I am committed to getting our fair share and making Maranoa a great place to live. I've lived my whole life in Maranoa, and as your Federal member, I know the challenges we face but also understand the opportunities ahead of us.
The $4 billion has successfully funded projects including:
Granite Belt's Tim Carnell (left) spends $6000 a day for 1 mega-litre of water to be delivered to his tomato and capsicum farm to keep up production. The Federal Government is prepared to commit to half of the construction costs for Emu Swamp Dam - or $42 million. It means food security for Australia, jobs and a future for our young people but we need the Queensland State Government to join the party and also commit to the Emu Swamp Dam project.
To read an interview about the proposal with myself and Deputy Prime Minister McCormack, click here.
Supporting Job Growth in Dirranbandi, St George and Cunnamulla
Dirranbandi, St George and Cunnamulla have been hit hard by water recovery and drought. These three towns will soon be eligible for stimulus packages that help create jobs.
The The Murray–Darling Basin Economic Development Program will spend up to $20 million over 4 years to support jobs-affected communities, and was a condition I negotiated with Tony Burke when finalising the Murray Darling Basin Plan.
This isn’t a silver bullet but it’s something we’re doing to try to help.
Grant funding will be available to:
Not-for-profit organisations including local governments
Cooperatives
Incorporated associations
Indigenous Corporations.
For more information on the Murray-Darling Basin Economic Development Program, visit: agriculture.gov.au/edpgrants.
For information on other Commonwealth Government grants programs, visit: www.grants.gov.au
Rail Line Proposal
Last month I hosted Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure Michael McCormack in Millmerran. We checked out how the proposed Inland Rail line runs through the town - on its way between Melbourne and Brisbane - and met and listened to locals about impacts of the project.
This is a nation building project but we've got to get it right so getting on the ground and listening now is so important.
FarmHub At Your Service
Farmers can now access what assistance is available to them without any mucking around. By visiting www.farmhub.org.au farmers can learn what fodder, water, transport, living expense assistance, and mental and physical health services they are entitled to.
Keeping Bush Hearts Pumping & Healthy
To help keep bush hearts pumping and healthy, the Coalition Federal Government will invest $12 million in funding to Heart of Australia to provide a mobile cardiology service.
Clinical services being delivered in the areas of Dalby, Goondiwindi, Stanthorpe, St George, Charleville, Quilpie, Roma, Barcaldine, Blackall, Longreach and Winton will be secured by this funding.
From my travels around the region, it’s clear that one of the recurring issues besides this big dry is the need for more mental health support in the bush. Drought impacts on mental health and this is a challenge that I and people in Maranoa must engage with because nobody should feel isolated or alone, battling through a tough time.
Results of the Coalition Federal Government's strategy to support those in need include:
Online videoconferencing with consultants such as psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists can now be claimed through Medicare.
Events and programs rolled-out across Maranoa to deal with the multitude of challenges we face to get on top of drought.
For more information about Medicare claims for teleconference sessions, click here. For more information about events and programs, click here.
Our Inspiring New Citizens
Picture courtesy of Western Downs Regional Council.
The Australia Day citizenship ceremony gave me the chance to meet some of our newest locals. It was inspiring to hear their stories and learn why they chose to call Australia home. It's humbling to meet people from around the world who choose to live in Maranoa. Along with serving our communities in a wide range of jobs, they also bring great passion and commitment.
To read why one power station chemist chose Chinchilla as her new home, click here.
