at work preserving machinery which dates back to the 1920s and it was a pleasure to recommend them for funding of $9,576.I met up with members of this group such as Alf Shand, Keith Battley and Tony Little to name just a few, on the weekend to see what they would achieve through this funding boost.These enthusiasts are preserving some of our sugar milling history and have diesel engines, alternators and switch gear which played a major role in the operation of the Kalamia and Inkerman mills in the Burdekin District.
Need to fast-track Haughton bridge replacement
THE BURDEKIN has been left out in the cold yet again by the State Labor Government due to their failure to bring forward work on the Haughton River Bridge replacement.We have had a fanfare about a State Infrastructure Plan from the Palaszczuk Government and there’s even $20,000 million for fast-tracked planning, but the Haughton River bridge replacement is not going to get a look in before 2019.The replacement of this bridge has been voted the most urgent problem to be fixed on that stretch of the Bruce Highway between Mackay and Townsville.But does that mean the State Labor Government will fast-track the long and drawn-out planning and design process to replace this unsafe bridge?
Training facility benefits Whitsunday workers
AN Airlie Beach business is poised to provide the specialised training which will be needed for the construction industry when the Adani Carmichael Coal Project gets the final go-ahead.I visited Whitsunday Construction Training last week and met operators Peter and Diana Utber.They are providing a business service to ensure Whitsundays locals get jobs when Abbot Point and the Carmichael mine come on track.Any worker who wants to upskill and get training in high risk construction, which are the skills which will be needed when the Adani mine, rail and port project gets the final go-ahead, will be able to get that training right here in the Whitsundays, and that will save them precious time and money.
Funds to help boost Bowen tourism group
THE group that keeps Bowen on the tourism map welcomed the news of more than $5,500 in funding under the Stronger Communities Programme this week.Bowen Tourism & Business do invaluable work from their Big Mango base to promote this beautiful region and all its benefits.I was happy to recommend the group for funding to go towards upgrading IT and promotional equipment as whatever they do to promote this region benefits everyone.
Dob in a Dealer launch – Australia’s fight against ice
I welcome the 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 local police in Mackay, 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.
Campaign points to need for ring road jobs Now
DUE to the positive response to my pointed campaign for action on the Mackay Ring Road, I'm extending the cut-off date to return signed petitions.This petition urges the State Labor Government to throw more resources into the design phase of the Mackay Ring Road, so that work on the massive job-creating project can get under way.We desperately need jobs in the Mackay region right now, and the construction of the Mackay Ring Road will create 600 jobs.
Children in region to benefit from Universal Access
An estimated 2000 children in the region will benefit from the Turnbull Government’s National Partnership Agreement on Universal Access to Early Childhood Education.$840 million in federal funding will be available for quality preschool programmes across the country, and these benefits will be felt across the electorate.The National Partnership Agreement on Universal Access to Early Childhood Education guarantees funding for 600 hours of quality preschool in the year before school, and includes a focus on lifting participation rates for children from vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds in the region.
$1 million for work on the Don
CLOSE to $1 million in Federal Liberal National Government funding will be directed towards the issue of gully erosion and the resulting sand build-up in the Don River.This announcement today by Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt is a big win for Bowen, as the issue of clearing the Don has been a concern for a number of years.The $962,550 of funding, under the Reef Trust Gully Erosion Control Programme, is a targeted investment that addresses the considerable challenge that gully erosion presents to the Great Barrier Reef.
Weather ‘in the lap of the robots’ in 5 months
MACKAY’S weather service will be in the lap of the robots after August, following the Bureau of Meteorology’s decision to automate the local office and cut all staff.Environment Minister, Greg Hunt, this week confirmed Mackay’s Bureau of Meteorology office would move to full automation after August and that the equipment would be monitored and serviced by staff based in the Bureau’s Cairns Activity Hub.Staff members at Mackay’s office will be given the opportunity to be sent to another office.I will continue negotiations with the minister to overturn or delay the decision to axe staff from the Mackay office and I'm asking you to lend your support by signing my online petition.Removing staff from Mackay after August (and then from Townsville as well) will leave no technicians near any BOM facility along a 1700km stretch of the Queensland coastline.
Bank branch closure a disappointing move
THE decision by Suncorp Bank to close their Whitsunday branch at Cannonvale is a disappointing move.I have been advised that Suncorp will close their branch at Cannonvale on May 20, and while I appreciate that banking behaviour has changed, there are many customers who appreciate face-to-face service.The loss of banking services is always felt keenly in smaller communities and it erodes confidence in the area.I expect this also means a loss of jobs in our region.
Funds up for grabs: Get applications in
COMMUNITY groups who are planning to apply for grants under Round 2 of the Liberal National Government’s Stronger Communities Programme are reminded to get their applications in by March 11.I am keen to ensure the money goes to worthy causes.There are grants of between $5000 and $20,000 to fund small capital projects which deliver social benefits, so please make sure your group is in with a chance for a share of the $150,000 available across my electorate.
Schools awarded for Reef work
CONGRATULATIONS go to Proserpine State School students as well as St Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School students, who have both been awarded a $500 Ripples of Change grant for protecting their local environment and the health of the Great Barrier Reef.The awards encourage students to learn about and care for their local environments and promote real change in their communities.Proserpine and Mackay have a strong connection to the neighbouring Great Barrier Reef and the local students have an important role to play in its care for future generations.I’m proud to support the work of our Reef Guardian schools as it empowers our students to make a positive difference and gives them an opportunity to be involved in the local community.
Two weeks left for Stronger Regions applications
I join with Minister for Regional Development Fiona Nash in reminding interested parties they have until March 15 to submit applications for funding under Round Three of the National Stronger Regions Fund (NSRF).The NSRF aims to support priority infrastructure projects in regional communities, stimulating jobs and growth.This latest round of the National Stronger Regions Fund is open to submissions from local governments and incorporated not-for-profit organisations.It’s particularly important during out current economic climate.