**IMAGE: Supporting Minister Sussan Ley as she presents the medicinal cannabis bill.** 2016 has started with a very busy sitting schedule! We’ve made inroads on a range of legislation; I’ve met with numerous stakeholders and constituents and taken a whole range of issues to my Ministerial colleagues. Narcotic Drugs Amendment Bill 2016 The introduction of…
When you’re off the beaten track in Laos, South East Asia, the last thing you expect is to meet not just one, but three Far North Queenslanders who are making a difference! In 2015, on a Parliamentary Delegation, I attended a business networking function in Vientiane, Laos. You can imagine my delight when one of…
**IMAGE: At the Brooklyn Chest Hospital, young patients are able to continue their schooling.** Late last year I had a very productive visit to South Africa and Botswana. I took part in the 2nd Global TB Summit in Cape Town in my role as the Australian Convenor of the Global TB/HIV Caucus (99 countries strong!)…
I was excited to help launch enVizion Group’s Virtual Reality Training Bus, a fantastic initiative from an organisation that is truly changing lives. I’ve been working with Julie-Ann Lambourne, Christina Togo and the enVizion team for several years and I’m a firm disciple – I’ve never come across an organisation that has had such profound…
**IMAGE: Kylie Fell from the Western Cape Chamber of Commerce discusses mobile phone black spots with me during a visit to Weipa** Here we are in 2016 and at the time of writing, the new political year has just started in earnest. I’m looking forward to what the next 12 months will bring! In early…
50th Wedding Anniversary Clyde and Janice Graham (2nd October 2015) Michael and Glenys Schramm (16th October 2015) Ronald and Dianne Clark (23rd October 2015) William and Janine Paterson (4th December 2015) John and Jennifer Knight (8th January 2016) Santo and Adelina D’Addona (8th January 2016) Keith and Beverly Drewitt (29th January 2016) 55th Wedding Anniversary…
I recently became Patron for the Gulf Horizons Foundation, a charity that’s doing great work to support people in crisis in our rural communities. Gulf Horizons was established in 2011 to address the challenges of the live export ban, floods, fires, drought, crippling debt and economic ruin faced by rural communities throughout the Gulf. In…
I’m a big supporter of the work of Men’s Sheds in our region and was pleased to be able to help build a new relationship between the Cairns Men’s Shed and QUIHN Cairns. QUIHN (Queensland Injectors Health Network) is doing fabulous work with people who are facing – and recovering from – substance abuse and…
Helped launch the YWAM Medical Ships 2016 Cairns Corporate Challenge, Cairns Hosted Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull for a community meet and greet, Cairns Addressed insurance industry CEOs on the insurance crisis, Sydney Enjoyed Phantom of the Opera at the Cairns Civic Theatre, Cairns Played ‘Santa Claus’ at the Grand Hotel’s Christmas Lunch for residents of…
The northernmost part of Australia – comprising the Torres Strait Islands and tip of Cape York – is a remarkable area with diverse and culturally-distinct communities, fascinating history, abundant marine resources, stunning azure waters and white sand beaches. In August, the Prime Minister and other senior ministers visited a number of communities as part of…
