The ANZAC Spirit!
The ANZAC spirit was on full display throughout Mackay and the Whitsundays!
The ANZAC Spirit!
Congratulations to all those involved in arranging the many Anzac Day services that took place on Thursday across our community.
I had the privilege of attending a few of those ceremonies, starting in the North of the electorate at the Airlie Beach Whitsunday RSL Cannonvale Dawn Service and finishing with the Farleigh and Northern Beaches RSL Bucasia parade with big crowds at both.
With 14 services throughout the electorate, logistics is always difficult and I appreciate my staff and student leaders representing me on this important day.
At the Mackay RSL Main service I was represented by YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament Member for Whitsunday & Whitsunday Anglican School student Arhamah Haider.
And Proserpine State High School Council President Olivia Murphy represented me at the Proserpine RSL Main Parade and the Airlie Beach Whitsunday RSL Airlie Main Parade.
It was fantastic to see such key involvement from students at all the services. Congratulations to the staff and students from across the region for their involvement.
At each service I saw great patriotism and displays of friendship. Enough to make an MP awfully proud of her community!
Northern Beaches Community Week!
A very dedicated group of community members, have organised the inaugural Northern Beaches Community Week from 26 April to 5th May
The week is about bringing our community together for a week of fun, connection, and engagement. From workshops and activities to community projects; with 33 free events on offer I'm sure there will be something for everyone to enjoy
For more information to book a spot for an activity, please reach out to Rebecca and the team at nbcweek@gmail.com or via https://www.facebook.com/northernbeachesourcommunity
As a part of that week, they will be hosting a community meeting with the aim of connecting like minded community members to share, inform and foster community initiatives.
Thursday 2nd May, 5.30pm, Eimeo SLSC all are welcome to attend.
Community Spotlight
Resource Industry Network
The Resource Industry Network held its April Twilight networking event IN the underground mining simulator which was an incredible experience. The Neighbourhood Hub were also on hand to share the incredible work in our region.
Young Professionals
A change in dates meant I was able to attend YP - Young Professionals Mackay’s April coffee catch up. Our region’s future is in good hands with these young leaders coming through. Many discussions were had including around workforce attraction and retention, cost of living pressures and what makes our region a great place to live and work.
Mackay Health Crisis Town Hall
This week 2023 December quarter health figures were released which highlighted that our health crisis is worsening. Leader of the Opposition, David Crisafulli and Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates were in town to hold their 38th health crisis town hall and the stories that were told by brave members of our community were sobering.
Currently 33% of patients arriving at Mackay Base Hospital are being ambulance ramped.
The Mackay elective surgery waitlist stands at 1408 people with 40% not being seen within the clinically recommended timeframes.
And the specialist outpatient waitlist sits at 12,814 people, which is the waitlist for the waitlist. Of which 40% are not being seen withing the clinically recommended timeframes.
Our Doctors and nurses and health professionals need a system that supports them and our community deserves to receive the same level of health care that is available in other areas of the State.
Mobile Offices
Most of my mobile offices in April have focused on listening to the residents in the Proserpine Whitsunday area, updating them on Hamilton Plains upgrades and hearing what issues are important to them.
Still no word from the Government about what the hold up is to starting Hamilton Plains. I raised the issue again in Parliament this month and I’ll keep raising it until we receive an answer and a start date.
If you’d like to send the Government a message and have your say on Hamilton Plains you can sign the petition below:
Click the link below to listen to my speech in Parliament.
I also joined with my LNP colleagues at the Mackay Ag Trade Expo to listen to issues that our local farmers are facing. No surprises that roads and the rising costs of living were the main issues being raised.
In Parliament
The Labor Government again displayed contempt for the people of Queensland and for the democratic process during the April sitting weeks.
Multiple pieces of legislation are being added to one bill to try and ram through legislation before the next election. Debate time is being truncated and guilotined so can’t be scruitinised. Which is exactly what happened with the Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Bill 2023 last week. Debate time was cut short before I had a chance to speak and represent the views of our community.
I along with my LNP colleagues voted against the bill which would legislate Renewable Energy Targets, because there is no credible way to achieve these targets without sending power bills skyrocketing even further and risking brown-outs.
I have been inundated with concerns from communities and property owners from across Queensland about the way in which renewable energy project approvals have been forced upon them without genuine consultation.
And locally the Pioneer Pumped Hydro project at Eungella is case and point.
In the interests of fairness and transparency, we will require all renewable projects to be impact assessable and subject to the same rigorous approval processes as agricultural, housing and resource projects.
We are not against renewable energy – however taking time to make sure projects stack up and not to the detriment of Queenslanders hip-pocket or jobs is critical and our priority if we win Government.
Grants Closing Soon!
Household Resilience Grants
Expressions of interest for phase 4 of the Household Resilience Grants are now open. Eligible applicants can now apply for $15k to improve the resilience of your home against cyclones.
You must own or be the mortgagor of a house built before 1984 and it must be your primary residence. You must not have received funding in the previous rounds.
Funding covers 80% of works up to $15,000 with a 20% contribution required and income eligibility requirements apply.
Grants are on a first come first served basis, so don't delay.
For more information go to https://www.qld.gov.au/.../household-resilience-program or phone 3007 4485 to discuss your eligibility.
The Gambling Community Benefit Fund Round 121 Closing Soon!
Not-for-profits and community groups who need funding to light up sports fields, purchase IT equipment, train volunteers or hold a community event had better hurry to apply for Round 121 of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF) with applications closing midnight April 30th.
For further information or a letter of support, please contact my office on 4845 3100 or whitsunday@parliament.qld.gov.au.
Could you give me 30 seconds of your time?
I’m asking Mackay and Whitsunday residents to take a moment to complete my 30-Second Survey so I can find out what’s important to you.
If you reside in the Whitsunday electorate and meet the competition’s t&cs you will go in the draw to win a Weber Baby Q barbecue.
This is my way of saying thank-you for taking the time to tell me your views. I look forward to receiving your feedback.
