More water in the tank for Granite Belt
Additional water tanks are now located at Applethorpe Rural Fire Station and ready to be used for this fire season. (more…)
Voluntary Assisted Dying
Next week the Queensland Parliament will vote on the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2021. Queensland Labor made a commitment during the 2020 election that the Bill would be presented to Parliament as a conscience vote, and that is exactly what we have done.
There is a wide array of views surrounding the legislation, ranging from those firmly in support to those vehemently against. All views need to be respected, and individuals are free to make their opinions known.
I grew up in a largely Christian family, attending Sunday School and church regularly. My upbringing was within a conservative farming family.
When I joined the Australian Army in 2005 as a Medic I had little exposure to death and dying. As my training progressed though I had the privilege to nurse and treat people who were terminally ill and at the end of their lives, and to offer support and comfort to them in their last moments.
Many of the some 6000 public submissions to the Parliamentary Committee looking into this legislation expressed similar experiences. Experiences from the heart that they now carry with them every day. While it is a privilege to comfort a dying stranger, some experiences are mentally traumatic.
The Bill is explicit that a person must be of clear mind and make an unambiguous request to access voluntary assisted dying. No health care worker is to suggest or prompt a person to consider voluntary assisted dying. These two requirements along with all the other safe guards in the Bill make it clear and appropriate.
There are many views about why voluntary assisted dying is not appropriate, be that religious or moral. However, it is my opinion that they are all reasons why you should not ask for voluntary assisted dying yourself, not why someone else shouldn’t be able to make that request.
“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37 NIV). My upbringing taught me that religion is about your beliefs, not what beliefs others should have.
If I was in a position to be voting on this Bill, I would vote in support of it. This is deeply personal for terminally ill people and their families, and I firmly believe it is not the role of government to impose a religious belief or moral expectation on those who don’t seek it. When it is all said and done it is about respect, and respecting that someone may have a different view to yours.
Warwick fuel is too expensive
The Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Dr Anthony Lynham took action last week on behalf of the Warwick community and wrote to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to seek an investigation into why fuel prices in Warwick are amongst some of the highest in the State.
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#FactCheck – water costs need a closer look
Joel Richters, Labor’s candidate for Southern Downs, wants to set the record straight on water prices in the local community.
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Premier announces Joel Richters to contest Southern Downs
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced Joel Richters will join her team to contest Southern Downs for Labor in the election to be held later this year.
Mr Richters moved to Goondiwindi in 2014 after serving in the Australian Army for eight years. He is a proud and dedicated healthcare worker at Darling Downs Health, as well as Board Chair of the local disability and community support organisation, Care Goondiwindi.
“I have seen first-hand how access to quality health services has a vital impact on closing the gap on health outcomes between urban and rural Queenslanders,” Mr Richters said.
The Premier said Joel had the experience and energy to be a strong voice for his local community.
“We need local champions like Joel so we can keep delivering more jobs, more industries, better frontline services, and the infrastructure Queensland needs for the future,” Premier Palaszczuk said.
Mr Richters said he was proud to be part of a team which is on the side of all Queenslanders – a team that’s backing Queensland jobs and focussed on frontline services.
“Because of the Palaszczuk Government’s investment in local frontline health services, our area has been well prepared for the COVID-19 health emergency,” he said.
“Queensland can’t afford to go back to the bad old days when Deb Frecklington was Campbell Newman’s apprentice, and the LNP cut funding, sacked workers and tried to sell assets.
“Jobs are under threat in Southern Downs because the Federal Government has allowed our economy to become a combatant with our climate.
“Only Labor will take action on climate change and that includes training and re-training people in skills for the future, and the jobs of tomorrow.
“I look forward to getting out there and earning the trust of locals”.
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT: Penni Pappas, 0478 150 410
Big business steps up to help keep stock alive
Granite Belt Water Relief have only been operating for a few months to provide desperately needed water to people in rural areas so that they can keep their animals alive in what has become the worst drought on record in the Stanthorpe and Granite Belt region. (more…)
Lister and Littleproud are playing games with community over drought
The state government is spending record amounts on drought relief in Queensland… $74 million over the next four years according to this years’ budget. (more…)
Premier visits the Southern Downs
When the Premier visited the Southern Downs and Granite Belt on Thursday the hot topics were water supply and drought. (more…)
What’s after Emu Swamp?
Water security or better described as insecurity is shaping up to be the most difficult challenge that we may face this century. (more…)
Emu Swamp Dam gets kick started
The Palaszczuk Labor Government have announced $13.6 million to kick start Emu Swamp Dam which is fantastic news for the farmers on the Granite Belt.
This announcement has been anticipated after federal Labor announced they would match the federal contributions during the last election.
This announcement has been possible because of the advocacy of organisations such as Stanthorpe Chamber of Commerce and Granite Belt Water.
I would like to specifically acknowledge Stephen Tancred and Amanda Harrold, whom I have met with numerous times over the last 18 months to discuss the way forward for the project.
Six weeks ago, I wrote to the Premier discussing the water crisis that is occurring on the Granite Belt and across Southern Downs. I have called for a water security summit to be held involving all levels of government to address the emergent lack of urban water for our towns.
People right across the region are doing it tough. Whether it be the need to hand feed stock, watch their crops die or seeing businesses close. Despite these difficulties the community remains determined to survive and everyone is doing their best to reduce water usage.
The Palaszczuk Labor Government have contributed $950,000 to Southern Downs Regional Council already to investigate and improve existing water infrastructure, including groundwater bores and recycled water for industrial use.
I look forward to seeing the first stages of construction taking place on Emu Swamp Dam and the local jobs that it will bring.