In this Centenary of Anzac one battalion that deserves recognition is the 51st Battalion, Far North Queensland Regiment, which celebrated 100 years of service at the weekend with a parade down the Cairns Esplanade. The battalion was formed in Egypt in 1914, but their role has changed profoundly since then. It was in the early…
Tenders have been called for a $58 million project that will see the Bruce Highway widened from four to six lanes between Foster Road and Robert Road, 12 kilometres south of Cairns. Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said a call for tenders for Stage 2 of the Bruce Highway Cairns Southern Access…
WARREN Entsch MP, Federal Member for Leichhardt, today welcomed the release of the 2016 Defence White Paper, which sets out the Coalition Government’s comprehensive and responsible long-term plan to ensure Australia’s national security. It is the culmination of detailed analysis of our strategic environment, Defence’s priorities and objectives, and the capabilities required to achieve these…
AN ACCOMPLISHED Aboriginal artist, arts writer and arts worker hopes to visit Monaco next month to review a prestigious exhibition of Far North Queensland Indigenous artwork, and is calling for community support to get there. Jack Wilkie-Jans from Cairns hopes to attend the Australia: Defending the Oceans at the Heart of Aboriginal and Torres Strait…
LEICHHARDT MP Warren Entsch has welcomed the passing of the Bill in the House of Representatives last night that will allow the growing of cannabis in Australia for medicinal and research purposes. The Bill will now go to the Senate, where it is expected to pass with cross-party support by the end of this autumn…
Photo courtesy Tolga Backpackers Hostel FEDERAL Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch has responded to concerns raised with him about the ‘backpacker tax’ by proposing a compromise with his colleagues in Canberra. Mr Entsch said that in Tuesday’s Party Room meeting, he was one of a number of MPs who expressed concerns that the tax would…
I also rise to speak on the Narcotic Drugs Amendment Bill 2016. From my perspective, it is a very significant day when medical cannabis is acknowledged as being a product that makes a real difference to people suffering from chronic conditions or terminal disease. It will mean that patients and their family members will no…
GAME days in Port Douglas will be greatly improved with the Crocs AFL Club receiving an $11,484 grant through the Australian Government’s Stronger Communities Programme to erect a new electronic scoreboard, says Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch. It comes just weeks after the Port Douglas Reef Raiders secured a $5800 grant for their much-needed new scoreboard,…
On behalf of the Joint Select Committee on Northern Australia, I present the committee's report entitled Scaling up: inquiry into opportunities for expanding aquaculture in northern Australia, together with the minutes of proceedings. Scaling up is the report of an in-depth investigation into the aquaculture industry in Northern Australia following on from the committee's earlier…
I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2015-2016 and cognate bill. These bills seek authority from the parliament for the additional expenditure of money from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for this financial year. The total of the appropriations being sought through these two bills is just over $2.2 billion. The…
