Closing soon: Make a submission to the Supermarket Pricing Inquiry
Cost of living hikes are biting hard. Across the board price rises are hurting families, workers, and businesses. The LNP has urged the Government to look at the prices it influences such as electricity, skyrocketing insurance caused by the youth crime crisis, rising water costs, increased transport costs, the road network, and commodity supply chain.
Rather than looking at the prices it impacts, the Government has limited its inquiry to supermarkets.
I have been selected to sit on the Government’s Supermarket Pricing Select Committee. It will focus on discrepancies between retail, wholesale and farmgate prices, variability in pricing across Qld, supply chain trends, negotiations with retailers, profitability of primary producers, transparency for producers.
It is important that everyone makes a submission by Friday April 12. For details or to follow the committee’s deliberations go to Committee Details | Queensland Parliament
New MRI scanner is great news for Gympie
The official unveiling of a new MRI Scanner at IMED Radiology represents a substantial investment in improving the health services in our region.
Every year more than 1,000 residents must leave to access medical care including medical imaging. This investment from a private firm will benefit locals who must travel away, provide local job opportunities, and also assist local GPs in providing quicker care for patients.
Ours is a growing region and this commitment is very much welcomed.
Our Easter on Mary has returned
Easter on Mary made its return this year with fun filled activities including late night boutique shopping, live music, food vendors and street entertainment.
It was a great opportunity to be reacquainted with the delights of our main street in a relaxing and fun atmosphere and to catch up with and chat to shop owners.
Easter on Mary with Warren Smith
Easter on Mary with Sharon’’s Barber Shop
Easter on Mary with Warren Smith Tom Grady Real Estate
Local clubs are sharing in the success
Almost $500,000 will be shared among local sporting groups and community organisations from their successful applications for grants. Given the financial constraints on community organisations, it is gratifying to see financial assistance returned to our community through this well-deserved grant.
The Gympie United Football Club Inc was awarded $174,280 under the Minor Infrastructure and Inclusive Facilities Fund grant to upgrade its lights.
AND
Round 119 of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund will deliver almost $320,000 in funds to:
Imbil Rail Park – upgrade facility
Mary Valley Rail Trail Association – purchase electric cargo trike
Rainbow Beach Commerce and Tourism Association – host Christmas event
Albert Park Bowls Club – install solar system
The Genus Inc – upgrade facility and purchase equipment
Cedar Pocket Schools of Arts – upgrade hall
Chatsworth Park Ranch – install shade structure
Endeavour Foundation – upgrade amenities
Guides Queensland – upgrade facility
Gympie Poultry Club – purchase furniture and appliances
Later this month we will mark once again one of the significant commemorative days on our annual calendar – ANZAC Day.
While ANZAC Day will mark 109 years since the landings on Gallipoli, it is a tradition which has become a powerful reminder of the value we place on those who have fought for our way of life and freedom.
Whether it is in events in our local schools, community halls, RSLs and cenotaphs we should take this opportunity to show our pride and thanks for all those who have given service to make Australia what it is today.
Around the House – in Parliament
Links to the most recent Parliamentary Questions and Speeches.
During the last month I have been able to attend or visit:
Launch of Book by Tony Stewart – The making of Rainbow Beach
Easter on Mary
Perseverance Street Theatre Company’s performance of GRIT: The Stories. The Town. The Music.
SSAA QLD 2024 Air Rifle State Championship
Tin Can Bay Coastal Rowing Club
Sailability, Coast Guard QF17, Tin Can Bay Yacht Club, Cooloola Dragon Boat Club
Launch of Book by Tony Stewart – The making of Rainbow Beach
Perseverance Street Theatre Company’s performance of GRIT: The Stories. The Town. The Music. – Sofia and Sharon
SSAA QLD 2024 Air Rifle State Championship – with President Brett Whiting
Meeting with Home School parents
Tin Can Bay Coastal Rowing Club
Sailability – Tin Can Bay
Get Involved – Have your Say, Grants, Prizes, Surveys, Events and Reviews
Inquiry into Supermarket Pricing – discrepancies between retail, wholesale and farmgate prices, variability in pricing across Qld, supply chain trends, negotiations with retailers, profitability of primary producers, transparency for producers. Submissions close12 April. Report due 31 May.
Cost of Living Inquiry Petition – State government costs must be part of any inquiry into our increasing costs of living. They must be held to account for their role. Join our fight to expand to the Cost-of-Living Inquiry to put State Government costs under a microscope.
Swim Smart Vouchers – Vouchers up to $150 for tots -0-4 years to learn to swim. Round 1 applications close 1 May.
Fairplay Vouchers – $150 vouchers for families to help kids participate in sport. Closes 1 May.
Young people at risk of homelessness – grants up to$5,000 for essential goods & services to assist moving into accommodation or work. Contact housing service
Growing Future Tourism – matching grants from $1 million to $4 million for projects including coastal, marine, heritage, cultural, ecotourism, and sustainability projects. EOIs closes 29 April.
Mental Health Commission Sponsorship Program – up to $10,000 for one-off events that contribute to improving mental health and wellbeing. Quarter 4opens 1 May and closes 31 May.
Backing Female Founders – grants from $50,000 to $200,000 to support business initiatives in enterprises for Qld businesses founded and led by women. Round Two closes 15 April.
Women and Change grant – $50,000 grant for a charity assisting disadvantaged Queenslanders. Note the grant is not limited to women. EOI opens1 July.
Vicinity Centres Community Grants – grants from $1,000 to $10,000 for community groups for initiatives, events and programs targeting youth engagement and employment, environment, education, and community wellbeing. Closes 30 April.
Economic Development Bill – enable Economic Development Queensland to deliver social, affordable, diverse housing. Submissions close 11 April. Report due 10 May.
Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Bill – changes regarding bonds, entry notice periods, fees and charges, allowable changes to the property, annual rent increases. Submissions close 10 April. Report due 10 May.
Manufactured Homes (Residential Parks) Bill – changes regarding transparency, meeting community expectations, and sustainability for residential park and homeowners. Submissions close 10 April. Report due 10 May.
Termination of Pregnancy (Live Births) Bill – to provide the same level of medical care and attention to babies born during an abortion as is currently available to other babies. KAP Bill. Submissions close 13 May. Report due 20 September.
Bills waiting to be reported on
Corrective Services (Promoting Safety) Bill – various measures including representation for victims, response to abuse of prisoner communication channels; supervision powers for reportable child sex offenders, penalties for gel blasters on corrective services land; protection of information, use of body-worn cameras for protection officers, search requirements. Report due 12April.
Environmental Protection (Powers and Penalties) Bill – to make changes regarding powers and penalties relating to polluters, offences, environmental nuisances, notifications, compliance, evidence in court proceedings and environmental restoration. Report due 12 April.
Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Bill – changes regarding ‘subcontractor beneficiary’ of a project trust, recordkeeping, requirements & eligibility for trust accounts, information sharing, licence qualifications, membership of the QBCC, Report due 12April.
Education (General Provisions) Bill – appeal rights for children suspended from school, changes to home schooling, remove gender specific language, accessing e-Kindy. Report due 19 April.
Disaster Management Bill – changes to disaster management arrangements, several changes regarding status of rural firies, smoke alarms in caravans and motorhomes. Report due 19 April.
Crime and Corruption Bill – to allow the Parliament to publish CCC reports so the public can understand the reasons for its conclusions and any outcomes. LNP Bill. Report due 11April.
