NORTH Queensland Councils have reached crisis point and will close some of the most popular tourist routes on Cape York if the government cannot commit to reimbursing day labour for disaster reconstruction works. Despite the representatives of 19 regional councils meeting with Attorney General Nicola Roxon in Townsville on June 5, and having the matter…
In rising to speak on the Passenger Movement Charge Amendment Bill 2012 I have to say it has been quite an eventful couple of days that we have seen in this place. I am pleased to see that the government has finally come around to some semblance of sense in that, thanks to the pressure…
In rising to speak on this MPI, I started to choke on some of the uninformed drivel that was coming from the other side. I was particularly concerned by a couple of speakers who made light of the fact that they are going to have to travel some distance to reach Commonwealth waters. What they do…
It dismays me immensely that I have for the second time to move a motion of this nature in relation to the Torres Strait seawalls. Last year in March I had a motion prepared and I was ready to have it submitted to this place for debate. I was asked directly by the Minister Crean’s…
FEDERAL Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch has described the network of marine parks announced by the Federal Government today as “dishonest” and a “huge blow” to the community. “With absolutely no science behind it, the government is planning to lock up one third of Australia’s oceans – this is Green Zones revisited on steroids,” Mr…
Firstly I’d like to thank Brett Charles for his introduction today, and what a great job on the Flag Ceremony by the YEP Students. I’d also like to thank District Governor Graham Koch for inviting me to officially open the conference today. Can I extend a very warm welcome to you all to Cairns and the electorate of Leichhardt,…
THE awarding of $5 million in the latest Regional Development Australia Fund towards upgrading the Torres Strait sea walls is a “cruel hoax” that will give the government an excuse to do absolutely nothing, says Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch. Mr Entsch condemned the timing of the announcement, which comes just days after he…
LONG-overdue disaster recovery works must get underway on Cape York as soon as possible with the mayors of 19 communities pinning high hopes on a meeting with the Attorney-General next week. As reported in April, Mayors and CEOs of the Regional Organisation of Councils of Cape York and Torres Shire (ROCCY) have serious concerns with…
FEDERAL Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch is furious at comments made by Government Treasurer Wayne Swan in today’s The Cairns Post on council’s handling of the Cairns Entertainment Precinct. Mr Entsch contacted Cairns Regional Council Mayor Bob Manning early this morning to reaffirm his “unconditional and unequivocal” support for council’s decision to re-examine the site,…
SPORTS-mad residents of Cow Bay, Forest Creek and Cape Tribulation are over the moon that they can continue to watch State of Origin and Friday night football matches at their local club. However a liquor licensing issue, which almost forced the closure of the much-loved Alexandra Bay Sports Club earlier this month, is still not…