EPBC Amendment (Making Marine Parks Accountable) Bill 2012

Mr ENTSCH (Leichhardt-Chief Opposition Whip) (20:36):  I welcome the opportunity to speak on this bill. Quite frankly, the process under which the Coral Sea marine reserve was declared last week is an absolute disgrace. For generations this resource has been fished in a totally sustainable way; the fact that the area is now judged worthy…

Correct BSB details for Les Borthwick Appeal

Apologies, I have been advised that the BSB number published for the Les Borthwick Scooter Appeal is incorrect. If you have been unsuccessful in making a donation please use the correct information below: BANK – Cairns Penny Savings & Loans ACCOUNT NAME – Office of Warren Entsch MP Benevolence Account BSB – 704 966 (NOT…

Community reeling over Coral Sea proclamation

LEICHHARDT MP Warren Entsch has described today’s proclamation of a Coral Sea Marine Reserve – one of 40 new parks around Australia – as “devastating” for the region, saying it came “off the back of an absolutely flawed consultation process”. “Coastal communities right around the country are feeling betrayed, there’s no question about it,” Mr…

Let’s work together for the Torres Strait: Entsch

LEICHHARDT MP Warren Entsch has congratulated the new members of the Torres Strait Regional Authority and their new Chairperson, Mr Joseph Elu, on their appointment this week. “This is an exciting time,” Mr Entsch said today.  “There are a range of issues that need to be addressed and I look forward to a constructive relationship…

Great success for indigenous defence trainees

FEDERAL MP Warren Entsch has congratulated 22 young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who today graduated from the Defence Indigenous Development Program (DIDP) in Cairns. Mr Entsch attended the graduation at the HMAS Cairns base where Warren Snowdon MP, the Minister for Indigenous, Rural and Regional Health, presented the graduates with their awards. Of the…

FNQ locals dig deep for Les

WEIPA man Les Borthwick is well on his way to receiving a new set of wheels – albeit on a mobility scooter – thanks to the generosity of Far Northern locals. Federal MP Warren Entsch launched an appeal for Mr Borthwick last month after hearing about his traumatic series of surgeries that resulted from what…

Cape York leaders unite against sham consultation

THE ‘people’s forum’ held at Musgrave on Saturday comprehensively rejected the Federal Government’s plan to only consult with Traditional Owners on a possible World Heritage listing. More than 100 people attended the forum, including graziers, businesspeople, tourism operators, traditional owners (TOs) and representatives from Senate, Federal, State and Local Government. Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch has…

Elderly suffer while Govt wastes billions

FEDERAL MP Warren Entsch has again driven the Meals on Wheels cause in Canberra, this week speaking on a proposed nutrition project for the elderly that has failed to win any government funding or support. Mr Entsch seconded a Private Member’s Motion put forward by NSW MP Mark Coulton, the Member for Parkes, which recognised…

High cost of insurance in the north needs policy focus

OPPOSITION Leader Tony Abbott has recognised that the increasing cost of property insurance is a serious problem for people in Central and Northern Queensland. Responding to strong representations by Federal MP Warren Entsch, Mr Abbott has asked Senator Mathias Cormann, the Shadow Assistant Treasurer and Shadow Minister for Financial Services to work with Mr Entsch…