After being away for two Parliamentary sittings, a dose of COVID and a biannual dash to visit my grandies, how lucky we are to be able to keep working from anywhere, infected with anything!  A highlight was attending Committee with my granddaughter Sadie on my lap, who had a dose of a nasty upper respiratory bug, and we ‘quarantined’ happily together. Speaking of ‘bugs’, Sunny Street will now be operating a Clinic on Wednesdays from 10 to 2pm at the Lawson Shed in Pomona. This wonderful group provide nurses and telehealth doctors for no fee, referrals to psychologists and other specialties. As well prescriptions, home medication reviews, wound care, blood pressure checks and much more!

Gratitude to those who nominated incredible volunteers for our 2023 Queensland Day Awards! We look forward to recognising them with co-sponsors Cooroy RSL and Noosa Today at our Queensland Day Ceremony on June 6th and we will post information on the successful recipients to Facebook, with more also in our June Newsletter.

L-R: Cairns Regional Parliament 2023

From the Chamber and Beyond

Two sittings equal plenty of speeches! We have fabulous frontliners and public servants (loathe that word!) however in an Adjournment I called on Government to seek the Public Service Commission to review our public sector capabilities. An example I gave was of a constituent who received a text from the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service to ascertain whether they wished to remain on the waiting list for a broken foot, some 15 months after being placed there. This inability of our processes and systems to stay abreast of what is needed I have raised in Parliament over the last 4 years in relation to housing, dangerous heavy haulage vehicles, unsustainable visitor numbers to our Cooloola Recreation Area, turtle harm on our beaches and much more. All were and are preventable. The appointment of a new Public Service Commissioner, and recommendations in the Coaldrake and Faultines reports provides opportunity to bring our public service sector into a new era, to lead the world in efficiencies and deliverability’s, instead of sitting where it is currently—down the various ranking tables and indices behind comparable countries. We can do much better!

The Path to Treaty Bill passed at the Cairns Regional Parliament was historic in efforts for reconciliation and recognition, with truth telling a key component. However, as I relayed, that includes truths from all of us, and the importance of a safe space for both indigenous and non-indigenous to speak openly, without anyone with a minority view being labelled ‘anti’. ‘Treaty’ is a journey, and one that requires full transparency on negotiations, to ensure we walk the path together. This means without the confidentiality experienced with Native Title and Indigenous Land Use Agreements that has created misinformation and mistrust between traditional custodian groups, and our broader communities. All hurts need to be acknowledged, and when these are shared, are an essential component in the healing. Thank you to all we encountered, including Peter who was the Noosa Council transition CEO from when I was a Councillor in 2013, and protesters who are desperate to see an end to crime in their communities, as we all are. Special thanks to Parliamentary staff as moving a Parliamentary sitting is seriously hard with the logistics mindboggling, and to the locals who were welcoming and warm in all ways. In a Matters of Public Interest Speech (MPI), I spoke of what our Anzacs, and those that have given their lives for our freedoms and safety, may think regarding repeat offenders who continue to devastate communities across Queensland. As I shared, they may say to reflect on each of our own responsibilities in the mix of what is happening including us as MP’s who need to step up in bipartisan agreements, instead of rock throwing, positioning and wedging.

As 1 of only 5 MPs who voted in favour of an amendment in Parliament to see mandatory one year sentencing for recidivist youth offenders convicted of stealing more than two cars, I am equally frustrated, especially with the ongoing lack of support for remote relocation or diversion sentencing. On the Monitoring of Places of Detention Bill, even though we supported, there are concerns in relation to eligible facilities, with submissions advocating for inclusion of aged-care and quarantine facilities. Understandably Queenslanders currently are more interested in detaining criminals versus the conditions they are detained in, however we can’t ignore that these conditions contribute to reoffending.

In amongst the many speeches, there was ‘learnings’ and ‘yearnings’! This included meeting the team from Sunny Coast Smart Pups, who provide assistance dogs to children with special needs, enriching their lives, safety, and independence. Who doesn’t love wet puppy kisses, and it was wonderful to meet the lovely staff, volunteers and their furry friends. With demand so high, even with over 50 pups per year in training, the wait list currently sits at 2 years as extra funding is needed.

The Project Paradigm seminar, which is an Integrated Family and Youth Service national program to raise awareness and understanding of child sexual exploitation (CSE) which sadly is very much in our communities, was informative. Conrad and Claire gave an overview of the importance of us all recognising the early warning signs and risks areas, and how we can play our part in preventing CSE. Gratitude to all who work to create greater safety for our children and grandchildren.

It was fabulous to catch up with some incredible people who work in the Palliative Care Queensland space including CEO Louise, Dr Anthony, and a host of palliative nurses. In addition, those who operate hospices who need a fairer funding model from governments, as we have been fighting for on behalf of our Katie Rose Cottage Hospice. These wonderful community facilities, their staff and volunteers, deserve better for all the amazing work that you do. It is time for all to join forces as end-of-life care is part of all our journeys, and endless fundraising to have choice is neither fair, nor sustainable.

Attending the pre gathering of over 100 delegates that are heading from QLD to BIO2023 in Boston was an eye opener, where we met companies and individuals who work in advancing health in many realms from IT solutions to drug development. With Queensland becoming home to bio manufacturing on top of its research and development capabilities, as they said, the need for scientists in biotechnology keeps growing, so it may be a good career choice for our youngsters!

Meeting with researchers from the Institute for Molecular Bio Science had some ‘creepy’ moments with the Fraser Island K’gari Funnel Web spider showcasing how their venom assists with heart attack and stroke victims! Much was learnt including around endometriosis, bio pesticides and new antibiotics from soil microbes, as well that 100 years ago many in the room, including myself, would not be here. This due to the average age expectancy back then of 50 years, and how the advent of vaccines and antibiotics via bioscience has contributed to us having a longer shelf life!

L-R: With our Smart Pups; Project Paradigm presentation; Crossbench signing of joint statement @ Parliament

Finally, our very diverse Crossbench, consisting of the Katter Party, One Nation, the Greens and this Independent, united for the first time this Parliament term over ongoing concerns regarding the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

As requested, the government must be upfront with Queenslanders about the social and economic costs and ensure all decision-making is open and transparent, with funding and outcomes equitable for all of Queensland, not just SEQ. The hosting of the Olympics has brought excitement and opportunities to so many, however as I said at the signing, we must get the basics right including to ensure there are no further impacts to our already devastating housing and rental situation, as has occurred following previous games documented in the QShelter research.  Currently we have had no responses to our requests for clarity regarding what will be done to ensure that identified impacts are mitigated, and until such time, every Queenslander should remain very concerned. Nine years may seem a long way away, however it is not when you are already 50,000 homes short on the social waiting list, with the Queensland Council of Social Service paper highlighting the need for 11,000 social and affordable homes each year for the next 10 years, with only a portion of this amount committed to by governments.

On the Homefront

Congratulations to Noosa District State High School on 60 years of educating our children! Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the celebrations due to being at Parliament, however my thoughts were with everyone, as well the memories from when my own children attended! Whilst on the school front, it is exciting to announce that their Pomona Campus will soon receive a state-of-the-art new hall, with an updated budget of $13 million, following efforts by our office starting 3 years ago. The project now includes additional features such as 52 new car parks, a fire system upgrade including booster relocation and holding tanks, and an electrical system upgrade including a pad mount transformer. This is expected to reach practical completion in December 2023, and I thank the Department and Minster Grace.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) have advised they will begin the next stage of work on the long fought for Six Mile Creek Bridge #7 Replacement project which will include the bridge girder installation commencing early June for up to one week between 4.30am and 6pm. This will not impact peak school travel times, and additional traffic controllers will be onsite to minimise delays. Once bridge girder installation is complete, the majority of works will be undertaken during the day from Monday to Saturday between 7am and 5pm. For anyone new to our community who would like to learn more on the ‘journey’ of this bridge, head here or ask any of the fabulous community members, pictured below, who gathered on site some years ago with me as part of efforts to have it replaced as it was seriously dangerous! Regarding requests for  a 20 tonne limit for Kin Kin Road, we have posted the response from TMR here.

L-R: Flashback on Six Mile Bridge advocacy; Pre Bio2023 gathering; Live Science presentation

From the Inbox

Many thanks to all Noosans who participated in the Clothing Optional Beaches Survey. As an Independent MP, I strive to represent all of our electorate’s diverse viewpoints, and direct feedback is greatly valued to help inform advocacy on issues raised as we don’t ascribe to the views or ideology of a particular political party, nor my own! Results will be posted on our website via Noosa 360. Thank you to A Current Affair for sharing our plight with ongoing issues of heavy haulage affecting our community. May we see an end to what is so very wrong soon. For anyone unfamiliar, this is what happens when processes and legislation are flawed, leaving our communities devastated, with the history on this available at Noosa 360. In amongst efforts to rectify these wrongs, our office continues to fight for an Independent Environmental Protection Agency. To report issues direct, please contact our office for avenues including official complaints for dust pollution, haulage vehicles and quarry operations. We will also update when there has been an outcome from Noosa Council’s court case.

Of continued concern, is the State Government land tax, which applies to properties (other than your place of residence) and is based on the unimproved value of the land. As we have raised previously with the Minister, land valuations for taxation purposes have risen precipitously in the Noosa electorate for now two assessments. These increases are too much for already burdened businesses in the ongoing fallout from COVID, including an inability to access staff, hence they get passed on directly to the end user including commercial tenants. The tax will also impact on the residential market, and we have a number of investors including ‘mum & dad’ owners who will need to pass on these increases to their tenants. Given our affordable housing and rental crisis, this is unacceptable for those already under severe financial stress. We have advocated to the Treasurer the dire need to freeze the tax increase to the 2021 valuations for residential and commercial properties that are being rented out, and reform the system by providing Queenslanders the details of how each individual property valuation was arrived at, as well establishing an independent body to assess objections.

Regarding the Government’s Stage 2 rental reform laws consultation which has now closed, we are compiling the vast examples from residents shared with us into a submission to the Minister, as there were genuine concerns on how this will impact our already dire situations. As owners pointed out, if they cannot sustain renting out their properties, will Government ensure those who were renting them, can then buy? There is currently nothing before Parliament to be voted on yet regarding these reforms, however there is more information on what is being considered available here.

Grants and Reminders

Congratulations to the Pomona and Boreen Point State Emergency Services branches for being successful under the SES Support Grant Program. As well, a ‘whopping’ 18 projects under 9 Noosa organisation were funded under the Community Sustainability Action Grant Program. More information on the individual projects can be found here. PLUS! 31 sports club projects in the Noosa Electorate have been funded under the State Government Active Clubs Program. Woohoo!!!

More upcoming grants:

For further State Government grant opportunities see the QLD Government Grant Finder or Grants Guru.

L-R: Sod- Turning for New Hall for NDSHS; National Palliative Care Week; AEO Dylan’s Parliamentary Service Induction

Parliamentary Speeches and Questions

Recent Questions on Notice (QON’s) can be found at www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Questions-on-Notice-and-Answers. and latest speeches at www.sandybolton.com/parliament/speeches

 

Upcoming Mobile Offices

Peregian, Marcus and Sunrise – June 2023

Follow ‘Sandy Bolton MP’ on Facebook to receive alerts of Mobile Offices times and locations in our electorate. As always, if you have any questions or require assistance regarding state related matters, or do not know where to start, please contact our office at 5319 3100 or via email to noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au.

Have Your Say

For a complete list of Queensland State Government Consultations, including on Incident and Disaster Warnings in Queensland, head to www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au/gi

New submission periods are always opening for bills going through parliament committees so to hear firsthand and to receive other updates, you can subscribe at www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Visit-and-learn/Have-Your-Say/Subscribe

Office Reminders

Our office is open 9am – 4pm Monday to Friday, except during public holidays.  For community organisations we have the photocopier, marquees, and trailer available at no charge for your use, simply phone and book on 5319 3100.

Connect

With so much to share, stay up to date via  Noosa 360, Facebook page updates or our monthly newsletters. Columns are in Noosa Today, Coolum Advertiser, Cooroy Rag, Your Local Lifestyle, Forest star and Eastern Beaches News.

And finally….

There has been debate in our community about the impact of different parts of the Nature Conservation Act on the management of the Great Sandy National Park and proposed Cooloola Great Walk project. In order to get some clarity, we have collated information researched as a Q&A available here.  Suggestions have been made to stop any commercial developments in National Parks, and as discussed in the Q&A, this is not simple.  We have requested proposals from the community for suitable amendments to the Act to address concerns whilst considering indigenous endeavours. Once that has been received, we can poll our electorate on what you would like to see happen. With the understandable confusion on the differences between Path to Treaty, the Voice to Parliament, Indigenous Land Use Agreements and Native Title, in the next Noosa Today column I continue the ‘untangling’, and will post to Facebook and Noosa360.

Until next month, rug up as apparently, we are going to continue to receive some of that chill from the south, and enjoy those treasured moments with loved ones, as I am here pictured with my newest ‘grandbubba’ Vivienne.

Sandy