Will $1000 be enough?!
The Qld Government has announced a $1000 rebate on household electricity bills. Will it be enough to help with the rising costs of living?
Electricity - it’s more than just prices!
As a member of the Cost of Living and Economics Committee, I supported the Government’s Cheaper Power Bill in Parliament last sitting which will see eligible households receive an $1000 electricity rebate from July 1 this year.
But as I outlined in my speech in Parliament, this Labor Government has not only failed in keeping electricity prices affordable for regional Queenslanders but it has also failed with to provide a reliable electricity supply to he many regional households, including across the Mackay and Whitsundays, especially to the likes of Midge Point and Bloomsbury.
This $1000 rebate is only needed because the Government has not maintained the electricity assets in our State, with the Callide Power Plant being offline for 3 years. The Government still can’t give a date that it will be fixed and still won’t release the Brady Report, which outlines how and why it failed.
Cost of Living Crisis
Unfortunately, it’s not just electricity prices that are rising. Everywhere I go across the electorate, people are telling me that they are struggling. And whilst there are many factors that have driven prices up, the State Labor Government must also be held accountable for their role in this Cost of Living Crisis.
The LNP want the State Government to focus on fixing things they can control like rising electricity prices, insurance prices, water costs and transport costs.
And we want to hear from you. Please take a moment to complete the survey to tell me what increasing prices are affecting you and your family the most.
Small Business Month!
During May we celebrate small business month and I am very fortunate to have two of the hardest working Chambers in the State, in the Mackay Region Chamber of Commerce and the Whitsunday Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
There were many events held throughout the month, from free workshops to help members upskill, to networking events and functions.
The Mackay Chamber hosted Small Business Commissioner, Dominique Lamb who shared her insights into the challenges small businesses are facing from rising electricity costs through to legal, financial and wellbeing support that is on offer.
I had the privilege of opening the inaugural Whitsunday Business Conference, organised by the Whitsunday Chamber, which gave local business owners, government agencies and service providers the opportunity to explore shared challenges, exchange ideas, and create connections and network.
Community Spotlight
Celebrating our community!
A big congratulations goes out to the Mackay & Whitsunday Life Newspaper who won the best free newspaper in Qld at the Qld Country Press awards👏
And a big congratulations goes out to the Northern Beaches Bowls Club, who after 3 years of planning and design signed a development contract with local contractors WHF Construction for Stage 1 of their expansion project👏🏼
And a big congratulations to the town of Airlie Beach for being nominated as a finalist in the Top Small Tourism Town category at the Qld Top Towns Awards! The winner will be announced on June 7👏🏼
Out and About
May was a very busy month in our community.
Proserpine Golf Club played host to the RACQ CQ Rescue Charity Golf Day raising $20 500 for this vital service. Thanks to my team of Penny, Dean and Darren for their patience and a great day⛳
The St Helens’ postponed Australia Day Beach Party was worth the wait. It was a great community event with something for everyone from castnet throwing, car and tractor displays, thong throwing, sack races, and Mackay Ukulele Group - MUG entertaining the crowd. And it was great to see the new community new Chill 'n' Grill BBQ trailer in action!🌭🩴🚜
Pindi Pindi State School P&C and Yalboroo Community Hall held a Biggest Morning Tea & Cent Sale. A lovely morning, catching up with friends and raising funds for the Cancer Council Queensland☕🎂
Chair of Beef Australia Bryce Camm and the team delivered an outstanding Beef Week, held in Rockhampton during May. Our region was well promoted. and represented and It certainly made me very proud to represent our great region👏🐄
Mobile Offices
May’s mobile offices have mostly been in the Southern end of the electorate, starting with the Seaforth Mega Markets. After all the rain it sure was a steamy morning for my team and I, listening to issues raised by the large crowd.
The month ended with the three day Mackay Expo. It was great to join Andrew Willcox, Michelle Landry and Glen Kelly on the LNP stand at the Expo, listening to what’s important to the community. No surprises that roads and the rising costs of living were the main issues raised.
Many people filled in my 30 second survey to tell me what issues were important to them which also put them in the draw to win a Weber BabyQ.
Fill in my 30second survey and you too could be in the draw (t&c’s apply)
DV Awareness Month
May is DV Awareness month, which is a very busy time in my role as Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Family Violence.
As I’ve travelled the state it’s become apparent this epidemic is a crisis. With one woman being murderer every 4 days in our nation!
It was great to see the number of men at Rally’s and speaking out to end gender violence.
There is more we need to do in raising awareness and while the government has provided services with an additional 20 percent in funding - police are now reporting it’s up to 80% of their workload. This means fewer police focused on other public safety initiatives.
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.
