WE’VE ended the year with a raft of positive announcements for the Mount Isa electorate, but there are still plenty of challenges and achievements which will require more hard work in 2016.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
When it was announced Glencore Mount Isa Mines could extend its Copper Smelter operations until 2022 it was a massive win for the people of Mount Isa – but also saved up to 1200 jobs across North Queensland.
Whilst my focus was on local workers, the flow-on effects of the copper smelter having to close in 2016 would have been disastrous for the state.
I started discussions with previous government ministers David Crisafulli and Andrew Powell about two years ago and Minister Anthony Lynham was able to sign off on the legislation to allow the continuation of the copper smelter. This was a great example of all sides of politics understanding the importance of North West jobs.
More than two years ago I highlighted the importance of the Northern Gas Pipeline by raising in Parliament the necessity for the North West to benefit from the looming gas shortage on the East Coast.
The Mount Isa-Tennant Creek option was always the logical option, but it did require work to ensure politics didn’t hijack our opportunity for a nation-building, economic boosting project. With the deal now secured, it means much-needed jobs, cheaper energy for projects and economic confidence for our region. I’m sure there will be more positive announcements with new phosphate and uranium projects in the corridor between Tennant Creek and Mount Isa benefitting by having access to cheaper energy. The next step is to absolutely shore up access to the gas – which is why we require the establishment of a North West Energy Zone.
After successive years of drought, rural debt has ravaged many towns in the Mount Isa electorate. Communities, families, businesses have been hit hard, and the establishment of the Rural Debt and Drought Taskforce was a huge win.
As the Chair of the Taskforce, I’ve heard the tales of despair as rural debt and the impact of drought puts small towns on the brink of devastation. I’m confident the Taskforce can find solutions to revive rural communities.
The formation of the North West Minerals Province Taskforce - focusing on the backbone industry of our city – is a positive step, but I’ll be ensuring real outcomes come from its work. It was a shot of reality for the Queensland Government when Glencore announced hundreds of losses from its zinc operations earlier this year. I will continue pushing the State Government to focus on solutions for industry burdens such as rail fees and royalties.
We’ve made some inroads on the Inlander Rail service after continued lobbying and the tabling of a petition in Parliament earlier this year. The service has been vastly improved with the reinstallation of lounge cars, tea and coffee-making facilities and complimentary food options. I’m also in discussions to increase entertainment options and more comfortable seating on the service.
I’ve also gone into bat for the future of country racing – a vital industry in my electorate. There have been fears for the future of the industry, but we’ve been able to secure one-a-year race meetings and I’m working hard to ensure country racing is not impacted by proposed changes by Racing Queensland.
The industry supports hundreds of jobs in the electorate and race meetings are an important social event for a region crippled by drought.
Securing an additional $100 million in the State Budget with the Western Roads Package was another victory for the electorate.
Upgrades to our roads are great for the economy –generating local jobs and improving transport and tourism opportunities.
The Katter’s Australian Party also had some landmark achievements with a historic final week of Parliament for 2015, with the passing of both private members’ bills for Ethanol and the Sugar Marketing