Qld Labor fails to recognise our Region!
This month the Qld Government handed down their 2024/25 budget, which was meant to outline their plan for the next for years. Unfortunately this is a budget for the next four months, not the next four years and beyond.
What’s in the budget:
✅Cost of living measures - I welcome any initiatives that will help relieve the cost of living pain we are all experiencing. Unfortunately it’s due to Labor’s failings over the last 9 years that these measures our now necessary.
✅$1m for safety upgrades at the Glendaragh Road-Bruce Highway intersection - something that I, along with many residents who contacted my office have fought strongly for.
✅$3.5 million to provide camping facilities and continued enhancements to the Ngaro track in the Whitsunday Islands National Park.
✅$3m towards the redevelopment of St Vincent de Paul Society’s existing community support centre which will provide 6 additional social homes
What’s missing:
❌ No funding for the Mackay-Bucasia Road upgrades - not $1 for the next 4 years
❌ No guarantee for the Hamilton Plains upgrade to proceed
❌ No guarantee for the Shute Harbour Road, Paluma Road to Tropic Road upgrades.
❌ No funding for badly needed boat ramps.
❌No funding for the Skyways project
Queenslanders need a government that is focused on the Right Priorities for Queensland’s Future.
Click on the link below to listen to my full budget in reply speech.
The Right Priorities for Qld’s Future
My LNP colleagues and I have been listening to Queenslanders for the last 4 years and we are focused on the issues that matter to you: crime, cost of living, health and housing.
I invited the Leader of the Opposition, David Crisafulli to the Whitsundays this month to help launch the LNP’s Right Priorities for Queensland’s Future campaign.
Central to that is our Housing policy which includes putting Queensland on top of the home ownership ladder by:
✅$2 billion fund to partner with local government to unlock more land for housing
✅Unleashing the community housing sector and setting KPIs and delivering social housing projects on-time and on-budget
✅Abolishing stamp duty on all new homes for first home buyers
✅Raising the Stamp Duty concession threshold in full for existing homes, up to $700,000 and partially up to $800,000, for first home buyers.
The LNP leader and myself appreciated Mayor Ry Collins and Whitsunday Regional Councillors meeting with us to discuss the regions strategic priorities.
Roads, boat ramps, housing pressures, community facilities and land valuations were all high on the priorities and I will continue to work with Council to deliver for our community.
We also shared our priorities with our local Tourism and Small Business representatives and discussed the issues affecting their day to day, like housing, rising costs of insurances and the need to develop our land based tourism offerings.
It’s Showtime-Our Local Shows!
The weather gods were certainly smiling this year for the Mackay and Whitsunday Shows. Once again I was proud to be one of the sponsors of the cattle judging at the Mackay Show and I thank LNP Candidate for Mackay, Nigel Dalton stepping in to present the prizes on my behalf.
Congratulations to Show President, Donna and the team for organising another big Whitsunday Show. Our regions talents were well and truly on display throughout all the different entries, from ag to craft to cooking. And who can go to the show without enjoying a scone from the QCWA ladies.
Congratulations to all the volunteers who made the Mackay and Whitsunday shows possible. And a special big shout out to the group of young women who stepped up and answered the call when the Proserpine Lions Club put the word out that they were short on numbers due to members away due to illness and an annual conference. Fantastic to see our next generation willing to help support the community👏👏👏
Community Spotlight
They’ve got charity golf down to a tee🏌️
Whitsunday Lions Charity Golf Day! hosted by Whitsunday Green is becoming an annual success story, with over 180 registered players raising approximately $12k for our local Proserpine Hospital. Congratulations to all the corporate sponsors and Whitsunday Lions volunteers👏👏
GCBF Round 120 - Recipients Announced!
Congratulations to all the successful recipients of Round 120 of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF)
A total of $311k will help 10 local community groups achieve their various goals, through the upgrading of sporting facilities, purchasing of equipment, and more.
Round 120 recipients are:
Active Clubs Round 4 - Recipients Announced!
Congratulations to all the successful recipients of Round 4 of the Active Clubs Grant.
A total of $72k will help 10 local sporting and recreation groups fund 29 projects aimed at increasing sport and recreation participation in our region.
Round 4 recipients are:
Grant Opportunities!
Does your not for profit or community group have a project that you are seeking funding for? Make sure your group stays up to date with upcoming State Government grants available by ensuring your contact details are correct on my grant registry. This way you can be sure that your group will receive email notifications to advise when State Government grants become available.
For further information or a letter of support, please contact my office on 4845 3100 or whitsunday@parliament.qld.gov.au.
Time is running out for your chance to win!
Time is running out to have your say and enter the draw for a chance to win a Weber BabyQ!
I've made it my mission to listen to your concerns and advocate for what's important to you and our region. The best way you can help me do this is by letting me know what's important to you and your family.
Thank you to everyone who has completed my 30 second survey to date
I encourage those who haven't, to jump on and tell me what's important, it literally only takes 30 seconds -plus you may win a Weber BabyQ (t&c's apply).
Hurry draw closes 5pm June 28th!
