I’ve spoken in this place before about the need to ensure that planning is advanced for the extension of the heavy rail from Varsity Lakes to Coolangatta airport. This is the public transport infrastructure that our community wants and needs. In a recent survey, more than 85 per cent of residents said the heavy rail…
DetailsI rise today to express my disappointment with the way this government has downgraded one of Australia’s emerging and enabling industries: our space sector. When I was the minister for industry, science and technology I asked the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Resources to report on the future of Australia’s space industry. Their report…
DetailsLast week was Rural Fire Service Week, and it was a great opportunity to say thank you to about 26,000 Australians who give their time as RFS volunteers. Over the weekend, brigades from South-East Queensland and northern New South Wales gathered on the Gold Coast, where they trained, competed and, quite frankly, showed us how…
DetailsEarlier this month, our nation celebrated NAIDOC Week. I was absolutely delighted to attend various events and ceremonies in my electorate, including at Palm Beach Currumbin High School and with Kalwun Development Corporation at the senior services property in Bonogin. I also had the great experience of taking part in a Jellurgal Walkabout tour of…
DetailsOne of the things that makes my electorate of McPherson such a wonderful place to live is our unique natural environment. From the pristine Currumbin and Tallebudgera valleys through to the estuaries and headlands of Coolangatta and Burleigh, our amazing environment is crucial to our way of life, and it’s something I’m sure that everyone…
DetailsThat this House: (1) recognises the insidious nature of foreign interference and the threat it poses to our democracy, businesses and to individuals; (2) notes: (a) ongoing reports of attempts by Cambodia’s Hun Sen regime to infiltrate and monitor activity within the Australian community, particularly in the diaspora communities; and (b) reports of potential money…
DetailsLast Friday I welcomed the shadow assistant minister for mental health and suicide prevention to my electorate. The Gold Coast is an absolutely amazing place to live but, as in other areas right across Australia, we have people of all ages who are living with mental health issues and, sadly, families who have experienced the…
DetailsI rise today to discuss concerns about the government’s proposed changes to dispensing arrangements for pharmacists and the impact that these changes are likely to have in parts of regional and rural Australia. Aside from ensuring that Australians have the medications they need, pharmacists provide a very wide range of services to our communities, from…
DetailsIn the short time that I have today, I want to add my voice to those who are advocating for the application of advancements in forensic and genetic science to improve the way investigators solve cold cases and potentially review other cases. I’ve long been an advocate for science and the immense value new scientific…
DetailsLast week I joined with state and council colleagues to host a community meeting on stage 4 of the Gold Coast Light Rail. It was standing room only, with over 600 people attending and many more unable to enter the building. It was a real reflection of community concern, and I’ve not seen a public…
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