Please click below to read some of my speeches in the Queensland Parliament.
I rise this evening to speak on the Counter-Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill before the House. Perhaps as a newcomer to this parliament, I am oblivious to some of the history and reasoning behind some of the legislation that exists in our society. However, I am acutely aware of the justification and reasoning behind the Terrorism (Preventative Detention) Act 2005, which is the aspect of the bill I wish to speak to tonight. Ten ye...
Read MoreDeputy Premier announced the draft State Infrastructure Plan outlining the government's clear vision of how we would like to grow Queensland, the infrastructure to deliver that growth and the process of prioritising infrastructure delivery and investment. The Deputy Premier highlighted that the plan identifies future service needs and infrastructure challenges facing Queensland and highlighted the opportunities these present. Addressing th...
Read MoreAs the chair of the Education, Tourism and Small Business Committee, I would like to thank my fellow members of the committee for their work and dedication to this bill, as well as the committee secretariat. Finally, to the interested groups who submitted their views to the bill, I thank you as well. The purpose of the bill is to establish, as we have heard, a statutory advisory body called Jobs Queensland, whose role is to provide the ministe...
Read MoreI rise today to support the Building Queensland Bill, which will ensure the Palaszczuk government delivers the projects that have the greatest value and community benefits for all Queenslanders. This will occur by establishing an independent statutory body that will ensure a whole-of-government perspective to major infrastructure planning, prioritisation and investment. On many occasions in this House I have highlighted the impacts of the rece...
Read MoreThe tropics covers 40 per cent of the world's surface but hosts approximately 80 per cent of its terrestrial biodiversity and more than 95 per cent of its mangrove and coral reef based biodiversity. The world's tropical economy is growing 20 per cent faster than the rest of the world and many tropical nations are important contributors to world trade, politics and innovation. The tropics are home to 40 per cent of the world's popul...
Read MoreThis government that committed during the election campaign to be a government of Queensland and ensure that regional areas were looked after and not forgotten, and that is exactly what this government is doing - looking after regional Queensland. The Townsville region will be a significant winner under the Palaszczuk government's first budget as the city positions intself as a hub of Northern Australia. The budget includes $80...
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