Big ticket items a good start for our region
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A NUMBER of big-ticket items for the Mount Isa electorate were front and centre in Parliament last week.
I was encouraged by the Transport Minister’s response to my question regarding the exorbitant price of airfares.
The Minister had been advised by the Department of Transport and Main Roads that they have decided to refresh the 2013 Long Distance Passenger Services Review and assess whether service levels are set correctly for regional Queensland.
It’s a good start.
No longer should we have to contemplate the gruelling 20 hour drive to Brisbane or 10 hours to Townsville because there’s no other alternative to the inflated cost of airfares.
This issue is now at the forefront and I look forward to working with the Mount Isa Mayor and her Council to bring the price of airfares down.
I also want to make it clear that my comments in no way are a reflection of the excellent service that I have experienced from staff and employees of both Virgin and Qantas.
There’s also a dedicated email address so that data can be collected on the issue, and resident can share their story of frustrating airfares by emailing:airlinefeedback@gmail.com
Motion result disappointing
IT was disappointing that the motion on separating North Queensland into a separate state was voted down on Thursday night.
But it’s not surprising, given that many MPs were in support of it, but had to toe the party line dominated by those based in south-east Queensland.
The two-party system played a large part in the lack of interest from the major parties.
This is a perennial issue and we won’t be deterred by a bunch of city-centric politicians who want South East Queensland to continue to be propped up by the heavy lifting done in North Queensland.
A separate state will help control the way money is spent, and wealth-generation in the North will be able to be reinvested to keep primary industries healthy, thus creating jobs and economic growth.
If we are to unleash the economic potential of the North, we need greater autonomy.
To use a sporting analogy, we started a new rugby league side (North Queensland Cowboys) in the NRL 21 years ago, and look what it has done to improve the competition.
