Budget Appropriations Bills – Speech

What an outstanding contribution from the member for Sturt. I watched with interest the announcement of the 2012-13 budget, and it was sorely disappointing. For my electorate of Leichhardt, this budget is yet another blow to growth, another blow to tourism, another blow to economic enterprise and another blow to small business owners. For too…

Entsch slams Swan for criticism of council

FEDERAL Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch is furious at comments made by Government Treasurer Wayne Swan in today’s The Cairns Post on council’s handling of the Cairns Entertainment Precinct. Mr Entsch contacted Cairns Regional Council Mayor Bob Manning early this morning to reaffirm his “unconditional and unequivocal” support for council’s decision to re-examine the site,…

Reminder – don’t miss out on photo competition!

BUDDING photographers in Leichhardt are reminded that there are only a few days left until entries close for Federal MP Warren Entsch’s annual photography competition.Mr Entsch said the quality of images submitted so far had been outstanding, but he was hopeful that many more Far Northerners would contribute before entries close next week. From the…

No commitment yet for sea walls

EVIDENCE given to a Senate Estimates Committee hearing today showed that the Gillard Government has no immediate plans for assistance to Torres Strait Island communities for repair and reconstruction of sea walls.  Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch and North Queensland-based Senator Ian Macdonald – who raised the issue at the Senate Estimates Committee –…

Entsch renews focus on insurance pain

INSURANCE companies who “cherry-pick” postcodes and avoid covering North Queensland properties should be banned from offering policies in the rest of the country, Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch has told parliament. Mr Entsch addressed the Chamber on Tuesday evening to reignite concerns about the “continued failure” of the insurance industry in FNQ and to put renewed…

Adjournment – Insurance Crisis in North Queensland

I rise this evening to raise serious concerns about the continued failure of the insurance industry in Far North Queensland. Some two months ago the Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs tabled its second In the wake of disasters report after a comprehensive inquiry into the affordability of strata title insurance in Northern…

Avoid impulsive action on reef shipping: Entsch

FEDERAL Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch has warned against a “knee-jerk reaction” in response to the mechanical failure of the bulk carrier ID Integrity near the Great Barrier Reef on Friday. “I’m as concerned as anyone else about this,” Mr Entsch said.  “There is no doubt that we’ve dodged a bullet here, but mechanical breakdowns…

Budget cuts and tax increases a low blow for tourism

CAIRNS Airport is fully justified in its bid to stop an increase in the departure tax for visitors, the latest blow to the tourism industry from a misguided and unsupportive government, says Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch. As reported in The Cairns Post on May 16, Cairns Airport is banding together with other international…

Entsch congratulates new Cairns Regional Council team

WARREN Entsch, Federal Member for Leichhardt, has congratulated new Cairns Regional Council mayor Bob Manning, deputy mayor Terry James and councillors on their formal appointment today. Mr Entsch regretted that he couldn’t attend the ceremony, having flown to the Torres Strait for the funeral of his long time friend and elder George Mye. However he…