Who's accountable for the failure resulting in $16m QldHealth fraud

It would appear no one at all. Imagine what that money could have done for services at Cairns Base Hospital.

Given how much the DG of Queensland Health is paid, why aren't they being held accountable for this?
As the Auditor-General missed this ENORMOUS fraud why aren't they being held acountable for this?
The internal investigation found the initial part of the alleged fraud could not be substantiated. Why aren't those investigators being held accountable for this?
As the Health Minister who is totally oblivious to what is going on in his own department, the person responsible at the end of the day for the effective use of tax payer funds why isn't he being held accountable for this?
The buck stops with the head of our state. The Premier needs to take action against those that stuffed up then as the Premier she should be held accountable for this monumental fail. In any private company in the world all of the above people would be asked to resign or be sacked for incompetence. Yes this was a criminal act committed by a person that needs to face these allegations, but this demonstrates gaping holes in the accountability of a major government department, lack of safety procedures and back ups to protect taxpayers funds and a government that can no longer govern this state.
I think Queenslanders also deserve to know, given the hobknobbing by the individual alleged to have committed these offences, has there been any political donations made by this person, attendance at cash for access political dinners etc given it would have been on tax payer money.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/11m-in-a-fortnight--and-millions-more-missing-from-health-funds-20111209-1oo3y.html?utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Queensland_Online&utm_content=news&utm_source=RoamMedia

FISHING CLOSURES WILL DEVASTATE FNQ ECONOMY

Have no doubts about this. The proposed marine park will force the closure of the fishing industry in Far North Queensland. This is going to devstate our local economy. It is not just the fisherman themselves that lose jobs here. It is the support services and companies that rely on them too. It will further reduce the diversity of the economy we have. Tourism is a vital part of our economy, but so is the fishing industry. We can not afford to lose this industry or we will forfeit 1000's of jobs that we can not afford to lose.
It is time to take action and stand up against this stupidity.

http://www.abc.net.au/rural/content/2011/s3226661.htm

MORE ALP WASTE

Can this party be trusted with anything? I mean really how much longer must this obscene waste of tax payers money go on? What a disgrace!!Traveston dam, Tugun De-sal plant, zerogen, health payroll the list goes on and now an IT e-mail system white elephant.
No wonder we can't fund our hospitals. no wonder we can't employ doctors and nurses. No wonder we can't fund law and order and more police on the streets. No wonder we can't fund teachers and university placements. No wodner we can't fund apprenticeships.
Enough is enough.
It is time to bring some honesty and accountability back into government and the only way that will be achieved is through Katter's Australia Party representatives who will put their electorates first and demanding better.

 Here's the link-
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/m-computer-white-elephant/story-e6freoof-1226214632226?from=public_rss

ETHANOL INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITES IN AIRLINE FUELS

With the possibilities in airline industry for bio-fuels it is time we got in the box seat with Qld ethanol. There is a real opportunity given the amount of fuels required for airline operations and the fact the US is awarding these grants to adapt engines and fuels for use shows there is going to be a high demand for the product and we need to take advantage now.
It diversifies our local economy, it creates jobs, decreases our own reliance on imported fuels, is a renewable source and protects current and future jobs and tradesman in the sugar industry.

  http://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=13254&cid=TW129

ETHANOL INDUSTRY WILL REDUCE FUEL PRICES

It has now been shown that if committed fuel companies can deiver 85% ethanol blended fuels in Australia. It is considerably cheaper than regular fuel, WITHOUT a major ethanol industry in this state. If we take up this challenge and establish an ethanol industry up here the economies of scale would significnatly reduce production costs and therefore make the fuel even cheaper.
Car producers are finally coming to the party and developing engines that can run the 85% blend. It is time we seized this opportunity and diversified our economy and created new jobs, using a product we already grow and supporting the jobs of an industry we already have.

http://www.mynrma.com.au/motoring/car-care/fuel-types.htm

HYPOCRISY AND CONTRADICTIONS GALORE

Premier Bligh yesterday voted in favour of Uranium mining and exports to India. Yet she then turns around and says the Qld ban on uranium mining will not be lifted.
Contradiction? Hypocrisy? NIMBY time?All of the above?

This of course follows on from the mother of all contradicitons and hypocrisy last week where the LNP wring their hands about how they support same sex marriage in the media and to the LGBTI community, but then their leader turns around and ORDERS them to vote against it. No spine, no principals and no guts to stand up for what you say you believe in. Didn't even have the courage to stand up and explain to Queensland why they were voting that way. Is this who we really want in charge of our state?

Here's the link
 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-12-05/bligh-rejects-contradiction-criticism-on-uranium-stance/3712384

CSG-COULD THIS HAPPEN HERE?

Lessons for Australia here. If the Artesian Basin Water gets contaminated will the company simply claim bankruptcy and leave Australian tax payers with a multi billion dollar clean up bill, the loss of vital water supplies for 1000's of years and the devastation of our food industry? Good chance. Time to stop this.

http://thinkprogress.org/green/2011/12/02/380489/gas-company-that-contaminated-18-wells-through-fracking-refuses-to-continue-providing-clean-water-to-residents/

SUGAR INDUSTRY DESERTED BY GOVT AND OPPOSITION

The sugar industry is vital to the economy of Cairns and Far North Queensland. The flow on jobs not directly linked to sugar production are also impacted, such as happened with the Babinda mill closure.

Year after year the Australian industry has to struggle against the unfair World Trade Organisation processes and Free Trade Agreements successive governments have lumbered us with. Now the European Commission is going to shaft us again by breaching their WTO contracts for a second time in two years and flood the sugar market with their excess sugar, which they subsidise. This creates a glut on the world market and pushes prices down. Subsidised European producers don't feel the pinch, as they're subsidised, but Australian farmers playing by the rules and subject to market prices for survival lose out big time.

What makes it even worse is that Australia contributes financially to the organisations involved in the European bail out. So in a nutshell, our sugar producers are struggling to make a living and are paying taxes which our government is giving to those people who have decided not to play by the rules, for a second time in two years, so they can shaft us and destroy our sugar industry. Meanwhile we have to keep playing by the rules and copping it sweet because our government is too gutless to stand up and speak out.

The party that previously used to look after primary producers should hang their heads in shame. How can you walk down the street and look these people in the eye?

Katter's Australia Party will speak out on this travesty that will cost FNQ jobs. Our Federal govt needs to speak up or review the rules by which we are subject and apply the same to these subsidised imports. Our Federal govt. must demand that the WTO call on the European Commission to adhere to their contracts or what is the point of having them?
We continue to punch above our weight, but you can't win with two hands and two feet tied behind your back.


here is the link-
http://nqr.farmonline.com.au/news/state/sugar/general/eu-to-breach-wto-sugar-commitments-again/2371101.aspx?src=rss&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Queensland_Online&utm_content=news&utm_source=RoamMedia

FURTHER BLOWS COMING FOR FNQ ECONOMY

We recently had the Babinda sugar mill close up here which has had huge impacts on jobs in the area, the future training of local apprenticeships and the impact on the township of Babinda losing such a big employer of locals.
How many more sugar jobs, farmers and local communities are going to be impacted by the latests decision by Europe to breach their WTO commitments for a second time in two years, flooding the market with their subsidised glut of sugar which will drive prices down due over supply.
Meanwhile Australia playing by the rules and depending on market price gets shafted as price plummets because we follow the rules.
Why is the European Commission not happy with destroying their own economies is now trying to do it to others like Australia?
Not good enough and where's how hopeless govt. making a stand and demanding action be taken for these breaches?
http://nqr.farmonline.com.au/news/state/sugar/general/eu-to-breach-wto-sugar-commitments-again/2371101.aspx?src=rss&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Queensland_Online&utm_content=news&utm_source=RoamMedia

CORAL SEA STUPIDITY PART V

As has become the custom recently the wishy washy fence sitters currently in opposition have not come out and stated their position on the proposed marine park. Obviously they need to watch the polls before they come out with their response. Once the faceless men in Brisbane and Canberra tell them what they can say we will hear the tired old we're going to form a committee on this. Mean while the fishing industry of Far North Queensland will be wiped out.
The proposed marine park will not bring one single extra tourist. Not ONE. The reef is already there. People come to see The Great Barrier Reef. They don't come to see the GBR marine park. No one will give a rats if it is the biggest marine park or not, they are coming to see the Great Barrier Reef. But this will cost jobs we can't afford to lose. This will restrict the enjoyment of the area by recreational anglers. This will increase the cost of seafood and increase the amount of imports, meaning more Australian job losses.

Cairns voters have another clear distinction then at the upcoming election.

The govt. will kowtow to overseas extremists and suck up to the greens and bring this park in which will cost FNQ it's fishing industry and cost our area 1000's of jobs.

The opposition are too chicken shit to stand up and make a stand. They will continue their small target strategy of not saying anything until the faceless men tell them what to say in case they upset green voters.

Katter's Australian Party says we want to protect jobs up here. KAP says we don't want to lose our entire fishing industry up here so Beverly Hills celebrities can pat themselves on the back. KAP says Queenslanders should be able to go fishing with their family and friends.KAP says there are a multitude of threats to the reef not covered in this proposal but because they have better lobbyists the fishing industry and associated business will be decimated. Anyone who has been around here longer than five minutes knows what Green Island used to be like and if you've been there recently can see that snorklers and tourists are damaging to reefs.
Most importantly Katter's Australian Party knows that the knock on effects on businesses and industry in Cairns will be enormous if we lose our commercial fishing industry, charter fishing and recreational fishing. It is time to stand up and say enough.

CORAL SEA STUPIDITY PART IV

If the Coral Sea Marine Park is commissioned and anglers in Far North Queensland can no longer fish in MANY areas of the proposed park and can only take part in catch and release fishing in the others there can be only one result.
The proposed park is further from shore meaning for the average angler it would cost considerable money in fuel to reach said areas.Recreational anglers are usually happy that this cost is offset by being able to keep the fish they catch in line with bag limits set by the experts that they determined would be at sustainable levels. Some anglers will still be keen to travel to the areas for catch and release fishing, especially species like marlin and other large bill fish, but many will not.
This means the areas between the Coral Sea Zone and the shoreline will now be fished by the increased numbers of anglers who previously went into the proposed zones. This means that there will be a greater concentration of fishers over a smaller area.
Instead of the same amount of fish being taken from a large area, from a large number of schools and species this will squeeze anglers into a smaller area meaning the schools in those areas will be depleted quicker and will not have time to regenerate.
How on earth is that sustainable?
Once the areas between the proposed zone and shore reach critical levels, as will happen as an indirect consequence of this proposal, authorities will move to introduce more exclusion zones and bag limits effectively stopping all fishing becuase of their stupidity.

SPEND MONEY ON CURRENT NEEDS NOT PIE IN THE SKY FLUFF 20YRS AWAY

The proposed education trust proposed by the government just proves they can not even see the problems right in front of their face. A few days ago the AMAQ called for a greater focus on health. the next day the govt announces this education strategy. Why on earth would we look up this money for 20years before we see any benefit from it? We have a severe shortage of doctors and nurses in our state. Instead of this pie in the sky fluff, why not divert that same amount of money into the rural doctors and nurses scheme? Imagine how many doctors and nurses we could put through and employ with an additional $1.47Billion. We also have a severe skills shortage of tradesman. Again why lock up this money when we could apply it to training apprentices now? more tradesman, less drain from mines, more competiton, lower prices. Which part of this doesn't appeal to the government?

here is the press release put out by me-

The Katter’s Australian Party candidate for Cairns has condemned the government’s proposed education trust fund a pointless stunt and called for alternative measures.

“Why does the Qld education system have to suffer for 20years before we see any benefit from this concept? We have real needs, right now. There is a huge shortage of doctors and nurses in our state. Instead of waiting for 20 years for Queensland to see any benefit as the government wants, we are calling for this money to be diverted to the rural nurse and doctor scholarships so we can address the critical shortages there.”

“We also have a major shortage of tradesman and skilled workers. Business owners in Cairns have told me they were willing to put on new apprentices. However, because they can’t do their training locally and the costs involved in sending staff to Townsville or Brisbane, combined with a lack of support generally, means they are no longer willing to employ apprentices.”

Instead of pie in the sky stuff 20years down the track, I’m calling for this money to be diverted to helping train FNQ apprentices now. We have a TAFE college right here that can be used for this purpose to better effect. The money can be used in a similar scheme as the rural scholarships for doctors/nurses meaning they do their time in Queensland or repay the money provided.

The question also has to be asked why are they discriminating against our kids that need assistance now? Why can only children born after a certain date be entitled to help and others not? Has Labor written off all those other kids?It is also very contradictory when they say they will hold the money in trust for the future education, but then they say it will be used in the first ten years to fund education and training programs. So which is it? We have seen from the government when they have raided the gambling fund they can’t be trusted to leave money alone.

With one mining company indicating they are going to bring in workers from Poland, we need to address our shortages with our own best and brightest. The savings for this option compared to the government’s proposal will come from having tradesman employed now, producing wealth for Queensland and spending their money locally. The savings will come from having the doctors and nurses we need so we do not need to rely on overseas staff or to pay overtime to fill staff gaps and improving the health of Queenslanders by reducing waiting lists which improves productivity and the overall economy.

CORAL SEA STUPIDITY PART III

Shen Neng 1, Dumun, MV Global Peace,MSC Basel, HMS Nottingham,Atlantic Blue, Doric Chariot, New Reach ....... Nothing!!!!!!!
But hey, Mum and dad no taking your kids out for a fishing trip. You're a danger to the reef.
WTF???

ALP/LNP SET TO SELL ELECTRICITY ASSETS AND SEND BILLS SOARING

As if our power bills aren't exorbitant enough already. The carbon tax is going to hit us in the pockety when it comes to our future power bills. It is going to get a whole lot worse when the govt or opposition decide to sell of the assets this state has built up over generations. One of our core policies is to not sell our assets off, like electricity, to cover up economic mismanagement.

Here is the press release put out by our state leader Aiden McLindon-

ALP and LNP will privatise power Katter’s Australian Party State Leader, Aidan McLindon, today warned that the Queensland ALP and LNP would follow the lead of the New South Wales Liberal Government and privatise power after the next election.
The Liberal New South Wales Government yesterday approved the sale of that state’s power generators.
"The Liberal Government of New South Wales has now decided to privatise power, only a few months after it was elected on a promise not to do so," said Mr McLindon.
"It is just insulting that ALP and LNP governments continue to behave in this way. No longer will they be allowed to go to elections keeping their intentions hidden from voters while campaigning on false promises to keep assets."
"I have a clear message to Queenslanders. You cannot trust Anna Bligh or Campbell Newman when it comes to maintaining ownership of state assets. The Labor Party’s track record is appalling and the LNP Leader has already stated that the electricity industry and additional ports could be sold."
"Privatisation will lead to increased costs. Power privatisation is already going to add over $550 to each family’s power bill in New South Wales and I will not allow this to happen in Queensland."
"Only Katter’s Australian Party can be trusted to keep Queensland’s assets that have been built over generations."

CONTAMINATED CSG WATER PROVES NEED FOR MORATORIUM

The more and more that comes out about CSG and the stuff ups and cover ups facilitated by this government beggar belief.

Here is the press release put out by our State Party Leader Aiden McLindon-

Contaminated water proves need for CSG moratorium State Leader of Katter’s Australian Party, Aidan McLindon, said today that revelations the Queensland Government gave approval for a CSG company to discharge toxic water into a natural waterway proved the urgent need for a moratorium on new coal seam gas approvals.
Origin Energy was granted permission to dump 17 chemicals into the Condamine River at levels toxic to animals and plants in June last year.
"It is not good enough that this approval was granted nearly 18 months ago and that it is only because of a media exposé that there will be an investigation. Queenslanders have lost confidence in the ability of the Queensland Government to regulate this industry," said Mr McLindon.
"I have been calling for a CSG moratorium for over a year and it continues to fall on the deaf ears of the ALP and LNP. These two parties only have wide eyes for the royalty revenues which they are falling over themselves to use for pork barrelling election promises."
"The future of Queensland is too important to continue with this madness. Katter’s Australian Party will impose a moratorium and halt all new approvals. This industry continues to lay waste to our Great Artesian Basin and destroying our agricultural industry which is unacceptable."

CORAL SEA MARINE PARK STUPIDITY PART 2

If the proposed marine park is supposed to be about protecting the reef, why does this government allow 200 tonnes of coral to be harvested from the reef each year? How many more 100's of tonnes are killed in the process of harvesting?
All so someone can have a nice piece of coral in their Beverly Hills mansion fish tank while they get their personal assistant to send us a message to tell us we should make the Coral Sea a Marine Park.

CORAL SEA MARINE PARK STUPIDITY PART 1

Every person with an ounce of business or economic sense keeps saying we need to have a diversified economy in FNQ. If we continue to rely totally on tourism we will come undone. Tourism is a vital part of our economy, but it is not the sole part.
Which brings me to why the hell are we putting up with this stupid proposal to cut our available uses caused by the proposed Coral Sea Marine Park. There are no if's, buts or maybes that fishing jobs will be lost as a result. That's jobs we can't afford to lose up here.The stupid government is offering compensation for the fisho's that own the licences as if that fixes everything and this is what demonstrates how stupid this government is.
The job losses are compounded. The deckhands then don't have jobs, which means less people spending money in our economy. The suppliers, chandlers, food and fuel suppliers, ice suppliers, tackle shops all lose business which means guess what? More job losses.
What about the local seafood suppliers? Are they getting compo as part of the govt's solution to lock up our backyard? What happens to those families?What about the compounded job losses when they can no longer make a living?
It further reduces our options and places greater pressure on other stocks. Either that or we get flooded with overseas seafood handled with questionable hygiene practices, caught in waters of predominantly human excrement, by someone on 50cents a month.
I think we need our local seafood, maintaining local jobs and helping us to maintain a diversified economy. We're supposed to have had all these experts and departments eating up huge amounts of taxpayer money to tell us what are sustainable practices. If they were wrong all this time, why hasn't someone from government been sacked and held accountable? If they weren't wrong, why aren't we listening to what they said?

HEALTH POSITION OF CAIRNS CANDIDATES

Was interesting to see the Cairns Post story on AMAQ calling for health to be major issue at next election. http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2011/11/21/192551_local-news.html

 I 100% agree it is the number 1 issue for Cairns because it impacts on so many other areas. if we don't have health right, everything else falls down. the AMAQ also stated they would name and shame candidates and parties. For the government I don't see why they need to go any further than  Dr Patel and the Health Payroll debacle. Those two issues alone show this government does not deserve the right to govern this state.

WIN news contacted the three Cairns candidates.
ALP candidate trotted out the same old tired lines about how much they're doing already, As far as she's concerned they're doing everything they need to, everything is fine with the CBH and she did not commit to doing anything other than what is happening already.
Well that may be fine for someone on a very highly paid council salary with no kids able to afford private health care and private doctors because of how much they get paid, but I can assure you for people who don't earn the same money you do or those with kids, mortgages and bills to pay there are major issues with our hospital. Someone who only goes to the CBH for cups of tea and cake at social events doesn't see what the ambulance and ED staff go through day after day. Anyone who has spoken to the doctors,nurses and health workers away from the cameras and their bosses knows there is issues. But hey, I suppose in fairyland everything is fairyfloss and lollipops. Down here in the real world it's a bit different. Nothing about the health payroll debacle. Nothing about the new hospital we got promised last election. Nothing about the fact our hospital has to be evacuated every natural disaster.

The LNP candidates answer to our woes is to increase the payments made under the patient transfer scheme.
Personally I agree this is well over due. The amounts paid are miniscule compared to cost incurred by patients. Take a look at the costs one of the high paid bureucrats would get paid in travel, accommodation and meals to cover the same journey as one of their patients. It's an obscene difference. But how does this address the concerns at Cairns Base Hospital? I think patients would prefer they could get the treatment they need at their local hospital, instead of having to travel. there are always going to be services we can't provide locally, but there are many that could be if we focussed on what matters and made a priority of what is needed.Campbell didn't give his ventriloquist dummy any more to say than that, so that was it.

You will notice that both of the other candidates trotted out tired old party/Brisbane centric responses that do not address our local needs.

Alternatively, we put our proposals forward on local needs. Firstly, reviewing the rural scholarships scheme to increase the number of nurses, doctors, health workers directly in our area. We put forward our proposals for the CBH to address bed block and retaining staff we have in the area with job sharing and child care arrangements. We have also outlined other streamlining,workplace improvements and cost recovery processes. We did this by consulting experts in the field. We happen to have a local doctor on our team running for Mulgrave who has firsthand info on what needs to happen. We have spoken to nurses, doctors, ambo's, health workers, mental health workers, police and other stakeholders to develop our policies. We don't need to be told what to do from Brisbane. We don't get told we can beg for the scraps like a mongrel dog when the big boys are finished. We get told to go out and find local solutions. That's what we do.
AND that's what's the difference between us and the other 2 parties.

We're pretty sure the $300million the govt wasted on the health payroll can be avoided in the future if they're not in power too.

GOVERNMENT SHOULD FOCUS ON REAL POLICE, NOT FUN POLICE

 Well here we go again. Queenslanders being dictated to by US/overseas extremists. I see Desley Boyle is for this stupidity but Curtis Pitt is having 50c each way saying he will wait and see what the Federal govt. proposes. Well, not good enough. Don't wait until they tell us what's going to happen. Tell them what we want, or don't support it at all.

 We want to be able to go fishing with our kids, family and friends. We want jobs in our area.Given our extreme unemployment rates we can't afford to lose the ones we have .

We have to speak up now, and we have to tell these overseas extremists that enough is enough.                                                                                                                 

Here is the full press release put out by me

Media release for Monday 21^st November 2011

The Australian Party Candidate for Cairns Darren Hunt has called on the government to allow fishing to continue in Far North Queensland.

Mr Hunt said “Once again as an election looms this desperate government is trying to suck up to Green voters. Now they want to keep pushing this overseas, extremist point of view. They don’t even know who they’re supposedly protecting this area from. They just cut $23million from the police budget so they’re hardly in a position to enforce this stupidity.”

 “As someone who’s family has been in this area for generations I can still remember the state of the reef at Green and Fitzroy islands when I was a kid. There’s no fishing allowed there and look at the state of it in areas not fenced off. Why are anglers always made out to be the bad guys in these debates?”

“This industry creates many jobs in this area and with the unemployment rates up here we can hardly afford to lose anymore. The benefits for families and friends to be able to go out and enjoy outdoor activities cannot be measured in times of growing childhood obesity. Anglers educated and engaging in sustainable practices and adhering to current laws pose no greater risk to the reef than the thousands of transport ships cruising by everyday”

“The only way these overseas extremists will be happy is if it is closed off to everyone, forever. Queenslanders shouldn’t have to kowtow to overseas extremists. Queenslanders should be able to go out fishing for the day with their family. This government should focus on real police, not the fun police.”

Darren Hunt

Candidate for Cairns

here is the link tom Cairns Post story
 http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2011/11/21/192521_local-news.html#comment

WILL ALP SHAFT CAIRNS IN FAVOUR OF SEQ AGAIN?

Last night it was discovered the Gold Coast is calling for government funding for a "cultural precinct" on the coast. Of course they say they need it for upcoming Commonwealth Games. I say good luck to them, but what a load of rubbish. It's a sports event and they will be getting 100's of $millions in infrastructure for sports and transport. The CG bid said they had the facilities in place to hold a the greatest games ever so I think fair's fair. Our state government money has much higher priorities.

In Cairns we would be left with a debt our grandchildren will be paying off. Whether you're for or against the Cairns proposal, the issue is given the government wouldn't fund our centre, despite funding many similar in other parts of Queensland, for them to turn around now and fund the Gold Coast centre would show the neglect and contempt for FNQ held by the major political parties.

If they fund this Gold Coast Centre it should send a clear message to voters that the government does not deserve a single vote from FNQ.

I sent the media release to Cairns Post but no surprise it didn't get a run. Here is the press release put out by me-

Media release for Tuesday 15^th November 2011

GOLD COAST PRECINCT FUNDING WILL PROVE IF ALP CARES ABOUT CAIRNS

The Australian Party Candidate for Cairns Darren Hunt has called on the government to provide Cairns equal funding for any cultural precinct proposed for the Gold Coast.

 “Far North Queensland has been continually neglected by this ineffective ALP government. Cairns rate payers are facing a massive cost to create a cultural precinct in Cairns that our grandchildren will be paying off.”Mr Hunt said.

“We have been repeatedly told the state government will not be funding our centre, unlike other centres across the state. Now we see the ultimate test on whether Cairns and FNQ is the forgotten part of our state. The Gold Coast council say they need state government funding for a cultural precinct. If this government commits funding to the Gold Coast, which they denied Cairns, then they will stand condemned. I would hope that everyone in Cairns remembers at the ballot box and sends them a message loud and clear.”

“Cairns is watching and we have had a gutful of being taken for granted.”

Darren Hunt

Candidate for Cairns

Here is the link to the Gold Coast Story-

 http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2011/11/14/365895_gold-coast-news.html?utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Queensland_Online&utm_content=news&utm_source=RoamMedia

And here is the link to the Cairns Post story-

http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2011/11/15/191385_local-news.html                                                                                                                                  

LOCKOUT CHANGES SHOW GOVT DESPERATE TO BRIBE VOTERS

The govt is really desperate to bribe voters now resorting to changes to its lockout laws that dealt with unruly patrons and alcohol fuelled violence on our streets. I saw first hand the difference these changes made in Cairns when they were brought in as I was attached to Cairns City Beat at the time directly responsible for policing the CBD and dealing with the associated problems. The govt knows they work. Here is the link where the Premier of our state said so when Doctors wanted the trading hours cut back to 2.00AM-

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/wind-back-pub-hours-fed-up-doctors-say/story-e6freoof-1226146191597

As I say below, what's changed in 5 weeks Premier?

Below is the media release put out by me-

The Australian Party Candidate for Cairns Darren Hunt has called on the government to explain why it is prepared to remove a program it claims was working and will create further alcohol fuelled violence on the streets of Cairns.

“The government are now so desperate to buy votes they are moving to revoke the 3am lockout rules that have been used effectively in Cairns and other areas such as the Gold Coast and Fortitude Valley.”Mr Hunt said.

“5 weeks ago the Premier was bragging about how effective the program was saying it reduced alcohol related violence on our streets. Now all of a sudden her government wants to change this in a desperate attempt to bribe voters.”

“The lockout rules aren’t a magic bullet, but it is one more measure that helps reduce problems. Ask those at the coal face like police, security guards, taxi drivers, nurses and doctors that deal with the violence on our streets day in day out if this program should be axed.”

“At a time when this government has axed jobs for police, hospitals and other support services stretching the resources of these agencies, in what is nothing more than a cheap vote grabbing exercise, is a disgrace. This government should hang their head in shame for putting Cairns residents and visitors in danger.” Mr Hunt said.

ALP/LNP PLAY FAVORITES TO CSG MINERS AGAIN

CSG fracking is dangerous and hazardous to our health. CSG fracking is dangerous to our environment, flora and fauna. CSG fracking is dangerous to primary production and our economy.CSG fracking has been linked to earth tremors in the U.K. CSG fracking is dangerous because our current government is too gutless to stand up to mining companies with an election looming in case they withdraw their financial donations. The current safeguards clearly do not work.

 

So can someone from this hopeless govt. explain to me how it is that when one molecule of Diuron was supposedley discovered on the reef, despite the fact it could have come from shipping fouling paint and there was no proof it came from cane farms,that Diuron was banned making it hard for sugar producers with no readily available alternative?
Now compare that with the case of a CSG miner DELIBERATELY releasing fracking chemicals into flood waters WITHOUT permission or authority and it does not get banned. There is no doubt what so ever that these chemicals were from this mine site. No ifs, buts or maybes what so ever it came from there. Unlike the diuron situation which could not be comprehensively proven where the stuff detected came from.Could it be sugar farmers don't pay royalties? Could it be sugar farmers do not make multi million dollar donations to political parties? How can there be such a clear and distinct case of favoritism between one industry and another?

There are clearly insufficient safeguards on the CSG industry and these chemicals do as much if not more damage than Diuron and nothing happened. The people of Queensland deserve answers.
And don't you LNP clowns think you're any better. You joined your ALP mates addicted to mining company donations and voted against the moratorium that would have prevented this.

Below is the link to the story of fracking chemicals released on one occasion we now know about months after it occured. http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2F2011-11-08%2Fcsg-operator-released-untreated-water-during-floods-inquiry%2F3652556&h=PAQGcRWCcAQGx73xZ3B5DP5v_TNQdLfUdA8t7G1pjl2Ze4w

WE DESERVE CCTV SUPPORT IN THE SUBURBS

It was interesting to see the other day that in Mareeba they built a new skate park which is now getting heaps of use from local kids with significant impacts on crime rates. Unfortunately this has resulted in a bit of bullying and bad behaviour. To address the issue police worked with council and they have now installed a mobile CCTV tower to monitor and to address the behaviour.

Given the size of the Tablelands Regional Council and rates base they have, it really makes you wonder how they can do this so quickly when I have repeatedly called for a similar system to be utilised for Cairns, particularly in the area of Chinamen Creek canals that have seen ongoing issues of crime, unruly and anti-social behaviour this still has not happened. Residents have been in a constant state of fear and often feel trapped in their own homes. These systems are clearly available having been used in Mareeba and at the Cairns Amateurs this year.

It is time the people of Cairns living in this area were given the help and support they need to be able to go about their lives in peace. I will continue to fight to get this simple step implemented that can benefit so many.

RFDS SUPPORT

It was great to see the turnout at the Royal Flying Doctor Service(RFDS) fundraiser put on by the Regional Tourism Association. Having served in a number of remote areas throughout my time I have had a lot to do with the RFDS over the years and seen firsthand how vital they are in plugging a major gap in our health system to service regional and remote Australia.

Many people are unaware that despite the ever increasing demands for their service they are still reliant on volunteers and donations to maintain this vital service. That's why it was so pleasing to see how many people were there to support the fundraiser today and also from the local businesses that donated prizes. Again showing how one organisation in Cairns/FNQ helps out another even though they may not have any direct connection,we all realise how much we depend on each other being out of sight, out of mind.

For those that are interested the RFDS can always use support whether direct or indirect. Here's the link if you can help out-
http://www.flyingdoctor.org.au/How-You-Can-Help/

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