Caoe York graziers stung twice by government ignorance

CAPE York graziers have suffered another blow in the wake of last year’s live cattle export ban debacle, with the Federal Government refusing to consider them for financial assistance. Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch said pastoralists in the Cape had every right to be angry at being refused access to a confusing financial support package…

Entsch applauds bid to review alcohol management plans

FEDERAL Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch has backed an LNP plan to review alcohol management plans, saying total prohibition has failed to resolve the social issues in indigenous communities. Mr Entsch said comments by Premier Anna Bligh and Deputy Premier Andrew Fraser, who described the plan as a grab at Aboriginal votes, were “disgraceful”. “Both…

Petition to stop JCU student levy

FEDERAL Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch is supporting a petition to scrap a compulsory levy imposed on James Cook University students by the Labor Government. As of this year, local students are forced to pay up to $263 a year after Labor, supported by the Greens, passed legislation – the Higher Education Amendment (Student Services…

Report highlights need for change in Cape York

A REPORT into the economic future of Cape York’s key industries highlights the lack of understanding the state and federal governments have of the needs of regional communities, Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch says.Mr Entsch said the “Our Sustainable Futures” report, which was outlined at a forum held in Laura by Cape York Sustainable Futures…

Rubies hockey team shines in first international outing

FEDERAL Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch has hailed the North Queensland Rubies hockey team an inspirational force after they made the semi-finals of their first international tournament.The team returned to Cairns this morning after a successful showing at the Singapore Sixes, where they competed with 15 other sides from around the world.Mr Entsch said the…

Land-based dredge spoil sites must be considered

FEDERAL Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch has renewed calls for serious consideration to be given to using dredge spoil on degraded land following comments by Environment Minister Tony Burke that the reef would be used only as a “last resort”. The Federal Government is pushing to introduce a fee of between $5 and $15 per…

Coalition launches “Staycation” tourism initiative

FEDERAL Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch today welcomed the launching of the ‘Staycation’ campaign to encourage Australians to take more domestic holidays in response to the ever growing ‘tourism trade deficit’ that is expected to reach around $8 billion in 2012-13 . Mr Entsch said he was concerned about the pressures facing the local restaurants,…

Scrapping of solar hot water rebate to sting suppliers

THE Federal Government’s sudden decision to pull the plug on a solar hot water rebate has left Cairns businesses high and dry, Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch says. Mr Entsch yesterday blasted the Government for scrapping the Renewable Energy Scheme’s Solar Hot Water Rebate to new customers as of midnight on Tuesday (February 28), comparing…

Petition for an immediate election

Attached is a petition by Senator Helen Kroger, the Chief Opposition Whip in the Senate, which asks the Senate to immediately require the Prime Minister to call a general election. The extraordinary events of the last few days are like none other in Australian history. Many people have contacted my office in the last few…