Indigenous Tourism

MR ENTSCH: I rise to support this motion but more importantly in support of a critical role that Indigenous people and culture play in our nation’s tourism offerings. It’s no more evident than in my vast electorate of Leichhardt that includes the Torres Strait, Cape York, Cooktown, Mossman, the Daintree, Kuranda and Cairns. All of…

The Agile Project

MR ENTSCH: I recently attended a special event in my electorate to mark the start of the relocation of hundreds of agile wallabies to a safer habitat. It will be Australia’s largest ever macropod relocation. The Trinity Beach wallabies have become a much-loved part of our community but, sadly, have fallen victim to urban sprawl.…

Kuranda Tourism

Mr ENTSCH: Kuranda is a small community of around 4500 people located about 30 kilometres directly west of Cairns via the Kuranda Range. The Kuranda economy is heavily reliant on domestic and international tourism and the self-drive market that feeds into that tourism. It has been absolutely decimated by the ongoing effects of the pandemic.…

Imagine the Possibilities Masquerade Ball

Mr ENTSCH: It gives me absolute pleasure to rise today to highlight a fantastic event that I recently attended in my electorate. Imagine the Possibilities Masquerade Ball was a night of glitz and glamour to commemorate International Womens Day. This amazing event was made possible thanks to the Zonta Club of Cairns in collaboration with…

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…

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…

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…

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…