Katter slams government purchase of Cape station
Katter's Australian Party leader Robbie Katter says he is concerned that the state’s bid to buy Bramwell Station is leading to an inevitable locking up of Cape York ... “We don’t have the cash to be spending money on pointless environmental exercises, that will arguably deliver poorer outcomes than if the land were to remain in private hands,” the Mount Isa-based MP said.
Parliamentary questions and no answers: democracy denied, again
As the Parliament of Victoria remains empty – again - questions remain unanswered. 430 unanswered questions asked in the Legislative Council alone relate directly to the Health portfolio during a pandemic ... Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur, said it represents a reckless and a belligerent snubbing of democracy.
Branching out to rebuild fire-damaged fauna homes
World-first technology is being used to rebuild natural habitats destroyed by bushfires, creating more than 800 new hollows that will provide displaced animals with a space to nest and roost for an accumulated 56,000 years.
Lord Howe Island stays in Port Macquarie electorate
Leslie Williams MP. Congratulations and thank you to all those who made submissions to the Electoral Commission Redistribution Panel in relation to the proposal to move LHI from the electorate of Port Macquarie to the electorate of Sydney!
Contract awarded to deliver purpose-built quarantine facility at Pinkenba
Progress continues to be made on the Morrison Government’s purpose-built quarantine facility at Pinkenba, with global construction company Multiplex selected to deliver the project ... Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said the Centre at Pinkenba would support ongoing efforts to fight COVID-19 and will give Queensland extra capacity to manage potential future health crises or natural disasters.
Farmers crossed in crosshairs of state-ism gone mad
As National Cabinet prepares to meet, farmers have accused state premiers of ‘arrogance’ over border arrangements, saying they seem to have forgotten that growing food and fibre is essential to public health. The National Farmers’ Federation is calling on National Cabinet to recommit to the National Agriculture Workers Code and focus on quarantine solutions for ag workers as a bumper grain harvest looms.
What impact is the border closure having on your business?
Gathering data in support of Tweed Cross Border Community Zone. Business owners are urgently invited to share the impact of the current Queensland border closure on their operations, as part of efforts to support the creation of a new border zone.
Elders enjoy a Seniors Month lunch at weekly Yarning Circle
After listening to a presentation on the importance of getting vaccinated against COVID-19 by Syed Jan from Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation, the Elders enjoyed a delicious lunch sponsored by local MLA Steve Edgington.
Food security in Western NSW
National Indigenous Radio Service. The shadow minister for Indigenous Australians says the federal government is ill-equipped to deal with the level of food insecurity in COVID hit First Nations communities.
New Palaszczuk Government regional quarantine facility to keep Queenslanders safe
A dedicated regional quarantine facility will be built at Wellcamp, Toowoomba under a joint agreement between the Palaszczuk Government and the landowner, Wagner Corporation.
Contract awarded to deliver purpose-built quarantine facility in WA
Progress continues to be made on Western Australia’s Centre for National Resilience, with global construction company Multiplex today selected to deliver the project. Following the finalisation of various independent feasibility studies and negotiations, the centre will be built at a site on Commonwealth-owned land within the Bullsbrook Training Area.
Farm worker shortage packing a punch
“With the current limit for seasonal workers expected to be met by October – and a forecast shortage of up to 24,000 workers in the horticulture industry – Labor’s Agriculture Minister can’t afford to delay ... The time is now for the government to roll out rapid testing. It’s a way to keep Victorians safe. It’s a way to help reopen this state and keep us open, and that’s what Victorians need as much as anything else,” said Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Peter Walsh.
Truckies benefit from regional expansion of McGowan Government program
After four months of delivery in the metropolitan area, the Heavy Vehicle Driving Operations Skill Set will now be delivered through South Regional TAFE to address the shortage of truck drivers in regional WA.
Plans to unlock former Grafton Gaol site
Under the proposal, a portion of the site will be transferred to the Grafton Ngerrie LALC to support better outcomes for the Aboriginal community, and successfully resolve an Aboriginal land claim. Another parcel of land adjacent to Grafton Base Hospital will be transferred to NSW Health ... the SE portion, which comprises significant heritage items, will be set aside for future adaptive reuse with heritage protections in place ...
Warrgamay people have always known
Queensland Resources Minister Scott Stewart said the Federal Court will recognise the Warrgamay People’s long-standing rights to more than 185,000 hectares of land and water at a virtual hearing ... the decision covers an area from Lucinda on the coast, up to and along the Seaview Range and into Girringun National Park.
Ag visa plan big on announcements, short on details
The Federal Government’s re-announcement of an agricultural workers visa has done little to provide clarity for industry on how extra workers will safely enter Queensland. Queensland Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said the visa had first been announced by the Federal Government three years ago, but there were still no details available.
Closing the Gap: First NT Implementation Plan
The Territory Labor Government has released the first Closing the Gap NT Implementation Plan in partnership with Aboriginal Peak Organisations NT and Local Government Association NT.
Lockdown lunacy leaves lasting legacy
Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur, said the Victorian Government clearly neither cares about, nor comprehends, the damage it is doing. “If anyone could imagine what hitting a panic button looked like, then Saturday was it ... Put quite simply, there is little or no coronavirus in our part of Victoria, and even if there was, there are systems in place to deal with it. And if the systems are not working, heads should roll. It makes a farce of QR codes and quarantine processes. Either they are there for a reason, or they’re not."
Open for business – milestone for Torres Strait Islanders
In a major milestone for Torres Strait Islanders, Queensland has progressed legal recognition of Torres Strait Islander traditional child rearing practice with the opening of the Office of the Commissioner (Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa) in Cairns ... Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa Commissioner C’Zarke Maza said the office would support life-long aspirations among many Torres Strait Islanders by improving access to support, services and opportunities.
Native sportfish season re-opens in September
NSW Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall has announced that anglers around the state could get back to reeling in some of our finest native sportfish when the Australian Bass and Estuary Perch season opens on Wednesday, 1 September 2021.
NSW puts foot on the green gas with hydrogen platform
The rollout of the State’s hydrogen hubs is set to be accelerated, with the establishment of a collaboration platform to bring together potential hydrogen producers and users.
Queensland’s first hydrogen cars hit the road
The rubber has literally hit the road in Queensland’s push to become a hydrogen superpower. Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni has taken the covers off the first hydrogen vehicles to hit Queensland roads, five Hyundai Nexos that join QFleet from Monday, with distinctive, Indigenous-inspired designer decals.
