Warren Entsch's recent appearances (OpenAustralia.org)
Whitford, Mr Deon | Statements by Members | House debates
I rise to recognise the extraordinary act of bravery of young Deon Whitford, a 20-year-old proud Indigenous man who is a true hero in our community. Last Sunday, Deon was sitting in his ute in a...
I rise to recognise the extraordinary act of bravery of young Deon Whitford, a 20-year-old proud Indigenous man who is a true hero in our community. Last Sunday, Deon was sitting in his ute in a car park at Cairns when a young lad, frantic and distressed, knocked on his window. The boy pleaded for help, screaming that two young girls were caught in the raging floodwaters in a nearby drain. Without a moment of hesitation, Deon raced alongside the drain as the terrified children were swept away in a powerful current. The drain went underneath the car park, a very deadly hazard, 250 metres downstream. One of the kids was able to get out. The second one disappeared into the drain. Deon, without a second thought, sprinted to the other side. He leapt into the fast-moving water, reached out and pulled her to safety. His first priority was not himself but ensuring that these kids were safe. Emergency services arrived quickly after and assessed the child, who, thankfully, was not injured. Deon didn't seek any recognition. He simply did what he knew was right. He's been rightfully nominated by the council for a national bravery award. It's not just about award nomination; it's recognition of selflessness, courage and community spirit. It's a reminder that true heroes walk amongst us, ready to act in a moment of crisis. Today we honour Deon Whitford, a man whose bravery saved a life and whose actions reflect the best of our nation.
Pitt, Hon. Warren, AM | Statements by Members | House debates
I rise here today to pay tribute to my very dear friend and colleague the Hon. Warren Pitt AM. Warren was a teacher. He was a serviceman in the Reserves before serving as the member for...
I rise here today to pay tribute to my very dear friend and colleague the Hon. Warren Pitt AM. Warren was a teacher. He was a serviceman in the Reserves before serving as the member for Mulgrave—the Labor member for Mulgrave, I might add—in the Queensland parliament for nearly 20 years. He passed away peacefully in Gordonvale, south of Cairns, on 7 February. He and I shared a constituency in my early days at Yarrabah, and we worked closely together, advocating for the community. He would frequently call me up and say: 'Warren, I'm going over to Yarrabah to see the constituents. Would you like to come?' I would always say yes. I'd meet him on the Bruce Highway turn-off on the way to Yarrabah, hop into his vehicle, ALP1, and together the 'Two Warrens' would head to Yarrabah to pay a visit to our constituents. I handled federal matters; he did the state. When Warren was diagnosed with cancer, I continued visiting Yarrabah on behalf of us both, with my office working with his office to make sure that all of these issues were addressed. I did it because of the friendship that we had, and that friendship endured through all of his illness. Warren, alongside his wife, Linda—who was always willing to be part of supporting Warren—were and will always be a part of Mulgrave. That's why I submitted a proposal to name an overpass after them. It had to be both of them. They were a pair from the beginning. We now have the Warren and Linda Pitt Way, which stands as a tribute to their work in Gordonvale. I wish him well on his next journey. He will never be forgotten. (Time expired)
Leichhardt Electorate: Australia Day | Constituency Statements | House debates
I'd like to take this opportunity to recognise and celebrate this year's Australia Day award recipients across Leichhardt. Starting with Cairns, Annette Jarrett was awarded Citizen of the Year,...
I'd like to take this opportunity to recognise and celebrate this year's Australia Day award recipients across Leichhardt. Starting with Cairns, Annette Jarrett was awarded Citizen of the Year, and Kaylea Canton has been awarded Young Citizen of the Year. Claudio Di Bartolomeo received Volunteer of the Year, and the Piccone family received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Lastly in Cairns, there were two highly commended certificates presented to Georgina Sesto and Ella Fisher for Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year respectively. From Port Douglas, I'd like to extend my congratulations to Jenny Guyatt, who has been awarded Citizen of the Year. Nate Martinelli and Harry Cobb were awarded Junior and Senior Sports Awards respectively, and Monika Prins received the Environmental Achievement Award. Nikita McDonald and Joan Vico have been recognised as Young Citizen of the Year and Senior Citizen of the Year respectively. Alison George and Port Shorts have received the Arts and Culture Award, while John Scott received the Volunteer of the Year Award. The Civic Recognition Award went to Pam Wills Burden, and, lastly, a Certificate of Achievement went to Sam Carey-Sage. In Cook Shire, David 'Chappy' Kamholtz was award Citizen of the Year, and Sarah Frew received Young Citizen of the Year. Jacynta Hunt and Jan Bardsley-Smith were both awarded Volunteer of the Year, while the Sports Award was awarded to Albert Viranatuleo. The Arts and Culture Award has been awarded to Robyn Sheehan, and the Environment Award went to Jim Kelton. In Weipa, Shayna Reeves was awarded Citizen of the Year, and Annabelle Slingo received Young Citizen of the Year, while the Community Spirit Award went to Judey Haeusler. Lastly, I'd like to acknowledge the achievements of individuals in the Torres Strait. My good friend Napau Pedro Stephen AM has been awarded Citizen of the Year. Relna Hosea-Wuruki received Young Citizen of the Year. The Mangrove Festival on Yam Island was recognised with the Event of the Year Award. Ivy Trevallion received an Achievement award, while Barry Nona received the Cultural Recognition Award. Participation Awards went to Sonya Stephen, Horace Baira and Joey Laifoo. Appreciation Awards went to Carli Willis, Jennifer Enosa, Kailu Luffman, Sarah Tedder, Talei Elu and Richard Smith Nona. I'd like to extend my congratulations to each and every one of these individuals from right across Leichhardt. They represent the very best of the Far North. Their achievements and contributions will no doubt leave a lasting legacy on their respective communities.
Valedictory | Parliamentary Representation | House debates
I stand here today in the chamber on probably one of the last occasions I will be speaking in my career. I can't help reflect on a journey that has spanned more than a quarter of a century. For a...
I stand here today in the chamber on probably one of the last occasions I will be speaking in my career. I can't help reflect on a journey that has spanned more than a quarter of a century. For a little bit of nostalgia here, Mr Speaker, you will see something and don't be too shocked. This is the first time this term I am actually wearing a tie. For nostalgia, I thought I would wear something that I wore back in 1996, something that was very bright that reflected my electorate to make sure that, as an early politician, people knew who I was and knew I was in the room. I have a great collection of them. I am hoping I can eventually make a quilt out of them and donate it to charity. I thought today was a very special occasion, so for the first time this term I have worn a tie and it represents the Great Barrier Reef. It has certainly been an extraordinary privilege to represent the people of Leichhardt for close to 26 years. I owe my deepest gratitude to the people of my electorate, whose trust in me has allowed me to serve for so long. From my humble beginnings as a lad porter at the Mareeba railway station at the age of 14, I never imagined where my life's path would take me: cleaning toilets in the railway station, serving in the Royal Australian Air Force, selling real estate, catching crocodiles and rounding up a few feral bulls. For most of my life politics wasn't even on the radar, but life has a funny way of leading you to places where you never, ever expect. It certainly led me here. In my maiden speech, back in 1996, I spoke of the need for better infrastructure, better connectivity, a better future for Far North Queensland. At the time there was virtually no mobile coverage in the region. Many of our roads remained unsealed, and the idea of sealing the Peninsula Development Road was just a distant dream. But today that dream has largely become a reality. Connectivity, mobile coverage, the NBN have transformed our region and we are well on our way to sealing the Peninsula Development Road through to Weipa, and I'm proud of the progress we've made—although of course there's always more to do. One of my earliest tasks in this place was working on native title reform with Senator Nick Minchin. There were concerns about native title and the impact it was having on both Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents in Cape York—and that's what actually motivated me to first get involved in politics. The grievances were fierce, the debate was heated. It was through this challenging work that I found my calling in this place actually, a drive to seek balance, fairness and solutions that actually benefited everybody, not just one side of the argument. There are many moments throughout my career that I look back on with pride, but actually two of the earliest successes still stand out. The first of those happened when I'd only been a member for a matter of a couple of months. It was securing $40,000 for portable cattle yards in Weipa to support the live cattle export through the Cook Shire Council. The second one was even more significant, and again was in 1996. I secured $500,000 in funding for a banana farmer north of the Daintree River who had been devastated by black sigatoka, a fungal disease that had wiped out his entire crop. It was the first time an Australian grower had been able to get compensation for a crop lost through an exotic disease. I remember calling the farmer, Tony Reichelt, on Christmas Day in 1996 to deliver the good news. The gratitude of his voice still stays with me today. It was quite amazing. Not long after I was first elected, I was involved in the debate about gun control following that tragic massacre at Port Arthur. Prime Minister John Howard had decided to utilise such a sad and powerful moment in time to bring about a profound cultural shift in the attitude of our nation towards firearms. There was a perception at the time that, given my background, I would fall in behind those advocating for the status quo to remain, but that certainly wasn't the case. I supported John Howard's push for reform. When we look back, we can see that those important changes have made Australia today a perfect example of what sensible gun control looks like, and I'm incredibly proud to have played a role in bringing in such important reforms. On a less serious note, I recall in 2000, as our nation prepared for the Sydney Olympics, the Cooktown community was left disappointed when the Sydney Olympic Games Organising Committee, SOCOG, decided the Olympic torch relay wouldn't be coming to Cooktown. They claimed it was 'too difficult' to include us. But anybody who knows the people in Far North Queensland knows we just don't give up that easily. Instead of lamenting the decision, my dear friends Peter and Kathy Stapley, who owned the Cooktown Local News, and I decided to do something about it. Together, we created our own alternative—NOCOG, 'Not the Organising Committee of the Olympic Games'. What began has a tongue-in-cheek response quickly grew into something far more significant. With the help of local ingenuity, we crafted our own Olympic torches, including a beautiful crystal torch manufactured by Mitsubishi from Cape Flattery silica sand and a symbolic aluminium torch forged by Rio Tinto in Weipa. To keep the spirit of remembrance alive, we borrowed the eternal flame from the Cooktown RSL. These torches became the centrepiece of our own relay. Our NOCOG torch relay was truly an epic journey. The torch travelled across every Cape York community by road, foot, horse, dinghy, light aircraft and even helicopter. Along the way we shared stories about the Olympics, giving kids in some of the most remote parts of the country a chance to be part of the excitement. At the same time, we raised money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, ultimately collecting over $200,000—a remarkable effort that speaks of the generosity and the spirit of our community. Of course, NOCOG wasn't just about raising money; it was also about having a bit of fun and showing our resilience. We hosted what we called the 'relaxation games' in Cooktown one week before the actual Olympic Games, with events such as the watching-the-grass-growing competition, fishing without bait, wave counting—provided you had no numeracy skills—and the now famous, or infamous, armchair sleeping competition. I've got to tell you: you're looking at an Olympian. I had the dubious honour of being part of NOCOG's first doping scandal, and I say that with a little bit of embarrassment. After my gold medal performance in the armchair sleeping competition, I was disqualified when it was deemed alcohol was a performance-enhancing drug. In the end, NOCOG was recognised with a national award for creativity and success, including a cash prize and—would you believe it?—one of the original torches, so we did very well out of it. Today, those treasures are proudly displayed in the Cooktown RSL, a symbol of what can be achieved when a community comes together with determination and, of course, a sense of humour. During my time in the parliament, I've had the opportunity to serve in various roles—first of all as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry, Science and Resources and then as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry, Science and Resources to the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources, positions I held for eight years. Working with Joe Hockey, we delivered the first tourism white paper and secured one of the largest investments in tourism, in spite of the challenges we faced at the time—and I backed Joe 100 per cent on this. The Treasurer at the time was not real keen on releasing funds—we were still looking at paying back debt—but we both said that we were going to step down from our roles unless it was supported. To John Howard's credit, he not only gave us what we were asking for but actually gave us significantly more. As you would expect from a member hailing from the Far North, I've been actively involved in all things Northern Australian. I've been involved in the production of the White Paper on Developing Northern Australia. I've also been the longstanding chair and now more recently deputy chair of the Joint Select Committee on Northern Australia. It's been a labour of love, and it has been instrumental in unlocking and supporting our region and dealing with the unique challenges that we face. In my maiden speech, I also raised the issue of mental health. At the time, mental health services were in a crisis, and week after week I stood in the party room reminding colleagues of the dire need for more investment in this area. The deinstitutionalisation of mental-health care left our streets and prisons as the new institutions for those struggling with mental illness. I read out stories from the media each week, highlighting the tragic outcomes of a system that just was not working. After relentless advocacy, Prime Minister John Howard announced a $1.9 billion investment in mental health over five years, crediting me with playing a very significant role in securing the commitment. It was certainly one of my proudest moments. My work in mental health didn't stop there. I have long been the independent chair of our local headspace consortium, and I give a big shout-out to Gabrielle Gill and her team for the job well done. I think the work that organisation does is absolutely critical. I am also incredibly proud of being involved with the establishment of the Junction Clubhouse in Cairns. This facility provides a safe space for those transitioning out of intense mental health treatment, encouraging them to reconnect with their community and rebuild their lives. It's a fantastic model, and it's had some amazing success. The Junction Clubhouse celebrated its 10th anniversary recently, and I'd like to thank Suzie Pont and her team for their dedication, as well as all the members that make the Junction what it is today. One of my more recent roles has been serving as the Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef. The five reports I handed down as part of that role challenged even my own government at the time—the government's views on climate change. I made a conscious decision to work only with the scientific agencies responsible for managing the reef, including the GBRMPA, AIMS, the CSIRO and others. The work in this space has certainly helped to move us closer to climate targets and played a role in securing our net zero by 2050 commitment. This work wouldn't have been possible without my dedicated adviser and researcher, Sam Batt. I say thank you to Sam, who was instrumental in educating me, as well as in guiding our efforts. Sam's hard work and expertise ensured that we remained focused on the science and delivered meaningful outcomes for the reef. The reef, like so much of our environment, is a legacy that we must protect for future generations. I leave this place knowing that we have made significant strides. But, of course, like everything else, there is always more work to be done. Another significant achievement was the establishment of a northern Australian cyclone reinsurance pool, which I'm proud to have brought to fruition. It's backed by a $10 billion government guarantee. The pool offers a solution aimed at reducing insurance costs for homeowners, small businesses and strata properties in high-risk regions. For too long the cost of insuring properties in northern Australia has been unsustainable, forcing many to go without proper coverage. While the cyclone reinsurance pool is a major step forward, it will require ongoing reviews, refinements and support to ensure it continues to deliver for those it's designed to help. There are a number of causes that have defined my time in the parliament. One of those has been my advocacy for medical cannabis. Some of you may recall in 2014, on a Channel 7 Sunday night program, there was a story featuring Lucy Haslam and her late son, Dan, and the challenge they faced in accessing medical cannabis to support him in his terminal cancer treatment. They were really, truly, national pioneers in this area. After watching that program, I reached out to Lucy and became very firmly committed to that cause. Another was my journey was advocating for the LGBTQI community. This journey began in the late 1990s when a young naval officer from HMS Cairns approached me with concerns about discrimination he faced because of his sexual orientation. He'd been promoted and was ready to be transferred. They were taking him, all of his furniture, his dog, his budgerigar, his car and his boat, but they wouldn't take his partner because they were a same-sex couple. I was outraged; I couldn't believe it was true. I went and saw the then minister, Robert Hill, and he fixed it. I thought everything was fixed and done, but, of course, there was still a lot to do. I then found out—and I vividly remember—the story of John Challis and his partner, Arthur Cheeseman. John was a retired public servant with a defined benefit pension—some of you may or may not know what they are—and Arthur was a retired pharmacist who'd worked during a time before superannuation was widely adopted. The couple had been together in a loving, totally monogamous and committed relationship for over 50 years, but, because they were a same-sex couple, Arthur was not entitled to John's superannuation benefits should anything have happened to him. Together, they had a modest apartment in Sydney, and, again, if something had happened to either one of them, other family members could've disputed their estate. This held profound implications for both gentlemen and could've resulted in their homes being taken away from them, with a significant reduction in their retirement income should either of them pass away. This injustice, and many like it, continued to drive me to push for the removal of the legal and financial discrimination against same-sex couples. Even in my absence from this place, I was proud to see that the legislation I had been working on for so many years for the removal of discrimination went through the federal parliament unopposed in 2008, supported by both the then prime minister Kevin Rudd and opposition leader Brendan Nelson. As I just alluded to, and as many of you would know, I voluntarily retired from this place in 2007. I made this decision so that I could fulfil a commitment I made to my son when he was quite young: that when he became a teenager he could come and live with his dad—it was dad's time—so that I could spend quality time with him in his teenage years. I never expected him to remember it, but, unfortunately, he did. When he turned 13, and I got a phone call from his mother saying, 'Are you ready to take your son?' I had to say yes. He's sitting in the gallery here—right there, the fellow with no hair and the beard! It was a very, very difficult decision at the time because I had a lot of work that I hadn't finished. But I believed that it was the right thing to do: to walk away and leave this place behind me, with the work that was left. But I've got to tell you, it was the best decision I ever made, in all the time I was in politics. Thank you, Jacob, for not forgetting that promise that I'd made to you. I certainly cherished the time that we had together. I'm still proud that I could fulfil that promise to Jake. It was Jake who actually convinced me to recontest Leichhardt in 2010, as he was getting ready to head off to university. And, of course, I successfully did that at the 2010 election. Arriving back in Canberra in 2010, I was proud of the fact that I was not only the first Liberal member for Leichhardt; I had now been elected twice over. I was informed by the then speaker of the House, Harry Jenkins, that I had, in fact, set another record, insofar as I was the first member of the federal parliament since Federation to have voluntarily retired from politics then recontested the same seat for the same party and won. I can now proudly add a third record to that list. I am now rapidly approaching 26 years served in the parliament and I am now, by a margin of over a decade, the longest-serving member for Leichhardt. Once I'd got my feet firmly back under the desk, I was determined to pick up where I'd left off and to continue my advocacy efforts for removing discrimination against the gay community. However, this was in 2010, and both Prime Minister Julia Gillard and opposition leader Tony Abbott had both individually committed to not dealing with the matter of marriage equality for the entire term of 2010 to 2013. While I was prepared to respect the leaders' position, I made it very, very clear to Tony that I would honour his commitment in the current term, but I asked him not to make the same commitment in the next parliamentary term, and, to Tony's credit, he gave me that commitment and he definitely kept it. I say, thank you very much for that, Tony Abbott. I served as the chief opposition whip from 2010 to 2013—a whipette, down there with Nola, who was one of my whips as well. That period of time provided me with an opportunity for my first significant piece of collaboration. I worked closely with Graham Perrett, sitting over here, and Sarah Hanson-Young, and together we established the first ever parliamentary friendship group for the LGBTIQ community of any parliament in the world. I'm proud to say that, in 2024, I remain the only remaining founding parliamentary co-chair of that group, which is still very active to this day. I'm sure they will continue their important advocacy efforts, even after I finish in this place. At 10.13 am on 4 December 2017, I had the privilege of introducing the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017 into this place. At 6 pm on Thursday 7 December, the bill passed through the chamber, and the rest is recent history. I say to those who stood beside me, both inside and outside this chamber: thank you. Together, we made history. Initially, I did not agree with the postal plebiscite process at the time, but I thank our leader for that, because I'd tried to do it once before, unsuccessfully, and Peter came to me and said, 'What about this as a way?' and I said, 'We'll try it.' It was his idea; he went with it and got it up. While, as I said, I didn't agree with it at the time—I thought we could just go to a conscience vote—I'm certainly glad that we did it now. I do believe it was the right decision—thank you, Peter—because there have been absolutely no challenges to the legislation. What we've seen is very strong acceptance throughout the Australian community. Today in Australia, I'm proud to say, we do not have gay marriage; we simply have marriage. In Australia, I'm proud to say, we don't discriminate, and I think our society is a better place for that fact. As a brief footnote to the chapter, the gentlemen John Challis and Arthur Cheeseman, whom I referred to earlier, were able to marry. I'm very happy and proud that we were able to enable them to do that. They did that five years before Arthur's passing. On another one of my campaigns—I think this next story might illustrate to members that if you focus and persist, you can move all sorts of mountains. After the passing of my very dear friend and colleague Don Randall in July 2015, I felt that it would be an appropriate and fitting tribute for members who passed away while serving in office that they be commemorated within the parliamentary precinct. Given Don's love of roses, I put forward a proposal for a portion of the rose garden at the entrance of the House of Representatives—it was known as the Zonta garden—to be dedicated for those members who died in office. At the time I thought it was a very fitting and worthy idea; however, I soon learnt that even the gardens within the parliamentary precinct are in fact heritage listed and were not for change. Persistence—I was persistent, I was determined and eventually it paid off. I would like to thank the former Speaker Tony Smith, who worked with me and assisted in making it possible. It only took about 18 months, but we now have a beautiful rose garden at the House of Reps entrance, dedicated to members who passed away in office. I was fortunate enough also to have even convinced them to agree to plant some of Don's favourite roses: the Dolly Partons and the Double Delights. I won't say why they were Don's favourites, but nevertheless they were. I actually visited the garden this Thursday, and they look absolutely magnificent. For those people who frown on plagiarism, on this occasion I'm happy to endorse the Senate's recent decision to install a memorial plaque in the same garden, recognising senators who have also passed away in office. I would encourage members, if you haven't had the opportunity of seeing what's been achieved at this beautiful garden, to go down and have a look, and enjoy the serenity. I would like to say that, when members leave this place, there's often unfinished business and sometimes even regrets, and I do have one regret. After 25 years of working to give my community north of the Daintree River an option for mains-equivalent renewable power, the project is at a crossroads. It's been a long time coming; the money for the project was set aside prior to the 2022 election. There has been an enormous amount of work done in the community, led for many years by Russell and Teresa O'Doherty and strongly supported by Richard Schoenemann and Phil from Volt Advisory. Over time, the project has been able to achieve all the necessary approvals and the permits for construction, and they now hold all the necessary licences to proceed. This is quite extraordinary given where the area is. They did this in record time. The project is nestled between two World Heritage listed areas: the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. Finally they've secured excellent, credible, experienced investors for the project. But unfortunately our region experienced Cyclone Jasper at Christmas last year. It was absolutely devastating and impacted the commencement of the project. We're only now, nearly 12 months on, getting access to the site. The impending wet season, due to permits from the Wet Tropics Management Authority, means that we couldn't start working on the commencement of the project until at least after the wet season in April next year. Before the natural disaster, it seemed like the current government was on board. We had environment minister Plibersek proudly declaring on Facebook, 'We have ticked off a solar project that will power the entire Daintree community. The project alone will prevent four million litres of diesel from being burnt.' The project's proponents were deeply engaged with the Kuku Yalanji traditional owners, and they were brought on as a major partner for the construction of this renewable grid. Even better still, the Kuku Yalanji traditional owners were going to own the grid and be the operator, the wholesaler and the retailer. We were all set up for a unique and inspiring project that would be Australia's first Indigenous majority-owned renewable electricity grid. This was going to facilitate the opportunity for the Kuku Yalanji people to start bringing home families that had been displaced from the area many years before and, ultimately, help them to build homes on their traditional lands. But Mr Bowen, his department and his bureaucrats have done everything in their power to prevent this project from going ahead. They bluntly refused to release the money that had been set aside by previous governments. It is an absolute disgrace and, in my view, an act of political bastardry. The irony of this situation is we have had the Prime Minister at Garma Festival declaring that his government is committed to, as a matter of priority, unlocking opportunities for Indigenous communities to be involved and to participate in the development of renewable energy projects right around Australia. But his own energy minister seems to be intent on undermining a fantastic project, ultimately ruining the Indigenous community's vision of self-determination and economic empowerment. The government has spent millions of dollars on the Voice referendum but, at the same time, has ignored the voices that they claim they wanted to listen to. Quite frankly, it is a disgrace. Indigenous communities don't need slogans and they don't need hand-wringing; they need partnerships and a government that supports their aspirations. I say to Minister Bowen: do the right thing, listen to the voices of the Kuku Yalanji people, the voices of the very senior elders like Aunty Francis and Aunty Kath Walker, get out of their road, stop playing politics, release the funding and let them get on with the job. In my electorate I have been proud to secure funding for many projects that have transformed the area, from the Cairns Esplanade boardwalk to the peninsula development along with JCU medical, dental and veterinary schools and the upcoming university hospital to name just a few. These projects continue to have lasting impact on our community. But one of the causes closest to my heart has been securing the recognition for the Torres Strait Infantry Battalion. Their service during the Second World War went unacknowledged for far too long. Thanks to the tireless efforts of people like Uncle Etti Pau, Vanessa See Kee and my 'three generals' Serico Stephen, Carulas Isua, Waraka Adidi. In 2001, we finally were able to secure the recognition these brave soldiers deserved, with the Pacific Star Medal finally granted 54 years after their service. The last two of the 880 Torres Strait Islanders that served in the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion, Mebai Warusam, Awati Mau passed away within a week of each other. They enlisted together on Saibai Island and served together. Sadly, their passing brings to a close a unique chapter of our history. The legacy of their service lives on and I am deeply honoured to have played a role in ensuring that their service has been given the recognition this truly deserved. I also ensured that the Australian War Memorial has received the memorial videos which I had commissioned for both Mebai and Awati's funeral. They are part of the Etti Pau collection on the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion in the War Memorial. Reflecting on the Torres Strait, I would be remiss if I didn't note the importance of a major infrastructure program. In 1998, Australian and Queensland governments came together to address infrastructure needs in the Torres Strait and the Northern Peninsula area through what they call the MIP. The initiative focused on delivering essential environmental health infrastructure including fresh water supply sewerage systems, waste management, road sealing and more. Helping to advocate and secure that funding for the MIP has made one of the most impactful differences for this region. I'm very proud of my involvement. Over the years, more than $300 million has been invested, transforming these communities and significantly improving health and living conditions. The relationships that I've built over many years have been some of the most rewarding aspects of this journey, and I'm deeply grateful for the friendships and bonds that have stood the test of time, transitioning the political divide. There are people like my good mate Brendon Nelson. Patty Secker was another one of the whips when I was the chief whip. Donny Randall is no longer with us, nor is Nicky Dondas. There's Jane Prentice, Jimmy Lloyd and Patty Dodson, my mate from Broome. There's Teresa Gambaro, Bob Baldwin, Joel Fitzgibbon and Steven Georganas, who was sitting in a seat here earlier on. There's Maria Vamvakinou, Kay Hull, Russell Broadbent and Warren Snowdon. That's just to name a couple! They've been mates. And, of course, there's you, Mr Speaker. For anybody who's going to go on delegations, if the Speaker is leading those delegations, go with him. He is brilliant, and he has become a very, very good friend. I'm not sucking up to you too much. Nevertheless, I am stating a matter of fact. Thank you very much indeed for your friendship. All these have been dear friends whose friendship I have maintained over many years. There are others here, including Scotty Buchholz, who is sitting over there, nodding his head at the moment. It's been great. Thank you all for being part of the journey with me. The camaraderie that we've shared has made this experience all the richer. I respect all those friendships, and I will carry them with me long after I've left this place. Thanks to both the Liberal and the National parties and, more recently, the LNP. All those amazing members and volunteers and supporters over nine election cycles have provided amazing support to me. Each and every one of you can take credit for the success of those campaigns. I won't start listing names; there are just simply too many. I'll just say thank you to all of you. Thanks to my staff. I have a couple sitting up here in the gallery at the moment. There have been many over the years. Thank you for all of your contributions. You've kept the wheels turning. I couldn't have done it without your hard work and dedication. The overwhelming success that we've had across the electorate is because of the work that you guys do and, while I've been the recipient of much of that credit—I keep saying this—you are the ones that actually make the magic happen. I couldn't have done it without your hard work and your dedication. Thanks to my current team. Natasha Sambo has been with me over 14 years. Rosie Korman, who's sitting up there in the gallery, has been with me for over 10 years. Sam Batt has been in the electorate office for eight years. Tanya, who is up here, has been with me for over seven years. Then, of course, there's Zac Webster, Karina Hussey and Tay Laifoo, who's the newest starter. Thank you for everything you've done for me and for the electorate. Of course, I cannot leave without mentioning Tamara Srhoj here. Although she has moved from my office, she has been amazing, and I have to say thank you very much. She was a very important part of my team for many, many years. Thanks to my family, particularly my wonderful sons, Jason, who's not here, and Jacob, who surprised me today. He blew me away when he walked into my office. Thanks to my beautiful daughter Mackenzie Lee. Your love and support have been the foundation that has kept me going through tough times. Serving in the parliament comes with many sacrifices—which we all know—none more so than the time spent away from our loved ones. I couldn't have done any of this without your encouragement and your support. As I prepare to step away from this place, there's just one thing I'd like to say to a lot of the newer members here. You will note that I was actually on the executive for eight years. I was the chief whip for three years. But for a long period of time I chose not to be involved in the executive because I had things that I wanted to do. Unlike the other side, we can reserve our right. I couldn't have done the work that I did with gay reform et cetera had I been a member of the executive. I was able to do that by staying as a humble backbencher. Those changes have changed the country, and I'm very, very proud of that. Remember that when you are tacking out your political career. As I prepare to walk away from this place, I do so with a heart full of pride and with a deep love for my community. My hope is that the work we've done together—the big things and small things—will have a lasting impact on Far North Queensland. Leichhardt will always be my home, and, while I'm no longer your representative in the chamber, I'll always be there to advocate for the region. I look forward to what the future holds in Far North Queensland, and I know that the next generation of leaders will continue the work we started. I've often said that my career has been a storied one, full of challenges, triumphs and a few laughs along the way. I've had the privilege of being a part of some of the greatest national policy shifts in Australia's history, whether it be the gun law reform, introduction of the GST, the establishment of the Future Fund or paying off our national debt in 2007. When the government changed, we didn't owe a cracker to the world. Although we've changed dramatically since then, with the GFC, COVID and a couple of Labor governments in between, the point is I was and still am very proud to be part of a government that really flexed its economic prowess and has put us in a great position to respond to the challenges that came from the GFC and, of course, from the pandemic. It enabled us to adequately support the economy and, particularly in my patch, we were able to deploy targeted support to a range of tourism entities that needed the financial life support. Whether it was JobSeeker or JobKeeper, zoo and aquarium support packages, large tourism operator support packages, the TTNQ-specific package or chartering airfreight for live coral trout and crayfish export, the extensive array of support kept our region alive. Some of those packages were actually born out of my office. I want to give thanks to the then minister Simon Birmingham, who came up and worked with me, and, of course, Prime Minister Scott Morrison. That work allowed us to recover from the COVID crisis and has helped us to emerge from the global crisis as one of the strongest economies in the developed world at this time. I've secured millions of dollars of funding commitments and support for my region. I've advocated for equality and strong environmental policy. Often, I've often found myself in politically challenging circumstances, but I wouldn't change a thing. I say unequivocally it's been one hell of a journey. I reckon it's not too bad for a 14-year-old toilet cleaner from the Mareeba Railway Station. Lastly, I remind people that this is merely a retirement from politics and from political life. I'll still be around. There are plenty of things that I've got left to do. I will be maintaining my fierce advocacy for the eradication of tuberculosis, so I'll be continuing my longstanding relationship with the Global TB Caucus. I will also continue my work with another passion of mine, the National Threatened Species Institute, working closely with my dear friends Peter and Val Gowland up there and their son Daniel, breeding threatened native species, particularly small mammals and birds, for release back into the wild. I'm proud to say that we've been incredibly successful in these endeavours. We have a number of successful releases of captive-bred new holland mice and smoky mice back into the wild. We're now one of the largest breeders of orange bellied parrots in the country, and we have the only eastern ground parrots in captivity in the world. After 2½ years, they're absolutely thriving, and we're looking forward to the pitter-patter of small feet. I'd like to give special thanks to the House of Reps staff, the attendants, the cleaners, the Comcar drivers and all those that help make our great democracy function. Thank you to you all for your assistance over many, many years. It's been a pleasure getting to know you all and working together. I'll conclude by thanking the people of Leichhardt again for their overwhelming and unwavering support and the faith that they've placed in me. There is a part of me that will miss this place and the work that we've done here, but I'm certainly looking forward to the next chapter of my life. I wish you all the very best. Take care of each other, and never forget the privilege it is to serve in this place.
Cairns Airport | Statements by Members | House debates
Cairns Airport has been named the Major Airport of the Year at the Australian Airports Association National Airport Industry Awards for 2024. This marks the second year in a row that the Cairns...
Cairns Airport has been named the Major Airport of the Year at the Australian Airports Association National Airport Industry Awards for 2024. This marks the second year in a row that the Cairns Airport has received this prestigious recognition. This year's award is particularly meaningful, as it recognises the airport's determination and resilience during an unprecedented flooding in December last year, following Cyclone Jasper. For the first time, floodwaters breached the airport's levee, forcing its closure and creating an enormous challenge for the team. Within two days, they'd pumped the water from the runway, cleared the debris and inspected critical infrastructure, allowing the airport to reopen and serve our region. Beyond the immediate recovery, Cairns Airport has continued to deliver significant international growth for our region. This achievement reflects the airport's commitment to innovation and resilience and its role as the key gateway to tropical North Queensland. I'd like to commend the Cairns Airport's chief executive, Richard Barker, and his entire team for their unwavering dedication, their efforts during the flooding and their ongoing focus on excellence. They are certainly setting a very high benchmark in the aviation industry. Congratulations again for a job very well done.
Youth Voice in Parliament Week | Statements by Members | House debates
I'm pleased to, again, be taking part in the Raise Our Voice in Parliament campaign. The following is a speech written by Ava, a 10-year-old student from Caravonica State School. She says: By...
I'm pleased to, again, be taking part in the Raise Our Voice in Parliament campaign. The following is a speech written by Ava, a 10-year-old student from Caravonica State School. She says: By 2034, I would like to see in my community of Cairns with more protection of our environmental spaces, more renewable energy and more education of science and technology in schools. The next parliament can support this by investing in protecting our important environmental spaces, our animals, land, sea, waterways and culture. Recycling materials and reusing what we have, by doing this it will limit our need for creating new resources and our pollution into the fragile environment. Investing in technology to make more renewable energy will help the impact we are having on our country with more wind, sea and solar farms. Investing in education and schools to improve science and technology for students like me to create the ideas for the future. Better classrooms and facilities will ensure all children can learn no matter their location. My 2034 goal is important, to look to the future we need to look at what we can address now in 2024. Investing in our environment and our education can help achieve this goal. My mum and dad invest their hopes in me, will you?
Genetic Screening | Private Members' Business | House debates
I rise to lend my very strong support to this motion and emphasise the amazing potential of genetic screening to help us tackle cancer and other diseases. By implementing proactive,...
I rise to lend my very strong support to this motion and emphasise the amazing potential of genetic screening to help us tackle cancer and other diseases. By implementing proactive, populationwide genetic screening, we have an unprecedented opportunity to identify Australians at high genetic risk for certain diseases before the symptoms emerge, providing a pathway to better prevention to save lives and significantly reduce healthcare costs. People who carry specific genetic markers, like BRCA1 and BRCA2, face up to a 70 per cent risk of breast cancer, often at a younger age, and these cancers are also typically more aggressive. Another example is Lynch syndrome, which leads to a 50 per cent lifetime risk of bowel cancer in both men and women. For those with these genetic markers, much earlier and more frequent screening, such as MRIs or annual colonoscopies, is necessary to catch diseases at their most treatable stage. By adopting a more widespread genetic testing approach, we will not only save lives but also save taxpayers and the health system a lot of money in the process. I must acknowledge the work of Monash University, which continues to illustrate the importance of DNA screening and a more equitable approach for all Australians. Again, it's nice to see you here, Dr Tiller, in our gallery. Of the over 10,000 young adults tested in Monash's DNA Screen pilot, around two per cent were found to be of high genetic risk for cancers and heart disease. This is not rare. It equates to about one in every 50 Australians, a significant number of whom would not have been eligible for existing testing due to restrictive criteria. At least 42 participants in this study came from my electorate of Leichhardt, and one of the identified high-risk individuals is also from my region. This reinforces the reach and relevance of this issue across all of our communities. Despite the powerful evidence in favour of proactive genetic screening, the current approach remains largely reactive, with testing often occurring only after someone has been diagnosed with either cancer or heart disease. This is a missed opportunity to keep people healthy, out of hospitals and actively participating in our workforce. By shifting to a proactive, preventive model we can empower Australians with the knowledge they need to safeguard their health and to alleviate strain on our healthcare system. I'm sure it's very clear now that this information that we can unlock through genetic testing is quite powerful, and we should be mindful that it should be used only for the benefit of Australians. I commend the government on its recent announcement regarding its intent to ban the use of genetic test results in life insurance underwriting. Without this protection, too many Australians fear genetic testing, worrying that a high-risk result could affect their ability to secure insurance. I note that the Assistant Treasurer has previously confirmed the government's intention to pass this legislation within the current term. If we're going to make this a reality, you really need to get a move on this very, very quickly. I urge the government to keep their promise to protect Australians. Let's get this legislation drafted and bring it into the House without any delays. Economic modelling from Monash University has also illustrated that the widespread adaptation of a proactive genetic screening approach in Australia would be very cost-effective, at a price that could soon be achievable for as little as $400 per person. It's a very small price to pay for such a significant benefit. It would represent a unique opportunity to bring our healthcare system into the 21st century. This is not about gene editing or designer babies; it's about practical, evidence based interventions to identify those who are at risk of cancer and other diseases and provide them with the preventive care they need. I certainly commend the member for Braddon on this motion, and I look forward to accelerating the progress on this very important issue.
It certainly is, and I reserve my right to speak.
Fourmile, Mr Gudju Gudju (Seith) | Constituency Statements | House debates
I rise to honour an incredible man whose life and legacy left an indelible mark in our region and, indeed, in our nation: Gudju Gudju, also known as Seith Fourmile. Gudju Gudju was not only a...
I rise to honour an incredible man whose life and legacy left an indelible mark in our region and, indeed, in our nation: Gudju Gudju, also known as Seith Fourmile. Gudju Gudju was not only a dear friend but a mentor, a leader and a source of immense strength and wisdom to many people in my community, myself included. His contributions to the Indigenous sovereignty movement, social justice and environmental advocacy were profound. He was a man deeply committed to preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Yidindji people. Perhaps one of Gudju Gudju's most remarkable achievements was his unwavering determination to bring home the remains of ancestors that had been taken to Germany back in the 19th century. His journey to repatriate those remains was not just an act of cultural preservation; it was an act of restoring dignity and justice to his people. It was a victory for all First Nations Australians. Gudju Gudju was a powerful figure. Whether in his role in seeing the Aboriginal flag officially flown in Cairns—and we were one of the first cities in Australia to do so—or leading the campaign to rename Blackfellows Creek to Bana Gindarja Creek, Gudju Gudju's actions were bold, meaningful and driven by his deep passion for justice and his commitment to his people's sovereignty. In every conversation I had with him, Gudju Gudju's understanding of land, culture and history left a lasting impact. He had a unique ability to not only communicate the issues facing his people but make you feel the soul behind those issues. Despite his achievements, Gudju Gudju never ever sought the spotlight. He was a humble man. His laughter and warmth would light up a room. Above all, he was a devoted family man. To his greatest source of pride and joy, his wife, Jenny, and his children, I offer my deepest condolences. Your husband and father was a man of great courage and wisdom, and his legacy will inspire generations to come. Though we mourn his passing, we must also celebrate the incredible life that he lived and the work that he did to make our region and our country a better place. Rest in peace, my friend. I love you dearly. You are certainly dearly missed, but I can assure you that you will never ever be forgotten.
Divers for Climate | Statements by Members | House debates
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...
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 the activists. Initially I was hesitant, when Dr Waters requested a meeting, to meet with her, but I'm so glad that I agreed. Meeting with Dr Waters and learning about her organisation was truly an enlightening experience. Divers for Climate is an amazing organisation comprised of divers from our tourism industry predominantly—individuals who have spent much of their time with their heads under the water, witnessing firsthand the beauty and the challenges facing our reefs. What sets them apart is their balanced approach to advocacy. They're not just raising the alarm on the challenges that we face; they're also highlighting the significant advances and successes in preserving our precious marine environment. We must acknowledge the challenges, certainly, but we also must celebrate the successes and progress being made. For this, I congratulate Dr Waters and her team from Divers for Climate. They bring a level of credibility and balanced advocacy that is utterly refreshing, and I look forward to seeing more of what they will accomplish well into the future.
Alcohol Excise | Private Members' Business | House debates
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;...
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 industry that is prevalent in all of our communities. We are all aware that the cost of living in Australia has been rising at an alarming rate. Electricity bills, raw material costs, transportation expenses, the list goes on—everything has been going through the roof. But what makes the situation even more untenable for our local brewers and distillers is the relentless biannual increase in alcohol excise. As it stands, Australia is ranked among the highest in the world when it comes to alcohol excise, and this is crippling our domestic industries. I recently received a letter from Rob Callin, the owner of Macalister Brewing Company, a proud and hardworking small business in my electorate of Leichhardt. Rob's story, unfortunately, is not unique. Like many other small independent brewers, Rob has faced a staggering 40 per cent increase in production costs over the past two years. I think this is the difference we are talking about now: the significant increase that we're seeing in cost of living. It's unprecedented, and it's certainly having a significant impact in this industry. The increase in production costs, coupled with automatic six-monthly increases in excise tax, is pushing these businesses to the brink. Rob tells me that, in the past 12 months, over 20 independent brewers across the country have either gone into voluntary administration or closed their doors for good. The majority of the more than 600 small brewers that are still operating in Australia have been forced to reduce staff just to keep the lights on. Small breweries like Macalister Brewing Company, Copperlode Brewing Co. and Hemingway's Brewery are an integral part of our local communities. They employ local people, support regional tourism and contribute to the vibrant culture of Far North Queensland. These businesses are also essential to our regional and rural economies. The craft beer industry in Australia provides approximately 35,000 jobs, two-thirds of which are located in regional and rural areas. It's important to remember that these small businesses are not just competing against each other; they're competing against the giant multinational corporations with far more resources available to them. While the excise remission scheme for small businesses is indeed a lifeline, the problem is that the remission is capped at $350,000, and it's not indexed to inflation. This means that, as the excise goes up every year, the value of this remission effectively erodes, putting even more pressure on small businesses. It's clear that the current excise regime is unsustainable, out of date and no longer fit for purpose. The government needs to take immediate action to provide relief to our domestic beer and spirits industry. The industry is desperate for a sensible package of tax reform and policy settings that balance the responsible consumption of alcohol with the need to support industry sustainability and growth. It's no secret that Australians like a drink, but the ever-increasing cost of shouting a round for your mates at the pub is becoming prohibitive. The government is going to send punters, publicans and brewers all bankrupt. It's unsustainable and, quite frankly, it's un-Australian. Our trading partners, including Japan, the United Kingdom and Canada, have already moved to freeze alcohol excise duties to relieve pressure on their domestic industries. I believe that Australia must follow suit. The fact that we might have done it in the past doesn't mean that, with the changing circumstances, we should continue to do it to the point where we wipe out an industry in total. We can't afford to wait any longer. The government must now act to freeze and reduce the alcohol excise, provide targeted relief for small brewers and distillers and ensure the long-term viability of this important industry. Lastly, I commend the member for Cowper for bringing this motion forward and I hope that the parliament will listen to these concerns of industry and decisively address what is a very critical issue.
Torres Strait: School Infrastructure | Constituency Statements | House debates
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...
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 prisons in better conditions. It's truly shameful that the school has been left to fall into such an appalling state of disrepair. The classrooms are not only outdated; they are quite literally falling apart. Portions of the ceiling are collapsing, the roofs are leaking like sieves, and the black mould is so prevalent that it made my eyes burn after just a few minutes. The toilet facilities are atrocious. Several of the cubicles are screwed shut so that the kids can't even access them, and the others are without locks altogether. I understand that the Northern Peninsula Area State College in Bamaga is in an even worse condition, and I intend to visit them next time I'm in the area, to make a similar assessment. After my visit to Tagai I wrote to the Minister for Indigenous Australians and the Minister for Education, raising significant concerns and inviting them to the school, and asking them to intervene and to support the school. Unfortunately, to date I haven't even received a response to those letters. Since then a 14-year-old student from Tagai secondary college, Catherine Paton, took the initiative to write to state and federal ministers raising similar concerns and advocating for her school. She even provided her own photos to the ministers. The situation is not acceptable. It is deeply shameful. Neither the students nor the teachers should be subjected to such disgraceful conditions. We need immediate action across all levels of government to get it fixed without delay. This would never be allowed to happen anywhere else in Australia. There would be total outrage. So why is it acceptable for the only two high schools in the Torres Strait region? There is so much rhetoric about closing the gap, so why don't we start with a critical area like safe and appropriate education facilities that will actually drive tangible outcomes? The government was so intent on pushing the Voice to Parliament, but, quite frankly, what is needed is to listen to Catherine Paton's voice. Visit the school and tell me it is in an acceptable condition for Australian students. This is about action, not slogans. Students should not have to fight for basic education standards taken for granted elsewhere in our country. I hope that the government will listen to Catherine and that her voice will become a catalyst for some meaningful change and action in that area.
Australian Red Cross: 110th Anniversary | Statements by Members | House debates
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...
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 essential part of our community from the very beginning. They started 110 years ago as one of the founding branches. During Cyclone Jasper, earlier this year, they excelled in their efforts, providing vital relief for the Wujal Wujal community and the surrounding areas and ensuring that everyone had access to essential resources. The tireless work of the Mossman branch and the entire Red Cross network exemplifies the spirit of humanity and of service. As we mark this incredible milestone, we should acknowledge the dedication of the 16,000 members and volunteers who make the Red Cross's mission possible. I encourage everyone to support the Red Cross in whatever way they can. This milestone is as good a time as any to donate or volunteer, to help support the invaluable work of the Red Cross. Happy 110th birthday for tomorrow, Australian Red Cross. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to helping all those in need.
Petitions: Telecommunications | Statements by Members | House debates
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...
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 reach due to terrain. In the event of loss of power, current battery capacity is a mere 59 minutes' maximum, after which community safety and business are compromised, with no internet or phone coverage, or power. Should a resident be taken ill or have an accident, there are no means of contacting emergency services. This is exacerbated after heavy rain or during cyclones, as all the creeks flood to the extent of being impassable, preventing either emergency or resident transport of the afflicted person. Our immense vulnerability was demonstrated during inundation following Cyclone Jasper. Businesses throughout the community are also profoundly impacted. Request: We therefore ask the House to : 1. Instruct the carrier TELSTRA CORPORATION to upgrade/increase the capacity of its battery supply at the Speewah exchange to provide at least 8 hours backup supply in the event of an electricity outage. This should occur before next cyclone season, ie November 2024. 2. Instruct the carrier TELSTRA CORPORATION, to provide an automated Emergency Power Plant (EPP) to power the said site once battery power is depleted, to allow charging of batteries and supply to the site in the event of extended outages, for example, cyclones. This should occur before the next cyclone season, ie prior to November 2024. from 37 citizens (Petition No. EN6205) Reasons: The Speewah community is subject to continual and prolonged disruptions to its telecommunications due to the inadequacy of the TELSTRA battery supply at the Speewah exchange. Speewah, only 16km from Cairns, is an isolated tower with no alternate tower within reach due to terrain. In the event of loss of power, current battery capacity is a mere 59 minutes' maximum, after which community safety and business are compromised, with no internet or phone coverage, or power. Should a resident be taken ill or have an accident, there are no means of contacting emergency services. This is exacerbated after heavy rain or during cyclones, as all the creeks flood to the extent of being impassable, preventing either emergency or resident transport of the afflicted person. Our immense vulnerability was demonstrated during inundation following Cyclone Jasper. Businesses throughout the community are also profoundly impacted. Request: We therefore ask the House to 1. Instruct the carrier TELSTRA CORPORATION to upgrade/increase the capacity of its battery supply at the Speewah exchange to provide at least 8 hours backup supply in the event of an electricity outage. This should occur before the next cyclone season, ie prior to November 2024. 2. Instruct the carrier TELSTRA CORPORATION, to provide an automated Emergency Power Plant (EPP) to power the said site once battery power is depleted, to allow charging of batteries and supply to the site in the event of extended outages, for example, cyclones. This should occur before the next cyclone season, ie prior to November 2024. from 448 citizens (Petition No. PN0611) Petitions received. These petitions have been considered by the Petitions Committee and are in order. The petitions state that Speewah is facing continued and long disruptions to telecommunications due to the inadequacy of Telstra's battery supply at the Speewah exchange. While Speewah is only 16 kilometres in line of sight from Cairns, it is isolated from a telecommunication standpoint due to the surrounding terrain. In the event of an outage, the Speewah exchange battery backup power supply only lasts for one hour. This vulnerability was evident during the most recent cyclone Jasper event. A physical copy of the petition EN0611 has secured 448 signatures and the digital version of the petition has secured 37 signatures. Both petitions call for Telstra to improve the battery backup supply for a duration of at least eight hours. Preferably this upgrade would take place before the next cyclone season beginning at the end of 2024. In the event of outages longer than eight hours, the petition states that Telstra should provide a supplementary power supply to enable telecommunications to continue and to enable batteries to charge. For the record, I strongly support these petitions. I'd like to thank Suzanne Grinter as principal petitioner for raising awareness on this very important issue. (Time expired)
Leichhardt Electorate: Cape York Peninsula | Grievance Debate | House debates
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...
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 if they succeed in securing a World Heritage listing. Cape York is undeniably a treasure, rich in biodiversity and cultural heritage. It is a landscape that demands respect and careful stewardship. It is a picturesque, wild country. Many Australians view it as a rite of passage to traverse the very tip of the northern point of the Australian continent. While the cape certainly warrants protection, the approach proposed by the government to enlist this region under the auspices of UNESCO is not only flawed but potentially detrimental to the communities that call it home. Firstly, consider the implication of this proposal on the rights and livelihoods of the traditional owners and the local residents. For decades Indigenous communities have fought tirelessly to reclaim and secure land rights. These efforts and struggles are now being undermined. Both state and federal Labor governments have effectively sidelined these communities in favour of an international body. They are ignoring their voices—from what I understand—arguably misleading them and diminishing their control on their ancestral lands. The proposal threatens to transform vast areas of the cape into zones primarily reserved for tourism. This might be fine for some areas, but it will undoubtedly restrict essential activities such as agriculture, development and mining, which many locals depend on for their livelihoods. The economic repercussions of such a limitation could be devastating, particularly for a region that thrives on the sustainable use of its natural resources. We must also remember that this proposal effectively hands over the judgement of these lands and its protection to a committee populated by representatives from countries far removed from us and our reality such as Bulgaria, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Turkiye and Zambia, just to name a few. These nations do not share our direct connection to the land, nor do they fully understand the complexities and challenges unique to Cape York. We've seen previously with the Great Barrier Reef that the World Heritage Committee and its decision-making is a highly politicised international horse-trading session. I saw this for myself firsthand when I was the Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef. World Heritage committee members inevitably come to these assessment processes with preconceived notions about the state and status of World Heritage listings, and the government of the day and their bureaucrats are often at pains to try and illustrate the reality of the situation on the ground or in the water, as it were. I and many others I've spoken with just can't see the benefit of the listing outweighing the costs and restrictions to landholders and traditional owners groups that will inevitably come. The government has said it will consult widely, as it should. But it worries me that the proposal echoes the misguided conservation efforts of the past such as those initiated under the Wayne Goss Labor government, which sought to impose wilderness protection zones that restricted access to the usage of vast areas of Cape York. It was this act of overreach that helped compel me to enter politics back in 1995. This push for a World Heritage listing is effectively a revival of the longstanding agenda by Labor to lock up our lands under the guise of conservation. I'm not convinced that the government's efforts to engage and consult with the local communities are sufficient. Many have expressed concerns to me directly. The government hasn't even bothered to extend their consultations to the local Cook Shire Council, the Weipa Town Authority and other local authorities. In my view, the engagement to date is sorely lacking in that the forthright disclosure and explanation of the potential ramifications of World Heritage listing is merely a footnote in these discussions. The current consultation process is being criticised by prominent traditional owners for being too selective and insufficient in scope, for lacking transparency, and for its failure to include all stakeholders. This has already lead to significant apprehension about the World Heritage listing process and the government's mandate to pursue this in the first place. In response to those concerns, I will be initiating a petition in the coming days. This petition will call for action from every member of our community who believes in Cape York's right to self-determination, local governance and the rights of our Indigenous people and their land. I believe the people of Cape York do not need international entities dictating how they should manage their local environmental and cultural heritage. The stewardship of Cape York should be characterised by inclusivity and respect for all voices, not just those the government or UNESCO have received a warm reception from. The people of this region are diverse and so are their views and aspirations. The government needs to consider these facts very carefully. We must work towards a commitment to sustainable development that will benefit all residents. Our goal must be to protect our environment while ensuring that the community thrives economically and culturally. To those who are in favour of the proposal, particularly certain traditional owner groups, please seriously consider the ramifications to your land and to your neighbours and what they are able to do with their land. The implications are very serious, and the impacts on all residents will no doubt be quite profound. It would be a tragic outcome for those in Cape York if the government pursued this listing under false pretence and without full, unequivocal and informed consent and support from all communities. Indigenous people throughout Cape York have fought long and hard for their land rights and for the ability to be able to pursue economic activity on their land. There are entire communities in Cape York that are built upon activities that UNESCO will certainly disapprove of. I think it's rather ironic that, after all of these years in seeking to get native title rights—and we always talk about the cultural appropriateness of them managing their own country and the environmental benefits of traditional owners owning their own, or managing their own, country—we now have a situation where we're saying, 'Righto, now that you've got that country, we want to take that and hand the decision-making in relation to the management, both culturally and environmentally, over to a group of faceless individuals, an international committee.' It seriously doesn't make sense. Many of the traditional owners that I talk to are very, very concerned about it. It's also a concern for the neighbours of these areas. Some of the traditional owners say, 'We want to lock this up in environmental management,' and that's not an issue. They should be the ones best equipped to manage their country, and they're able to do that, but there are also concerns about the ramifications for all of those neighbours. Not everybody wants to be photo fodder for tourists, standing naked on one leg in a water lily pond with a spear for tourists to take a photograph when they come by. Others have other aspirations for themselves and their families, and they should have the right to pursue those. To lock them into a particular economic situation is, I think, totally appalling. I can't stress the significance of this issue enough. I'm strongly encouraging any and all residents of Cape York with the slightest reservations to get involved in the process. As I said earlier, I'll be initiating a petition shortly. Please join me in opposing this misguided proposal for World Heritage listing. We should let Cape York people and Cape York landholders determine for themselves what is best for their community and their land. We simply cannot leave this important decision to people thousands of miles away who have no idea whatsoever where Cape York even is, let alone what the diversity and the cultural significance of that land is. I think we should leave it to Cape York people to do their own management of their own country.
Alexandra Bay State School | Statements by Members | House debates
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...
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, this region and this community has experienced some horrendous weather recently with Cyclone Jasper and the prolonged wet season. I thought it would be a good idea to bring a little bit of Lego cheer to the kids at Alexandra Bay State School. Between myself and the local Jabalbina Aboriginal Corporation we pooled together $700 for new Lego for the school. I also encouraged Channel Nine's Lego Masters program to get involved by contributing some set pieces and a special message from Brickman himself. Brickman challenged the kids to build their school out of Lego in under two hours. It was a fantastic morning and warmly received by the kids, staff, parents and all who had been through such a rough period. I thank all those that made it possible: principal Gavin Irvine; teacher Nicola Cox; Jabalbina CEO Joshua Paterson; Channel Nine, and Lego Masters producer Adrian Swift; and Ryan 'Brickman' McNaught himself. In closing, a message for Brickman himself: I understand the kids are well progressed in their 'build the school' challenge and are looking forward to your comprehensive assessment. It'll be on its way shortly, and we look forward to you making your own assessment.
Queensland: Office of the Public Guardian | Adjournment | House debates
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...
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 and coercion, with an alarming lack of transparency and accountability. In all my years, I've never encountered a government-sanctioned entity that operates with such a veil of secrecy, acting seemingly as a law unto itself. This issue has been raised before. The public broadcaster, the ABC, on Four Corners, has previously published exposes on this very issue. But it seems that, in the years since this media attention, very little scrutiny has been applied and, accordingly, very little has changed. In fact, in my estimation, things have deteriorated even further. Last week, I issued a press release expressing my concern regarding the OPG's actions. While the release did not receive widespread media publication, it was shared amongst the very community who are suffering at the hands of the OPG. Since then, my office has been inundated with correspondence from individuals across Australia, sharing their harrowing experiences with guardianship authorities in the broader system, including the Public Trustee and the various state based tribunals and how they all interface. These accounts reveal a disturbing pattern of total overreach, where individuals under guardianship orders are isolated and find it impossible to regain control or where loved ones are entirely shut out. Shockingly, these guardianship authorities are quite willing and able to weaponise the financial resources of those under their control to quash any legal challenges, effectively silencing dissent and perpetuating their control. The OPG will readily sell property and other income-generating assets to fiercely defend its right to control this person's own life. For loved ones, it's a catch 22. Do you pursue the matter? Do you take it to the Supreme Court and, in the process, leave yourself and your loved ones penniless? It's not just those subject to OPG control who have raised concerns with me. I've also been approached by multiple staff of the OPG. They've suggested to me that the organisation is totally dysfunctional and clearly should not be charged with making such critically important decisions about people's lives, especially when it struggles to manage its own internal affairs. It's no wonder that those under the OPG's control are facing tragic outcomes and are finding themselves powerless, without recourse. The secretive nature of the OPG, shielded by privacy laws, makes it nearly impossible for families, advocates or even elected representatives like me to intervene or seek clarity on behalf of those affected. This lack of transparency and accountability is grave injustice to the individuals and families who depend on the state for protection and support. It is evident that the system is broken. The alarming stories that I've heard are not isolated incidents but symptoms of systematic failure that require immediate attention and comprehensive reform. I appreciate that this is a very difficult area for legislators and bureaucrats to get right, and there will no doubt always be people who are dissatisfied, but it's clear to me that the OPG and the systems of support that are in place to enable them are entirely flawed. No-one is taking responsibility and, I suspect, no-one wants to be held accountable for what appear to be routine injustices, but we must do better for those people who are subjected to these orders. Once you're in the system, you're trapped and powerless to escape. In a democratic society, this is a terrifying prospect, and it's something that we have to address without delay. When I've been contacted by traumatised families and I've reached out asking simple questions of the OPG, they just say, 'We don't have to answer your questions,' and they hang up. They shut down and refuse to be held accountable. I think it's an absolute disgrace. They need to be held accountable for their actions.
Tourism Exceptional Assistance Grant | Constituency Statements | House debates
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...
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 on our local tourism businesses. On face value, the grant initiative that was received and was aiming to address the impacts felt by the effectiveness in tourism was very well received; however, the administration of these grants, particularly concerning our region's tourism accommodation providers, has been nothing short of a bureaucratic debacle. It's come to light that the applications from these accommodation providers, while initially appearing to be fully compliant with the requirements, now have been unjustly rejected. These are real businesses who are struggling. These are real families who were encouraged to apply, who have invested time, considerable effort and significant financial resources into a lengthy application process. The industry has repeatedly raised concerns about this, but they've been met with a total lack of empathy from the Queensland minister for tourism and member for Cairns, Michael Healy. You'd think that having a tourism minister based in your own electorate would be advantageous. Minister Healy has proven himself time and time again to be both an ineffectual member of parliament and certainly an incompetent minister. This isn't about ticking boxes or filling in forms; it's about delivering on a promise for those in dire need. It's about the survival of an industry that forms the backbone of Far North Queensland's economy. It's about supporting an industry that Minister Healy was once himself a part of for many years prior to his election to the Queensland parliament. Unfortunately, it's an industry he now appears to be content to turn his back on. I wrote to Minister Healy on 18 April requesting he intervene and review these claims by tourism accommodation providers. In his response to me, the only thing Minister Healy could do was deflect and blame his colleagues in the Albanese government for an overly restrictive application criteria. How about instead of looking for an opportunity to blame each other, you just get on with the job and fix the problem? There are many in the tourism accommodation industry in Port Douglas who are relying on this issue being resolved. I'd like to call upon Minister Healy, his colleagues in the Albanese government and their respective departments to do the right thing: review the criteria, overturn these rejections and ensure that this support reaches those very businesses for which it was intended. They are desperately hoping to be able to receive it so that they can continue the magnificent work that they do in Far North Queensland.
National Volunteer Week | Statements by Members | House debates
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...
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 who go the extra mile and give so generously of their time and their skills. I'd like to extend my congratulations to all the nominees and the finalists for this year's awards, and I'd like now to take the opportunity to recognise the winners in their respective categories. Precious Moyo won the Youth Changemaker award, Jim Ritchie won the Community Champion award, Elizabeth Groves won the Wisdom Warrior award, Dennis Winn won the Innovator Impact award, Deborah Pergolotti won the Legacy Builder award, Allison Worrel won the Excellence in Volunteer Management award and lastly OzHarvest received the Community Project Award for their market rescue team's efforts. Every week they rescue food from Rusty's Markets that would otherwise go into landfill. It's packed, refrigerated and given away to local charities. I'd like to take the opportunity to congratulate FNQ Volunteers, who were the organisers of this event. It was a great success, and I once again give a big thankyou to all the volunteers across our region for all the outstanding work they do. They certainly make a difference.
Gilmore, Mr Thomas John George, OAM | Statements by Members | House debates
I rise with great sadness to speak on the passing of one of Far North Queensland's finest. We lost a stalwart of public service and a true son of Mareeba, Mr Tom Gilmore OAM. His passing not only...
I rise with great sadness to speak on the passing of one of Far North Queensland's finest. We lost a stalwart of public service and a true son of Mareeba, Mr Tom Gilmore OAM. His passing not only leaves a void in the hearts of those who knew him but also marks the end of an era of dedicated community service that is rare to behold. Tom was more than a political figure; he was an icon and a true leader. Born and raised in Mareeba, Tom's journey from local council through to the Queensland parliament and back into the mayor's office is a testament to his unwavering dedication to our region. What set Tom apart was not just his political acumen but his genuine love for the people and the land that he represented. He was a man who valued family, community and service above all else. I extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Sally, his daughters, Elisa and Catherine, and the broader Gilmore family and their friends. Tom will be remembered not just as a fine public servant but as a true friend, a mentor, a dedicated visionary and a proud Far North Queenslander. Vale, Tom Gilmore. Thank you for your service and your friendship. You will be sorely missed.