Cyclone Ita: McLucas misleads again

THE Federal Government has made special arrangements for Cook Shire Council to carry out post-Ita repair work on its road network despite Senator Jan McLucas’ “totally inaccurate” claims otherwise. Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch says Cook Shire Council has already received a special dispensation from the Prime Minister’s office so that it can use its own…

Appropriations Bills (1&2) 2014-15

I thank you for the opportunity to speak on Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2014-15 and cognate bills today. There is no hiding the fact that there has been some very highly vocal and predominantly negative reaction to the budget both before it came down and at the time it came down. I had concerns as…

Young job seekers in Cairns offered a hand up

YOUNG job seekers in Cairns will benefit from the Coalition Government’s new Work for the Dole Programme, with the city being selected as one of the 18 high-priority areas across the country. Federal Member for Leichhardt, Warren Entsch today announced that 18 to 30 year olds in Cairns, who have been unemployed for twelve months…

ATO calls time on Cairns office

LEICHHARDT MP Warren Entsch has confirmed that the Australian Tax Office has advised it will be closing its office in Cairns, as the office consolidates its operations from its smallest regional sites. “This is an ATO decision, not a government decision, no matter how Jan McLucas tries to spin it,” Mr Entsch said. “In fact,…

Remote airport services secure: Entsch

LEICHHARDT MP Warren Entsch has rubbished claims from Labor that regional airstrips face a loss of funding for upgrades, describing it as “irresponsible scaremongering” from the Opposition. “Any suggestion that airstrips in Leichhardt are going to be affected is nonsense,” Mr Entsch said from Canberra today.  “The Deputy Prime Minister’s office has personally confirmed with…

90 Second Statement – Tabling of Zone Allowance Petition

I table a petition from the residents of Northern Australia. This petition has 4,146 signatures and has been found to be in order by the Standing Committee on Petitions. The petition calls on the Australian government to amend the zone allowance to make zone A $10,000 taxable per year, with other zones adjusted accordingly, and…

Time to dig deep for young Flynn

FEDERAL Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch will put himself ‘under the hammer’ later this month at a fundraising auction for local youngster Flynn Rigby. Flynn will head to China in the near future for a second round of life-changing stem cell treatment and a fundraising drive is in full force. The treatment will cost $30,000…

ATE successfully showcases the region

AS the Australian Tourism Exchange draws to a close in Cairns today, Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch has congratulated Far Northerners for “pulling out all the stops” for the event. “The feedback I’ve heard over the course of the week has been incredibly positive,” Mr Entsch said. “Considering that this is the first time in the…

3 Minute Constituency Statement – Flynn Rigby

I rise to highlight this story of a very special young lad in my electorate, Flynn Rigby. At just 11 years of age, Flynn has had a very challenging life. He was born a surviving twin at 22 weeks, in November 2002. As he developed he was unable to speak and was diagnosed with autism.…

Funding to strengthen indigenous reef heritage

INDIGENOUS heritage in the Great Barrier Reef will be strengthened thanks to $70,000 in funding to develop a cultural heritage strategy and database. Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, and Member for Leichhardt, Warren Entsch, said the announcement was part of the Australian Government investment of $1.6 million this financial year in 18 projects across…