Parliamentary Focus On Hinchinbrook

After a short break for the Easter period, Queensland Parliament resumed last week and I ensured our local concerns were front and centre during my time in Brisbane.

During a speech on Wednesday night, I highlighted Hinchinbrook’s recovery post floods. I updated the House as to how state and federal funding, as well as donations have helped may locals get their lives back on track while calling for support for betterment projects to help prepare our region for the next major weather event.

The Bruce Highway must be lifted at the Seymour River and Gairloch washaway. We can’t continue to be expected to live with a substandard road network that’s been cut no less than 19 days already this year.

Regarding roads, Paluma and Hidden Valley residents continue to live isolated from the east-coast with the Mount Spec Road still closed due to damage sustained from land slides and rock falls. I’ve called on the Minister for Transport and Main Roads to release a timeframe and plan for reopening this road to give residents some certainty.

I used an opportunity to ask a Question on Notice of the Environmental Minister regarding flying fox management. Under consecutive Labor governments, bureaucrats from the Department of Environment and Science have been of the opinion that we must learn to live with bats. Under an LNP government I would hope to see some change.

My question called for a review of the current framework and a more proactive strategy that prioritises dispersal of colonies. The State Government should be funding Councils to conduct disposals, rather than providing funding for residents to implement control measures to live with them. I look forward to the Minister's response.

As Mother’s Day approaches, I want to thank the incredible women across Hinchinbrook—mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers, foster mums, and all mother figures—for the love and strength you bring to this world. If you're looking for a way to celebrate, attend the Cardwell Jetty Mother’s Day event on Sunday, 11 May.