POLICE BUDGET CUTS UPDATE #2

People who know me, know that I like to give credit where it is due. I often get asked why am I acknowledging people from another party when they do something right. Well that's easy, if it's the right thing I don't care who does it or says it and I will support and acknowledge that. I didn't think I would be thanking this particular person but there you go.
I would like to thank the Member for Barron River for confirming what we all know and what I have been saying here. That is the axing of 330 police service jobs is goinjg to have an ENORMOUS impact on service delivery. Mr Wettenhall in todays press release highlights how important these civilian jobs are
He has also confirmed for us in this release that the stupid action by his government is going to cost the people of Queensland 75,000 operational police shifts. That's 75,000 times there should be a police officer on the beat preventing crime, they won't be there.
So credit where credit is due, thanks Steve and I look forward to you standing up in parliament and demanding that these jobs and police budget cuts do not go ahead so that service delivery is not impacted on. If you're allowed to that is.

Here's the link to Steves release-
http://www.stevewettenhall.com.au/media-releases/432-civilianisation-boosts-frontline-policing-in-far-north.html

ZERO-GEN FIASCO SIGNALS ELECTRICITY SELL OFF

The race will be on now between the ALP/LNP to see who can sell off the electricity  assets the quickest. The announcement today that the government has botched another $170million on the failed Zero-gen project means that given the actions of the ALP to sell off rail to pay their debts, electricity is next. As with rail this will cost many jobs, with no real benefit to the people of Queensland selling off a profit producing asset. The prices of electricity will go through the roof as it did with other power sources despite government promises.This will be on top of the huge rises that will come from the flawed carbon tax.

Look at the waste from this govt in recent times $1billion on the failed Traveston Dam, $1billion on the failed Tugan de-sal plant, $300million on the health payroll disaster, $170million on Zero-Gen.
This govt will be looking to sell electricity. The LNP will whinge and moan that due to said incompetence listed above they have no choice but to sell electricity too because they won't want to cut back their electoral pork barrelling.
KAP will not sell our Queensland assets like electricty.If you don't want further job cuts and your electricty price to go through the roof you now have a choice.

Here is the release put out by our state leader-

State Leader of Katter’s Australian Party, Aidan McLindon, reiterated in the Queensland Parliament today that the Australian Party will do everything in its power to prevent the privatisation of the power industry in Queensland after the next Queensland election.
Over $15 billion worth of state assets have been privatised under the current Labor Government, including the Abbott Point Coal Terminal which was sold for $1.8 billion despite projections of $30 billion in profit over the next century.
Campbell Newman has also stated that further ports may be privatised and within days of becoming LNP leader flagged the sale of Queensland’s power industry. Mr Newman’s Liberal counterpart in New South Wales has moved one step ahead and is planning to privatise power, despite promising during the election campaign early this year not to do so.
Mr McLindon said that Katter’s Australian Party was the only political force that had a clear cut policy position to protect Queensland’s assets.
"People should understand that if they want to protect Queensland’s assets then they need to support the Australian Party. It is the only party that believes revenue generating assets are worth holding onto," said Mr McLindon.
"The other parties have made it abundantly clear that further asset sales are on the cards. The Labor Party flogged off $15 billion worth of assets in a fire sale and the LNP have already indicated that they will sell additional ports and privatise the power industry."
"Privatisation runs deep in the veins of the Liberal Party and a quick look across the border shows that they cannot be trusted. The Liberal Government was elected on the promise of protecting the power industry from privatisation. Now, barely six months after winning government on a lie, the Liberal Party is privatising Port Botany and the power industry."
"Campbell Newman will do the same thing here because it is what the Liberal Party believes. Privatisation is Liberal Party policy."

POLICE BUDGET CUTS UPDATE

The fiasco surrounding the impacts of this government not budgetting for a police wage increase they knew was coming continues to grow. Now the Minister is trying to say the cuts have nothing to do with the pay rise but are a result of the rpevious push to axe 3,500 public sector jobs. someone obviously didn't tell Commissioner Bob Atkinson that.
Make no mistake, this is going to have huge impacts on Cairns and FNQ. Last week we had 165 people arrested on over 800 charges, we had specialist officers sent up to investigate the spate of sexual assaults. Is this really when we want to be cutting operational police budgets?

Where will it end though? Is the govt going to scrap hospital jobs and prison guard jobs if they get their pay rise??

Anyone who doesn't think this is going to impact on service delivery believes in the tooth fairy!
The decision on whether or not a member of the Cairns public gets help from the police should be based on the need, not whether or not overtime will be approved.

Here is the media release I put out-

The Australian Party Candidate for Cairns Darren Hunt has called on the government not to axe police jobs as it will put the lives of Cairns residents in danger.

Mr Hunt said “This is a disgraceful act to try and axe police jobs because this government failed to budget for wage increases for police they knew full well was coming. It is further evidence this government cannot be trusted with the economy.”

“250 police jobs are being axed to cover up this governments incompetence. The government is misleading people saying it won’t impact on police numbers. That is absolute rubbish. Someone is going to have to do the work of those 250 staff. That’s going to mean less police on the streets. Residents of Cairns and the rest of Queensland are going to be placed in danger by these cuts. We are sick to death of the crime rates in our city and to remove even more police from the streets is going to increase those rates.”

“The most disturbing part of this plan is where does it end? We have prison officers currently going through wage negotiations, if they get it will the government axe prison jobs and place staff and the public in danger? What about if health workers get their wage rise, are we going to get jobs axed in hospitals? Once again this government is abusing the commitment our police have to Queensland knowing they cannot go on strike. If any other union was losing jobs of this magnitude because they got a pay rise, there would be hell to pay.”

Darren Hunt

Candidate for Cairns

Here's the Cairns Post Story of impacts on Cairns-
http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2011/10/28/188475_local-news.html

WILL OPERATIONAL POLICE BUDGET CUTS IMPACT ON SERVICES

The recent announcements of cuts to police operational budgets to pay for wage rises for staff is a disgrace and further evidence this govt is totally inept at managing any economy. If The Premier wants to make cuts to police operational budgets how about we start with her security detail for her upcoming junket to Bogata. I will not reveal the numbers or methodology of staff involved as it could place the Premier and officers involved in danger, but let's just say there is considerable expense in airfares, accommodation, food, transport, wages, overtime and allowances. Whilst the Premier is overseas a protection detail is assigned to the Acting Premier in this case Mr Fraser. Further expense. At a time hospital ramping and other services are facing severe shortages why is the Premier wasting money on overseas junkets at this time? She should be staying here and addressing our health issues instead.

So my question is to the Premier are you prepared to put your life at risk and help police budget cuts by not taking a security detail with you and saving tens of thousands of dollars? If you are not, how can you ask the people of Cairns to accept their lives being placed in danger by cuts to operational police budgets?

Here is the media release sent out by me-

The Australian Party candidate for Cairns Darren Hunt has called on the government to confirm budget cuts will not impact on service delivery in Cairns

Mr Hunt said “The mismanagement of our economy by this government has resulted in the lives of Cairns residents being placed in danger. Crisis meetings forcing the Queensland Police Service to cut money from their operational budget to pay for police wage rises, is obscene.”

“Why are the lives of Cairns residents being placed in danger because this government did not plan for a wage increase they knew was coming? If the Premier wants to cut costs how does she feel about cutting the protection detail for her upcoming overseas junket? That would save tens of thousands of dollars from the police budget in airfares, accommodation, penalties etc that could be diverted back to operational police on the beat in Cairns.”

“It is not acceptable that the lives of Cairns residents could be placed in danger because overtime cannot be authorised while she has overseas junkets. It is unacceptable police staff are going to be placed in danger because they cannot be given the equipment they need because of budget saving measures. With current Cairns crime rates we need operational police officers on the streets.”

Media contact

Darren Hunt

Candidate for Cairns

IMMIGRATION CENTRE RIOT INEVITABLE

The recent riots at the centre in Weipa being used to house immigration detainees was inevitable. The government and the media keep referring to the place as Scherger detention centre. This is misleading and a deliberate smoke and mirrors move by the govt. It is not a detention centre. It is an Airforce base!!!

We need to ask the following questions-
1. Is Scherger Air force base crucial to the national security and defence of our country?
If the answer is no, why are we spending $millions on maintaining it as an Airforce base. If it's no longer needed as an airforce base shut it down and save taxpayers the money.

If the answer is yes, why the hell are we housing immigration detainees there. Get them out and restore it to its intended purpose and stop compromising our national security.

2. Why don't we have a purpose built facility to meet the needs of immigration detainees?
This is a direct result of the lies told to us by the government when the idea was floated. First it was not going to be used as a detention centre. LIES. Then we were told it was going to be used as a detention centre, but it was only going to be temporary. LIES. Then we were told it would not impact on the community it was located. LIES.

If RAAF Scherger is no longer needed, shut it down. If RAAF Scherger is needed, than the immigration dept need to fund a purpose built centre with the infrastructure required to support it.

Here is the media release put out by us-

The Australian Party Candidate for Cairns Darren Hunt has called on the government to take action to address the issues at the Scherger Airforce base after the recent reports of a riot involving up to 100 immigration detainees.

Mr Hunt said “This unrest and rioting was inevitable. The government has lied and blundered it’s way through the whole episode and this was bound to happen. It all started when the government lied about using our northern RAAF base near Weipa as a detention centre. It’s not a detention centre, it’s an air force base. It should be used as such. We are the laughing stock of the world that a facility crucial to the strategic national security of our country is used in this manner.”

“To put these people at this location, without the required infrastructure and support services in place, prior to it being opened as a place to house immigration detainees was ridiculous. It was unfair on the detainees and it was unfair on the local residents that this huge burden on infrastructure was undertaken with no planning and support. Most local people and businesses are happy for the facility to be in Weipa, but it needs to be a purpose built facility and there needs to be input to the infrastructure to cope with needs.”

“This government needs to stop lying and either move these people from this location or build a purpose built facility that meets the needs and objectives for immigration detainees. They need to provide the Weipa community the infrastructure and funding required to support the extra burden the present arrangement places on current services.”

Darren Hunt

Candidate for Cairns

BUDGET CUTS WILL LEAD TO INCREASED CRIME IN CAIRNS

The reports that there are going to be budget cuts to police services is a disgrace at a time when crime levels in Cairns are impacting on our reputation as a safe city. Below is the link to story in Cairns Post and press release in response.

Here is the press release put out by me-

The Australian Party Candidate for Cairns Darren Hunt has called for urgent action to address the cuts to police services caused by the economic mismanagement of the government.

Mr Hunt said “The report that operational police services are being cut to cover the economic mismanagement of this hopeless government is obscene. The government and their lackeys are trying to tell police it is their fault they have to cut police services and not supply them the equipment they need to do their job because they had the audacity to ask for a pay rise. Orders for replacement equipment such as torches are being put back, so what happens are the street coppers going to have to share a torch?”

“The recent numbers of crime solved in our area shows just how bad things have gotten in Cairns. The police are locking them up and the courts let them out with a pat on the head and a don’t do that again. Some suburbs in our city are exposed to ongoing unruly and anti-social behaviour and are too scared to leave their house. We need uniform police out on the streets and this stupidity will actually decrease their presence.”

“What is going to happen when services are further reduced due to these cuts? The criminals in this city are rubbing their hands with glee as they plan their crimes around shift changes. The economic mismanagement of this government has created this situation and they need to step in and fix this urgently before something dreadful that could have been prevented, is not.”

Darren Hunt

KAP Candidate for Cairns

Here is the Cairns Post article-
http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2011/10/24/187561_local-news.html

INSENSITIVE CAMPAIGN NAME COMMENCED

Yesterday I came across a tweet from the Premier talking about a new campaign called Harden Up. Turns out it is an awareness campaign about preparing for disasters. I thought it was extremely crass and insulting given the recent disasters in our area. We still have people not able to return to their houses due to ongoing delays and issues with insurance companies.
We need to place greater pressure on insurance companies to do the right thing given the amount of people still displaced.
Since people have began showing their displeasure at this name it has been stated the name came from a 2009 Australian study called hardening Australia. Well that's fine, but here in Queensland telling people to 'harden up' is insensitive and when people are still hurting the government should have known better or at least changed the name.
It is blaming the victim and making them feel that they shouldn't complain and just get on with it. If this govt. wants to tell victims to harden up, I think people will have something to tell this govt very shortly.

Here is the media release put out

The Australian Party Candidate for Cairns Darren Hunt has called on the government to take action on an offensive and insulting awareness program titled “Harden up”.

Mr Hunt said “The term used in this awareness campaign is extremely insensitive given the recent developments in FNQ and across Queensland. We have people around Tully and Cardwell still unable to return to their houses and this stupid government is telling these people ‘Oh you need to harden up’. How insensitive and stupid can you be? I challenge the Premier and people who came up with this campaign to go down to Tully and Cardwell and tell the people living in sheds and tents through no fault of their own that.”

“I think the people impacted by the recent natural disasters would prefer their tax money was spent on pressuring insurance companies to get them back in their homes instead of on programs telling them they need to harden up.”

“The government needs to review this offensive campaign and take action immediately and divert that money to getting victims of natural disasters back in their homes.”

Darren Hunt

Candidate for Cairns

AUSTRALIAN POLICY ON CSG

Today our state leader Aiden McLindon will announce our policy on CSG. Anyone who has seen the documentary "Gasland" knows the dangers of CSG fracking and the danger to our water system. If the Artesian Basin water is contaminated it will be devastating to our economy. The opposition had the chance to bring in a moratorium but chose to side with the govt. showing they are two heads of the same beast. Australians deserve to have a say over things going on their own property. We need to protect our vital farming land.
Here is the release-

State Leader of Katter’s Australian Party, Aidan McLindon MP, will address the National Day of Action rally in Brisbane today, which aims to raise awareness of the environmental and food security impacts of unrestrained coal seam gas mining.  Implementation of a 12 month moratorium on all new coal seam gas developments
 Development of no-go zones over sensitive areas such as the Scenic Rim, the Golden Triangle and the Great Artesian Basin
 Providing landholders the right to say no to mining and allowing community input "The Australian Party is the only party in the Queensland parliament that has a policy to give landholders their rights back. The ALP and Liberals have nothing more than empty words and will not offer any protections," said Mr McLindon.
"Katter’s Australian Party will enact a 12 month moratorium and will give landholders the right to say no. These are concrete elements of our policy. Neither Campbell Newman nor Anna Bligh are prepared to give these guarantees because they remain on the side of miners."
"The Parliamentary voting record shows that on 24 November last year both the ALP and LNP voted against a motion calling for a moratorium on coal seam gas. Only the Australian Party will genuinely stand up for farming and agriculture in this state."
During his address, Mr McLindon will outline the Australian Party’s 12 point protection plan which will address concerns of landholders. Key aspects of Katter’s Australian Party policy are:

MILK PRICE UPDATE

Here is the latest update on the impacts of supermarket pricing on unbranded milk. Remember this is occurring because of pricing on unbranded milk. The chains claim they are doing it for their customers. If that is true, what is the difference in changing your strategy and putting that price on your branded milk?

The ADF claims modelling will lead to a 2c/litre drop in farmgate price.
They also said in relation to the sustained practice on unbranded milk that-
“For the vast majority of northern NSW and QLD dairy farmers this would result in the loss of any profit margin on their milk,” Mr Griffin said.

This is going to cost FNQ farms. This is going to cost FNQ jobs. This is going to cost the FNQ economy.


http://nqr.farmonline.com.au/news/nationalrural/agribusiness-and-general/political/milk-pressure-mounts/2323006.aspx?src=rss&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=Queensland_Online&utm_content=news&utm_source=RoamMedia

MISINFORMATION

Was interesting to see the TXT in todays Weekend Post claiming Bob Katter had "dropped the ball" becuase he voted for the carbon tax. That is totally incorrect.You have to wonder if it is deliberate from the other parties because they are worried or it is a genuine mistake caused by misinformation.

Either way, the carbon tax was put forward by the current govt. They were supported by the greens and other independents but NOT Bob Katter. The Australian Party does not support the proposed carbon tax. It will cost Australian jobs and industry. It will increase prices for consumers long after the so called assistance packages are of any consequence to meet the price rises. Electricty, fuel, transport costs etc are going to go through the roof. The proposed package does not reduce emissions by one iota. The money from this burdensome new tax does not go to reducing emission strategies but to pay for the promises made to secure support from the greens and independants.

If the writer of that post was genuinely mistaken, it would appear they are mixed up with the vote on the assistance package for the steel industry. Bob Katter did vote for that because we believe in protecting Australian jobs and keeping a manufacturing industry in Australia. We need to ensure we are not totally dependant on overseas imports of materials made from the resources we have right here in our own country.

OWN GOAL ON HEALTH-COMPARISON #1

Well yesterday sure was interesting when we had the conservative candidates first press release as a candidate. I was very curious to see, given the teasers he put out, what they were going to offer in the area of health for Cairns. Turned out to be a bit of an own goal.
The release turned out to be nothing more than a report on what the other party was possibly going to do. It gave them heaps of free publicity without having to commit to anything. It hints that they are going to do something, which people will no doubt appreciate. Now they can watch the public debate unfold, the inevitable surveys in print,radio and TV media all the while saying "We are looking at all the options to improve things in Cairns and FNQ".
They will then have their spin doctors come up with every conceivable angle to make it look fantastic and they will be able to counter any issues that arise now. If there are too many hurdles they can walk away from it and say we were never going to do that, the candidate was wrong. Had this not been "leaked" the candidate would not have had the time and the input they will no doubt get now on how to fine tune the plan if this was not known until the election.Would have been much smarter to hang on to the info and determine the pros and cons and identify the flaws and come up with something better. You can't just report what others are doing, you have to come up with what you're going to do better. Tim Grau and the local Cairns ALP must be pissing themselves laughing.
There was then a tweet sent out regarding the issue from the ALP candidate which confirmed what everyone knows and that is decisions and policies will be decided by Brisbane/Canberra and she will be given the script to trot out the party line at the required time.
So we had a party that announced the 'possible' future plans of another party and none of their own. We have another party that does not know what will happen or be available for Cairns as she is not allowed to detemine it and it will be dictated to her.
The third alternative being the Australian Party as outlined in this blog has come up with the first stage of our possible solutions to health issues in our area.We are committed to addressing the staffing issues plaguing our system with innovative solutions such as job sharing, child care and reviewing the rural scholarships scheme.
Our solutions were developed with local stakeholders and people with the professional knowledge LOCALLY. We don't need seat warmer bureacrats from Brisbane coming up here telling us what they think is going to work because it works down there.
Voters of Cairns are now able to make their first comparison between the three confirmed candidates in the vital area of health.

WATER SAFETY

As a police officer, having to tell someone that their loved one has died is one of the worst jobs there is. From firsthand experience telling some one their child has died from drowning is even harder.

As a swimming coach and former lifeguard I know firsthand the benefits of water safety awareness and teaching kids to swim. They say drowning is the silent killer and for kids that is true. It's very quick, it's very quiet. People like Laurie Lawrence have trail blazed the way to prove how young we can teach kids water awareness. This will never replace adult supervision, but every bit helps.

The government and swimming bodies have numerous programs around and many places offer free or subsidised lessons. I encourage everyone to make yourself aware of the programs around your area. As we hot up in the Far North it is time to think about this so no one has to go through what the parents at the link below have had to.

http://open.abc.net.au/projects/water-is-60kn5vc/posts/the-ripple-effect-of-drowning-43pl1ij

AUSTRALIA PARTY COMMITTED TO OUR FOOD SECURITY

We have all seen how the ALP/LNP are two heads of the same beast addicted to mining taxes. The fact they BOTH voted against a moratorium on CSG fracking shows they are as bad as each other. Our candidate for Nanango, Carl Rackemann, will address this forum below outlining the Katters Australian Party policy

Carl Rackemann to address National Food Security Forum Katter’s Australian Party candidate for Nanango, third generation farmer and former Australian cricketer, Carl Rackemann, will today address the Second National Food Security Forum in Gunnedah.
The forum will be hosted by Alan Jones and comes after hundreds of Queensland farmers concerned about the impact of mining on agriculture attended the first forum held in Oakey in August.
The forum will allow affected communities to raise awareness about the impacts of coal seam gas mining on landholders, agricultural production and the environment.
"Australia is fast approaching the point where it will no longer be able to provide for its food security needs and unchecked mining development needs to be addressed," Mr Rackemann said.
"Australia was built on the sheep’s back, but now it has become the sacrificial lamb for foreign-owned mining companies to exploit. Katter’s Australian Party intends to rectify this situation."

NURSING SHORTAGE CRITICAL AT CBH AND REQUIRES URGENT ATTENTION

A severe nursing shortage is having devastating impacts on the health system in Cairns. As recently as Monday the CBH were struggling to fill the morning shift and indicated there will be further shortages over the next week or two.

It is plain business sense that if you have a staff shortage you look at two areas. The training/retention of current staff and recruitment. We need to address both of these areas urgently. If staff are not available to cover shifts they have to be taken from other areas. That means other procedures etc get cancelled adding to waiting lists and bed block.

It is time the govt. took their head out of the sand and addressed the critical shortage of nurses and health professionals. There are numerous steps we can take to fix the issues at the CBH and we will continue to roll these out as we develop them with stakeholders and those with the expertise to address the issues.

Even whilst discussing these issues after the press conference my Barron River counterpart, Brendan Fitzgerald, and I were able to develop further strategies we intend to expand once we have consulted stakeholders to ensure it's viability. It also helps to have a local doctor on your team to provide professional and firsthand advice as we can with our Mulgrave counterpart Dr Damien Byrnes.

No doubt the other parties will come up with 50 reasons why this can't happen (because they didn't think of it even though they're supposed to be the workers party) or it's too hard etc so they don't have to do something. We'd rather come up with 50 ways to make this happen because it is the right thing to do. It is the smart thing to do. It is what we need to do.

Here is the media release put out today by us today.

Nursing shortages becoming critical at CBH

The Australian Party Candidate for Cairns Darren Hunt has called on the Health Minister to look at alternative strategies to attract and retain trained staff.

Mr Hunt said “The Cairns Base Hospital is scrambling on a daily basis to find nursing staff to fill shifts. The shortages mean that nurses are being taken away from other areas to fill ward duties which is resulting in waiting lists growing as appointments, procedures and operations have to be cancelled. Bed block increases, Ambulance ramping increases and there is enormous stress and pressure placed on front line staff forced to deal with irate patients and working extra shifts to cover shortages.”

“Overseas recruiting is not meeting the demand. We have highly skilled and trained nurses right here in Cairns and FNQ that don’t return to the workforce because it is not viable due to child care costs and issues. I was shocked to learn job sharing type arrangements are not promoted for nurses as occurs in other agencies like the police service. Nurses have told me if there was a job-share arrangement they would be more likely to return to work on a part-time basis to maintain their skills.”

“We have to go one step further. We need child care facilities for staff at the hospital that do want to return. The news that child care costs could rise by a further $100 per week, per child means it is even less likely for these highly trained staff to return as they could end up paying more money in child care than they earn. We need to make the most of the resources we have in our own backyard and it is time to think outside the square.”

“Our nursing shortages need to be addressed urgently. We need to look at increasing the number of places under the Rural Scholarship scheme and the allowances payable to determine if they are sufficient to attract staff. This could attract more people to the profession and get more nurses into rural and regional Australia.”

“The cost would be offset by the saving in overtime and burnout of current staff. Waiting lists would be reduced as nurses are not being taken from other duties to cover ward shifts caused by staff shortages”

“The people of Cairns are sick of the other parties arguing amongst themselves over who is to blame, instead of addressing issues. The people of Cairns don’t care whose fault it is as much as they want solutions and that’s what the Australian Party has to offer.”

Darren Hunt

Candidate for Cairns

CARBON TAX HYPOCRISY

In Qld when speed cameras were introduced the government legislated that the funds from detections was to be quarantined from consolidated revenue and could only be used to fund enforcement and education campaigns. This means they are not "revenue raisers" as the monies can't be used to pork barrel electorates at election time. That way when the government says they don't make money from speed cameras and they are a tool used to help reduce the road toll it has some credibility.
Fast forward to the ALP wannabe Prime Minister Julia Gillard saying "there will be no carbon tax under a government I lead". Lied!
Now they want to claim it is urgent circumstances and we need to act on global warming and reduce emissions immediately. The same person who said there would be no carbon tax under a government she leads now thinks we do need one and she is going to bring it in. So exactly where in all the huff and puff is how it is going to impact on emissions. The plain fact is companies are just going to pass the cost on. So the big question then is where does the money go and how will it reduce emissions if companies just pass it on and customers are forced to pay it.
To convince us we need this tax the government has tried to link  this tax to a wave of sweeteners and bribes to try and deflect our attention from what a stupid idea it is by giving some people a bribe that will quickly be eaten up when prices rise.
If this government truly believed this tax was all about reducing emissions and investing in alternate energy sources, why wasn't the entire amount of this new tax quarantined, like speed camera revenue, and every last cent spent on reducing emissions and investing in other energy. If this tax is all about reducing emissions, spend the money on that.
Other wise this is just another tax by stealth. If those people truly believe the drivel they spruik about this tax have the courage of your convictions and direct the monies to that instead of trying to bribe voters to improve your ever dwindling chances of re-election.
Why don't the proponents of this tax divert the monies to creating tax credit opportunites in Australia, creating jobs in Australia, so we know these credits are legitimate and using OUR money in OUR country.

WHY WON'T ATTORNEY-GENERAL APPEAL WEAK SENTENCES

Some people will say that you can't judge a sentence handed down to a criminal unless you hear all the facts and mitigating factors. That's often very convenient when those saying it know that the facts can't be released because they are sealed to protect the victim.
I can see absolutely ZERO mitigating factors for someone sexually abusing a five year old child. I can see absolutely no way in hell there can be mitigating factors when that same offender sexually abuses the same baby again on a subsequent occasion.
How is it then that a judge thinks a 2.5year sentence is adequate for such a heinous act? What civilised society can justify that and accept such a weak sentence? Where is the protection for the most innocent of our society?Where is the deterrent?

The attorney-general needs to appeal this sentence as manifestly inadequate. If our current statutes/case law deem this to be an acceptable sentence, then clearly legislative change is required. 2.5years for sexually assaulting a 5yr old child on seperate occasions is not acceptable.

Suburbs under siege press release from 7/8/11

Back in August prior to the merge between the Katters Australian Party and Queensland Party I sent a media release to all outlets in Cairns about the problems with law and order issues in a particular area that was having devastating impacts on residents. I also sent this to relevant authorities as it had a number of strategies that could be implemented to address the issues. I have continued to lobby for this issue but those with the ability to do something continue not to. This needs to change.

Here is the release I sent out on 7th August 2011-

MEDIA RELEASE –For Saturday 7^th August 2011

SUBURBS STILL UNDER SIEGE.

The Queensland Party Cairns candidate and spokesperson for Police, Corrections and Emergency Services Darren Hunt has called for urgent action to address crime and anti-social behaviour that has Cairns suburbs under siege.

Mr Hunt said “Once again citizens of Cairns have been kept up all night by rampaging groups of criminals damaging property, stealing belongings, smashing bottles on the roadway and threatening anyone who has the audacity to ask them to stop.”

“How is this acceptable. The local councilor can no longer pretend she was not aware of this after appearing on the news last night. Instead of offering help or suggestions as usual all we get is spin.

But when you have a Councilor just sponging of Cairns rate payers until the state election what do you expect? When you have a State Member already planning her retirement ride off into the sunset to make way for said sponging councillor, what do you expect?”

“These groups are partying on the bridge and park till 4.00am every morning keeping residents awake. They are wreaking havoc on local businesses and homes causing damage, doing graffiti, break and enters and stealing. Residents are not even game to step outside their own home or use the park they should be entitled to use. When they call the police the phone rings out.”

“On Friday the 5^th August/Saturday morning  the people of these suburbs were again subject to unacceptable behavior. They tried calling the police from 10.00pm to 06.30am the following day and could get not help, being told no crews were available. People will accept that every now and then, but if over and over again there are ‘no crews available’, then clearly we do not have enough police in this city to keep our community safe and that needs to change. It is simply not good enough.”

“But we also need to address the Labor governments soft on crime justice system that creates this situation. We need changes to the Bail Act, Juvenile Justice Act and Penalties and Sentences Act. We need changes to the way in which parole is issued in this state. Legislative changes in these areas will halve our crime rates. Look at the huge drop in crime reported by the police when they arrested the local ringleader on 100 charges and kept him in custody.”

“As the Queensland party candidate for Cairns I realise there are a number of issues at play. But there are some issues and steps that can be taken immediately. Unlike the local councilor and local member who have no answers other than spin and waffle we provided a number of steps that could be taken to help these people. The people of this area should be able to enjoy the same lifestyle and freedoms everyone else in Cairns is entitled to and not feel as though they are under siege, too scared to leave their own homes. The local councilor should do the right thing and make way for someone prepared to do the job instead of sponging of Cairns rate payers until the Premier calls an election.”

Darren Hunt

Queensland Party Police, corrections and emergency services spokesperson

E-Mail: Cairns@queenslandparty.org.au

Mobile: 0429897561

Media contact: Darren Hunt 0429897561

QUEENSLAND PARTY SOLUTIONS

State level-

·         Legislative reform to Bail Act, Juvenile Justice Act and Penalties and Sentences Act.

·         Reform to the issuing of Court Ordered Parole and dealing with those guilty of breaching community based orders.

·         Effective law and order policies so that penalties reflect community expectations and put community safety first

·         Directing police resources to conduct nightly patrols of the problem areas.

·         Dog squad patrols of school and park

·         Police to work with council on Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design(CPTED) issues

·         Mobile camera system deployed in problem area

·         Review of the contact methods for victims reporting crime.

·         Police officers to attend/be more involved in neighbourhood watch meetings so community concerns are conveyed to police.

·         Dismantling of public housing ghettos

·         Parental responsibility for children in their care

·         Review of education, entertainment and activities available in problem areas

·         State member to meet with residents and listen to concerns

Council level-

·         Council safety officer to conduct safety audit

·         Council to work with police on CPTED issues

·         Council to fence off drain concourse commencing at Mulgrave road

·         Council to look at introducing times in which park can be used e.g park closed after 10.00pm except as thoroughfare

·         Council to look at installing gates on Chinamen Ck bridge/over pass

·         Council to remove rubbish, clean up broken glass, remove stockpiled shopping trolleys etc

·         Councillors/staff to attend/be more involved in neighbourhood watch meetings so community concerns are conveyed to council

·         Divisional councillor to meet  with residents to listen to concerns

·         Mobile camera system deployed in problem area

·         Review of entertainment and activities available in problem areas

BLIGH REFUSES CAIRNS HELICOPTER BEFORE TRIAL COMPLETED

What an absolute joke. The Premier today stated that the Far North did not need a police helicopter. WTF?
The Premier had to be dragged kicking and screaming to the table to get police even a trial on a helicopter. They even had to be embarrased into it by the Gold Coast Council putting up $500,000.

Now the Premier is making decisions, arrangements and announcements before the trial helicopter has even been rolled out. How can she know a helicopter is not viable for Cairns and FNQ if the trial hasn't been started, let alone completed?

Cairns and FNQ is unique. The distance and terrain makes a helicopter viable. The recent increase in crime and offenders fleeing police makes a helicopter viable. The risk to FNQ road users from recent offenders fleeing police makes it viable. Innocent by-standers have been killed by fleeing criminals, makes a helicopter viable.

Cairns is the only place outside Brisbane that has a permanent Special Emergency Response Team (SERT). A SERT team makes a police helicopter viable. The recent grounding of the Emergency Management Queensland helicopter fleet,twice, makes a police helicopter viable.

If the Premier has already made up her mind about police helicopters, why is she going through with this farce of a trial? If she has already made up her mind, why is she wasting GC rate payers money? Given his passion for running off to the CMC why hasn't the treasurer reported the govt for receiving $500,000 of GC rate payer money on false pretences?

dairy farmers hurting

Recently I posted on here about the pressures on FNQ farmers caused by the price cutting of the major supermarkets and flow on effects for farmgate pricing. My knowledge comes from actually speaking to people who know what's going on firsthand.

Someone questioned my claims of 0.45c/l and impacts that the pricing was having on farmers. It wasn't worth responding as I knew what I'd been told. Without their 10seconds of fame they then went on to other sites to bag me so that's fine.
Today though I came across this so let's start here-
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/floods-price-war-hurt-farmers-inquiry-20111006-1latz.html?utm_source=RoamMedia&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=Queensland_Online&utm_content=news

Then I came across this-
http://nqr.farmonline.com.au/news/nationalrural/agribusiness-and-general/general/milk-wars-cost-18000-a-farmer/2315032.aspx?src=rss&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=Queensland_Online&utm_content=news&utm_source=RoamMedia

Seems I was close after all. I was told it was .45c/l. This story says national average is .46c/l. Wow 0.01c off, but then that's the AVERAGE means some farmers may be getting less than that. Would that be, I don't know FNQ farmers as I was told?

The price war by major supermarkets only discounting their no-name milk instead of branded milk that uses FNQ produced milk is hurting our economy.The supermarkets are trying to strangle out the competition so they can raise prices like they did with fuel.

HEALTH REFORM

Thoroughly enjoyed working with my FNQ Australian Party colleagues today on our approach to health reform for Cairns and FNQ. Had a very productive meeting with stakeholders today who were able to give a great insight into what is happening and what needs to happen. We were able to provide input and ideas and ways to 'think outside the square' because it is clearly not working at the moment. The fact the Cairns Post has nearly had a story a day on problems recently shows action is needed.

It also helps to have someone who knows what they're talking about on the subject you're discussing and having a doctor as a team mate sure helps when you're discussing health issues.

We will continue to listen to and work with those stakeholders that really know what is going on in health in our area who, if those in authority would listen, would be able to provide advice on how to address some issues.

I'm very excited about some of the ideas and concepts we will be releasing soon. When the finishing touches are put on this, the people of Cairns and FNQ will see that we are a viable team with real policies and ideas and not just more false promises.

LAW AND ORDER STANCE

A contributer to Cairns on-line questioned our position on assaults police and crime in general. My response could not be attached to the story as it could have jeopardised the prosecution of an offender so here is our position without referring to any specific case.

Assault police
The sheer volume of assaults on FNQ police is out of control and shows the current system is not working. In all my years I can not recall such a high volume of assaults in such a short period of time.

Our position on assaulting emergency service workers has not changed. The ALP position is to talk tough and do nothing. The LNP position previously was mandatory sentencing. Check out the releases previously put out by Shadow Justice Minister Jarrod Bleijie on mandatory sentencing. He was spot on. Unfortunatley for him Can-Talk Campbell come along with the small target strategy from HQ and they have now reversed their position and are as weak as ALP.

KAP position is clear. Section 340 of the Criminal Code will be amended to include ALL emergency service workers. A serious assault under this section will have set guidelines/criteria to meet for it to be applied. a conviction under this section will result in a term of imprisonment on a sliding scale depending on seriousness and type of assault. Minor and technical assaults will be dealt with under Police Powers and Responsibilities Act provisions, or similar for firies, ambo's, nurses etc, and will not attract mandatory imprisonment.
This sends out a clear message.Assaulting the men and women that are going about their jobs protecting the people and visitors of Queensland is not acceptable.

SPER and fines
See below post on fines. With no enforcement comes no deterrent. Cairns is owed about $500,000 and Qld $100's millions

Re-habilitation programs
There are a number of good re-hab programs used in our system. There is also some totally useless ones. Problem is this govt refuses to conduct a review or assessment of rehab programs so that we can see which ones work and which ones don't. That way we can ensure that resources are directed to where they are needed and most effective. It is crazy that we can't fund programs and trainers to deliver same due to lack of funds because $millions are wasted on things not working.

Early intervention
We need to identify youth issues at an early stage and concentrate resources to deter entry into ongoing crime instead of trying to stop it when it is allready too late. We are not getting advice and input from those that know best on what will and won't work. The young people themselves.

Realistic penalties
Without a consequence for your actions you won't change behaviour. At the end of the day there will be people not detered or prepared to rehabilitate/change their behaviour. In these cases there needs to be penalties to refelct the wishes and expectations of safety by law abiding members of the community.

Bail/Parole reform
The single biggest contributor to Cairns crime rates is people offending whilst on bail or parole/probation. Re-offenders need to be kept in custody. People breaching parole need to stay in custody. A person who has previously breached parole/probation should not be issued Court Ordered Parole.They need to close the loophole that allows juvenile offenders to not commit an offence for breaching bail conditions.

Police staffing model review
The police staffing model needs to be reviewed to ensure that staff and resources are available to meet the needs of Cairns and FNQ. The biggest deterrent to crime in Cairns is police on the streets doing preventative patrols.Police would rather prevent a crime occuring then catch an offender for doing it.

Child porn
Child porn is NOT a victimless crime.A person in possession of such images is a party to the offence(accessory) and should be treated as such. Penalties should reflect that a crime has occured in the image possessed and the owner has contributed to that crime. Sex offender rehab programs shoud be mandatory for all child porn offenders.

As we are committed to real law and order watch this space for more to come....

UNPAID FINES COSTING CAIRNS

The process involved in recovering fines in Queensland is an absolute joke. The State Penalties Enforcement Register (SPER) is responsible for recovering monies owed through court and other fines. They have been hamstrung though by the governments fear of re-introducing Warrants of Commitment. A warrant of commitment used to mean if you had an outstanding fine you had to pay it. If you did not pay it in the req'd time frame or make arrangements to pay it off a warrant was issued for your arrest. If you were then located the police would offer you the chance to pay it immediately or do the in defaut period or pro rata thereof in custody.
Pay the money or go to gaol. Simple.
The current system is a joke and that is why you see offenders giving each other high fives when they come out of court.The problem is offenders aren't scared of warning letters. Unlicenced drivers aren't scared of you not renewing their licence or rego because, guess why? That's right, they don't have one.
Recent figures show that Cairns Regional Council is owed nearly $500,000 in unpaid fines and costs. That's $500,000 that could be spent on vital infrastructure or services.
The people of Queensland are owed 100's of $millions. Imagine what we could do with that at Cairns hospital, JCU, our education system.
But it's not just government owed money not recovered it's also innocent victims and people put out because of someones else illegal activity. Why should the victim be out of pocket?
The missing component of the SPER system is the "E"! There is no Enforcement and that needs to change for this system to work

MORE WASTE COSTING CAIRNS AND FNQ

We continue to hear about the dodgy prices and ripoffs associated with the building education revolution. Anyone who has seen the prices involved and total lack of accountability enforced in order to pork barrel electorates by a desperate government knows how badly handled this scheme was. If we truly wanted an education revolution, that money should have been spent on teachers, university places or training doctors and nurses we are so clearly in shortage of.
Now we learn tax payers are forking out another $124million to fix up the dodgy pink batts scheme. More waste as a result of a hopeless ALP government.Not a single person has ever ben held accountable for this obscene waste or the BER.
While our hospital is bursting at the seams this govt has wasted $300million on the health payroll which still isn't fixed. AND they pay someone $250,000 per year to fix it
Federal and state ALP continue to waste our money at obscene levels and it is time for them to go.
Imagine what Cairns could do with an extra $124million- Doctors, nurses, teachers, university positions at JCU,police, rail transport, mental health services, job creation, ambulance ramping etc, etc etc

RESIDENTS LET DOWN BY GOVERNMENT INACTION

Regular readers will know I have been attempting to raise the issues of crime and anti-social behaviour around the Chinamen Creek canal system for some time. It is a major issue for the residents over there.
Here is the latest release I put out-

The Australian Party candidate for Cairns, D.J.Hunt has slammed the inaction of the Member for Cairns and the endorsed ALP candidate for Cairns in relation to crime issues in the Chinamen Creek channel and adjoining park after ongoing crime and anti-social behaviour and the sexual assault of a young girl.

“The law and order issues in the Chinamen Creek channel system and adjoining park have been getting worse and this government has done nothing to address it. Residents have been too scared to leave their homes.” Mr Hunt said.

 “The sitting member,divisional councillor and the Mayor have repeatedly been informed by residents of the issues and still nothing gets done. Residents have been raising these concerns with their local councillor who wants to run for the state seat of Cairns. Well if this is how she intends to deal with the law and order issues of Cairns as a state member, god help us. If she's not prepared to do the job she's paid for she should step down.”

“I have continued to highlight the dangers of the escalating crime in this area but they chose to do nothing. I have provided a number of suggestions to address these issues but these were ignored. I suggested the use of the CCTV cameras that were used at the amateurs on a trial basis, but nothing. I called for a council safety audit and CPTED assessment, but nothing. I called for increased police patrols, but these have not been sustained.”

“I felt sick to my stomach when I heard of the sexual assault in the very location we highligthed, especially after having read the e-mail that was sent to Desley Boyle, Kirsten Lesina and Mayor Schier on the 29^th September 2011 at 10:12am from a concerned resident advising them of the continuing and escalating problems.”

 “How many more people will suffer or have their lives destroyed before this hopeless government will do something. Those who were aware of the safety issues in this area and did nothing should hang their heads in shame and I call on them to implement the proposed measures as a matter of urgency.”