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…
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…
Funding is now available to support a safer road system and drive down road trauma in Cairns and Far North Queensland with applications now open under Round 2 of the Australian Government’s $12 million Road Safety Innovation Fund. The Road Safety Innovation Fund is part of a suite of Australian Government programs driving improvements to…
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…
Cairns and Far North Queensland residents are being urged to get ready for their COVID-19 vaccination by linking their digital government services, particularly their myGov and Medicare accounts. The call to link digital services follows the announcement that the Australian Immunisation Register will be the record for all vaccinations for Australians. This record will form…
Surf Life Saving Clubs across Far North Queensland will benefit from upgraded equipment and bolstered training programs to keep beachgoers safe. The Morrison Government is providing $9.7 million in additional funding to Surf Life Saving Australia as it continues to protect beachgoers and improve volunteer lifesaving skills. The government will invest $3.1 million through the…
Far North Queenslanders are receiving the medical care they need at no cost to themselves with recent data showing almost nine out of 10 visits to the GP over the year to December were provided with no out-of-pocket cost. GP bulk billing rates in Leichhardt reached 86.8 per cent for the year to date to…
Seventeen marine tourism operators along the entire Great Barrier Reef will take to the water from this week for Reef site monitoring, maintenance and conservation work. The $3.2 million initiative is part of the Australian Government’s $1 billon COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund to support regions, communities, and industry sectors severely affected by the coronavirus…
Residents in Cairns and Far North Queensland will be amongst the first in Australia to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. As part of the Australian Government’s COVID-19 Vaccination Program, people in priority groups who are most at risk and who need protection the most – will receive a vaccine first. Cairns Hospital will go live next…
Mr ENTSCH: I rise this afternoon to acknowledge those in my community who were recently recognised at the Douglas Shire Council Australia Day awards. It’s always a special day where we acknowledge the work of those who strive to make our community a better place for everybody. This year the Douglas Shire Council Citizen of…
