Interest sought in Cape York infrastructure

INDIGENOUS businesses and employment training organisations have today been called on to get involved with priority infrastructure projects in Cape York.  Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch said the Australian and Queensland governments were looking for local companies to get involved in the $260.5 million Cape York Region Package.   “This is an extraordinary investment into…

Cairns Airport a massive asset to the Far North

FEDERAL Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch has spoken in Parliament to commend Cairns Airport for “punching well above its weight” and breaking records in passenger numbers. “Some 4.3 million passengers passed through the airport in the last financial year, and we are on target to exceed 4.55 million passengers this financial year,” Mr Entsch said.…

Time to shift focus from PPL to childcare

LEICHHARDT MP Warren Entsch has welcomed the Prime Minister’s decision to scrap the Paid Parental Leave scheme, saying he hopes it will free up much-needed support for families struggling to access appropriate childcare services. “I’m a very strong advocate for parental leave, but it has to be affordable,” Mr Entsch said. “Unfortunately, with the financial…

Entsch welcomes bid to ban lords and ladies

FEDERAL Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch has congratulated his colleague Andrew Laming, the Member for Bowman, for his move to abolish Knights and Dames from the Australian Honours System. Once Parliamentary sittings resume this month, Dr Laming will introduce a Private Member’s Bill calling for the termination of any future Australian knighthoods and dames, while…

New vessels herald a new era

FOUR robust and agile vessels will depart for the Torres Strait today, a key element of a new pilot program that will radically reshape the way services are provided to poverty-ridden PNG villages just 4 km from Australia’s border. The 6.8m motorboats will be used to transport medical supplies, staff and patients between PNG Treaty…