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…

Aged care cannot be compromised, says Entsch

FEDERAL MP Warren Entsch has again highlighted the plight of the aged and elderly in Leichhardt, addressing Parliament this week on the shortcomings of our aged care system. Speaking on the Aged Care (Living Longer Living Better) package of bills, Mr Entsch questioned why it has taken the government more than a year to bring…

Appropriations Bills No 1 and 2 2013-14

Mr ENTSCH (Leichhardt-Chief Opposition Whip) (11:59): We have heard a lot over the last couple of weeks about the budget-and there is certainly no hiding the fact that Labor’s financial and budgetary management is in total chaos. We have heard all the figures: total gross debt to breach the $300 billion ceiling, record net debt…

Aged Care Living Longer Living Better Bill 2013

Mr ENTSCH (Leichhardt-Chief Opposition Whip) (17:59): I certainly welcome the opportunity to speak on the Aged Care (Living Longer Living Better) Bill 2013 and related bills today. However, I have to express my concern that it has taken over a year for the government to bring this legislation to the parliament, and now it wants…

Final push for Avenue of Honour

FEDERAL MP Warren Entsch has today kick-started a major fundraising campaign to enable the Avenue of Honour memorial at Yungaburra to be completed before its official opening on June 22nd. “This project has received an incredible amount of support from individuals and organisations, both local and from all around Australia,” Mr Entsch said. “I have…

‘Great Escape’ highlights immigration failures

FEDERAL MP Warren Entsch says the escape of seven detainees from Scherger Immigration Detention Centre (IDC) illustrates the “absolute failure” of the Gillard Government’s immigration policy. “It just shows you that the whole system is broken in relation to the way in which the government is dealing with this very, very serious issue,” Mr Entsch…