Coral Sea closure a disgrace, says Entsch

FEDERAL Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch has described the network of marine parks announced by the Federal Government today as “dishonest” and a “huge blow” to the community. “With absolutely no science behind it, the government is planning to lock up one third of Australia’s oceans – this is Green Zones revisited on steroids,” Mr…

Opening of the annual Rotary District 9550 Conference

Firstly I’d like to thank Brett Charles for his introduction today, and what a great job on the Flag Ceremony by the YEP Students.  I’d also like to thank District Governor Graham Koch for inviting me to officially open the conference today. Can I extend a very warm welcome to you all to Cairns and the electorate of Leichhardt,…

Entsch condemns RDAF grant as ‘smoke and mirrors’

THE awarding of $5 million in the latest Regional Development Australia Fund towards upgrading the Torres Strait sea walls is a “cruel hoax” that will give the government an excuse to do absolutely nothing, says Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch. Mr Entsch condemned the timing of the announcement, which comes just days after he…

Can you help?

YORKEY’S Knob State School is in urgent need of volunteers for this Sunday’s Challenge Cairns event. The school is being offered $4,500 to man three drink stations and monitor some crossing points on Varley St and The Esplanade, an amazing opportunity to earn big dollars for extra student learning resources. However, the school is running…

Win for sports fans in the Daintree

SPORTS-mad residents of Cow Bay, Forest Creek and Cape Tribulation are over the moon that they can continue to watch State of Origin and Friday night football matches at their local club. However a liquor licensing issue, which almost forced the closure of the much-loved Alexandra Bay Sports Club earlier this month, is still not…

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 –…