Black lung disease in spotlight at new research centre
I joined the Minister for Northern Australia Matt Canavan at today's launch of an Occupational Health and Safety Research Centre focusing on work-related health issues.The Centre aims to reduce the incidence of death, illness and injury, including black lung disease.The Occupational Health and Safety Research Centre will provide cutting edge research and innovation capacity which will focus on illnesses, injuries and deaths in key regional industries, like the resources and agriculture industry.Mackay, as a coal mining centre, and as a hub for the mining services industry, is the right location for such an endeavour.
$150,000 to keep Aqua Fun Park afloat
I've made the pledge today that a re-elected Coalition Government will provide $150,000 to Aqua Fun Park Mackay - which is a tourism attraction which also provides jobs for young people.The enterprising operation, which will be auspiced under the Not For Profit Trinity Youth and Community Services group, will now be able to purchase their own inflatable fun park equipment so they can keep operating.Operators Amanda Pelagalli and Kirk Langford approached me some months back because they were having trouble keeping their great tourism venture afloat, literally.
$100,000 pledge for Eimeo SLSC
A small club which undertakes the big job of patrolling one of our region’s favourite beaches, Eimeo, was on the receiving end of some financial ‘first aid’ today with the announcement that a re-elected Liberal National Government will commit $100,000 for an to their facility.Everyone understands that our life saving clubs provide a vital service, and I salute their huge volunteer effort of training up young people who make sure our beaches are safe places to be.
Mackay's One Billion Dollar Man
28 JULY 2016: With the support of the Liberal National Government, I am driving a one billion dollar investment to create more than a thousand jobs for Mackay over the next three to four years.
$300,000 for Whitehaven Beach walking track
I MET with representatives of the marine tourism industry in Airlie Beach this morning to announce that a re-elected Liberal National Government will invest $300,000 towards a walking track at Whitehaven beach.The construction of a hardened circuit walking track and a lookout deck at the southern end of the famous Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays would help to address issues of overcrowding at the popular tourist destination.
$11.6 million for drug rehab facilities in the north
Mackay, Townsville and North Queensland will receive $11.6 million for local drug and alcohol rehabilitation services as part of the Government’s plan to combat the scourge of ice in communities across the country.The funding will help to reduce demand for ice and reduce addict-based crime by supporting local rehabilitation services to help get addicts off ice and out of the drug market.The clear feedback from families dealing with ice addiction is that more rehabilitation facilities are needed.At the two Ice Forums conducted in my electorate last year, family members were certainly crying out for more treatment and rehab facilities and today’s announcement of $11.6 million for such services is welcome news.
Church benefits from $9,000 grant
THE Bowen Christian Outreach Centre has been undergoing a progressive transformation as the pastor and parishioners work to repair their aging building and I was happy to present them with a grant to help with that process.I had the pleasure of presenting Pastor Phillip Watego with a $9,398 Stronger Communities Programme grant which will be used to replace a section of the roof which is rusting and beyond repair.The Bowen Christian Outreach Centre is utilised for far more than weekly worship, with people gathering for ladies meetings, family activity nights, mens’ breakfasts and community barbeques.
$75 Million to support development of Walkerston Bypass
A $75 million investment by a re-elected Coalition Government will support the development of the Walkerston Bypass, following construction of the $565 million Mackay Ring Road (Stage One) project.I joined the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester and LNP Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry for the announcement today in Walkerston.This is a fantastic outcome for our region because it will provide the thing we need most and that’s jobs.There will be jobs during construction, but the project will also boost freight productivity, which provides flow-on efficiency benefits and secures jobs in the local resource industry for the future.
$250,000 for Mackay netball courts upgrade
AFTER learning of the need for some major improvements at the Mackay Netball Association courts, I was happy to announce today that a re-elected Liberal National Government will provide $250,000 for upgrades and new courts.I met with Lyn Law and members of her committee on a couple of occasions and also conducted an inspection of the netball courts which are cracking up, literally.The club is struggling to cater for their large membership base on the eight courts they have, and they have plans in place to build another eight courts, as well as completely resurface the existing courts.
Where’s the commitment from Labor?
A lack of commitment from Labor could lead to a net gain of zero for the region if the unthinkable happens and a Shorten Labor Government is elected.This region will miss out unless Labor stumps up and puts some commitments on the table for the people of this region.Labor needs to commit to at least the same funding that the Liberal National Government has committed to.The Coalition has a number of election commitments on the table already.
Closure of Bowen Coke Works facility
Glencore’s decision to close its Coke Works facility in Bowen is devastating news and it further highlights the dire need for other projects to get off the ground to provide desperately needed jobs.I have been informed by Glencore today that the Bowen Coke Works will transition to closure over the next few months.Glencore have said that the Coke Works, which have historically provided feedstock for Mount Isa Mines’ lead smelter, is no longer able to operate competitively.18 people are employed at the facility and many have worked there for many years.
Defence investment brings jobs and growth
I joined with Assistant Minister for Defence Michael McCormack and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop in Townsville today to discuss how Defence investment and international partnerships were contributing to our national security while generating growth and creating local jobs.National security is the Government's number one priority, and it was great to meet with locals to discuss how the Government’s investment in Defence infrastructure and equipment is supporting our troops.Not only is our region contributing to Australia’s national security through bases such as RAAF Townsville and Lavarack Barracks, but the capital investment by Defence in the area is giving local businesses a boost through building and equipment supply contracts, and most importantly, it is creating jobs for local people.
MP pledges to fill the gaps for netball
THE cracks are showing at the Mackay Netball courts in South Mackay as the aging surface deteriorates, and I have pledged to work with the club to seek funding for improvements if I am re-elected as the Member for Dawson.I heard the concerns of Mackay Netball Association president Lyn Law and secretary Jenny Moohin during an inspection of the courts this week.Mackay Netball has a large and active membership base, and the club could grow even further if it had more courts to accommodate the 1400 plus players.The other issue for them is that the courts are cracking up, and the surfaces on some of the current courts are pretty sub-standard; they’re aging and they need to be completely redone.
$350,000 promise for Mackay Football Park
Mackay Football Park will be thrown a lifeline by a re-elected Coalition Government, as I have announced today that $350,000 would be provided to get all soccer fields to an acceptable playing standard.It was always going to be a work in progress for Mackay Regional Football Zone to have a fully functioning football facility with a series of green turfed fields, and the hardworking volunteers who keep the sport going in Mackay have copped some unfair criticism over the state of those fields.I’m happy to announce that a re-elected Liberal National Coalition Government will step in to help more than 1700 junior players and their families by providing $350,000 which will be adequate to turf and irrigate five full-size playing pitches, and start the process of providing lighting at Mackay Football Park at Glenella.