Response to Private Members Bill

August 10, 2017

Earlier today I rose, along with several other members in this House, to speak on the Education (Accreditation of Non-State Schools) Bill, and every member spoke with pride and passion about their schools—in this case, their non-government schools. I heard the member for Glass House speak glowingly about his pocket rocket school and the member for Aspley speak about several of her schools and how well they are performing in their community.

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2017 Budget

June 15, 2017

I rise to speak to the 2017-18 budget handed down by the Treasurer this week. Members have heard many times the members for Mundingburra and Thuringowa and me speak about the many outstanding achievements the Palaszczuk government has delivered in Townsville over the past 2½ years. More specifically, I wish today to highlight what the Palaszczuk government is doing for the electorate of Townsville, which is supported significantly by the budge...

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60th Anniversary of Palm Island 1957 Strike

June 14, 2017

rise this evening to talk about the Palm Island commemorations of the 60th anniversary of Strike ‘57. I was joined by the Deputy Premier, the Hon. Jackie Trad, and Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland, the Hon. Coralee O’Rourke, at the Perfumed Gardens in Townsville on Friday last week where Palm Island and the Townsville community came together to commemorate 60 years since the famous strike of 1957.

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Police Powers and Responsibilities Ammendment Bill

May 25, 2017

I rise today to speak in support of the Police Powers and Responsibilities (Commonwealth Games) Amendment Bill 2017. As the chair of the Education, Tourism, Innovation and Small Business Committee it was a pleasure to have this particular bill referred to the committee, to conduct the inquiry, to hear all the information and to contribute to the debate today. It is great to hear that both sides of the House support this very important bill.

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Business Advisory Council

May 23, 2017

On Wednesday last week it was our pleasure to host the Premier and the Business Advisory Council in Townsville on their first ever regional meeting. Council members are from a diverse range of large, small and medium sized businesses. As the Premier has said, whether it is the resource sector, skills and training, property development or construction, or one of our emerging sectors like IT, these business leaders will bring to the table a vari...

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Early childhood education: implementation of the recommendations in the Auditor-General's report...

May 11, 2017

I move— That the House takes note of the Education, Tourism, Innovation and Small Business Committee report No. 30 titled Early childhood education: implementation of the recommendations in the Auditor-General's report No. 19 2015-16 tabled on 24 March 2017. It gives me great pleasure to stand in this House and speak about something I am very passionate about. I think there is only one thing I am more passionate about than education and that...

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