No commitment yet for sea walls

EVIDENCE given to a Senate Estimates Committee hearing today showed that the Gillard Government has no immediate plans for assistance to Torres Strait Island communities for repair and reconstruction of sea walls.  Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch and North Queensland-based Senator Ian Macdonald – who raised the issue at the Senate Estimates Committee –…

Entsch renews focus on insurance pain

INSURANCE companies who “cherry-pick” postcodes and avoid covering North Queensland properties should be banned from offering policies in the rest of the country, Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch has told parliament. Mr Entsch addressed the Chamber on Tuesday evening to reignite concerns about the “continued failure” of the insurance industry in FNQ and to put renewed…

World Heritage delay a blessing in disguise

FEDERAL Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch has welcomed news that the proposed blanket World Heritage listing for large areas of Cape York is in doubt after the Federal Government missed an international deadline.According to The Australian newspaper, UNESCO has confirmed that a tentative listing for the peninsula should have been submitted by Australia by February…

Time to act on CBD violence and intimidation

FEDERAL Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch is pushing for immediate action on improving law and order in Cairns, saying the safety of residents and visitors, and the city’s image, were being threatened.Speaking on John McKenzie’s talkback show on 4CA Radio on Monday morning, Mr Entsch commented that the situation “seemed to be getting worse in…