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…

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…

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…

Wild Rivers policy another bid for green votes

PREMIER Anna Bligh has plucked eight random rivers to add to the Wild Rivers legislation list merely to meet the quota she promised green groups, Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch says. Mr Entsch labelled Labor’s pledge to declare five more rivers on Cape York as being exempt from mining, damming and other development as…

Valuable views put forward at fishing forum

ABOUT 100 people who attended the Future of Fishing Forum were vocal in their views on the Government’s lack of consultation when imposing restrictions on the industry. The forum, organised by Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch, heard from dozens of people in, or associated with, the commercial, sport and recreational fishing industry at the…