The Australian Government is placing Indigenous knowledge at the centre of efforts to boost water quality, tackle crown-of-thorns starfish and care for wetland habitats. Twenty-five new projects totalling $4.9 million support management of Country and protect culturally significant areas across the Great Barrier Reef and provide employment and training for Traditional Owners, Federal Environment Minister…
Mr ENTSCH: Kuranda is a small community of around 4500 people located about 30 kilometres directly west of Cairns via the Kuranda Range. The Kuranda economy is heavily reliant on domestic and international tourism and the self-drive market that feeds into that tourism. It has been absolutely decimated by the ongoing effects of the pandemic.…
Mr ENTSCH: I rise in support of the Northern Australian Infrastructure Facility Amendment (Extension and Other Measures) Bill 2021. The $5 billion Northern Australian Infrastructure Facility has certainly been a game changer for northern Australia. It was great to see this coming out of our Pivot north report, as a recommendation for a funding stream—a…
Mr ENTSCH: It gives me absolute pleasure to rise today to highlight a fantastic event that I recently attended in my electorate. Imagine the Possibilities Masquerade Ball was a night of glitz and glamour to commemorate International Womens Day. This amazing event was made possible thanks to the Zonta Club of Cairns in collaboration with…
The Morrison Government is backing Australia’s volunteers, with up to $20 million in grants now available to support them in local communities across the nation. Volunteer Grants of $1,000 to $5,000 will help volunteers and volunteer groups to buy small equipment for volunteers, by reimbursing volunteer fuel, transport or training costs, or support promotional activities.…
Two Far North Queensland businesses will build seven new watercrafts as part of the Morrison Government’s commitment to strengthening the Australian Army’s amphibious capability. The vessels, which will be built in Cairns, will assist Army amphibious operations and support systems. Tropical Reef Shipyards and BME NQ will manufacture the 7.5 metre vessels, and provide spares…
Mr ENTSCH: I certainly rise this afternoon to support this motion seeking to establish a royal commission into veteran suicide. I absolutely support this motion. The sacrifice that these men and women make for our country is truly remarkable and in fact in many cases is the ultimate sacrifice. I proudly served in the Defence…
Mr ENTSCH: I was deeply saddened to learn of the recent passing of my good friend and community champion, Bob Madden. I firstly became aware of Bob shortly after I was elected into the parliament back in 1996. Bob was a fierce advocate for improving communication in the Speewah area of my vast electorate. I…
Cairns residents will soon benefit from improved face-to-face Medicare and Centrelink services with the new purpose-built Services Australia precinct office opening soon. Federal Government Services Minister Stuart Robert, said the upcoming opening of the Cairns precinct demonstrated the Morrison Government’s commitment to ensuring Australians had ready access to government services. “Improving the face-to-face customer experience…
Far North Queenslanders who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine under Phase 1b of the national rollout will be able to head to a local GP next week to receive their vaccination. There are 11 GP clinics* in Cairns who have signed up to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. The number of local GP clinics…