The Australian Defence Force Superannuation Bill 2015

I thank the member for Lingiari for his contribution. His commitment to Defence Force personnel goes back over a lot of years, including when he had portfolio responsibility for our Defence Force. The Australian government is certainly very committed to supporting Australian Defence Force members throughout their service and into their retirement. This legislation is…

More than $1-million in funding for Bumma Bippera

TWO Cairns-based Indigenous organisations will receive a total of $1.01 million under the Australian Government’s Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS) grant round to deliver projects that will improve the lives of First Australians in the region. Bumma Bippera Media will receive around $845,000 over two years, while Indigenous Job Connections will receive around $171,000 over one…

Cape York Indigenous organisations benefit from

Four Indigenous organisations across Cape York will receive a total of $1.59 million under the Australian Government’s Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS) grant round to improve outcomes for First Australians. The successful organisations are: Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council – $803,167 over three years to support the Kowanyama Remote Indigenous Broadcasting Service; for the Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire…

90 Second Statement – Mainie

On 7 August I had the privilege of helping to launch a new Cairns-made fashion label called Mainie, which is the work of Charmaine Saunders and Denis Keeffe. The label marries the ancient art of Indigenous women from the Tanami Desert in the Northern Territory with silk from one of China's fabled Silk Road cities,…

Private Members Motion – YWAM

I also would like to commend the member for Ryan for putting this forward as a motion.  With regard to the previous speaker, I am a little bit disappointed at the criticism that he is targeting at our government in relation to the support that we offer for Papua New Guinea. I was in the…

100th Anniversary of Gallipoli

The Great War was the crucible that forged our nation. That is why the Centenary of Anzac is such a significant period of commemoration for all Australians. On 25 April, marking the official 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign, residents of Leichhardt commemorated this significant time with a range of events and projects. Today I…