Bob Madden

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…

New Cairns Service Centre opens next month

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…

Sir Michael Somare

Mr ENTSCH:  I rise this afternoon privileged to acknowledge the extraordinary life of Papua New Guinea Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, who sadly passed away last month. My community and those that call Cairns and Far North Queensland home have very strong and deep ties with Papua New Guinea. In fact, we have the largest…

Work to begin on $359m Captain Cook Highway project

Early works on the congestion-busting $359 million Captain Cook Highway upgrade project will commence this year. The $359 million Captain Cook Highway project is jointly funded with the Australian Government committing $287.2 million and the Queensland Government committing $71.8 million. The Australian Government recently added the Captain Cook Highway from Cairns CBD to Smithfield to…

Advance Cairns

Mr ENTSCH: Last week I had the pleasure of attending a gala event to mark the 20th anniversary since the establishment of advocacy group Advance Cairns. Advance Cairns has grown to be one of the most fierce and effective advocacy groups in Queensland. In fact, the Advance Cairns footprint covers 26 local government areas across…

Morrison Government to support thousands of new FNQ apprentice and trainee jobs

Thousands of new job opportunities will be created for apprentices and trainees across Cairns and Far North Queensland with the expansion of the targeted wage subsidy program as part of the Morrison Government’s National Economic Recovery Plan. The Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy program is fully subscribed, helping to create 100,000 apprenticeships in less than…

Morrison Government continues to provide support for Cairns and FNQ tourism and aviation industries

Cairns and Far North Queensland hotels, caravan parks, restaurants, bars, retail stores and tourism operators will benefit from a domestic tourism boom under the Morrison Government’s $1.2 billion tourism and aviation recovery package. The comprehensive package includes a mix of half-price airline tickets, cheap loans for businesses and direct support to keep planes in the…

Boosting maritime capacity in the Pacific

The Morrison Government has awarded TAFE Queensland a $36 million contract to provide mariner training and support to the Navy crews of the Guardian-class Patrol Boats. The funding is being delivered as part of the Morrison Government’s $2 billion Pacific Maritime Security Program to strengthen maritime capability in the Pacific. Acting Minister for Defence Marise…