The Federal Government’s support for the celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture has continued through funding for NAIDOC Week celebrations across Far North Queensland. Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch today announced 23 organisations* across Cairns, Cape York and Torres Strait would benefit from the Federal Government’s 2018 NAIDOC Week grants round. He said…
Extra child care support for more families in the Far North is here with the Federal Government’s new child care system kicking in earlier this week. Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch has welcomed the new system, saying the reforms will provide much-needed child care relief for local families. “I have spoken to mums and dads…
Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch has called on community organisations across Cairns and Far North Queensland to apply for grant funding to support the efforts of their hard-working volunteers. Mr Entsch said the Federal Government was providing grants valued between $1,000 and $5,000 to not-for-profit organisations. “The grants can be used towards the cost of…
MR ENTSCH: On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Northern Australia, I present the committee’s report entitled Northern horizons—unleashing our tourism potential: report on the inquiry into opportunities and methods for stimulating the tourism industry in northern Australia. Northern Australia has many natural advantages that make it a unique and unforgettable tourism destination. Northern Australia’s varied and pristine natural landscapes and wilderness…
MR ENTSCH: (Leichhardt) (13:37): Next week I’ll be travelling up again to one of the most beautiful islands in the Torres Strait, Erub Island. It will be a very important visit for me. Last year, when I visited the island to catch up with local leaders, I was struck by the worn beauty of one particular…
MR ENTSCH: (Leichhardt) (16:17): I rise today to pay tribute to one of Australia’s smallest shires, which just happens to be located in my electorate. To say that the Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council is punching above its weight is an understatement. Wujal Wujal is about 20 square kilometres in size and is home to about…
MR ENTSCH: (Leichhardt) (13:23): I have been working with the community north of the Daintree River since I was elected in 1996 in an effort to bring them into the 20th and now 21st century. This is a very vibrant community of around 500 to 600 people. Interestingly, some years ago the state government legislated to…
MR ENTSCH: (Leichhardt) (11:34): The $5 billion Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility is a game changer for northern Australia. The NAIF is partnering with the private sector and governments of northern jurisdictions to provide concessional loans to encourage and complement private sector investment in infrastructure that benefits northern Australia. I have to concede there have been some…
MR ENTSCH: (Leichhardt) (13:31): YWAM Medical Ships Australia do an incredible job providing medical services in highly challenging, remote areas of Papua New Guinea. My beautiful wife, Yolonde, is the first Cairns community ambassador for YWAM. Her role is to raise awareness, recruit volunteers and help strengthen sister-city relationships. Last year Yolonde volunteered on board the…
MR ENTSCH: (Leichhardt) (11:32): There’s no doubt about it; the Great Barrier Reef is the greatest living natural wonder on our planet, and I’m fortunate enough to represent a very large portion of that natural wonder, a very significant amount of which the previous speaker was talking about in relation to the impacts of bleaching. Rather…