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WE BOAT, WE VOTE PAGE 7

Tully Takes Centre Stage DANCERS FINISH ON HIGH NOTE PAGE 9

for World Rafting Championships!

SEAN DENT

EL ARISH ATHLETICS DAY PAGE 18

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THE Town of Tully was vibrant the past few days with the arrival of athletes for the long-awaited Tame the Tully World Rafting Championships that will officially start this Thursday, May 16. In the days before the event, as well as finally getting out on the famous Grade IV rapids for practise runs, athletes from all corners of the world were keen

to mingle with locals and adjust their bodies to the time zone and to the famous Australian tropical climate. Anyone walking down Butler Street could avail themselves of the opportunity to take a selfie with the top rafters in the world in the exciting days before the competition starts in earnest.

The Tully and District Chamber of Commerce has its fingerprints all over the events this week, having done a yeoman’s work in the months leading up to it to make sure it was a success. Every local resident has to be proud of the work they have done to show off the region as a world-class destination. CONTINUES PG3

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Contact Info For all inquires and information please call our office phone number:

Phone: (07) 4068 0088 Phone payments can be made with credit cards Or email us at:

info@ccin.com.au Please send mail to: PO Box 1100, Tully Queensland, 4854 Office Address: 72 Butler Street, Tully Queensland, 4854 Director / Journalist Sari Hyytinen Find your Freelance contact for your region:

Sharon Andrews: 0473350465 40680088

*Please tell us about events happening in the region

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Political Columnist

Hannibal Barca

THE State of North Queensland – Crazy thought bubble or a serious proposition? The idea of the splitting states up into smaller provinces is not a new idea by any stretch. The United States started off with 13 and now has 50. Historically, an Australian example of this was in 1967: the New England New State Movement tried to divide out the New England electorate and surrounding areas in New South Wales. This serious tilt was narrowly defeated, preventing the region from becoming Australia’s seventh state. Move forward some fifty years later, the KAP (Katter’s Australia Party) touted the idea again to split Queensland, to some ridicule from certain corners of the media and government Is there legal mechanism for succession? Well the short answer is yes. Section 124 of the Australian constitution states: A new State may be formed by separation of territory from a State, but only with the consent of the Parliament thereof, and a new State may be formed by the union of two or more States or parts of States, but only with the consent of the Parliaments of the States affected. In short, succession can be achieved with just a state plebiscite/referendum and an act from the Queensland legislature. You would think if the architects of the constitution had the foresight to consider new

CCIN Editor’s Column

DATE CLAIMER! When and where to be in 2019

Sari Hyytinen

Recently I have been happy to see strong support from the farmers around our region for the Green Shirts Movement. I lived in Sydney for ten years and I feel that one of the strongest disconnects that keep city people from understanding people from the country is marketing and PR. Companies want you to buy their products and they will come up with slogans and branding that seduce you into doing so. Growing up and seeing advertising on TV I would often feel compelled to purchase a meal at a place that had a good advertisement. Coming back to the country and talking to farmers it is often amusing to realise that I have succumbed to a marketing and PR campaign and didn’t understand the truth about how a product was farmed. The most amusing example of this I regularly experience is sugar. Cafes now offer their customers ‘raw’ sugar as a healthier alternative to white sugar. When I get coffee with people who have been part of a sugar mill, they immediately go for the white sugar as they know the process it has gone through and will tell you that ‘raw’ sugar has gone through the same process, and has just had a little bit of molasses left in it. Though personally I like the molasses flavour and choose ‘raw’ sugar, at least I know it’s a gimmick and not what is claimed to be. I feel it is time that farmers tell the truth to people who haven’t grown up on the land and don’t understand the challenges that they face and overcome continually.

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Page 2 Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, May 16, 2019

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states then you have to ask yourself, where’s the problem? So, if it did happen, where should the new borders be drawn and what are the inherent problems? Well the most prolific suggestion is along the Tropic of Capricorn. But as an opinion writer, this is where I have to disagree with general consensus. I suggest a more radical solution to this endeavour should be floated. Perhaps the answer is the “City State”. Now, it’s not a unique idea, and some examples of these across the world are places such as Singapore that’s 130 square kilometres and population of 5.6 million, Hong Kong that’s 1104 square kilometres and a population of 7.4 million or New York State, 141,300 square kilometres and 19.5 million people, to name but a few. Now, I believe this idea should be implemented in all major cities along the eastern coastline such as Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, as their populations are exploding into the multiple millions and are seemingly hoovering up a considerable percentage of wealth that was generated in regional areas. But in the case of Brisbane and the south east, if you had a border that hypothetically extended west to Roma and North to Bundaberg following the local council boundary’s as the new state border, that is an area of approximately 180,000 to 200,000 square kilometres and would have a population of roughly three million plus people. As for the problems faced, the list of which is considerably long and mind-numbingly boring, would be everything

11 - Kurrimine Beach Markets 31 - Tully Horticultural and Garden Club Flower Show September 1 - Tiger Leagues Club Fathers Day 7 - Silkwood High Tea Suicide Prevention 7 - St Clare’s School Fete 8 - Kurrimine Beach Markets October 13 - Kurrimine Beach Markets 26 - Saint Gerard 26 - Tully State School Spring Fair

May 22 - Cassowary Coast Line Dancers Biggest Morning Tea. 22 Cancer Council Biggest Morning Tea, Warrina Lakes 23 - Mission Beach Lioness Club Biggest Morning Tea June 1 - Tully Tennis Hosts Banana Cup 4 - Tiger Leagues Club Ladies Night 29 - Tully Catholic Ball July 14 - Kurrimine Beach Markets 20 - Mission Beach Lioness Club Cent Sale August

from the trivial such as the selection of a new capital city and what would happen to state of origin. Then there are more complex issues such as Parliament format of single house or upper and lower houses, state debit distribution, government departmental transitional issues, GST distribution, and the twelve extra senators for the federal upper house, etc., etc So why do it? The most important reason would be getting back to grass roots: common sense governance, where real local people come up with practical ideas and simple but effective solutions to problems (that actually exist) and that benefit the greater community. Another reason is the widening social divide between the city and regional areas as the inner city café latte socialite snobs seem to have more interest in the virtue signalling of climate change, gender fluidity or identity politics; while the regional areas are just plain sick to death of being regulated out of existence by draconian laws that a) don’t apply to economic benefits, fundamental beliefs or expectations of people in the regional and rural areas and b) have been written by people who have no idea about the subject matter or industry that they are regulating. Great examples of this would be the proposed Adani Coal Project, vehemently opposed by those that live 1000 kilometres away in inner city metropolitan areas, while unemployment percentages in communities around the proposed site are in the double digits. Another is the proposed changes to the Environmental Protection Act 1994 legislation

19.0mm 4.0mm

6 13

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1.6mm

42.0mm 13.0mm 8.5mm -

0.4mm -

10.5mm 53.0mm

17.0mm -

11 18

May Days: 7 Mean: 9.63mm/day Year to Date: 2434.5mm

with the Environmental Protection (Great Barrier Reef Protection Measures) and other Legislation Amendment Bill 2019, which is widely opposed by those in the agricultural sector. This is another layer of zero-benefit, unnecessary regulation that is going to be imposed on the primary industries throughout Queensland. It sometimes beggars belief the true disconnect here. And the final reason is the disparity in wealth distribution. I cannot count the number of times I have heard in conversation the chorus of complaints that the regional areas are being screwed out of their fair share. Major regional infrastructure that creates wealth for Queensland government coffers slowly degenerates into disrepair with bare minimum maintenance budgets while at the same time billions is splashed around in the south east on another cross-city tunnel, footbridge or overpriced public space sculpture. Will it ever happen? Personally, I think it’s the same old story of government stagnating in the status quo and not being able to have a mature debate regarding what might be in the best interest of the state, not to mention its constituents. Whether it’s dams and the Bradfield scheme, Adani, or this particular issue, the government moves at glacial pace or just fails to enact because it’s not popular to one particular corner. Politicians need to start thinking like those who put the constitutional mechanisms in place over a century ago. Otherwise succession will be nothing more than a much-ridiculed thought bubble.

LOCAL AFFAIRS

Cardwell Flooded for Foreshore Party

Tully Takes Centre Stage

for World Rafting Championships!

CONTINUED FROM PG1

Children at the Cardwell Foreshore Party enjoying Lara the Clown. CLARE WATSON PEOPLE from all over the Cassowary Coast flooded into Cardwell for a spectacular foreshore party, welcoming teams to the World Rafting Championships with a strong local spirit. On Saturday night May 11, just two days before The Tully Gorge became a world stage, , around 1500 people from Townsville to Cairns attended a fun-filled foreshore party at the Cardwell Jetty. The atmosphere was lively with kids dancing and playing in the grass, and parents kicking back, enjoying a nice drink. The Men in Black Blues band filled the jetty landscape with loud music from 7:00pm until 11:00pm. Rich smells of from ‘Woodfire Pizza’, ‘Aus and Asian’, and ‘Jane’s Catering’ food vans tantalized the hungry. The most popular highlights of the evening were the 4KZ show of fireworks that lit up the sky, and the good old ‘Combi Keg’ from Cairns that kept the drinks flowing well into the night. Also in attendance were the students and faculty from Cardwell School, who were fundraising for their years four, five, and six camp in Airlie beach. They are heading down to stay at Big4 Caravan Park in October to participate in the reef educational program. A great camp takes a lot of work, so they sold drinks and stepped up to reach the goal. Ultimately, the night really “brought the whole community together to spend a nice North QLD winters night

on the foreshore,” according to Thea Ormond, organizer of the event. Ormond was approached by the council to do this since she organizes the UFO festival, and they coordinated with her to create the family-friendly foreshore party. They chose to have it in Cardwell since it has scenic facilities and is a centralized location, close to where the World Rafting Championships are being held. Location for a rafting championships is often hard to find because they don’t just need a good river, but also a good community that will rally around them and proudly host the event, explained Joseph Jones, president of the IRF. He loves the Tully Gorge, saying, “It’s a very visual river, the kind of river we look for.” From the turnout on Saturday night, they found exactly what they were looking for in the community as well. The rafting teams are all about fun. “We are serious in rafting and competing, but once it’s all over we love to kick back with good friends and have a fun time,” Jones said. A big positive is the economic boost of hosting the championship. Rafting and tourism go hand in hand. Where rafting goes, tourism follows. Just from this event, people staying overnight brought an influx of business to the small town, and were great for the markets the next morning. The event proudly showcased the local area and welcomed the 300-plus competitors, setting up North QLD as a place of sport, business, family, and fun.

Sunday was the day for official registration, and you could sense the excitement of the teams as they posed for photos with their national flag. Is there anything that more fills an athlete with pride than standing on foreign soil holding their nation’s symbol aloft? In the days before and after registration, athletes mingled in the spectacular Athletes Village in the Showgrounds. The ones we met on the street said it was a great place to stay, and they loved being able to meet their fellow competitors from other countries, some of whom they hadn’t seen since the last rafting competition. In between official events, the visitors took to the streets of Tully to sample the local cuisine or visit the stores in the area. IGA seemed to be a very popular spot, with many of the amateur athletes trying to stretch their food dollars. For Monday, the Chamber of Commerce organised a Meet and Greet at the Ripe Harvest Café on Butler Street, where locals had the chance to meet with athletes and coaches. Training runs also started on Monday, with teams practising their sprint runs. While the sprints only account for 10% of the final scores, they are important because the sprint runs determine who a team will go head to head against in the next round of events, which are worth 20%. That first 30% can give the leading teams a psychological advantage for the later, higher-scoring rounds. It can also add pressure to the teams falling behind. On Tuesday, a crowd of thousands turned up for the parade marking the official opening of the World Rafting Championships. It started at Mitchell Park and ran along Bryant Street and down Butler Street toward the Tully Showgrounds where the Official World Rafting Championships Opening Ceremony took place. The high point of the proceedings so far was definitely the parade and opening ceremony. Close to a thousand people took part in the parade itself, and at least the same amount lined Bryant and Butlers Streets all the way down to the showgrounds, where Tully’s Rains pummelled all who dared to come out, as if to say, welcome to the wettest place in Australia. What it didn’t do, was rob the assembly of the excitement and the buzz that resounded around the showgrounds. Athletes and spectators posed happily for thousands of photos to commemorate the event as politicians running in the national election this Saturday looked to get in some last-minute face time among the massive number of voters. Rarely in regional Australian politics have candidates had the opportunity to greet so many possible voters in one place and in such a vibrant atmosphere. The region is officially on notice: It’s time to Tame the Tully!

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Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, May 16, 2019 Page 3

Australia NOT for sale

They say small parties can’t change anything. Just the opposite is true. Nothing will change until we do.

BOB KATTER TAKING ON THE DAVID AND GOLIATH BATTLES FOR KENNEDY

BANKING ROYAL COMMISSION – A 7-YEAR ‘FIGHT LIKE TIGERS’ BATTLE Bob was the first politician to call for the Royal Commission back in May 2015. Bob introduced twice into the Parliament Banking Royal Commission legislation and secured the Member for Dawson to cross the floor and vote for it. This forced the Government’s hand and resulted in the Government agreeing to do a Banking Royal Commission. HOW DID WE GET HERE? • End 2012 – Rural Debt Summit – Bob pressures the then Treasurer after a question in Parliament to act on spiralling rural debt. • 7 May 2013 – Bob organises rural crisis meeting in Richmond. Bob forms Gulf Cattleman’s Association to steer the meeting and actions going forward. Focus of the crisis meeting is on debt, drought and live cattle exports. After the meeting is called, but prior to being held, on 27 April 2013, ALP Government announces $420m in concessional loans. • 30 June/1 July 2013 – Indonesian Ambassador tours the Gulf with Bob. The next day, the Indonesian Ambassador flies to Jakarta to brief the President ahead of Prime Minister Rudd's visit. Live cattle quota numbers are restored following Rudd's visit. • 28 Feb 2014 – Bob and Rural Debt Roundtable Working Group Chair meet with Australian Banking Association in Sydney regarding rural debt and Bob’s legislation for a Rural Reconstruction Board. • 5 December 2014 – Winton ‘Last Stand’ meeting called by KAP State MP Robbie Katter. Radio/TV commentator Alan Jones is a special guest. David Pascoe compiles a Facebook story about Charlie Phillott and ANZ Bank, which goes viral. Following this meeting, LNP Government gives another $100m in concessional loans and ANZ puts a moratorium on foreclosing on any new drought-affected farmers for a year. Bob says he will name and shame banks behaving badly in the media and in Parliament. • May 2015 – After battling ANZ and other bank cases, Bob calls for a Royal Commission into the banks. • 12 July 2015 – 60 Minutes airs story on Charlie Phillott and ANZ Bank. • 30 August 2015 – Mike Smith’s (CEO of ANZ) apology to Charlie Phillott airs on second 60 Minutes. • 19 October 2015 –KAP State MP Robbie Katter is appointed Chair of the Queensland Government’s Rural Debt and Drought Taskforce. The final report, released in April 2016, made 14 recommendations including establishing a Rural and Industries Development Bank, a Farm Debt Reconstruction Authority, and a commercial Multi-Peril Insurance (income protection) product for all primary industries. • 26 May 2016 – Robbie Katter introduces the Rural and Regional Adjustment (Development Assistance) Amendment Bill. • 10 October 2016 – Bob introduces Banking Commission of Inquiry Bill 2016. • 27 March 2017 – New bill introduced by Bob which has input from other MPs - People of Australia’s Commission of Inquiry (Banking and Financial Services) Bill 2017. Member for Dawson publicly says he will cross the floor to support Bob’s Bill. • November 2017 – Consequently, Prime Minister Turnbull announces a Royal Commission, after the big banks say it is ok. • 25 June 2018 – Bob introduces the Banking System Reform (Separation of Banks) Bill – legislation for GlassSteagall separation of commercial banks from all other financial activities. • 27 June 2018 – Bob attends the Banking Royal Commission public hearings. ANZ Bank publicly apologises at the hearing to Charlie Phillott and states $40m be paid out to other landmark cases. Bob asks a question of the Commissioner Kenneth Hayne QC. Mr Katter interrupts proceedings to ask whether the banks’ failures will be properly fixed. The Commissioner concedes that public hearings into agribusiness lending will have to be extended. • 4 October 2018 – Bob directly asks then Treasurer and now Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Parliament if he could assure the House that the Royal Commission would include the “carrion” (the receivers) and address the issue of a Reconstruction Bank. • 4 February 2019 – Royal Commission recommendations handed down. At the end of the Royal Commission, two bank Chairs and CEOs are removed.

MISSION BEACH BREAKWATER (ROCK WALL) Problem: Mission Beach does not have safe boating harbour protection. 35 years ago, Mission Beach requested a breakwater to provide this safe harbouring of boats and a moderate economic development. Action: After years of fighting by the community and Bob Katter, and following Cyclone Yasi in 2011, Bob secured off the Federal Government $5.5m for the construction of a safe boating harbour facility and post-Yasi economic redevelopment. This led to the Queensland Government providing an additional $11m two weeks later. In complete defiance and total contempt of the community decision to have a multi boat user breakwater facility, the Queensland Government and the former Cassowary Coast Regional Council ignored the community’s breakwater proposal and imposed their own tiny, ecologically-disruptive, four-boat barrage at the end of the jetty, providing negligible harbour protection. Following three years of fighting and a new State Government, Bob requested KAP State Member Shane Knuth intervene. Shane was contacted and met with local boating leadership. He secured the Minister’s intervention and the infrastructure will now be built as originally proposed by the community – a multi boat user breakwater facility – off Clump Point. Outcome: Finally construction has started – the rock wall is being built. This greenlights $120m of tourist industry rebuilds. WATER SECURITY Problem: Bob has been fighting for water development in North Queensland. North Queensland is one of the wettest places in Australia, our rivers flood every year. All we ask is that a little bit of that water is held back to use in the dry season. The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF), which was set up to provide $5bn in funding for projects in the north, has only funded $15.8m in North Queensland six years on. Action: After losing the Wentworth by-election, the LNP Government lost its majority in the Parliament. Bob seized this opportunity to get hard infrastructure for North Queensland. Outcome: The Prime Minister met with Bob in Townsville on 8 November 2018 and committed in a letter to provide $180m for the Hughenden Irrigation Scheme and $54m for Hell’s Gates Dam final engineering works and Hell’s Gates Stage One – the construction of Big Rocks Weir – the start of the Bradfield Scheme. The money is in the Federal Budget and a special NQ Water Infrastructure Authority was established on 12 March 2019 to fasttrack the projects. In sharp contrast to NAIF, which in six years has not put concrete over a gutter, Bob delivered $234m in water funding three weeks after seizing the balance of power. QLD TAXI LICENCE OWNERS BEING SOLD OUT TO A FOREIGN MULTI-NATIONAL Problem: For decades, Queenslanders invested their superannuation and savings and mortgaged their houses to purchase a taxi licence, secure in the knowledge that there were laws preventing anyone without a licence giving paid rides. Ride-sharing started in Queensland in 2014 – operating illegally and owned by a foreign multinational. The Queensland Government kowtowed to the foreign multi-national and legalised ride-sharing instead of standing up for Queenslanders. Queensland taxi owners now find their licences worthless; even in regional areas where ride-sharing is unlikely to enter, licence values have dropped. Taxi owners’ costs of operating, as required by the Queensland Government, do not apply to ride-share operators. Every day, Queenslander taxi licence owners find themselves facing financial ruin, with banks calling in loans and superannuation annihilated overnight. Action: Bob and the Queensland KAP State Members are the only politicians who have stood up and fought for the rights of Queensland taxi owners. When KAP introduced the Queensland Transport Legislation (Taxi Services) Amendment Bill 2015, it was not supported by either the LNP or the ALP. Bob worked for years to organise numerous meetings to rally taxi licence owners to stand up and fight these unfair laws. Bob pulled together legal representation and licence owners for a closed action to fight the Queensland Government for fair compensation.

Phone: 07 4061 6066

Outcome: After Bob organised lawyers and licence owners to stand up and fight, more than 1,300 Queensland taxi licence owners have joined the closed legal action for compensation from the Queensland Government. A statement of claim has been filed in the Queensland courts with estimated damages around $1bn. The ALP and LNP continue to ignore these Queensland small business owners in favour of foreign multi-nationals.

BREAST CANCER DRUGS ON THE PHARMACEUTICAL BENEFITS SCHEME (PBS) Problem: The life-saving breast cancer drugs Ribociclib and Palbociclib were available in 52 countries but not Australia. The cost of these medicines was around $5,000 for a monthly dose. Many patients could not afford this and those who could, had to travel overseas for treatment. Action: In January 2018, the Breast Cancer Network Australia and people suffering breast cancer in the Kennedy electorate approached Bob and asked him to fight to get these drugs listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Bob fought a public campaign, ramping up the public pressure on the Government to list the drugs. Bob also met with the Health Minister and wrote follow-up letters. Outcome: In April 2018, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee’s (PBAC) recommended that the drugs be added to the PBS, with official listing soon after. Australians suffering breast cancer now have access to these life-saving medicines at an affordable price. TULLY MEALS ON WHEELS LANDLINE Problem: Volunteer group Tully Meals on Wheels was without a landline for nearly two months. Action: In March 2019, Bob met with Tully Meals on Wheels and, hearing of their two-month landline outage, contacted Telstra to demand immediate action. Bob fought the privatisation of Telstra and warned of service to rural areas dropping. When the LNP, under Howard, agreed to sell off Telstra, Prime Minister Howard said, “We are going to give you protection via our universal service obligation”, and Bob replied, “PM, that will not be worth two bob; you will never get Mary Smith from Ingham her right to a telephone enforced against the biggest corporation in Australia (Telstra) no matter which laws you passed”. Outcome: Within two working days of making the complaint, Tully Meals on Wheels’ landline was fixed. Very sadly, Bob was proven 100 per cent correct and continues to be proven correct to this day – when you sell off your assets, you’re selling out Australians! MAREEBA HOSPITAL Problem: In Mareeba, the major medical practitioners are turning away up to 23 people a day. Effectively, all of the public hospital outpatients are being closed. If you are sick or need medical care, you have to go to the local private medical practitioners who often also have long waiting periods. Action: On 2 May 2017, the Mareeba community turned out in force, 1,000-people strong, to attend a public meeting to fight for services at Mareeba Hospital. Fighting with the Mareeba community, Bob met and wrote to the Federal Health Minister seeking funding to secure outpatient services at Mareeba Hospital. Outcome: On 6 July 2017, Bob announced $2m in Federal funding for Mareeba Hospital – a big win for all the community fighters, especially given hospital funding is the responsibility of the State Government. 2019 NORTH-WEST FLOOD RECOVERY Problem: What was initially welcomed rain to North-West Queensland quickly turned to devastation. On Tuesday, 5 February 2019, Bob and KAP State Member Robbie Katter started to get calls from graziers on the ground that the situation in North-West Queensland was dire, with hundreds of thousands of cattle losses predicted. Action: On Wednesday, 6 February 2019, Bob called a press conference in Townsville to tell the Australian people what was happening on the ground in the North-West. Calls from the North-West were starting to come in quickly that the situation was incredibly dire and unprecedented. The community was telling Bob and Robbie they felt like Australia had forgotten them and media was not covering the issue. Due to the inaccessibility, limited footage was getting out showing how bad the situation actually was and media did not fully understand the extent of the crisis. Bob and Robbie spent two days convincing media to travel to the North-West with them to see and hear firsthand what was occurring. On Monday, 11 February, Bob flew out to Richmond and Julia Creek with ABC and Channel 7. Bob and Robbie organised for Channel 9 news and The Today Show to travel to Julia Creek and meet with the community there. On seeing the situation firsthand, Channel 7 stayed on in Julia Creek for the whole week without any luggage or change of clothes, such was the gravity of the devastation. Bob flew to Canberra the next day, Tuesday, 12 February, and met with the Prime Minister and Treasurer to tell them firsthand this was an unprecedented disaster. Bob personally asked the Prime Minister to visit the region and stated the visit could not wait. Three days later, on Friday, 15 February, the Prime Minister visited the region, toured properties and met with graziers and small businesses. Outcome: Following the Prime Minister’s visit at Bob’s insistence and national media attention organised by Bob and Robbie Katter, the following was announced: establishing the NQ Livestock Industry Recovery Agency; $1.7bn in low-interest loans; income tax exemption for grants made to those affected by NQ floods; $300m in grants for restocking; additional $3m in mental health services for North and Western Queensland; one-off payment of $1,000 to qualifying students in North-West flood areas; funding for schools in flood-affected areas; $5m in Federal funding to tackle prickly acacia and; $5m grant to the CWA to provide financial assistance. This was in addition to the disaster recovery payments made to local governments to fix roads and essential infrastructure. NO BANANA IMPORTS Problem: In 2001, the Federal Howard Government undertook an Import Risk Assessment (IRA) whose outcomes bind a country to allow imports. In spite of a dozen diseases, the IRA determined that the bananas should come in. The Federal Government Minister announced he would abide by international protocols, stating therefore that the bananas were coming in. About 95 per cent of Australia’s banana production is in Far North Queensland and the 2016 farmgate value was $600m. Bananas are Australia’s single biggest horticulture industry and Queensland’s largest horticulture industry, employing over 6,000 people and sustaining a backpacker and subsequent tourism trade. Action: Mass rallies were organised out of Bob Katter’s office. Giant ‘No Banana Import’ rallies were held in Cairns. Despite this and real industry fight and pressure, the Howard/Anderson Government was not moving from its resolve to allow banana imports into Australia. Under advice from a leading figure in the industry, Bob flew to Melbourne and met with the late Dick Pratt. Dick Pratt then threw his full weight behind the fight, demanded and secured a meeting with PM Howard and the farm leader. Outcome: Certain public statements were then made and no bananas have come to Australia. SOUTH JOHNSTONE MILL Problem: In 2001, the then grower-owned mill, worth $150m, was sold for an effective price of less than $5m by receivers. Action: Bob, with a group of cane growers who wanted to fight the decision, secured one of Australia’s best lawyers, John Maitland, from Melbourne to take on the case. This group of about 40 South Johnstone cane growers proceeded with legal action, claiming the mill receivers and National Australia Bank failed to take all reasonable care to ensure the mill was sold at a proper market value. Outcome: The civil action resulted in a significant multi-million dollar out-of-court settlement for those growers who were claimants to the legal action. Not content with a multi-million dollar out of court settlement for the cane growers, Bob is still continuing the fight for justice and criminal action to be taken against those responsible. This has included Bob meeting with lawyers, Questions with notice in the Parliament, lobbying Treasurers and Ministers, meetings with the Australian Federal Police, meetings with the Chair of ASIC Greg Medcraft and ASIC Insolvency Commissioner and continued media pressure.

www.bobkatter.com.au

Authorised by Bob Katter, Katter’s Australian Party, 2/321 Sturt Street Townsville City QLD 4810

Page 4 Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, May 16 , 2019

www.facebook.com/bobkattermp

Hon Bob Katter – Federal Member for Kennedy PARLIAMENTARY SPEECHES AND QUESTIONS - 45th PARLIAMENT Bob Katter, KAP Five electorates surrounding Kennedy (average)

Speaking on legislation 40

Questions Without Notice 32

Questions With Notice 21

22.2

27.8

0.2

BOB KATTER VOTING RECORD ON LEGISLATION – 45th PARLIAMENT Division on second reading of bills Voted with ALP Voted with LNP 48.3% 51.7%

Division on third reading of bills Voted with ALP Voted with LNP 46.2% 53.8%

LEGISLATION INTRODUCED BY BOB KATTER IN THE 45TH PARLIAMENT

Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Amendment (Strategic Assets) Bill 2016 To keep under the ownership and control of the people of Australia assets that are vital for the functioning of the economy and the development of our productive resources, as well as those that are vital to our defensive capabilities. Prevents foreign persons or entities from acquiring a 10 per cent or greater interest in Australian land, water or other assets that are either of “strategic economic importance” or “strategic defensive importance” to Australia. Includes leases and sales (e.g. the Port of Darwin sale). “The sale of Darwin Port: we will not have the port and we will not have the money. We are doing the double: we will have neither. It is now owned by a monopoly gatekeeper—a Checkpoint Charlie who can charge anything he likes.” Banking Commission of Inquiry Bill 2016 To establish a Banking Commission of Inquiry with all of the same powers as a Royal Commission. “The (LNP) Government has said there is no need for a full and far-reaching inquiry. Each of the banks have come along and said 'mea culpa'. They admit to doing the wrong thing. But this LNP Government has decided that they are not going to do anything about it. They just gave the banks the opportunity to say, 'We're guilty, we're sorry and we won't do it again’, and we are going to trust them. There is no responsibility placed upon the bank to make a responsible loan. They get away scot-free and they have skinned the poor beggar who borrowed the money and they have skinned the public purse as well.” Renewable Fuel Bill 2017 To mandate renewable fuel (ethanol or other renewable) content in petrol at the bowser. Benefits include: reducing motor vehicle emissions and associated costs to health; diversifying the grain, wheat and sugar industries whilst creating thousands of extra jobs in regional Australia; increasing Australia’s self-sufficiency in fuel and food and; ultimately delivering cheaper petrol and electricity. “Every single country on earth has biofuels or ethanol legislation because they do not want to see their people dying of lung disease. We now have a situation in Australia where we have no oil, but are we doing anything about it? No way. Our Governments believe in free markets! Sending $25bn each year to the Middle East instead of sending this $25b into rural Australia.” Competition and Consumer Amendment (Exploitation of Indigenous Culture) Bill 2017 Makes it illegal to sell fake, imported ‘Aboriginal style’ art, keeping jobs and an income stream open for First Australian peoples. It is estimated that 85% of what is sold in souvenir shops and as Indigenous art is fake and imported. The imitation and fake art deprives the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities one of the only remaining income streams for First Australians. “I am sick of buying my grandchildren woomeras that won’t throw a spear, boomerangs that won’t come back, and bullroarers that don’t roar. So, firstly, we would like to give our tourists, whether they are Australian tourists or overseas tourists, a bit of genuineness in the product that we sell. What this Bill will achieve is that no longer will those jobs go overseas, they will remain here in Australia and Indigenous art will remain the property of our First Australian people.” Commission of Inquiry (Coal Seam Gas) Bill 2017 To establish a Commission of Inquiry with all of the same powers as a Royal Commission to investigate the impacts of fracking and unconventional gas on land, water and communities. “The ’Lock the Gate’ battle continues unabated. Great Australians, such as Alan Jones, are walking in the hot sun in demonstrations. People on very different sides of the political spectrum are coming together because they know that this is wrong. The greatest principle is that we have private property. The Magna Carta says that the King has no right to set upon a free man's property without due process or law. That is my land, not the government's land (the Crown). The ’Lock the Gate’ battle is continuing.“

Electoral Amendment (Banning Foreign Political Donations) Bill 2017 Bans political donations from foreign sources and requires the donor to provide a Statutory Declaration. “Who are the supine people in Cabinet that agreed to this? Who are the backbenchers that did not raise it in the party room the next week? Are we people on the crossbenches the only people that oppose the sell-off of our nation?”

People of Australia’s Commission of Inquiry (Banking and Financial Services) Bill 2017 To establish a Commission of Inquiry with all of the same powers as a Royal Commission to inquire into unethical, unlawful and improper conduct in the banking, financial services and related sectors. “Let me concentrate on the injustice of the system. I will use one quick case from my own area, of a family that had been on the land for five generations. They had borrowed money for this place. The Government cut off the live cattle export market, which collapsed the price of cattle—cut it clean in half. They then had a series of dry seasons, the longest series of dry seasons—not the worst drought, but the longest series of dry seasons—in northern Australian history. And the banks hit them. Well, this was sold in six weeks; a $12.5m asset was sold in six weeks. And instead of getting $12.5m, they got $6m for the sale. The son committed suicide. The father lived in the shed; he would not go near the house where his son had committed suicide. The mother could not talk; for three months, she was unable to speak at all. He was asked to sign a document. He was told, 'Sign this document because we don't want to throw your wife and kids out into the street. Your poor little kids thrown out in the street—we don't want to do that. But you've got to sign this document or otherwise there's nothing we can do about it; we just foreclose on your house in Charters Towers and your wife and kids get thrown out on the street’.” Banking System Reform (Separation of Banks) Bill 2018 Commonly known as Glass-Steagall, this Bill separates retail commercial banking activities involving the holding of deposits from wholesale and investment banking involving risky activities. “The Great Depression was immediately addressed by the United States Congress with the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933. The Depression hit right at the end of 1929 and within three years, they had drafted legislation to ensure that this would not occur again. Glass-Steagall came in and it overcame the vast bulk of those problems so that the American economy ran fairly effectively, making it three, four, five times the size of any other economy on Earth, until Mr Bill Clinton, 'Mr Free Markets' himself. In 1999, he abolished the Glass-Steagall Act. Within two years, the ‘dot.com’ collapse occurred, taking down trillions of dollars of savings, superannuation and retirement moneys of Americans and the rest of the world, and in 2008, as we're all familiar with, came the GFC. Clearly, that timeline indicates the necessity for Glass-Steagall legislation in this place. The situation in Australia is ugly and it is evil and this legislation is needed to overcome those problems.” Reserve Bank Amendment (Australian Reconstruction and Development Board) 2019 (ARDB) Rural Australia is struggling under an insurmountable debt burden, characterised by low farm income and lending practices of financial institutions in deregulated financial markets. In 1980, debt in gross value farm production was at 32 per cent and this has escalated to historically high levels of debt, reaching 135.4 per cent in 2012. Recent natural disasters such as floods and cyclones have exacerbated this situation. The laws are contingent on the commercial banks writing off up to half of existing debt, enabling the ARDB to buy the bad debt at the discounted value and offer farmers refinancing at government interest rates. “A reconstruction board is like a bank – it borrows money and it loans money. All the farmers have to do is apply to have their loans taken over. The banks then take a write-down of the at-risk debt and negotiate with the ARDB about what level of debt they will take on. Under this arrangement, the banks offload the bad debt and have a reduced loss. They don’t have to foreclose. It’s good for the farmer, who will only need to pay 2.5 per cent interest instead of 6.5-7.5 per cent and no repayments for three years. Meanwhile, the ARDB possesses the same asset at lower debt. For farmers, this means if they owe $1m to the banks, after the ARDB absorbs the debt, the farmer will only owe $750,000.” .

KENNEDY FUNDING 45TH PARLIAMENT – COAST and TABLELANDS (NOT INCLUDING WEST KENNEDY) $5B Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility $2M – one-off Federal payment, Mareeba Hospital Water $234M - Hell’s Gates and Hughenden Irrigation $11.6M - Mareeba Dimbulah Water Supply Scheme Federal funding for mobile blackspots throughout electorate including Yarrabah South, Abergowrie, Butchers Creek, Dalbeg, Flying Fish Point, Goldsborough Valley, Julatten, Long Pocket, Watsonville 2018-19 BUDGET  $9.2M - Crazy ant eradication • $1M each Indigenous community – market gardens • $3.1M - Feral animals and weeds in world heritage • $4.7M - CopperString, T’ville to Mt Isa power line • $150,000 - Kennedy Environment Program • $3M - Tully Grandstand • $10K - Tully White Water Rafting Bruce Highway Federal funding:  $40M - Widening: Gordonvale to Edmonton, Sikh Temple Road, Victory Creek Innisfail  $2.5M - Aloomba overtaking lane  $10M - Ingham to Cardwell  $11M - Dallachy Road nth towards Tully High School  $57M - Townsville Northern Access Intersections  $95.1M - Cattle and Frances Creeks upgrade  $40M - Improved flood immunity at Gairloch  $8M - Arnot Creek Bridge upgrade  $38.4M - Ingham to Cardwell range deviation  $8.8M - Dallachy flood immunity upgrade  $4.9M - Ash & Pine St, Innisfail intersection upgrade  $7.2M - Innisfail Bypass (plan and preserve corridor)  $3.2M - Babinda intersection upgrade  $384.8M - Cairns Southern Access Corridor – Stage 3 Bridges Renewal Programme funding:  $539,000 - Anzac Avenue Barron River Bridge  $304,563 - Cowley Creek Bridge replacement  $1.518M – Victory Creek Bridge replacement Road to Recovery:  $4,603,862 – Cassowary Coast Regional Council  $2,462,337 – Hinchinbrook Shire Council  $7,271,433 – Mareeba Shire Council  $6, 252,629 – Tablelands Regional Council  $273,271 – Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council Beef Roads/Nth Australia/ RDs Strategic Importance  $5.97M - Burke Dev Rd – Chillagoe to Almaden  $4.764M - Ootann Rd Almaden to Kennedy Hwy  $50M – Cairns to Northern Territory Border  $200M – Tennant Creek to Tville  $13.6M - Flinders Highway: Tville – Torrens Creek  $2.66M - Kennedy Dev Rd –Mt Garnet and The Lynd.  $40M - Kennedy Dev Rd –The Lynd and Hughenden (Hann Hwy) Network rest area project – new rest areas:  $891,532 - 82km west of Tville on the Flinders Hwy

Phone: 07 4061 6066

National Network Heavy Vehicle Rest Area:  $305,000 - Johnson Rd, Tumoulin, truck stop  $375,000 - Channel Road, Walkamin  $265,000 - Springmount Road Mareeba Stronger Regions/Building Better Regions:  $90,200 - Rotary, Rocky Creek Igloo Tolga  $5M - Mareeba Airport Upgrade Stage 1  $3.490M - Mission Beach Aquatic Facility  $1M - Upgrade Water Supply Millstream  $ 65,000 - Youth Urban Art Gordonvale  $ 40,000 - Strategic plan, Tully River Cardstone  $359,872 - Atherton RSL –new club  $20,000 - Astronomy observatory Oak Valley  $5M - Mareeba Airport Upgrade Stage 2  $18,534 - Innisfail Tropical Art Deco and History  $75,000 - Ingham/ Cardwell Master Plan  $20,000 - Mt Isa, Innisfail, Lissner arts  $19,999 - Atherton - Youth Strategic Plan  $20,000 - Tablelands Smart Community Strategy  $50,000 - Babinda Youth Urban Art Project *$20,000 – Atherton Tablelands Tourism Strategy  $20,000 - Brettacorp Tully Festivals Australia funding  $105,000 - Yarrabah Band Festival  $30,415 - Feast of the Senses Innisfail  $45,000 - Yarrabah Band Festival Financial Assistance Grants for Local Government  $10,445,612 - Cassowary Coast Council  $5,897,117 - Hinchinbrook Shire Council  $21,070,536 - Mareeba Shire Council  $17,560,056 - Tablelands Shire Council  $2,844,510 - Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council Stronger Communities Programme:  $20,000 - Gordonvale RSL Sub-Branch  $19,274 - Atherton Rugby League Upgrade PA  $ 9,880 - Malanda Horse and Pony Club  $ 7,849 - Ravenshoe RSL upgrade kitchen  $ 5,574 - Mission Beach Surf Life Saving Club  $ 5,390 - Yarrabah Day Care Centre  $ 4,340 - Brothers Rugby Leagues Innisfail  $ 5,025 - Hinchinbrook Youth Drop-In Centre  $19,475 - Hinchinbrook Wetland Circuit  $20,000 - St Joseph’s P&F Atherton  $20,000 - Millaa Millaa exercise park project  $6,2000 - Innisfail Golf Club improvements  $19,127 - Refurbish Gordonvale RSL  $5,242 - Ravenshoe Community Centre National Shed Development Program  $8,400 - Yarrabah Men’s Shed  $6,000 - Edmonton Men’s Shed Inc.  $5,000 - Gordonvale Men’s Shed Inc.  $4,328 - Herbert River Men’s Shed  $2,395 - Julatten Men’s Shed Inc.  $2,166 - Gordonvale Men’s Shed Inc.  $1,983 - Atherton Men’s Shed Inc.  $ 9,800 - Cardwell Shed

 $ 7,000 - Herberton Men’s Shed  $6,500 - Mareeba Men’s Shed  $ 10,000 - Ravenshoe Men’s Shed Volunteer Grants  $5,000 - Atherton Performing Arts Inc.  $5,000 -Atherton Dressage and Equestrian  $2,692- Atherton-Herberton Historic Railway  $4,886 - Babinda State School P&C Association  $5,000 - Murrigal - Brettacorp Tully  $5,000 - Hawkins Creek- Camp Ingham  $5,000 - Mt Molloy, Australasian Theatre  $2,499 - Coconuts Outrigger Canoe Club  $2,158 - Dimbulah District Museum Association  $5,000 - Gordonvale Dulabed Malanbarra & Yidinji Aboriginal  $2,096 - Innisfail Feast of the Senses  $2,865 - Forrest Beach Progress Association.  $2,085 - Innisfail Friends of The Con  $1,600 - Atherton Tableland Regional Gallery  $2,172 - Innisfail & District Tennis Assn.  $5,000 - Innisfail Combined Sporting Association  $5,000 - Innisfail Community FM  $5,000 - Irvinebank Community Arts Recreation  $3,500 - Kurrimine Beach Progress Recreation  $5,000 - Malanda Horse and Pony Club  $4,900 - Mareeba Basketball  $4,000- Mareeba United Football Club  $4,769 - Mission Beach Cricket Club  $4,997 - Mission Beach Surf Life Saving Club  $1,000 - Mulgrave Shire Historical Society  $5,000 - Mareeba Muluridji Tribal Aboriginal  $5,000 - Petford Wellness Association  $5,000 - Ravenshoe Men’s Shed  $5,000 - Royals Care Australia Ltd  $3,053 - Edmonton Softball FNQ  $3,250 - South Johnstone State School  $5,000 - Southern Tableland Traditional Owners  $4,924 - Edmonton Southside Comets Football  $5,000 - Tableland Christian Radio Association  $3,216 - Tablelands Men's Shed  $4,839- The East Palmerston-Nerada Progress  $5,000 - The Johnstone Region Landcare Group  $4,900 - Tablelands Music Lovers Group  $4,439 - Trebonne Action Group  $5,000 - Atherton Tableland Kennel Club  $5,000 - Babinda and District Pony Club  $5,000 - Innisfail Combined Sporting Association  $5,000 - Mareeba Motor Racing Club  $5,000 - Tinaroo Barra Bash  $5,000 - Tully Horse Performance Centre  $4,984 - Ingham Football Club  $4,950 - Ewamian Aboriginal Corp. Mareeba  $4,890 - South Johnstone Primary P&C  $4,800 - Innisfail Creatives  $4,800 - The Tablelands Music Lovers

www.bobkatter.com.au

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$4,679 - Kurrimine Beach Progress $4,485 - St Vincent de Paul Mareeba $4,475 - Kairos Kennedy $4,341 - Lions Club of Mareeba $3,700 - Bartle Frere Primary P&C $3,666 - Our Lady of the Chain Mareeba $3,647 - Ingham Primary P&C Association $3,454 - Babinda Bowls Club $3,260 - St Vincent de Paul - Atherton $3,050 - Atherton Girl Guide Support Group $3,000 - Far North Queensland Bird Breeders $3,000 - Gordonvale Men's Shed. $2,793 - St Vincent de Paul - Vinnies Ingham $2,498 - Silkwood Primary P&C $2,160 - St Vincent de Paul - Innisfail $2,160 - St Vincent de Paul - Tully $2,160 - St Vincent de Paul - Ravenshoe $2,000 - Cardwell Meals on Wheels $1,350 - St Vincent de Paul - Ingham $1,160 - St Vincent de Paul - Babinda $1,160 - St Vincent de Paul - Edmonton $1,160 - St Vincent de Paul - Gordonvale $1,160 - St Vincent de Paul Society Innisfail $1,160 - St Vincent de Paul Society Mareeba $1,160 - St Vincent de Paul Society Tully Veterans and Defence memorial grants:  $9,804 - Avenue of Honour, Yungaburra  $9,404 - Cardwell, Battle of the Coral Sea  $4,000 - Tully RSL, restore the cenotaph  $4,000 - Edmonton cenotaph.  $3,637 - Atherton War Memorial  $2,403 - Chillagoe flagpole, honour board  $1,800 - Probus Ingham.  $12,224 - Edmonton RSL - Welfare Services  $4,127 - Herbert River RSL - Welfare  $20,364 - Tablelands Rds of Remembrance  $ 3,000 - Atherton RSL Centenary Wall Capital Grants non-Govt schools  $5.4M - St. Teresa’s College  $ 604,542 - St. Teresa’s, Abergowrie  $ 326,123 - Mt St. Bernard, Herberton Residential aged care places and grants  $3.925M - Tully and District Nursing Home  $4.755M - Mutkin Yarrabah  Edmonton Aged Care: 54 bed places  Warrina Innisfail: 40 bed places  Tully: 20 bed places  Carinya Hostel, Atherton: 4 bed places  Mutkin, Yarrabah: 1 bed place Local Sporting Community Grants  $107,750 - 194 GRANTS Indigenous  $22,495 - Yarrabah Art Centre  $627,092 - Yarrabah – case management youth-at-risk.

Authorised by Bob Katter, Katter’s Australian Party, 2/321 Sturt Street Townsville City QLD 4810

 $356,832 - Mamu Health Innisfail  $7.3M - Catholic Education from Ingham to Charters Towers Heritage and Icons Grant  $11,000 - The Tree Kangaroo and Mammal Group Malanda Community Heritage Grants  $5,970 – Mareeba Heritage Centre The 20 Million Trees Program  $110,000 - Topaz Cassowary Corridor and Enrichment Project  $100,000- Brettacorp Tully Cassowary & Mahogany Glider  $94,490 - Ngyangabarra Ravenshoe, 20,000 trees Recreational Fishing Community Grants  $40,750 -Yarrabah upgrade of boat ramp Regional Jobs and Investment Package  $20M (share of) Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council Reef Grants  $1.4M - Wet Tropics NRM, Innisfail to 14 cane farmers  $5.4M - Gully erosion control in priority grazing landscapes  $10.8M - Wet Tropics NRM, Innisfail cane, bananas, dairy and multi-crop  $11.8M - Wet Tropics NRM, Innisfail Wet and Dry Natural Disaster Resilience Program  $150,000 - Tablelands Council – flood mitigation study  $90,000 - Cassowary Coast River Improvement – Tully River  $90,000 - Herbert River improvement – Halifax Washaway  $72,000 – Cassowary Coast River improvement – Liverpool Creek and Moresby River  $275,000 Hinchinbrook Shire Council – Palm Creek Smart Cities and Suburbs Program  $827,894 - Reducing urban impacts on the Reef  $50,000 - Malanda Pony and Horse Club upgrade  $99,817 - Edmonton Storm Seniors Rugby League Club Cooperative Research Centre Projects  $1,003,155 Terragen Biotech Improving banana crop 2019 Flood Recovery Funding  NQ Livestock Industry Recovery Agency –$1.7Billion low-interest loans  Income tax exemption for qualifying grants made to producers, small businesses and non-profit organisations affected by NQ floods  Funding for schools in flood-affected areas  Additional $3M mental health services for floodaffected people in North and Western Queensland  One-off payment $1,000 to qualifying students affected  $300M for restocking  $5M to CWA to provide financial assistance

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Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, May 16, 2019 Page 5

COMMUNITY NEWS

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Do Politicians Realise We Exist? I was thinking lately, do politicians (including our very own you-know-who) realize that we exist in North Queensland. I mean,between Bamaga and Bundaberg and out west to the Territory border, there is roughly one million people. We have five politicians in the House of Reps, and only three senators: one Liberal, one Labor, one National (and the one Liberal we have is to run 4th on the ticket, unwinnable, and a Brisbane candidate to take his place) Tasmania has 12 senators and four House rep seats. The population down there is not even one million, not to mention they have their own state parliament for their interests, and not the people of Melbourne, in context of North and South Queensland. A few years back, state Labor and the LNP agreed to start the way back to a Queensland Upper House, which was closed in 1992 by Premier Ted Theodore (who was a Euramo boy – did you know that, bet you didn’t!) we don’t need more Brisbane based politicians and we especially don’t need any more fringe dwelling loonies that Upper House tend to elect. I have always liked the radical idea of merging local councils into something similar to Scotland’s parliament in the U.K. The idea of creating a new state ‘NorthQueenslandia’ or whatever is simply not feasible, and it’s not about State of Origin economically. We need Brisbane. In Cairns and Townsville the crime rate is out of control, in the places in-between unemployment is high, especially amongst young and Aboriginal people, and Local councils are only magnets for scandals and not pulling their weight. Time for a re-think, I think. Yours Sal Agostino Jnr Cardwell Bob Katter for Kennedy I have heard the same lines spruiked by the major parties that independents or minor parties

can’t get anything done. This is simply not true. You want to know your options on election day? Here the three most probable scenarios for Kennedy: The LNP Candidate is elected and we have a representative who is in opposition (the LNP is a sinking ship Federally) – this would be a diabolical disaster for Kennedy. He will have no power or influence over the ALP Government whatsoever. The LNP will use all their negotiation power to lobby the ALP Government to influence electorates and projects they consider to be far more important to their shareholders (the donors). The ALP Candidate is elected (who I might remind you called the electorate the ‘Katter electorate’ a couple of times in his debates) – and we have a backbench representative so out of touch with Kennedy that they might as well be representing Mars. He will have no voice to argue our case. He will be told what questions to ask in the Parliament and he will be muzzled like every other major party politician. Don’t believe me, look what happened to Peter Garrett. Thought he could change the world and learned very quickly that he had no voice despite his Midnight Oil prominence. Finally, our incumbent is re-elected. Now we’ve seen what Bob Katter is capable of when he had three weeks of power – he secured three dams and an engineering study, as well as reopened the market gardens in the Cape and delivered farm finance for the agriculture sector in turmoil. He has solid, working relationships with both sides of government, and if we focus only on what can be delivered for the electorate of Kennedy then Bob is the only force capable of delivering no matter which way the polls go. It’s far better to be outside the tent and the one with the flamethrower than to be inside the tent protecting the owners of the tent. I think the owners of the tent will be more inclined to listen to the one holding the flame thrower. Not rocket science who to vote for on May 18. Anthony Lagana Innisfail

The views and comments made in letters to the editor are not necessarily the views and opinions of this paper. The Cassowary Coast Independent News reserves the right to cut content deemed as inappropriate, or not publish letters. Send your letters to: editor@ccin.com.au or text: 0473 350 465

CCRC Correspondent

DOMINIC MOBBS THE May 23 2019 Council Committees’ Meeting was fairly uneventful. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor were absent at conferences and the meeting was again all over by morning tea. Other than Cr. Nolan seeking support for an approach to Telstra and Optus regarding the lack of mobile phone coverage at East Palmerston, and particularly around the Community Hall, the only other noteworthy matter related to the monthly Delivery Services Capital Report. Here the public had to observe the rather crazy situation of the CEO having to receive and note a report prepared by his own staff, rather than elected councillors. This situation arose because three councillors, in what appeared to be an excess of virtue signalling, declared a ‘conflict of interest’. This regular 10-page Delivery Services Capital Report lists and reviews numerous items including the status of 9 projects to be completed by the end of the financial year; 18 projects worked on over the past month; 41 roads having been or are to be resheeted; 28 culverts to be renewed; 13 sealed road,

seven pathways and 10 bus stop renewals etc etc. Among dozens of projects, large and small, the Report contained a minor reference to the proposed Edith Street covered walkway. The contract for the construction of this was recently awarded to the Sultana Group whose principal donated $200 to the Unity Alliance 2016 electoral campaign. Hence all the Unity councillors present, Baines, Heath and Taylor, declared a ‘conflict of interest’ and declined to participate in voting on the resolution to receive the Report. As the Unity councillors, together with Cr. Kimberley, had decided at the March 14 Council meeting that when situations like this arise, such that a quorum cannot be established, the CEO would be delegated to make decisions rather than the remaining councillors, in this case Crs. Nolan and Raleigh. (Four councillors are required for a quorum). One can only wonder how it is that the Unity councillors plus Cr. Kimberley believe that good governance and the ratepayers’ best interests are served by preventing the independent non-Unity councillors from even noting a simple routine report such as this. Perhaps they will reconsider their position when Council meets again in June to revisit this issue if the State Government has not come up with a solution in the interim. The moral of the story appears to be that minor donations to election campaigns are simply not worthwhile accepting and create more trouble than they are worth!

Page 6 Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, May 16, 2019

Cardwell Meet the Candidates Meeting SARI HYYTINEN THERE was a large turnout to the Cardwell Candidates meeting. One hundred and fifty people came to the community hall in Cardwell to hear from the federal candidates for the election 2019. As Cardwell only has a population of nine hundred people it is amazing to see so much active involvement in their community. The current sitting representative of Kennedy is Bob Katter from the Katter party. When he spoke, Bob showed his years of representing the community. He spoke about ways that previous decisions were made by different political parties and how they negatively impacted the Cardwell region. He would like to see land that had been sold or given away by previous governments returned to the community and subsequently see the development of commercial interests that will ensure strong employment for the region. Bob did inform those present that he would like to show them the funding that the Katter party has been able to secure during the time he has represented the community. When listening to Sue Bertuch from the United Australia Party, you were hearing from a person who expressed a desire to ensure that politicians listened to the members of the community. The United Australia Party would like to reduce the foreign aid percentage that Australian contributes overseas and have that money spent on the needs of Australians. She would like to see changes to our taxation system and ensure that less tax is being placed on regional areas. When listening to Frank Beveridge from the LNPs, who talked about assisting the community with zonal tax rebates, he emphasized how different areas share the same concerns, but the funding is not allocated equitably, and he would like to see a fairer distribution of resources. Brett McGuire from the Labor Party spoke about wanting to create jobs by listening to scientist who inform that Australia needs to make the shift to being more ecofriendly. Brett spoke about not using as many fossil fuels and trying to find a more socially responsible alternative. Lyle Burness from the Greens Party was unable to attend the Cardwell Candidates meeting. One question appeared to be the most significant to the people of Cardwell was regarding the dredging of One Mile Creek. This question stood out as the dredging of One Mile Creek would provide access to the ocean from the public boat ramp. In response to this question McGuire

said that he had heard there was a sustainable alternative to dredging One Mile Creek. Beviridge said he would fight for it. Bertuch said she will collaborate with the community to make it happen but can see the fishers need it and it’s needed to bolster tourism in the area. Katter, the state representative said Nick Dametto has already been making petitions to the government to get the dredging to happen. One Mile Creek is a State-owned waterway which has not been dredged for 8 years and is now heavily silted and only accessible on high tide. The flow on from this for our community is immense. The economy of the entire region has stagnated and is in decline. All boating activities including the Coast Guard Service, pro fisherman and crabbers, and recreational fishermen have been impacted. Cardwell as a major gateway to the surrounding islands and the Barrier Reef is no longer a viable attraction for tourism. This once key asset of the Cardwell region is in disrepair which detracts from potential new residents choosing to live here. Work for local tradies is limited forcing many of them to seek work elsewhere. Local businesses are struggling as the pool of customers declines through people leaving town and less tourists coming to the town. Much discussion has taken place over the years with State Government representatives and local Council. While all seem to agree that dredging of the creek is important, all hide behind the Conformed Deed as an excuse to do nothing. This is a twenty-something-year-old agreement between the original Developer, The State of Queensland, Council of the Shire of Cardwell and The Commonwealth of Australia. A major part of this agreement was that “the Developer agrees to maintain the waterway”. In the case that the Company is in default under the Deed and has then been notified of the default and an opportunity to remedy the default but does not do so then “the State, or the Council or the Commonwealth may proceed to remedy. the default at the cost and expense of the Company. Well, the original developer has passed away and his business is no longer, no new developer has been successful in taking over the Development. As a result, the maintenance of One Mile Creek has been neglected. We hope we can agree that the Conformed Deed is an outdated document and no longer applicable given the circumstances of today. The signatories to the Conformed deed must stop hiding behind it and start acting in the interests of this community.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Cardwell Residents Demand Dredging of Hinchinbrook Harbour is running out and our luck is running out. Somebody is going to get killed and when that happens, all fingers are going to point the blame at all levels of government.” This was echoed by Goggi. Last December, five people had to be rescued by the Coast Guard near Hinchinbrook Island, but the Coast Guard was unable to leave the port until high tide came in three hours later. In that case, they were lucky that no one required urgent medical attention. More recent events suggest that the Coast Guard vessels may be unavailable for even routine situations. “Our rescue boat went out on Tuesday at 12:20 in the afternoon, headed out to Bryn Mawr Reef to tow a vessel. They did not get home till 10 o’clock that night because we had no damn water to get the boat back in,” said Goggi. The government is claiming that the land is privately owned and refusing to take responsibility, but Swaine claims they have proof that the property is government owned. One of the documents CCIN has seen is a letter written by Andrew Cripps when he was the Member for Hinchinbrook that stated: “the perimeter of the marina and a large portion of the Grand Canal have been identified as being public assets under the Coastal Protection and Management Act.” Cripps goes on to suggest that the Cassowary Coast Regional Council should have access to Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) funding from the Australia Government. More than 30 boats were towed along Bruce Highway to demonstrate the government neglecting One Mile Creek. At the same time, the group of four counter-protesters held up signs demanding that we protect the Dugong in the area. Parker, a Cardwell resident and veteran protester, said while he had no problem with the dredging itself, it should be paid for by the boat owners, not rate payers. His other concern is that an increase in boats on the water, will kill the Dugong, but conservationists and marine biologists feel this concern is unwarranted for boats this size.

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Works in a mine and feels the mining and farming will continue to thrive. “You’ll never see the mining and farming industries disappear out of Australia.” “If we want to be a nation of renewable energy, we will need the resources such as copper and lithium to propel those industries. The produce we provide such as fruit and vegetables and sugar cane are too important to the rest of the world to ever think about not supporting their development.” Concerned about the dangers to the Great Barrier Reef and the rain forest, which he wants his two little girls to be able to get out and see. One Mile Creek: It’s a safety issue, we have to ensure clear access. “Maybe we should start looking for a better option and not just keep doing the same things over and over again.” Know your candidate: “Get your small communities thriving and the flow on effect to the bigger cities is going to be tremendous.”

Sue Bertuch – United Australia Party

Former teacher and business owner. Farmers shouldn’t have to wait when they suffer natural disasters for aid. They should not have to deal with red tape. Is against sending raw materials overseas to be processed, only to be returned to us at a higher cost. “Farmers in the north are recognized as some of the world’s best for their environmental work and standards in terms of environmental responsibility, in terms of the run-off, the use of chemicals, and use of herbicides on their farms. Their continued good farming practices are regarded as contributors to the overall health and well-being of our reef and the coastal beaches.” Feels the dredging and maintenance of One Mile Creek is important, but we must ascertain who has claims of that area before actioning such a project. Know your candidate: As a business owner, many of Bertuch’s answers touched on the effects of policies on jobs in the region.

Frank Beveridge – Liberal National Party

Worked as a mechanic, then started a cleaning business. Then progressively built more businesses. First elected when he was just 35 years old. Door-knocked all the communities (to find out what people are concerned about.) Talked a lot about the subjects that he wanted to talk about, basically ignoring the questions until the last three minutes when he zipped through them, often with very short answers, even detouring off. For example, when answering about euthanasia, he volunteered he was against “young girls getting abortions every five minutes.” Know your candidate: “National Party focuses on farming, mining, agriculture, fishing, and regional communities, and that’s all I’m interested in. A lot of the environmental laws being passed are not kind to us and not kind to our communities.”

Lyle Burness – The Greens Party

Moved here from Sydney and loves it here so much, he never wants to go back. Acknowledged that mining and farming are crucial to our future, but feels we need to take climate change into account. It won’t be a shock to anyone that Burness referred to climate change repeatedly and feels we should pay attention to the warnings from the overwhelming number of scientists. Unsurprisingly, Burness loves the Great Barrier Reef and finds the damage to it both shocking and preventable. Took a helicopter view of electric cars overall, but felt the technology challenges will be overcome. Know your candidate: Thinks the taxpayers shouldn’t foot the bill for One Mile Creek.

Bob Katter – Katter Australian Party

Had lots of opinions that are well documented. He spent a good deal of his 15-minute allocation attacking, with no small amount of political skill, sitting MPs, past MPs, and his four challengers. He was not without substance, but if graded on how much time he spent answering the questions pre-posed by the Mission Beach residents, he wouldn’t fare well. Top marks, though, for voice projection. Know your candidate: Katter has no doubt that he will succeed in this election.

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THE message was simple: We boat, we vote! More than 30 boat owners turned out to protest the inaction from the government at all levels on the problems at Hinchinbrook Harbour. David Swaine, representing Cardwell Sportfishing Club, spoke out on behalf of the members and called for the government to allocate $1.5 million to the efforts to dredge One Mile Creek. Cr Glenn Raleigh joined in and spoke with outrage about the avoidance of the responsibility by all three levels of government. Ann-Maree Goggi, Cardwell Coast Guard flotilla commander, also spoke passionately about the danger to life due to the blockage that restricts the access of Coast Guard boats. In the other corner was a small group led by wellknown activist, Ken Parker. They were concerned that once One Mile Creek is dredged, the large number of boats that will have access will kill the local Dugong population. As a man with his fingers in a few boating pies, Swaine had much motivation. “We’re here today due to the fact that the dredging of One Mile Creek has not been done. We have recently found out that the state government owns One Mile Creek. It is their property. This is tourism for Cardwell, which has been in the lulls now for well over 10 years, we’ve had businesses close and a lot of jobs lost for the community. We’re asking the government to cough up the $1.5 million it will cost to dredge,” said Swaine. For comparison sake, recently the Queensland government set aside $5 million for a dredging project that will deliver all-tide access at Molongle Creek’s boat ramp in Bowen. Swaine now wants the government to assign the smaller amount to One Mile Creek. “We want the state government to come to the party and cough up the $1.5 million.” Cr Raleigh spoke with anger about the waffling of the government on the matter, asking for not just a BandAid measure, but to implement a sustainable solution for the future of the draining of One Mile Creek. “I believe the time has come to stop hiding behind the conformed deed of agreement and get on with fixing this issue once and for all. I’ve been bashing my head against the wall for seven years trying to get this sorted, and hopefully this will be the catalyst for change,” said Raleigh. Much of Raleigh’s anger was directed at the safety issues. He suggested that the government only looks at safety issues after someone has lost their life. “It has put lives at risk and we’re very lucky that no one has lost

their lives when the coast guard couldn’t get out. Time

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Learn how to assist people (friends, staff & colleagues) experiencing mental health problems

What’s on at the Tully Support Centre?

Volunteer Morning Tea Where: C4 Theatrette, North Mission Beach When: Friday the 17th May from 10:00am – 11:00am. The TSC in conjunction with C4 is hosting a free morning tea for all volunteers in the Mission Beach community. Explore, Develop, Grow Where: Tully Support Centre When: Tuesdays 9:30am – 11:00am See the value of positive engagement with young people in your care, access parental supports and connect socially with others in caring roles. For parents and carers in our community. All children must be fully supervised, morning tea provided

Tully Youth Centre

Where: Mullins Building, Tully Showgrounds When: Open Tuesday to Thursday from 3:30pm – 6:00pm. For all Young People aged 10 – 17 years. Food and Drinks provided. Come down and check it out. Cassowary Coast Domestic and Family Violence Service Where: Tully, Innisfail, Mission Beach and Cardwell Adult and Child counselling, court support and assistance. If you or someone you know is experiencing DFV please call 4068 1004 to make an appointment or call DVconnect on 1800 811 811. Remember if you are in danger dial 000.

Tully District Knitting, Craft and Crochet Group

Where: Tully Support Centre When: Mondays from 1:00pm to 2:30pm Great people, fun, social afternoon. Evening Crochet Group Where: Tully Support Centre When: Tuesdays, from 6:00pm Would you like to learn how to crochet in a casual/relaxed atmosphere? Then come join us. Free Tea and Coffee available The TSC is funded by the Queensland Government and services communities throughout the Cassowary Coast. The TSC is located at 54 Bryant Street in Tully, opening hours Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00am to 1:00pm & 2:00pm to 4:00pm; Wednesday 9:00am to 1:00pm & 2:00pm to 6:00pm. To register your interest or obtain more info about groups and other services please call 40 681 004, check the Tully Support Centre online at www.tullysupportcentre.com.au or follow us on Facebook “Tully Support Centre Inc.”

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Visit us during the FNQ Rotary Field Days 29 – 31 May 2019 Visit us at Site D20 – 21 for a chance to win a DJI Mavic Air Fly More Combo. We look forward to having a chat.

*Terms and Conditions apply. Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited ABN 11 068 049 178 AFSL 237879. Farm finance products issued by Rural Bank Ltd, ABN 74 083 938 416 AFSL 238042. (1294347–1300652) (04/19)

Page 8 Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, May 16, 2019

MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID COURSE Learn how to assist people (friends, staff & colleagues) experiencing mental health problems

THE TULLY SUPPORT CENTRE INC. INVITES YOU TO A STANDARD MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID (2 DAY) COURSE Mental health first aid is the help given to someone developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate professional treatment is received or until the crisis resolves. The Standard Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course is based on the international MHFA Guidelines. These guidelines were developed using consensus of mental health consumers, carers and professionals from English-speaking developed countries. Further information here: www.mhfa.com.au The Mental Health First Aid Program was developed in 2001 by Betty Kitchener and Prof. Tony Jorm. It was then auspiced as a training and research program at Orygen Youth Health Research Centre, University of Melbourne from mid 2005. Since mid 2012 it has operated as a non-profit health promotion charity called Mental Health First Aid Australia. The Program has been well evaluated and found to be effective in improving mental health literacy, reducing stigma and increasing helping behaviours. These evaluations have been carried out in workplace and community settings.

Wednesday, Thursday 29 & 30 May, 2019 8.30am4.30pm (12 hr course) Tully Red Cross Hall Bryant Street Tully

Course materials, lunch, morning and afternoon tea included. Registration is essential for catering and resource purposes

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Register online at www.kochfoundation.org.au before Monday 27.05.19 Enquiries to Dulcie Bird on 0409 765 305 or by email maxine@tullysupportcentre.com.au

National Centre for Farmer Health to visit Rotary FNQ Field Days THE team at Rural Bank and the FNQ Bendigo Community Bank Branches, have teamed up with the National Centre for Famer Health (NCFH) to provide free health and lifestyle assessments at the Rotary FNQ Field Days later this month. A health check takes approximately 20 minutes and measures body mass index (BMI), cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose levels. Hearing, eyesight and general well-being are also checked, as well as discussions around safe work practices. At the conclusion of the private assessment, each participant receives a take home passport showing their results, making it easy for them to follow up any issues with a general practitioner. According to Grant Turner and Nathan Taylor, Rural Bank’s Agribusiness Relationship Managers in Far North Queensland, farmers’ health can sometimes be quite poor due to them “being so busy on the farm that they forget about their own health.” One great benefit of working with the team from the NCFH is that the nurses conducting the health checks are all from farming backgrounds. “This makes it a much more comfortable setting for farmers,” Turner said.

“Being from a farming background, the staff are able to talk about the seasonal changes and the issues affecting farmers.” The National Centre for Farmer Health is a partnership between Western District Health Service and Deakin University and provides national leadership to improve the health, wellbeing and safety of farming men and women and their families in rural communities in across Australia. Taylor explained that Rural Bank has partnered with the NCFH for nearly 3 years, and in that time has delivered health check services to Field Days sites across Australia. “I would strongly encourage the community, especially farmers, to take advantage of these health checks,” said Taylor. Health checks are available from the Bendigo Bank/Rural Bank marquee on each day of the Rotary FNQ Field Days. No appointment is necessary.

COMMUNITY NEWS Seniors, Infirm in Cardwell Neglected by Cassowary Coast Regional Council SEAN DENT

Seniors in Cardwell are outraged that their local pool, built in the 1980s, has been neglected by the Cassowary Coast Regional Council (CCRC) despite having $250,000 earmarked for repairs more than 10 months ago. Spokeswoman for Friends of the Pool, Sue Metcalfe, is a retired school principal from NSW and has lived in Cardwell for five years, devoting her time to helping seniors, especially those who visit the pool to stay fit and recover from medical procedures. For months now, Metcalfe has been asking for a meeting with several members of the CCRC in order to firm up a date for necessary upgrades to the pool with no success. “I have been asking for a meeting with Mr Goodman, the Mayor, Coun-

cillor Raleigh, the pool Manager Mark Sheahan and a group of pool users since early March,” said Metcalfe. The letters and e-mails the Friends of the Pool have received back are littered with words like, whilst, however, and notwithstanding, and with such phrases as: "actively working towards", "being considered", "timeframes currently being prepared", "under consideration", "to be delivered", “identified a need for”, and "as soon as possible". The only thing resembling an action date refers to June 2021, more than two years away. To Metcalfe, it all sounds like government double-speak indicative of no set plans. The repairs that Friends of the Pool consider urgent are ones regarding the safety and dignity of their older citizens. They feel the repairs are relatively

uncostly when compared to the $250,000 that was set down for the Cardwell Pool in June 2018. “All except two of our members are over 60, with most in their 70s and even some in their 80s. As well as the aged there are people recovering from knee, hip replacements and other injuries who are there for rehabilitation provided by a visiting physio,” said Metcalfe. “The steps into the pool have one handrail which doesn’t reach right over the top step. To assist many patrons, a second handrail would be a big help. Ideally a ramp into the pool would be provided.” There are also severe privacy issues. “The pool is shared with families,” said Metcalfe. “The other day, I was showering when a mother walked in with her seven-year-old boy. Many older people

want some privacy and a bit of dignity. At the same time, I understand mums swimming with their boys or men swimming with their girls don’t want to send their children alone into a changing room.” She feels this is an embarrassment that could easily be avoided by having family changing rooms, something that is common in public swimming areas these days. In a letter to one of the Friends of the Pool, David Goodman, Director of Infrastructure Services, said the council had identified “a number of higher-priority works at the Cardwell pool”, seemingly suggesting that the requested repairs and enhancements that the elderly and infirm require are not a high enough priority. Metcalfe is acutely aware that the best time to do maintenance on a pub-

lic pool is during the June-July period when the pool closes for the winter. “If they don’t even have plans to get started in two weeks, they will probably postpone it for another year.” That puts the 2021 deadline in better perspective. The big problem appears to be CCRC doesn’t like interactions with the rate payers they are paid to serve. They send letters, such as one Goodman sent suggesting that clients with mobility issues use a hoist to get in and out of the pool. “No one from the Council has come to watch the people getting in and out of the pool or to meet with the users despite repeated attempts to arrange meetings. If he’d met with us instead of avoiding us and sending letters, we could have told him that a hydraulic hoist isn’t reliable as an alterna-

tive, and many would be out of the weight range it takes.” Metcalfe wants to know what happened to the money allocated for the pool. “Council approved a budget of $250,000 for the upgrade of Cardwell pool on June 26, 2018 yet nothing has been done. We have been unable to find out what happened to the money that was in the budget as Council refuses repeatedly to answer this question.” Cr. Raleigh acknowledged there are allocations in this year’s budget and said that there is a scope of works and that work would start in June as soon as the pool closes for the winter break, but said he hasn’t seen the scope. “I put a notice of motion December 2017, you know, asking for an assessment of the pool. And what would it take to

get it to a modern specification. Access for disabled people, you know, infirm people getting in and out of the pool for example with mobility issues, those sort of things need to be addressed very quickly.” When asked what the hold up was, he said, “Money!” CCRC responded to our requests for comment, by saying that $239,000 will have been spent by the time the pool reopens after the winter break. A representative for the CCRC said, “Various works are scheduled, including installation of automated pool chemistry sampling and dosing, including remote monitoring facility.” Metcalfe’s final comment on the matter: “These are not the things we are asking for, but we will fight on.”

Dancers Finish on High Note Winner of Tully & District MARIA GIRGENTI THE 36th annual Innisfail & District Ballet & Dance Society competition wrapped up in great style culminating in the awards presentation last Friday evening, which saw a number of Cassowary Coast dancers take home a swag of trophies. The song & dance championship (15-18 years), which features two routines, was won by Ga- Adjudicator, Amanda Jane Pearson congratulated the Cassowary Coast dancers who won brielle Hall, who also won major awards: Michelle De Faveri, Emily O’Brien, Chloe Broccardo, Danielle Millard, Charthe tap championship in the lotte Grima, Bianca Brant, Gabrielle Hall and Karla Calleja. in modern championship (15-18 years) with one slow same age group with Charand one fast routine and equal third in classical solo (16lotte Grima finishing as intermediate champion. The song and dance championship (12-14 years) 18 years). Chloe Broccardo came second in song & soft which involved a song & soft shoe, as well as a song & shoe solo (11-12 years), with Adelle Page in equal third, and Emily O’Brien third in classical solo (13 years). tap routine, was won by Karla Calleja. The waltz tap solo (11 years) was won by Stevie Chloe Broccardo won song and dance championship (11 years & under), with Michelle De Faveri as interme- Chizzotti, with Mia Terry and Rylee Leonardi in equal diate champion. Broccardo also won the tap champion- third; Adelle Page won song and tap solo (11-12 years), with Chloe Broccardo in third place. Alexis Onaindia ship (18 years and under), with Amity Stewart in third. Karla Calleja and Bianca Brant finished second and won the modern solo slow/lyrical (11 years). Chloe third respectively in the tap championship (12-14 years); Broccardo came second in tap solo (11 years), while Good Counsel College dancers finished equal third in the Georgia Ryan was equal second in tap solo (15 years). Innisfail dancers featured in the major awards with secondary school dance group (any style), and Gabrielle Hall and Danae Pedrola won the tap duo (18 years & Chloe Broccardo named Junior Tap Champion, Junior Song and Dance Champion and Most Promising Cassounder). It was a hat trick for local dancers as Maya Jensen wary Coast Junior Dancer, while Charlotte Grima was won the modern solo slow/lyrical (9 years), with Tay- named the Most Promising Tap Dancer (all ages) and la O’Brien in second and Heleana Kuhn in third. Amira Danielle Millard - Most Promising Contemporary DancBraun won the modern solo slow/lyrical (8 years); Alexis er (all ages). Bianca Brant won the Adjudicator’s Special Award Onaindia won the modern (jazz style) solo (11 years), (all ages), and Michelle De Faveri won the Encouragewhile Heleana Kuhn was second in contemporary solo ment Award (9-11 years). (8-9 years). Gabrielle Hall was the Aggregate Winner (15-18 Stevie Chizzotti won the song & soft shoe solo (8-10 years), while Gabrielle Hall was first in song & tap solo years), Age Champion Runner Up (15-18 years), Most (15-18 years). Karla Calleja was equal first in song & Promising Cassowary Coast Senior Dancer, Senior Tap soft shoe (13-14 years), with Bianca Brant in third. Chloe Champion and Senior Song & Dance Champion. Karla Calleja was the Aggregate Winner (12-14 Broccardo finished second in waltz tap solo (11 years). years), Age Champion (12-14 years), Most Promising Lily Darveniza and Karla Calleja were equal third in contemporary solo (14 years), and Adelle Page finished Song & Dance (all ages), Most Outstanding Versatile Dancer (in 3 disciplines), as well as Intermediate Song third in tap solo (12 years). Gabrielle Hall won both the tap solo 16- 18 years & Dance Champion. Dance Works Academy won the Adjudicator’s Most with, Charlotte Grima in second and Danielle Millard in equal third. Karla Calleja claimed equal second in the Outstanding Costume Award for their Russian National modern (jazz style) solo 14 years. Danielle Millard third group (13 years & under).

Orchid Society Raffle

LAST Wednesday, Brenda Taifalos, Senior Branch Manager of Tully Bendigo Bank, drew the Tully & District Orchid Society Inc. annual raffle. The Society is pleased to announce the winner was local resident Bev Achilles of Murray Street, Tully. All the profits from the raffle go back

into the local community with the first donation going to Tully & District Show Society Inc. Later in the year, the club will sponsor a section at the Cassowary Coast Orchid Expo in Innisfail with the balance to be decided at a future general meeting.

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Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, May 16, 2019 Page 9

COMMUNITY NEWS

May is Domestic Violence Awareness Month SEAN DENT MAY 2019 is Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Queensland and Tully Support Centre is calling on all businesses to join it in shining a light on this issue. It is asking business owners to light up their shops in purple with banners, flags, and clothing from May 20-26. Then, post a photo to social media and tag Tully Support Centre. Queensland Government recommends using the hashtags #endDFV and #dosomething. In the 12 months ending March 31, 2019, Queensland

registered 23,461 domestic violence applications statewide. Of course, there’s no way of knowing how many cases went unregistered because a person was either too afraid to make a complaint or because they didn’t realise that they were embroiled in a domestic violence situation. In 2014/2015, the Queensland Government invested money and resources in a Special Taskforce on Domestic and Family Violence in Queensland, which produced a wide-ranging report – Not Now, Not Ever: Putting an end to domestic and family violence

Men’s Shed Cleans up After Project TULLY and District Men’s Shed received a welcome boost to their tool chest as a token of thanks for a community project for Tully Nursing Home. The crew at the Shed made a native timber shelf for the sign-in book, which has been installed in the recently completed extension to the dementia centre of the home. The centre was built by building contractors, Paynters,

and the management showed their thanks for the shelf by donating a new Karcher pressure cleaner and accessories to Tully Men’s Shed. Shed committee member David Flower said the cleaner is a great asset for the crew. “The pressure cleaner is a great addition to the shed and we’ve already put it to good use, cleaning the recreational areas and the entrance ramp,” he said.

in Queensland. If you google “domestic and family violence queensland”, the first site to come up is the government website that will answer many questions you may have. Below are some signs the Queensland Government suggests you look out for either in your own life or in the life of a friend or family member who may be too afraid or too ashamed to admit to what is going on. Someone experiencing domestic and family violence may: - seem intimidated or frightened by their partner or withdrawn or reluctant to speak, and

the children may seem timid, frightened or too well behaved in the partner’s presence - be overly anxious to please their partner - say their partner constantly follows, rings or texts them wanting to know where they are, what they are doing and who they are with - be regularly criticised or verbally put down by their partner in front of you - say their partner is jealous and possessive and accuses them of having affairs with other people - refer to their partner or family member having a bad

temper or being moody, especially when they have been drinking - repeatedly have bruises, broken bones, or other injuries claimed as the result of falls or other accidents - wear inappropriate clothing in summer months such as scarves and long sleeves or wear heavy make-up and sunglasses inside to hide signs of physical abuse - often be late to work or appointments or cancel meetings with you at the last minute - stop seeing or speaking with you, friends and family - say their partner controls

the money (i.e. gives them none or not enough and makes them account for every cent that is spent). If you suspect someone you know to be stuck in such a situation, the best course of action is to talk to the person and get them to discuss the matter with the Tully Support Centre, which has a great deal of experience with these situations. Let them know they are not alone and that you will be there for them, that they do not have to accept this, and that they have access to safety and support.

Innisfail PCYC Real Winners at Charity Bowls Day THE Innisfail Branch of the ALP and the Innisfail Bowls Club hosted the 19th annual Charity Bowls Day on Labour Day, May 6. A total of 40 bowlers wore colourful attire and were a great spectacle on the green in picture perfect weather. Members of the AWU, AMWU, ALP Branch, Council employees, bowls club members and ALP Candidate for Kennedy, Brett McGuire, participated in two games. The Combined Unions Perpetual Trophy for the most successful team was won by South Johnstone Mill AWU workers: Kevin Villalba, George Lemonis, Barry Smith and Danny Braun. Two teams of Tim Kerrigan, Jeff Pearce, Peter Longford and Doug Juhas and AMWU team of Trevor Kroger,

Chris McInerney, Gary Binello and Roy McCarthy were runners-up and finished with identical scores. A donated raffle of a trip for two with Quicksilver Cruises to Green Island was won by Roy McCarthy. Two new special awards donated by Deb O’Brien were a gold medal for the oldest bowler and a silver medal for the youngest bowler, which were won by Peter Longford (in his eighties) and Stevie Rose Wallis born in 2007. Each year the designated charity is a local youth group with Innisfail PCYC Youth Group this year’s recipient of $561, with $161 raised from the raffle and $400 donated by Innisfail ALP branch and Innisfail Bowls Club which was presented to Innisfail PCYC Branch Manager Sergeant Michael Maguire.

Brett McGuire congratulated Labour Day winners: Barry Smith, Kevin Villalba, Danny Braun and George Lemonis - South Johnstone Mill AWU workers.

Mamu Health Service Celebrates 29th Birthday with Special Morning Tea MARIA GIRGENTI

Bill Kaukianen President Tully Mens Shed and Andrew Flower, Paynters Project Manager With Shelf

Bus Driver Delivers a Baby on Road to Cairns CLARE WATSON THURSDAY, May 9, Alan Cooney, a bus driver for Greyhound went above and beyond his duty, delivering his passenger’s baby on a sidewalk. For the purpose of privacy, we will refer to the lady involved as ‘Jess’. Jess was 36 weeks pregnant when she boarded the bus in Airlie beach with her 16-month-old child. The bus trip went smoothly until they reached the suburb of Woree, when Jess tapped Cooney on the shoulder and informed him she was going into labor. He pulled off the freeway, called the ambulance, and told them to meet him at the Woree United Fuel Station. Jess Jumped off the bus and headed for the sidewalk, and Alan grabbed a sheepskin seat cover and another passenger

on the bus, who he knew was a trainee nurse. They got to Jess onto the sidewalk, where he lay the seat cover for her. “I think I need to push,” she told him. He urged her to try and wait for the ambulance, instructed the trainee nurse to wait with her, and headed back to the bus to grab a first aid kit. Once he arrived back on the scene the baby’s head had already appeared. With no ambulance in sight, he had to take charge, ensuring the umbilical cord wasn’t wrapped around the baby’s head. He then helped her to safely deliver a healthy baby girl. “The entire thing only lasted for 5-10 minutes,” he said. It was an amazing shock to everyone, including the other passengers on the bus. Considering how risky some births can be, it was wonderful to have a happy ending.

MAMU Health Service celebrated 29 years of service to the Cassowary Coast and surrounding districts with a special birthday morning tea at their administration building in Glady Street. It was an extra special occasion for the board of directors, senior management and staff as they welcomed new CEO Noeleen Mulley who commenced her first day with the organisation. Mrs Mulley said she was the health worker from Wuchopperen who used to come down from Cairns to Innisfail. Mamu has a new mobile clinic, and since the end of February, a GP conducts fortnightly clinics in Mount Garnet and as there are seven or eight staff licenced to drive the vehicle, so it will be out on the road more. Interim chairperson - Board of Directors Dulcie McCarthy and Noeleen Mulley had the honours of cutting the birthday cake to mark the special milestone. The organisation had simple and humble beginnings, having first started out as a branch of Wuchopperen Medical Service in Cairns, which was established in July 1981.

Page 10 Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, May 16, 2019

In 1984, basic clinics started in Innisfail in response to health needs of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. Wuchopperen would provide a doctor and health worker three days per week and people would be seen at Chjowai Hall. As the number of patients increased, Innisfail then recognised a need to have their own health worker to look after dressings and conduct some home visits on the days when the doctor was unavailable. It was soon identified that a fulltime clinic needed to be in operation. In 1986, Wuchopperen rented premises at 61 Ernest Street, Innisfail and started advertising for medical and administrative staff and began to operate on a full-time basis for the Innisfail community. Statistics indicated a substantial number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were not utilising the existing health services to their advantage and their overall standard of health was much lower than non-Aboriginals. It is well known Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people respond better when treated and assisted by their own people and by those who have

knowledge and understanding of their particular ways and cultures. Mamu Health Service was incorporated on May 1, 1990 and the tribal name of Mamu was adopted in the same year after autonomy from Wuchopperen. The organisation’s barramundi logo was decided on as the fish was caught in abundance at the junction of the North and South Johnstone rivers by the Mamu tribe. Over the years clinics were

opened in Babinda, Tully and Ravenshoe and in recent years, Mums and Bubs moved from Owen to Glady Street, next door to the current administration building. Mamu Health Service Ltd provides a range of medical services such as comprehensive screening, childhood immunisation, antenatal care, women’s and men’s health care, sexual health clinic, hearing and mental health. They also provide counselling services in drugs and alcohol and family support.

Mamu CEO Noeleen Mulley and interim chairperson - Mamu board of directors Dulcie McCarthy had the honour of cutting the birthday cake.