Advance Cairns

Mr ENTSCH: Last week I had the pleasure of attending a gala event to mark the 20th anniversary since the establishment of advocacy group Advance Cairns. Advance Cairns has grown to be one of the most fierce and effective advocacy groups in Queensland. In fact, the Advance Cairns footprint covers 26 local government areas across…

Morrison Government to support thousands of new FNQ apprentice and trainee jobs

Thousands of new job opportunities will be created for apprentices and trainees across Cairns and Far North Queensland with the expansion of the targeted wage subsidy program as part of the Morrison Government’s National Economic Recovery Plan. The Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy program is fully subscribed, helping to create 100,000 apprenticeships in less than…

Morrison Government continues to provide support for Cairns and FNQ tourism and aviation industries

Cairns and Far North Queensland hotels, caravan parks, restaurants, bars, retail stores and tourism operators will benefit from a domestic tourism boom under the Morrison Government’s $1.2 billion tourism and aviation recovery package. The comprehensive package includes a mix of half-price airline tickets, cheap loans for businesses and direct support to keep planes in the…

Boosting maritime capacity in the Pacific

The Morrison Government has awarded TAFE Queensland a $36 million contract to provide mariner training and support to the Navy crews of the Guardian-class Patrol Boats. The funding is being delivered as part of the Morrison Government’s $2 billion Pacific Maritime Security Program to strengthen maritime capability in the Pacific. Acting Minister for Defence Marise…

Helping older Far North Queenslanders improve their digital skills, confidence and online safety

Older residents in Cairns and Far North Queensland will be encouraged to bridge the digital divide through a new government investment to help senior Australians remain connected with friends and family online and learn new skills. Families and Social Services Minister Anne Ruston said the Morrison Government would provide $28.3 million to extend the Be Connected…

Media Statement: 2022 Federal Election

In 2019, on election night, I announced that I would not recontest the next federal election, as I felt the time was right to pursue other interests outside politics. However, that decision was made well before the global COVID-19 pandemic was even thought of, or before it reached our shores. Our region was one of…

Uncle Henry Gibson

Mr ENTSCH:  I rise today to pay tribute to a marvellous, talented and much-loved Far North Queenslander. Former pearl diver, Uncle Henry Gibson, better known as Seaman Dan, passed away peacefully late last year at the age of 92. Seaman Dan rose to national and international prominence at the age of 70, when he first…

School Leaders

Mr ENTSCH: I recently had the pleasure of attending two award ceremonies at schools in my electorate. The two awards ceremonies proved to me beyond doubt that our future is in capable hands. At the Cairns State High School senior induction ceremony, I had the honour of presenting the JA Barnes Memorial Prize to Rubin…