August 30, 2017
I was proud to stand up for our region’s small business and their employees in Parliament recently to ensure they received a better deal under Labor’s proposed trading hour changes.
The LNP Opposition forced the Palaszczuk Government into an embarrassing backflip, with Labor having to make major amendments to their trading hour reforms.
Labor’s laws were poorly drafted and would have led to price hikes for local shoppers, less job security and less job opportunities for young people.
In my speech I was proud to talk about local business like Bill Hull Car Centre, Ken Mills Toyota, our IGA supermarkets and independent hardware stores like Airds Hardware in Nanango, who would all have been affected by the legislation.
The LNP has protected local jobs and delivered trading hours certainty for Queensland small business.
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Demolition Of Yarraman Forestry Shed Is ‘Crazy’
I have been working with the members of the Yarraman Men’s Shed in an effort to help save the Mill Street Forestry property in Yarraman from possible demolition.
The Yarraman Men’s Shed group had identified the old forestry shed as a great place to base themselves.
However, we soon found out the property was earmarked for transfer to another government agency and complete removal.
It seems crazy that the Government would spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to tear down a perfectly good building, when they could buy much more suitable land elsewhere in Yarraman.
There has been no community consultation and I know the residents of Yarraman would not want this to occur.
I’ve called on the Labor Government to delay the land transfer and reconsider this plan.
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Rising Electricity Prices Need To Be Fixed
The latest CCIQ Pulse survey of business conditions has shown regional small businesses are feeling pessimistic about the year ahead.
Unsurprisingly, the extremely high cost of electricity was listed as the number one issue facing small businesses right across the state.
And we all know that power prices are particularly hurting the agricultural industry.
This is really worrying for our region, where the majority of businesses are either farming businesses or rely heavily on the business they do with our primary producers.
In fact, sixty-five per cent of agricultural businesses surveyed indicated electricity prices were critically impacting them.
The survey also showed that unlike business in other industries, farmers aren’t in a position to pass these increasing costs on to customers, and this challenges their profitability.
You can have your say on high power prices at www.qldenergyfacts.com.au or head to the LNP’s Better Queensland website for more on our Agriculture Energy and Water Council policy.
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Local Groups Benefit from Grants
Congratulations to the following groups from the South Burnett who were successful in Round 93 of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund:
- Blackbutt & District Tourism & Heritage Assoc – $7500 for a solar system and air-conditioning
- Cloyna State School – $25,000 to purchase playground equipment
- Kingaroy Golf Club – $28,900 to paint the exterior of the Clubhouse
- Nanango Rugby League Football Club- $21,000 to install a sprinkler system
- South Burnett PCYC – $35,000 to install air-conditioning and security system
- Wheatlands SS P&C – $35,000 to construct a shade shelter
- WildHorse FM – $7700 to purchase sound proof drapes
- Wondai Show Society – $34,986 to upgrade the showgrounds
- Wondai Country Club – $15,797 to install a lift, purchase equipment and conduct First Aid Training
- Wondai District Cricket Club – $34,000 to upgrade training nets and equipment
- Wondai Sportsground – $34,100 to purchase mowing equipment
- Wooroolin Lions Club – $32,784 to install Shed and relocate train station
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Nanango Recognises Excellence
Nanango State High School recently invited me to be a part of their presentations to acknowledge students for their excellent standard of classroom effort and behaviour.
It is fantastic that they recognise and celebrate this success.
And with this Year 12 group, our future is in safe hands.
Well done to all awardees!
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Vietnam Veterans Day
August 18 marks the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan and it was an honour to be involved in two Vietnam Veterans Day commemorations this year – Kingaroy and Esk.
I’d like to acknowledge the local RSL Sub-Branches who work hard to ensure these important moments in Australia’s history are not forgotten.
Similar commemorations were also marked at Nanango and Blackbutt.
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Time To Change Blackbutt’s Postcode
In late July more than 60 people turned out to support the need to change Blackbutt’s postcode.
Blackbutt is in the South Burnett, not Ipswich, so it needs its own postcode!
Well done to Federal Member for Maranoa, David Littleproud MP, for his work on this issue.
Let’s hope we can achieve common sense and a good solution for the community.
[Photos: Nanango Electorate Office and southburnett.com.au]
