Volunteer Grants available for Cairns and Far North Queensland community organisations

The Morrison Government is backing Australia’s volunteers, with up to $20 million in grants now available to support them in local communities across the nation. Volunteer Grants of $1,000 to $5,000 will help volunteers and volunteer groups to buy small equipment for volunteers, by reimbursing volunteer fuel, transport or training costs, or support promotional activities.…

Cairns businesses to build new army watercraft

Two Far North Queensland businesses will build seven new watercrafts as part of the Morrison Government’s commitment to strengthening the Australian Army’s amphibious capability. The vessels, which will be built in Cairns, will assist Army amphibious operations and support systems. Tropical Reef Shipyards and BME NQ will manufacture the 7.5 metre vessels, and provide spares…

Royal Commission into Veteran’s Suicide

Mr ENTSCH: I certainly rise this afternoon to support this motion seeking to establish a royal commission into veteran suicide. I absolutely support this motion. The sacrifice that these men and women make for our country is truly remarkable and in fact in many cases is the ultimate sacrifice. I proudly served in the Defence…

Bob Madden

Mr ENTSCH: I was deeply saddened to learn of the recent passing of my good friend and community champion, Bob Madden. I firstly became aware of Bob shortly after I was elected into the parliament back in 1996. Bob was a fierce advocate for improving communication in the Speewah area of my vast electorate. I…

New Cairns Service Centre opens next month

Cairns residents will soon benefit from improved face-to-face Medicare and Centrelink services with the new purpose-built Services Australia precinct office opening soon. Federal Government Services Minister Stuart Robert, said the upcoming opening of the Cairns precinct demonstrated the Morrison Government’s commitment to ensuring Australians had ready access to government services. “Improving the face-to-face customer experience…

Sir Michael Somare

Mr ENTSCH:  I rise this afternoon privileged to acknowledge the extraordinary life of Papua New Guinea Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, who sadly passed away last month. My community and those that call Cairns and Far North Queensland home have very strong and deep ties with Papua New Guinea. In fact, we have the largest…

More support for Cairns and FNQ tourist operators

The Morrison Government will help smaller tourism operators promote their business and reach new customers to take advantage of the government-backed 800,000 discounted holiday flights. The Morrison Government will provide $12 million to provide new photography and video material to up 1800 tourism operators from 57 regions around Australia. The program will be launched in…

Work to begin on $359m Captain Cook Highway project

Early works on the congestion-busting $359 million Captain Cook Highway upgrade project will commence this year. The $359 million Captain Cook Highway project is jointly funded with the Australian Government committing $287.2 million and the Queensland Government committing $71.8 million. The Australian Government recently added the Captain Cook Highway from Cairns CBD to Smithfield to…

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…