Mr ENTSCH: I recently had the opportunity to meet with Dr Yolanda Waters, the founder and CEO of an incredible organisation called Divers for Climate. Back when I was first appointed as the Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef, in 2019, I was determined to work closely with the scientific community rather than with…
Mr ENTSCH: I’m here to speak in strong support of the motion moved by the member for Cowper, which highlights the critical issue of alcohol excise in our country. This is not just about beer and spirits; it’s about the survival of small businesses, the livelihood of thousands of Australians and the future of an…
Mr ENTSCH: I am honoured to help celebrate the 110th anniversary of the Australian Red Cross. Since its founding on 13 August 1914, the Red Cross has been a pillar of support and compassion, providing critical assistance during disasters and promoting dignity for all. In my electorate of Leichhardt, the Mossman branch has been an…
Mr ENTSCH: I rise today to highlight the substandard education and wellbeing of our young students in the Torres Strait region. Tagai secondary college on Thursday Island is currently in a deplorable condition. I personally attended the school during an unannounced, impromptu visit on 9 April. Without exaggeration, I can say I’ve seen Third World…
Mr ENTSCH: I’d like to present petitions EN6025 and EN0611 from the Speewah community. The petitions read as follows— Speewah community is subject to continual and prolonged disruptions to telecommunications due to inadequacy of TELSTRA’s battery supply at the Speewah exchange. Speewah, only 16km from Cairns, is an isolated tower with no alternate tower within…
Mr ENTSCH: I rise tonight to address a matter of great significance for the people of Far North Queensland, the proposed UNESCO World Heritage listing of the Cape York Peninsula region. Queensland state and federal Labor governments have recently progressed the proposal, and I, along with many others, have great reservations about what might occur…
Mr ENTSCH: Last week I had the pleasure of visiting Alexandra Bay State School, in the Daintree Rainforest, near Cow Bay. It is a very small school and one which I visited previously. During my previous attendance it became very apparent to me that the kids were complete Lego fanatics. As the House should know,…
Mr ENTSCH: In recent months, I’ve been in receipt of several disturbing accounts from members of the public who have recounted their experiences with Queensland’s Office of the Public Guardian. These stories they’ve shared with me paint a deeply troubling picture of an organisation that, instead of safeguarding the vulnerable, appears to be exercising control…
Mr ENTSCH: I rise on an issue affecting the tourism industry, particularly in the Port Douglas region in my electorate. It relates to the mishandling and apparent failure of the Tourism Exceptional Assistance Grant following the devastating impacts of Cyclone Jasper. When Cyclone Jasper hit, it left behind a trail of destruction that severely impacted…
Mr ENTSCH: Last week was National Volunteer Week, and, on Friday 24 May, I had the distinct pleasure of attending and presenting the FNQ Volunteer of the Year Awards at the Novatel in Cairns. It was a fabulous and well-attended evening where the community was able to come together and recognise those people and organisations…