Older residents in Cairns and Far North Queensland will be encouraged to bridge the digital divide through a new government investment to help senior Australians remain connected with friends and family online and learn new skills. Families and Social Services Minister Anne Ruston said the Morrison Government would provide $28.3 million to extend the Be Connected…
In 2019, on election night, I announced that I would not recontest the next federal election, as I felt the time was right to pursue other interests outside politics. However, that decision was made well before the global COVID-19 pandemic was even thought of, or before it reached our shores. Our region was one of…
Funding is now available to support a safer road system and drive down road trauma in Cairns and Far North Queensland with applications now open under Round 2 of the Australian Government’s $12 million Road Safety Innovation Fund. The Road Safety Innovation Fund is part of a suite of Australian Government programs driving improvements to…
Cairns and Far North Queensland residents are being urged to get ready for their COVID-19 vaccination by linking their digital government services, particularly their myGov and Medicare accounts. The call to link digital services follows the announcement that the Australian Immunisation Register will be the record for all vaccinations for Australians. This record will form…
Surf Life Saving Clubs across Far North Queensland will benefit from upgraded equipment and bolstered training programs to keep beachgoers safe. The Morrison Government is providing $9.7 million in additional funding to Surf Life Saving Australia as it continues to protect beachgoers and improve volunteer lifesaving skills. The government will invest $3.1 million through the…
Far North Queenslanders are receiving the medical care they need at no cost to themselves with recent data showing almost nine out of 10 visits to the GP over the year to December were provided with no out-of-pocket cost. GP bulk billing rates in Leichhardt reached 86.8 per cent for the year to date to…
Seventeen marine tourism operators along the entire Great Barrier Reef will take to the water from this week for Reef site monitoring, maintenance and conservation work. The $3.2 million initiative is part of the Australian Government’s $1 billon COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund to support regions, communities, and industry sectors severely affected by the coronavirus…
Residents in Cairns and Far North Queensland will be amongst the first in Australia to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. As part of the Australian Government’s COVID-19 Vaccination Program, people in priority groups who are most at risk and who need protection the most – will receive a vaccine first. Cairns Hospital will go live next…
The Therapeutic Goods Administration has approved the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for use in Australia following a full and thorough assessment process. Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said this welcomed news means Australia will now have two safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines available. “The approval of the AstraZeneca vaccine for the people of Cairns, Cape York…
Disaster assistance is now available for nine local government areas in Cape York and the Torres Strait impacted by flooding brought on by a Tropical Low in late January. Aurukun, Cook, Lockhart River, Mapoon, Napranum, Northern Peninsula Area and Pormpuraaw Councils along with Torres Shire and Torres Strait Island Regional Council are eligible for financial…