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.
Council’s need to broadcast their meetings
With advances in technology we are missing an opportunity to better engage with local government, and I am advocating for their meetings to be recorded via video and broadcasted live. (more…)
Public money should never be used to sway opinion
Southern Downs Regional Council recently announced that it would engage a consultant to review the proposed de-amalgamation business case by the Granite Belt Community Association (GBCA). (more…)