Leichhardt youth urged to get creative

THE Federal Member for Leichhardt, Warren Entsch is reminding young Far North Queenslanders they have one week left to “tell their story” as part of the ABC’s Heywire competition. “This is a huge opportunity for young people aged 16-22 who live in the Far North to put together a story in text, audio, photo, or…

Feedback on Forrest Review sought

LEICHHARDT MP Warren Entsch is urging local Indigenous leaders and community members to respond to the Forrest Review into Indigenous jobs and training before the initial consultation period ends on 20th September. “This is a comprehensive report that draws upon Andrew Forrest’s own experience in employment and training of indigenous people, as well as input…

Work for the Dole coordinator announced for Cairns

FEDERAL MEMBER for Leichhardt Warren Entsch has today announced that MAX Solutions has been selected to deliver the new Work for the Dole Coordinator services in Cairns. “From 1 July 2014, the Government has rolled out new Work for the Dole arrangements for job seekers aged 18?30 in the Cairns area,” Mr Entsch said. “I’ve…

New partnership to support communities in PNG

The Australian Government will provide $1.85 million to a two-year pilot program promoting economic and community development and disease prevention in Papua New Guinea’s Western Province. The program is the product of a new partnership between the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Cairns-based Reef and Rainforest Research Centre (RRRC). Minister for Foreign…

Final report for Northern Australia released

FEDERAL Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch has welcomed the high level of community and industry interest resulting from today’s release of the final report on developing Northern Australia, titled Pivot North. “There has been talk and focus on Northern Australia since 1937, numerous reports and comments that have been made, but most of those reports…

Government delivers for local roads

THE Australian Government has delivered on its $2.1 billion Roads to Recovery programme, a key funding stream that benefits road users all around Leichhardt, says Federal MP Warren Entsch. “The Land Transport Infrastructure Amendment Bill 2014 passed the Senate last week and as a result, councils across Leichhardt will get their first payments this month…

Protecting Green Island’s dugongs and turtles

The Australian Government will invest in a new Indigenous ranger team and the development of a cultural heritage management strategy to better protect dugongs and turtles around Green Island, off Queensland’s Far North Coast. Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, and the Member for Leichhardt, Warren Entsch, said today the investment would protect turtles and…

Entsch welcomes opening of the Jones Park Rugby League Ground

FUTURE rugby league stars from far north Queensland have new facilities to help hone their skills, with today’s opening of the upgraded Jones Park Rugby League Grounds in Cairns. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said the Australian Government provided more than $3.5 million in funding for the $3.95…

Mental Health support partnership launched

A CLUB to support local people impacted by long-term mental illness is being launched today in Cairns, based on the experience and success of similar groups in 34 countries. The Mental Illness Fellowship of North Queensland (MIFNQ) together with a Cairns-based committee chaired by Supreme Court Judge Justice Jim Henry, is establishing a Clubhouse based…

Employees to be given greater options with IFAs

FEDERAL Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch has argued for greater flexibility of employment arrangements and a review of penalty rates that are crippling small businesses in the Far North. Speaking in Parliament on the Fair Work Amendment Bill 2014, Mr Entsch said it was imperative to reduce the Far North’s unacceptably high levels of business…