A significant number of community members in my region are employed by the coalmining industry and related supply chains. The Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday region, which I am proud to represent alongside the member for Burdekin—he has more coalmines in his region than any other electorate—contributes $18.4 billion in gross regional product. This is a significant contribution to the Queensland economy. Of nearly 85,000 jobs, 79 per cent come from these areas of employment. The mining sector, which we are very grateful to have operating in our region, has a spend in the region of $1.7 billion in wages. That is over 18,000 jobs. 

The question that Queenslanders will ask themselves this election is: whether children are safer, whether victims of domestic, family and sexual violence are supported and have had justice served, whether women’s economic security is better or worse after nearly a decade of Labor and who has the right plan for Queensland’s future. With nearly 2,000 children in residential care—the worst of any jurisdiction in this nation—the government should be ashamed. 

Bulk-billing rates are declining across Queensland and have been for a number of years but no more so than in regional Queensland and across the electorate that I represent. There are no fully bulk-billed medical practices in the greater Mackay region anymore and this tax by stealth that is going to impact general practice is another example of this Treasurer’s arrogance—no consultation, not listening to industry, little regard for Queenslanders and especially Queenslanders who live in rural and regional Queensland. 

I too would like to contribute to this cognate debate. I would like to put on the record though that 3¾ hours to debate two significant pieces of legislation, as well as amendments that have been circulated by the Attorney, is not adequate and flies in the face of what this parliament is set up to do, which is to be a place of robust debate and to have the time to carefully consider legislation and to make representations from stakeholders and the communities we represent. 

Whether you are a teacher in Proserpine commuting to Calen for work, whether you are attending a medical appointment or chemotherapy treatment in Mackay, whether you are an aged person wanting personal care in Proserpine, whether you are attending a Rugby League match in Bowen, whether you are going to the cinema and watching a movie in Bowen, whether you are hauling cane between Mount Ossa and Kuttabul, whether you are a tourist travelling from Seaforth to Airlie Beach or whether you are a student going to school from Hampden to Marian, you travel the Bruce Highway—what some are calling a goat track, a road, a National Highway. 

I am pleased to stand and contribute to the estimates report of the Community Support and Services Committee. I thank the members of the committee from both sides of the House as well as the secretariat. I am also pleased to be speaking after the minister today in the House. In my four years in this parliament and having sat through estimates four times now as well, I have to say of the three ministers I have faced off against, this minister was the least across the brief of child safety that I have experienced.

People deserve to feel safe in their own homes. Sadly, under this Miles Labor government, women victims of crime have not felt safe in their own homes. Since 2018 through to this year, domestic violence breaches are up across the state: in my home town of Mackay, an 83 per cent increase; in Townsville, a 93 per cent increase; in the police area of the member for Townsville, a 141 per cent increase; and in Cairns, a 269 per cent increase. I do not know about you, Mr Deputy Speaker, but if I was a woman in Cairns and a victim of domestic violence I would not be feeling very safe in my home. That is what I hear each and every day from women across this state who contact my office because of the failings of this Miles Labor government. 

Today the Queensland Labor Government has delivered blunt confirmation to the women and families of Mackay that they will never be a priority under this government! Whilst I welcome 30 new mother baby beds across the State to provide specialist perinatal mental healthcare, why are the mothers and families of Mackay missing out?

MEMBER for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP is calling on Whitsunday residents frustrated with the lack of action on Shute Harbour Road at Hamilton Plains to register their support for upgrades and express their main concerns. Ms Camm said residents should visit nodelays.com.au to complete a short online form.

During the recent wet weather, the Whitsunday community once again felt the impacts of Hamilton Plains flooding, delaying emergency services, families, students and tourists from their daily activities. Funding for flood immunity works for Hamilton Plains has been available since 2019 and yet instead of any action all we have seen from the State Labor Government is excuses and delays. Tenders for the project closed 7th March last year and with construction meant to have started mid last year we are still to receive a proper explanation from the Government as to why construction hasn’t begun.

“During the heavy rain last week, the Whitsunday community once again felt the impacts of Hamilton Plains flooding, delaying emergency services, families, students and tourists from their daily activities. I have written numerous times to the previous Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mark Bailey requesting an update on the status of the project and have now written to the current Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mr Bart Mellish, requesting the same.”

Shocking new figures have revealed the full extent of the Domestic Violence scourge in Mackay, as pressure builds on the Labor Government to urgently fix the escalating problem. New analysis of Queensland Police Service data has revealed a disturbing 140% increase in Domestic Violence Protection Order breaches since Labor came to power nearly a decade ago.

Nine community groups across the Whitsunday electorate have had a great start to 2024 sharing in over $250 000 worth of funding from round 118 of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund. The Gambling Community Benefit fund offers grants of up to $35 000 to organisations to build their capacity to provide services, leisure activities and economic opportunities for the local community and I am so pleased that our region continues to benefit from this program.

The Queensland State Government’s lack of community engagement and arrogance will cost Whitsunday ratepayers approximately $1.4m. If the government had of undertaken proper consultation right from the beginning, they would have known that a fixed boat ramp at Shute Harbour was not fit for purpose and not what the community wanted.

MEMBER for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP, has welcomed the decision by the Queensland Government to rescind the decision to close all eKindy pods for 2024. Ms Camm stated that it was a win for regional communities with the eKindy pod program remaining in place for 2024.

Advocacy for first class patient care is a priority that I will fight for and support RACQ CQ Rescue to be able to deliver the high standard emergency service response that is our safety net. Queensland Health's decision to close the RACQ CQ Rescue helipad at the Mackay Base Hospital in two months without informing the Mackay and Whitsunday community is wrong and my greatest concern is the risk to lives. The helipad is scheduled to be closed for the duration of the hospital’s redevelopment, which could be up to three years.

“I want to thank the Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac communities for the support they have shown our RACQ CQ Rescue Service. In just 7 days, over 1000 people signed the Queensland Parliamentary Petition calling on the RACQ CQ Rescue helipad to be located on site at Mackay Hospital and Health Service (or close access to emergency) during the construction of the hospital expansion or until the new onsite helipad is completed.

MEMBER for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP, has condemned the Queensland Labor Government for silencing critical debate on Spanish Mackerel catch limits. “Last night in Parliament, the Government cut the debate short, so Members like myself couldn’t raise critical issues like data integrity, lack of Government transparency or tell the story of the many fishers in my electorate and how they will be impacted”, Ms Camm stated.

Our roads are the enablers for all our industries to thrive; from moving freight, to connection for tourism and for us who live in regional areas they are our links to our services, schools, sport, family, and friends.  Due to the Labor Queensland Government's mismanagement of major projects, Rail Projects in SE Queensland have blown out by billions of dollars. This has resulted in other projects being delayed or cancelled.

The RACQ CQ Rescue Helicopter will not be able to land at the helipad at the Mackay Base Hospital during the hospital redevelopment which is likely to last 3 years. Instead they will have to land at the Mackay Airport and have patients transported to the hospital by Queensland ambulance.

This decision is unacceptable and will risk lives.