ABOUT THIS BLOG

With a long family history that goes back many generations in this area it pains me to see the impact that government neglect is having on our area. The two major parties are simply not up to the job anymore. I can no longer sit back and watch this happen and have decided to run for the state seat of Cairns.

It is time we had a voice in parliament again, not puppets of faceless party machines from Canberra. By posting media releases on this blog the people of Cairns can determine if we have policies and concepts that they agree with.

I ask you to join me in ensuring that Cairns and Far North Queensland gets a fair go.































Friday, July 29, 2011

CALLS FOR NATIONAL DISABILITY INSURANCE SCHEME

There is a growing call for further support for the disabled members of our community who continue to fall through the cracks of a crumbling health system, particularly in rural and remote Queensland. A lot of the time the only support is from carers and other interested parties using their own time and resources to support each other. It is farcical that we can bring in uniform road rules, but we can't bring in uniform support services for the disabled.

Here is some recent correspondence recieved. Any person interested in helping out can contact the people involved or make your feelings known to your local elected representatives and get them to do something about it.
D.J.HUNT

Dear Friend
I had my right leg amputated above the knee in 2005. After this setback I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to continue work in our own small steel fabrication business.
August 2010 I finally had to except that I could not continue in this venture as with degenerating joints and age must look to apply my talents in another area.
In February this year I had the opportunity to be invited to a NDIS (National disability insurance scheme) forum to explain up and coming changes being proposed to the disability system.
At the conclusion of this meeting I was approached and asked if I would be interested in being a NDIS Champion this position would entail the following.
* Support the distribution of email information about upcoming NDIS forums in your area
* Lobby your local MPs – both sides about the need for and NDIS and how it has the potential to transform lives – and tell local media about it who always want to hear personal stories
* Build strong support from people inside and outside the disability community based on learning about the current problems and the solution that NDIS offers

I have decided to accept this opportunity to support the NDIS campaign.
Dear friend over the years I have the opportunity to meet and hear the stories of many people with disabilities. I have recounted these peoples experience to friends but then moved on with my own life as most people do unless it directly affects you. Even after the loss of my own leg I had still carried on this practice of recounting stories of people with disability then move on with my own life not accepting myself as being disable.
It is now the time to take action and not do as I and many others have, and continue the practice of in action as the example above states.
All I ask of you is if you know someone who is struggling in the disability system and would like to voice their feelings on this system. 
Please feel free to pass on my E-mail address on to a friend in need and do not just delete.
With communication and Understanding we can achieve

Wayne Maitland                                                                                                                                                                           E-mail: marjmaito@ozemail.com.au 
 44 Riverstone Road Gordonvale 4865 Ph: (07) 4056 1304 Mobile: 0439 760 025

Ten Reasons Why We Need the NDIS
1. The support system for people with a disability, their families and carers is in crisis. If you, or someone you love, is born with a disability or acquires one later in life, you all run the risk of falling through a huge hole in Australia’s safety net.
2. People with a disability and their families and carers want to participate in the social, economic, and cultural life of the nation. But there are many barriers to their full inclusion.
3. Lack of support and services means families are primarily responsible for meeting the needs of their family member with a disability. Many families are struggling with high rates of physical, emotional and financial stress.
4. The current situation is inequitable – people receive different levels of support depending on how, when and where their disability was acquired.
5. An economic crisis is looming. The number of people with a disability is increasing and the number of people willing and able to provide unpaid care is falling. This means the cost to government is expected to escalate dramatically in the future. 
6. A National Disability Insurance Scheme would provide people with a disability and their families and carers with the regular care, support, therapy and equipment they need. As a Medicare-type scheme, it would provide a secure and consistent pool of funds for these services and support.
7. It would be fair, efficient and effective. It would focus on early intervention and delivering those supports which produce the best long term outcomes. It would maximize opportunities for independence, participation and productivity.
8. It would be individualized and person-centered. Support would be based on the choices of person with a disability and their family.
9. The scheme would reframe support as investment rather than charity. Timely interventions, appropriate aids and equipment, training and development would become investment in individual capacity rather than welfare. The scheme would therefore lead to more positive results for people with a disability, their families and carers as well as being fiscally responsible.
10. All Australians would benefit from this scheme because disability can affect anyone, anytime. Everyone will benefit from building a more inclusive, more diverse community.

DISGUSTING TREATMENT OF YOUNG DISABLED BOYS MEDICAL NEEDS

What a disgrace that our health system can so neglect a young disabled boy that he has to go without basic medical needs for months due to this governments incompetence putting his life in danger. When the Disability Minister's office was contacted the caller was told "It's not his area". Surprise, surprise when we became involved now the Minister will get involved.
I do want to make it clear at no time did the caller speak directly to Minister Pitt. I welcome his involvement now. It is just a shame he had to be embarrassed into action by our involvement and the media focus. I am hopeful a permanent process can be put in place so that this never happens again. As you would expect, no comment from the Health Minister. Where's the apology from him and the review of procedures to ensure this NEVER happens again?

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

WHY FNQ NEEDS A POLICE HELICOPTER

Given the unique nature of Cairns, the tyranny of distance and the unique nature of policing in FNQ it is clear that it makes sense to base a police helicopter in Cairns. Below is the media release in full.
  QUEENSLAND PARTY CALLS FOR POLICE HELICOPTER FOR CAIRNS
The Queensland Party candidate for Cairns, Darren Hunt has welcomed the Premiers back flip on providing Queensland police with a trial helicopter to address the epidemic of crime on the Gold Coast and called for one to be based in Cairns to service Far North Queensland.

Mr Hunt said “As usual we have seen the governments’ knee-jerk reaction to bad press without thinking through the long term implications. What exactly is the Gold Coast ‘trial’ testing? Is it the viability of a helicopter for the Gold Coast only, South East Queensland, the whole state? No one knows.

“For years the government has denied the need for a police helicopter and now that they keep getting bad press, all of a sudden we do need one. Even the Police Minister has no idea. He is still trotting out the tired old line that extending the Government fixed wing fleet is the top priority. The fixed wing craft are a transport vehicle, nothing more, and these functions can be performed by other operators. A police helicopter on the other hand is a strategic operational tool. When was the last time a fleeing criminal was captured using a fixed wing aircraft compared to a helicopter? This shows how out of the touch the Police Minister is.”

“The Queensland Party has been calling for a fleet of strategically based helicopters to service the state. Of course it makes sense to have the first one based in South East Queensland. But there should also be one based in Cairns to service the Far North due to our diverse area and the tyranny of distance. Police currently rely on other agencies, such as Emergency Management Queensland and the Australian Defense Force, but this is not always an option and may not be a higher priority than that departments’ core business.”

“ With a Special Emergency Response Team(SERT) based in Cairns there is an operational need to be able to transport these highly trained staff in a rapid and effective manner. I have seen firsthand the difficulties involved during times of civil unrest and how it can be very difficult for a fixed wing aircraft to deliver police re-enforcements in remote areas.”

“Another reason one should be based in Cairns in the legislative changes that were made in terms of the states Disaster Management structure and the increased role that police now have in that. Given these changes, and the regular exposure of Far North Queensland to natural disasters such as Cyclones Yasi, Larry etc., there is a clear need for a police helicopter to be based in Cairns to perform these operational duties imposed by the government previously handled by other departments.”

“The other reason a helicopter is needed in Cairns is the current policies and procedures relating to pursuits. The government has tied the police hands in terms of pursuits, but not given them the tools to deal with these changes. We have seen numerous chases in recent times in Cairns, Innisfail and other areas. Police need to be able to catch murderers, armed robbers and rapists and if these criminals know they can get away every time by initiating a pursuit, that’s what will happen. At least with a helicopter if the danger is too great to pursue by vehicle we have a back up in the air to follow and locate the offender/s and direct police in a safe and coordinated manner to the location.”

“We also don’t believe that rate payers should be slugged for a state government service. The government will straight away turn around and say we are making pie in the sky claims and where would we get the money from. That’s easy. Last year the Queensland Police Service gave back $16million of their budget, so we’d start there. Look at how much they gave back the year before that and a clear pattern emerges that it could be funded from current police budgets with no extra expenditure and no need to sponge of the rate payers of selected areas.”


Darren Hunt
Queensland Party candidate for Cairns
Police, Corrections and emergency services spokesperson

Monday, July 25, 2011

ABOUT TIME

About time those morons saw sense and backflipped on the issue of a police helicopter and supplying extra police to address the crime spree on the Gold Coast. But what the hell is going on when ratepayers have to cough up $500,000 for a state government service? If ratepayers knew that the police service gave back $16million last year and $40 odd the year before they might well ask why doesn't the government use that instead of sponging of ratepayers?

Here is the media release in full below
QUEENSLAND PARTY WELCOMES GOVERNMENTS BACKFLIP ON POLICE HELICOPTER


The Queensland Party spokesperson for police, corrections and emergency services Darren Hunt has welcomed the Premiers back flip on providing Queensland police with a helicopter and extra police to address the epidemic of crime on the Gold Coast.

Mr Hunt said “We welcome the Premiers back flip and decision to follow the calls by the Queensland Party to provide Queensland Police with the use of a helicopter, even if it is only for a trial period. The recent estimates hearing highlighted that the Queensland Police Service has been handing back tens of millions of dollars over recent years whilst the government has been claiming there has been no money for a helicopter.”


“We also welcome the decision to provide 50 extra police to combat the crime wave impacting on the Gold Coast. But you have to ask, why did this government persist with their head in the sand claims there were no problems? If they had 50 extra police sitting around doing nothing that can be allocated to this task force, why did it take so long? Or is it a case they have been dragged from some other area not receiving the same media focus?”


“This is yet another media stunt if they are simply targeting ‘unruly behaviour’. That’s not the problem. You need the task force to tackle the real crime. Use those police to tackle the drug problems on the coast. Use those police to tackle the Outlaw Motor Cycle Gangs. Use those police to tackle the epidemic of armed robberies. Use those police to address the break and enters and stolen cars. Don’t just lock up a few intoxicated people for drunk and disorderly offences.”




Mr Hunt stated “The recent spree of armed robberies demonstrates there is a major problem with this type of crime. This is a direct result of the Labor governments soft on crime approach, where there is no longer any deterrent from our Justice system. People can make their voice heard at the ballot box if they are truly sick of this soft on crime approach and it's results enabled by the current governments failed social experiment.”
 

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Two heads of the same beast

Here is the media release in full from our environment spokesperson on the coal seam gas issue and why ALP/LNP are two heads of the same beast, despite all their chest beating about looking after our farmers. At the end of the day they have a lot of donors and people who are shareholders who stand to lose a lot of money on a CSG moratorium.

Coal Seam Gas: Actions Speak Louder than Words
ALP/LNP Reject Moratorium

The Queensland Party Environment and Water Spokesman, Ruth Bonnett, today stated that the ALP’s and LNP’s actions speak louder than words when it comes to protecting prime farming land. 

“A review of the recent Senate hearing transcripts shows the extent to which the LNP has let the farmers down – by joining forces with Labor to allow powerful multinational gas companies to run roughshod over landholders – with the full force of the law,” said Ms Bonnett.

“The  LNP has made a mockery of the Westminster system in Queensland by supporting Labor when they should have been vigorously opposing the laws which have robbed farmers of the basic right to protect their property from trespass.”

“Newman cannot point the finger at Labor without incriminating his own party - for failing to safeguard the rights of farmers, for failing to oppose legislation which does not meet a fundamental standard of fairness and for being well and truly asleep at the switch when duty called.”

“The Queensland Party is the only party prepared to put Queenslanders first and call for a simple moratorium on coal seam gas exploration and extraction until environmental and land access issues are assessed, and our water and food supplies are secured for the foreseeable future.”

On 24 November 2010, The Queensland Party's Parliamentary motion for a moratorium on the coal seam gas industry was debated in State Parliament with the ALP and LNP teaming up to reject the proposal.

Ms Bonnett stated that the next election would be a referendum on accountability, values and true democracy.

MEDIA CONTACT:   RUTH BONNETT | 0407 580 028
         ENVIRONMENT & WATER SPOKESPERSON
         CANDIDATE FOR BRISBANE CENTRAL                                    
                                            brisbanecentral@queenslandparty.org,au

MORE SMOKE AND MIRRORS

So the govenrment is going to try and use smoke and mirrors to deflect attention away from the fact that their soft on crime approcah to Law and Order has clearly failed dismally to the detriment of law abiding Queenslanders and their visitors.

Without amendments to the-
Bail Act, nothing will change
Juvenile Justice Act, nothing will change
Penalties and Sentences Act, nothing will change
issue of parole and probation, nothing will change
Police staffing model, nothing will change.

Don't be fooled by knee-jerk, policing by media stunts by this government that do nothing to address the long term issues.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Taxpayer dollars set to bankroll ALP/LNP election campaigns

Here we go again while the ALP and LNP stand there with their hand on their hearts telling everyone how they understand how tough everyone is doing it in the current economic climate they are getting ready to bombard you with millions of dollar advertising campaigns getting paid for by YOU.
Instead of money being spent on our health system, education, roads or law and order we will get political ads. Which would you rather???
Here is the media release from our Party leader on the Queensland Party position on this disgusting rort


Queensland Party Leader, Aidan McLindon, has slammed Queensland’s new electoral funding arrangements which will see taxpayers fund the majority of the ALP and LNP multi-million dollar election campaigns. Mr McLindon pledged to overturn the legislation and stated that neither the ALP nor LNP intends to review this legislative rort.

The laws, which came into force in May, were supposed to reduce electoral expenditure but yesterday the LNP President confirmed at the party’s annual convention that its spending will double for the next election, which will be the first funded almost entirely by taxpayers.

“Queenslanders should feel very angry about this legislation which will see them fund the bulk of electoral advertising for the major parties,” said Mr McLindon.

“The ALP are desperate for cash and rushed this law through the parliament and the LNP have rolled over and accepted it without any intention to rectify it in the future.”
“The actions of the LNP show they are not serious about ending this massive rort. Queensland now has a pretend opposition leader being paid an extra $70,000 on top of his already large wage for a job he is not doing. That is the sign of a political party that has its own interests before the interests of Queensland.”

“The LNP President is now boasting about how large his party’s taxpayer funded campaign will be, while spruiking how tough Campbell Newman is doing it when the LNP receives $1 million every six months from the taxpayer, on top of their massive taxpayer sponsored electoral funding, to pay for his salary.”

“The Queensland Party is proud that it operates without taxpayer funding and if elected will overturn these laws which Queenslanders oppose. Queenslanders are sick and tired of political parties feathering their own nests. The Queensland Party is a party of principle and will end this rort.”

MEDIA CONTACT:   AIDAN McLINDON | 0400 408 443
                                 MEMBER FOR BEAUDESERT
                                 QUEENSLAND PARTY LEADER
                                                                            
*** All Queensland Party press releases are uploaded after release to http://www.facebook.com/TheQueenslandParty
*** All Queensland Party press releases are announced at http://twitter.com/theqldparty

Friday, July 15, 2011

ALP/LNP TOO GUTLESS TO PROTECT EMERGENCY SERVICE WORKERS

What a surprise. Another week, another swathe of emergency service workers trying to look after Queenslanders being assaulted whilst they do their job. NONE of these jobs have included in their job description to put up with being assaulted.
In Cairns we had police thrown into the conrete responding to offenders armed with knives threatening restaurant patrons. In Innisfail we have police assaulted and thrown into electric fences.
Then we have the disgusting attack on an ambulance paramedic being threatened, assaulted and spat on because they were doing their job. Now they have to go through months of uncertaintity, stress and concern about whether they have contracted a disease from this vile attack. This paramedic will have to go on a series of medications to reduce possible damage caused by HIV infection that is extremely debilitating, will have to modify their lifestyle and the way they interact with loved ones and for what?
Because she was doing her job.
When will the other parties grow a damned spine and protect the people that protect Queensland. Serious assaults on ANY Queensland Emergency service worker deserves a mandatory period of imprisonment. This paramedic is going to go through hell for the next 6months.
We need to send a message loud and clear that the Queensland society does not accept these vile attacks on our emergency service personnel and if you can't abide by our society's rules, than you will be removed from it.