Community Day last Thursday brought together everyone from juniors to seniors, and a few firemen, to enjoy the formal re-opening of the community facilities at TYTO. There was story time and robotics, along with computer classes and colouring. The cake was cut and councillors and community alike enjoyed the sweetness of jovial conversations among the stacks of the beloved library.
Read the full storyIn a heartening reminder of the value of rural health care, the Ingham Health Service recently celebrated nine years since the reopening of its maternity service — and what better way to mark the occasion than with the birth of four babies in just 24 hours? On the 7th and 8th of April, four mothers; Giorgia Firmi, Marites Carao, Hannah Bestmann, and Leah Dingwell, welcomed their little ones into the world, creating a unique bond not only between their babies, but among themselves as part of thi
Read the full storyAn elusive and endangered species, the mahogany glider is receiving new hope thanks to a collaborative conservation effort underway in North Queensland. The project, centred south of Ingham, is helping to link critical glider habitat while also delivering rare sightings of the species in the wild. Indigenous ranger Chris Muriata is one of the few people lucky enough to see a mahogany glider in its natural habitat. “To finally see one – it made me happy,” he says. “It was in vegetation at the
Read the full storyThere was a real sense of celebration in the air as United Petroleum Ingham officially reopened its doors this week, a welcome sight for many a traveller and local alike. United Petroleum’s General Manager of Retail, Grant McGregor, said, “We have eagerly reopened the doors of our Ingham site and extend a warm invitation to the community to experience the unparalleled quality and convenience we offer. As one of Australia's fastest-growing fuel and convenience brands, United Petroleum is excited
Read the full storyQueenslanders deserve the right to feel safe in their own homes. That’s why I’ve launched a fresh parliamentary petition calling for the urgent introduction of Castle Law in Queensland. Castle Law would allow you to defend yourself, your loved ones and your property with whatever means necessary during a home invasion.
Last term, I sponsored a Castle Law petition that gained more than 40,000 signatures in just over five weeks. This demonstrated that many Queenslanders want this law change to galvanise the rights of homeowners who are forced to defend themselves or their families.
During that time, I also introduced the Criminal Code (Defensive Dwelling and Other Premises – Castle Law)
Amendment Bill 2024. Although I had the opportunity to address the Community Safety and Legal Affairs Committee on the need for this legislation to be passed, not one public hearing was held and the bill was allowed to lapse before the 2024 State election. With the change of government, our lobbying efforts now turn to convincing the LNP to adopt this policy and enact it into law. With public support, I believe this can be achieved.
Queenslanders deserve to feel safe. They deserve to know that if someone breaks into their home, the law will be on their side if they are forced to defend themselves. Right now, our laws make people second-guess their instincts in life-or-death situations. That hesitation can cost lives.
Castle Law is about restoring the balance and putting the rights of victims before offenders. The most effective way for this to happen is if the State Government supports the policy and introduces its own Castle Law bill. If they don’t, Katter’s Australian Party will be introducing their own once more.
I truly believe defending yourself in your home should be a God given right, and my commitment is to ensure that Queenslanders one day have that right without fear of legal ramifications.
The petition is open now and can be signed on the Queensland Parliament website. It closes on the 24th of October 2025. https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Petitions/Petition-Details?id=4267
Nick Dametto MP Member for Hinchinbrook