Supporting NAIDOC Week
FUNDING is available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups who want to celebrate NAIDOC Week as part of the Liberal National Government’s commitment to the celebration of the history, culture and achievements of First Australians.The 2016 NAIDOC grant funding round is part of a more than $2 million commitment from the Australian Government to support NAIDOC celebrations in July this year.
New NQ state could be best in country
THE idea of a separate state for North Queensland should be determined by a referendum of North Queenslanders only, and I will write to all MPs, senators and mayors who represent areas above the Tropic of Capricorn to invite them to be part of a concerted push for such a move.This issue has been talked about for too long and what we really need now is some action.The people of the north deserve a fair hearing on this, and a group of influential state, federal and local government leaders would be well placed to push for a referendum on the formation of a new state of North Queensland.
Wilmar negotiations welcome
We've had good news late today that Wilmar Sugar will begin negotiations with cane growers which recognise their right to a say over who markets their sugar.I’m pleased to hear that Wilmar is now ready to come to the negotiating table following the changes to legislation passed in State Parliament late last year, and thank goodness the tantrum is over.Wilmar have now written to growers to say that they will comply with the new laws which enable growers to choose who markets their sugar, whether it’s Wilmar or Queensland Sugar Limited.
More aged care places
Older Australians will benefit from a substantial increase in funding for aged care services, with 123 new places approved in my electorate.There is a strong demand for aged care in Mackay and these additional places are essential in ensuring our elderly receive the quality care they deserve.In Mackay: 100 new residential aged care places to be provided by Ozcare Mackay, at a new facility yet to be built.
Funds flow to youth service
FUNDING for a vital youth service in Mackay is secure for a further two years.YIRS One Stop Youth Shop was granted just under $200,000 to continue their vital support work with disadvantaged and vulnerable young people.YIRS has a great track record of working with young people and their families who really need support on a whole range of issues such as mental health, substance abuse, relationship breakdowns and homelessness.
Fighting threat to jobs and truckie businesses
THE fight is on to protect the livelihoods of owner driver truckies whose future hangs in the balance over a disastrous ruling by a tribunal established by the former Gillard Labor government and stacked with Labor appointees.The Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal, a body set up by the previous Labor Government, has ruled that owner driver truckies can only be engaged by clients at a minimum payment rate, which is above that of employee truck drivers, effectively pricing them out of business.While the new rate is set to take effect from 4 April, both owner drivers and the Federal Liberal National Government have intervened to request the start date be pushed back until next year to enable further consideration of a move that could put thousands of owner drivers out of business.
NQ access to NDIS on the way
18 MARCH 2016: North Queenslanders living with disability will have access to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) from November 1. The NDIS will enable participants in Mackay, the Whitsundays, and Isaac region to get lifelong individual support packages, with the right to select the support and services that are right for them. It’s one of the largest social policy reforms in Australia’s history.
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.
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.
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.