ANZAC Day for me is a special time to remember and be thankful for the many ordinary people who bravely took on extraordinary challenges to serve our nation, and of course, to acknowledge the ultimate sacrifice of the thousands who never returned. Remembrance is about learning from the past to inform our future. Thankfulness is…
In celebration of National Volunteers Week 2014, I am delighted to join with Volunteering Sunshine Coast to host our annual community event to recognise the valuable work of volunteers in our not for profit groups on the Sunshine Coast. I will be presenting our volunteers with a certificate of recognition and a commemorative pin to…
Treasurer Tim Nicholls has invited all Queenslanders to contribute to a “People’s Budget” to tell the State Government how they would tackle the once-in-a-generation threat of an $80 billion State debt. This excessive debt level is what destroyed the State’s AAA credit rating. The Strong Choices Campaign is an unprecedented solution to an unprecedented challenge.…
The number of dental patients on the waiting list in the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service (SCHHS) has almost halved during the period February 2013 to December 2013. 12,139 dental vouchers have been issued to give patients access to urgent dental care. In February 2013, 8,836 people were on the General Care Waiting List…
Further rehabilitation works on the Maroochydore Road are due to commence early April 2014 and is expected to take five weeks to complete, weather permitting This $2.4 million project will involve replacing the existing asphalt surface with a new high-quality asphalt surface which will provide a safer, smoother surface for road users and reduce future…
Thank you to everyone who took part in the State Government’s on-line survey and my Facebook forum to share their views on this important issue. There is a community-wide resolve to stop the violence and I believe support for tougher laws for offenders as well as a need for a culture change about the abuse…
New figures released this month reveal the social housing waiting list in the Maroochydore electorate has decreased by 40 per cent since the election of the Newman Government. The number of households waiting for social housing assistance in the Maroochydore electorate had been cut to its lowest level in five years. 55 households were waiting for…
The State Government is focused on improving education outcomes for our children by increasing spending on education by $707 million, delivering 724 new teachers and support staff. State schools in the Maroochydore electorate have received almost $800,000 in funding to boost students’ learning, following the announcement of a new education program, Great Results Guarantee. This…
Our working draft has now been released for public review from Sunday 8 December 2013 until 7 March 2014. Feedback on the working draft will be used to refine the final plan, which will be released mid-2014. More information and a copy of the draft plan is available online at www.qld.gov.au/queenslandplan. This working draft brings together…
I am seeking nominations for a local “Queensland Inspiring Woman” to go in the running to be honoured at my breakfast at Queensland Parliament House in Brisbane on March 7, 2014. As Speaker I am delighted to be hosting the Queensland Inspiring Women awards in recognition of International Women’s Day and to acknowledge the contributions…