MR ENTSCH: It gives me great pleasure to rise this evening to speak about an important event that I attended in my electorate recently, the annual Far North Queensland Emergency Services Gala Charity Ball. This is the fourth year that they’ve run it. It was held this year on the Eastern Event Lawn, overlooking our…
MR ENTSCH: On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Northern Australia, I present the committee’s report entitled Northern horizons—unleashing our tourism potential: report on the inquiry into opportunities and methods for stimulating the tourism industry in northern Australia. Northern Australia has many natural advantages that make it a unique and unforgettable tourism destination. Northern Australia’s varied and pristine natural landscapes and wilderness…
MR ENTSCH: (Leichhardt) (13:37): Next week I’ll be travelling up again to one of the most beautiful islands in the Torres Strait, Erub Island. It will be a very important visit for me. Last year, when I visited the island to catch up with local leaders, I was struck by the worn beauty of one particular…
MR ENTSCH: (Leichhardt) (16:17): I rise today to pay tribute to one of Australia’s smallest shires, which just happens to be located in my electorate. To say that the Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council is punching above its weight is an understatement. Wujal Wujal is about 20 square kilometres in size and is home to about…
MR ENTSCH: (Leichhardt) (13:23): I have been working with the community north of the Daintree River since I was elected in 1996 in an effort to bring them into the 20th and now 21st century. This is a very vibrant community of around 500 to 600 people. Interestingly, some years ago the state government legislated to…
MR ENTSCH: (Leichhardt) (11:34): The $5 billion Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility is a game changer for northern Australia. The NAIF is partnering with the private sector and governments of northern jurisdictions to provide concessional loans to encourage and complement private sector investment in infrastructure that benefits northern Australia. I have to concede there have been some…
MR ENTSCH: (Leichhardt) (13:31): YWAM Medical Ships Australia do an incredible job providing medical services in highly challenging, remote areas of Papua New Guinea. My beautiful wife, Yolonde, is the first Cairns community ambassador for YWAM. Her role is to raise awareness, recruit volunteers and help strengthen sister-city relationships. Last year Yolonde volunteered on board the…
MR ENTSCH: (Leichhardt) (11:32): There’s no doubt about it; the Great Barrier Reef is the greatest living natural wonder on our planet, and I’m fortunate enough to represent a very large portion of that natural wonder, a very significant amount of which the previous speaker was talking about in relation to the impacts of bleaching. Rather…
MR ENTSCH: (Leichhardt) (13:59): At the weekend I attended a memorial service and the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate the tragic death of 11 servicemen during the Second World War. The loved ones of those 11 travelled from California, New Zealand, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane to be at the unveiling. They were joined by more…
MR ENTSCH: (Leichhardt) (13:50): It gives me great pleasure to rise today to pay tribute to the fantastic businesswomen in my community. On Friday I attended the Cairns Business Women’s Club business woman of the year awards. These awards are now in their 31st year and truly showcase the amazing and inspirational women we have in…