Private Members Business – Protection of National Parks

Mr ENTSCH (Leichhardt-Chief Opposition Whip) (20:43): In rising to speak on this motion put forward by the member for Makin, I would like to put some level of balance and common sense into this argument. Clearly those that are contributing on the other side are city-centric and probably understand only what they read in the…

‘Look north’ the way forward

LEICHHARDT MP Warren Entsch has welcomed the Coalition’s policy paper on Northern Australia, describing it as “a focus I haven’t seen in my lifetime”. Touring Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park with Opposition Leader Tony Abbott on Saturday, Mr Entsch said that despite the bulk of the wealth being generated in northern Australia, 80 per cent of…

Adjournment – Avenue of Honour

Mr ENTSCH (Leichhardt-Chief Opposition Whip) (21:28): In the early hours of 21 June 2010 a US Black Hawk helicopter was flying low and fast to avoid enemy detection in the forbidding mountains of Kandahar Province in Afghanistan. In the pitch-black surroundings there was no room for error, and when the helicopter crashed it took the…

Hospital comparison shows Daru’s true colours

FEDERAL MP Warren Entsch has again slammed AusAID’s foreign aid management after it was recently revealed that the hospital at war-torn Bougainville is of a far better standard than the dilapidated facility at Daru Island, on Australia’s doorstep. The photos of Bougainville hospital were provided to Mr Entsch after a local non-profit organisation visited the…

Cape York funding welcomed but ‘show us the money’

LEICHHARDT MP Warren Entsch has welcomed today’s news that the Federal Government will spend $210 million upgrading roads, power and sewerage on Cape York. However he has cautioned that the government must outline exactly where the money is coming from, and ensure it is locked in before the September 14 election, for the announcement to…

Time to dig deep, Entsch tells MPs

LEICHHARDT MP Warren Entsch has today accepted 150 Avenue of Honour commemorative pins, which he hopes to use to raise a further $15,000 for the project from Members of Parliament in Canberra. The Australian Government has contributed $100,000 to the project but, to date, Mr Entsch is believed to be the only politician who has…

Local young people urged to follow their dreams

FEDERAL MP Warren Entsch is urging young people in Leichhardt to ‘chase their dreams’ and develop their artistic talents by applying for new creative grants worth a total of $23,500 this year. Applications for the $8 million Creative Young Stars program are now being accepted, with grants of $500 available for individuals and $3000 for…

Support our childcare industry now

FEDERAL MP Warren Entsch is encouraging anyone who is concerned about available and affordable childcare to urgently make a submission to the Standing Committee on Education and Employment’s inquiry into the Early Years Quality Fund Special Account Bill 2013. “Spending $300 million to boost the wages of childcare workers sounds great, but dig a little…

Govt puts nail in the coffin for Far Northern fishers

LEICHHARDT MP Warren Entsch has spoken up for coastal communities in Parliament, supporting a vote that would have created broader access to the Coral Sea and other marine reserves. The Coalition’s motions to disallow the Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network Management Plans came up for debate last night, with Mr Entsch seconding the motions for two…

Time for whole of government approach to insurance

FEDERAL MP Warren Entsch has called on his state government counterparts to “step up” and support changes that would help make property insurance in the Far North more affordable. Mr Entsch was responding to reports that the Queensland Government would increase the stamp duty payable on general insurance products, including property insurance, by 1.5 per…