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.”

AUSTRALIA PARTY PROPOSES RAIL TRANSPORT FOR CAIRNS

Had a great day today with my colleagues the candidates for Mulgrave and Barron River today focusing on issues that impact on the people of Cairns and FNQ. Today we announced that we were prepared to put rail transport on the agenda for Cairns. This is well over due and we're sick of the excuses.

The benefits for the community is enormous. Look at what Cairns rate payers are having to pay to build car parking. Part of this problem is due to the state government changing the planning laws to suit themselves and not provide parking spaces with their new premises that any other developer would have to

Here is the official media release.

The Far North Queensland Australian Party candidates have announced that the first stage of their transport policy will bring rail transport to Far North Queensland.

Candidate for Mulgrave Damien Byrnes who has been a long term advocate for rail transport said he was very excited about the prospect.

“With the continuing growth to the south of Cairns it is vital that we look at the rail options available in order to take cars off the road and ease congestion on our roads. Anyone who has travelled along the Bruce Highway on to Ray Jones Drive knows why we need this.” Mr Byrnes said.

Candidate for Cairns D.J.Hunt stated the benefits for the community were enormous.

“This proposal has the ability to take 200 or more cars off the road everyday. That’s 200 more car parking spaces we have in town. That’s less money rate payers have to fork out for council to build parking facilities. That’s more customers for struggling businesses not lost because they couldn’t get a park.”

Candidate for Barron River, Brendan Fitzgerald stated the relatively low cost would provide huge returns.

“When the ALP and LNP are talking about $8billion for a rail tunnel in Brisbane, this is a drop in the ocean. We have the infrastructure just sitting there doing nothing. Families would save enormous amounts of money by being able to catch a train instead of using their vehicles and paying for parking in town.”

The proposed concept combines with current infrastructure already in place with some concessions and equipment required in order to reduce initial costs in order to show there is a demand for services without committing excessive amounts of money. The idea is to establish stops between Cairns and Gordonvale and to use facilities in place at Redlynch. There would be morning and afternoon services on a trial basis to determine viability with a view to extending the services further if viable and would work in conjunction with the current bus services.

Mr Hunt said “We’ve had enough of the excuses. The people of Far North Queensland want this. The people of FNQ need this and the people of FNQ deserve this. Instead of double talk and pats on the back we get from our current sitting members on rail transport, we will make this happen.”