Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington says the communities of Kilkivan and Goomeri need the services of a Community Health Nurse, but the Labor Government isn’t listening.
Mrs Frecklington recently met with concerned community members who highlighted the fact that both communities used to have a Community Health Nurse, but lost these services when the townships were realigned into the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service district.
"I have written to the Minister for Health requesting that Community Health Nurse services be re-introduced on a fortnightly or monthly basis, however it seems he just doesn’t understand the needs of rural communities," Mrs Frecklington said.*
"Both Kilkivan and Goomeri have a significant number of community members who are 50 years or older who would benefit from the services of a Community Health Nurse.
Deb said that the community feel so strongly about the need for the service that they are coordinating a petition on the issue.
"I’d like to thank Mavis O’Neill, Jan Kirby and Joyce Koy who will be organising the petition and will take it around through both communities," Deb said.
"I’d encourage everyone to consider signing the petition, which I will then table in Parliament so we can demonstrate the need for this service in our region," Deb said.
Find the Petition Here
Please print out a copy and email to nanango@parliament.qld.gov.au
Photo – Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, recently met Mavis O’Neil and Jan Kirby of Kilkivan to discuss the need for a Community Health Nurse for the district.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington says that despite the Labor Government employing an extra 20,000 public servants, services are no better, and people in the South Burnett are still waiting three months or more for their Patient Travel Subsidy (PTSS) claims to be reimbursed.
Mrs Frecklington said she recently wrote to the Minister for Health about the unacceptable wait times for PTSS reimbursements, but there was no clear reason given for the delays.
"The Minister talks about additional temporary resources, but we need dedicated staff to ensure these lengthy delays are fixed and never occur again," Mrs Frecklington said.
"The public service is ballooning, but services to the South Burnett are deteriorating. It is totally unacceptable that people from our region must wait so long to receive their travel claims," Deb said.
Nanango local, Mr Allen Bassett, recently met with Deb to discuss the issue and how it has affected him.
"I can’t believe there are 20,000 extra public servants, but it still takes three months for me to receive my travel claim reimbursements," Mr Bassett said.
Deb said that if anyone knows the health system inside and out, it is Allen Bassett.
"Allen has been travelling to Brisbane for medical treatment for many years and he keeps me up to date with these continuing PTSS delays."
Many people from our community rely on the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme to allow them to afford treatment when they have to travel to Brisbane or Toowoomba.
"This is affecting our most vulnerable community members, many of whom are pensioners and are undergoing treatment for cancer and other serious conditions. It is causing them a lot of anxiety and frustration."
"I am extremely disappointed in the Minister’s response to my enquiry. He obviously doesn’t understand the difficulties regional people face when they need to travel away for treatment. I’m calling on the Labor Government to fix this problem urgently," Deb said.
Photo – Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, recently met with Nanango local, Allen Bassett, to discuss the lengthy delays he has experienced with his Patient Travel Subsidy Claims.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington has officially welcomed Belinda Spencer to her new role as the 2018 Youth Member for Nanango.
Mrs Frecklington met with Belinda to discuss the role and share some insights into the role of State Parliament and the upcoming YMCA Youth Parliament.
"Belinda is passionate about key issues which affect people in regional areas including NbN access, the environment, problems associated with distance and biosecurity requirements on farms," Mrs Frecklington said.
"I know that she is an active member in the community and has applied for this role to help her learn skills that will encourage change in our region," Deb said.
Belinda is from Maidenwell and is a Year 11 Student at Nanango State High School. She will join more than
90 young people aged 15 to 25 who have each been selected to represent their Electorates, debate issues facing our youth and develop legislation that they will debate later in the year.
The Youth Parliament program kicks off this week with a forum from 20-22 April in Brisbane, including a formal launch at Parliament House.
"These types of opportunities are so important for our young people so we can encourage them to get involved and learn more about how they can initiate change to tackle issues and help improve our communities," Deb said.
"All Youth Members are involved in committee meetings, mentoring, training and research to help produce the Bills to be debated at Parliament House during the residential week from 23-29 September."
"Youth Parliament teaches young people about the government decision-making process, while providing an excellent leadership opportunity for students like Belinda who may one day become our future decision makers," she said.
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, with Nanango’s Youth Member for 2018, Belinda Spencer.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington was proud to present one of her Local Hero Grants to the Kingaroy Hospital Auxiliary to help them purchase a cash register for the Hospital Canteen.
Mrs Frecklington presented the grant to the group’s Secretary, Alison Murray, and said it was wonderful to support groups such as the Kingaroy Hospital Auxiliary who do so much for the community.
"This Local Hero Grant will help the Auxiliary purchase a cash register, which will make it much easier for the Canteen volunteers to serve customers and keep a better record of products sold," Mrs Frecklington said.
"I was blown away by the quality and number of applications which were submitted by groups from around the Nanango Electorate in Round Five of my Local Hero Grants program.
"These are small but meaningful $250 grants which provide an opportunity to show my support, thanks and appreciation for all our hardworking volunteer groups who make such a difference for our community. They also encourage people who are attending sporting or other events and need assistance to make it possible," Deb said.
The four successful groups in Round Five are:
Round 6 of Deb’s Local Hero Grants is now open with applications closing 31st August. If you would like to apply, please go to the website at www.debfrecklington.com.au or contact the Nanango Electorate office on 4190 7100 for the guidelines.
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, presented a Local Hero Grant to Kingaroy Hospital Auxiliary Members, Alison Murray and Pamela Lincoln.
The price of fruit and vegies is set to soar if Labor’s new vegetation management laws pass Parliament, the Liberal National Party warned today.
Speaking ahead of a rally against the legislation in Cairns today, LNP Deputy Leader Tim Mander said the legislation would stop farms expanding and meeting the state’s growing demand for fresh produce.
"Labor wants to stop new farming in Queensland even though our population is booming," Mr Mander said.
"Where does Annastacia Palaszczuk think the fresh produce in our shops comes from?
"If farmers can’t grow more fruit and veg to feed our growing cities then produce prices will inevitably go up. Labor’s plan is bad news for farming and bad news for struggling families.
"We should be supporting Queensland agriculture, not strangling it."
Growcom, the peak body for fruit and vegetable growers, has already warned that Queensland is not producing enough fresh produce to supply the seven daily serves of fruit and vegetables the State Government recommends we eat.*
It has also questioned why Labor is allowing agricultural land to be lost to new housing while refusing to allow new farm production elsewhere.
Shadow Agriculture Minister Tony Perrett has called on Labor to re-think its vegetation reforms.
"There’s no way rural producers will be able to keep up with demand in future," Mr Perrett said.
"Labor’s laws will mean fewer jobs in regional communities and higher food bills for Queenslanders everywhere.
"There is no scientific or economic justification for Labor’s policy. Annastacia Palaszczuk is just trying to appease inner-city greens who demonise Aussie farmers.
"The LNP is standing shoulder to shoulder with farmers to fight this appalling legislation."
* www.growcom.com.au/unfair-bill-puts-fruit-and-veg-production-at-risk/
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington and Member for Glass House, Andrew Powell have joined forces to call for funding to fix the D’Aguilar Highway between Kilcoy and Woodford.
Mrs Frecklington and Mr Powell met to discuss the problem and the growing number of complaints about this busy section of highway.
"We just can’t wait any longer. The Labor Government needs to put urgent funding towards resurfacing the section between Kilcoy and Woodford," Mrs Frecklington said.
"Andrew and I have launched a petition so we can demonstrate the huge amount of community concern about the current state of this road," Deb said.
Andrew Powell said that while other sections of the D’Aguilar Highway have been receiving much needed upgrades, the section between Woodford and Kilcoy continues to deteriorate with every downpour.
"All we seem to get are these basic patch jobs which just can’t cope with the high level of traffic we are now seeing on the D’Aguilar," Mr Powell said.
"They need to stop this patching and reseal the road urgently," he said.
To sign the petition, head to https://queensland.typeform.com/to/dL37lG
Hard copies of the petition will also be available at key outlets around both the Woodford and Kilcoy communities.
Photo – Member for Glass House, Andrew Powell and Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington on one of the worst stretches of the D’Aguilar Highway between Kilcoy and Woodford.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington said Somerset residents are facing massive water price hikes over the next three years, despite promises from Labor that water bills would not increase.
Mrs Frecklington said the Labor Government knew the price hike was coming, but buried its release until the middle of the Commonwealth Games.*
"The Queensland Competition Authority’s Final Report for SEQ bulk water prices has recommended Somerset residents will pay on average $47 more for their water - a rise of 5%," Mrs Frecklington said.
"This is not good enough.
The Premier needs to come out and rule out these price hikes immediately. Why should our hard working communities continue to be slugged more because of Labor’s failed water grid. This is a broken election promise by Annastacia Palaszczuk," Deb said.
Before the election Labor said: "There was no expectation that lower water consumption by SEQ consumers inevitably meant higher water bills. The price impact from lower demand will largely be offset by continued cost savings."
Shadow Treasurer Tim Mander said Labor’s legacy was almost a 400% increase in bulk water prices over 10 years.
"Queenslanders are still paying the price for Labor’s multi-billion dollar water grid fail that saw pipes built without dams and dams built without pipes," he said.
"It’s the same old Labor – Queenslanders end up paying because of their incompetence and lack of proper planning.
"The LNP merged water entities saving Queenslanders almost $100 million and we also refinanced Labor’s debt saving Queenslanders money."
The Queensland Competition Authority’s Final Report for SEQ bulk water prices has recommended price increases of over:
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington is concerned Somerset residents will face higher water bills over the next three years
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington has congratulated Kilcoy Gymnastics on securing a Gambling Community Benefit Fund grant for the club.
Mrs Frecklington caught up with Mary Jane Parker and Alana Searle at the Kilcoy Gymnastics facility to discuss their plans for the funding.
"This is really exciting news for Kilcoy Gymnastics. The Club has had several ups and downs trying to purchase a new floor," Mrs Frecklington said.
"Now, they can finally install a competition grade floor which is the standard required to help our young gymnasts train and compete at their best.
"The Club is going from strength to strength with 100 children from the Somerset and surrounding districts taking part in gymnastics. It’s fantastic that our youngsters can access these amazing facilities and I congratulate the Club on their plans to grow and encourage participation in this fun sport," Deb said.
The Kilcoy Gymnastics grant was announced as part of Round 95 of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund program.
"Sixteen community groups around the Nanango Electorate were successful and in total our region has received $288,444.
"I encourage all local groups, however big or small, to consider applying for a Gambling Community Benefit Fund Grant to help achieve their project goals."
For more information give my office or call on 4190 7100, or head to http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/corporate/sponsorships-and-grants/grants/community-benefit-funding-programs
The Kilcoy Gymnastics Club was also successful with a Holden Grant, which allows them to sell 500 'Australian Driving Getway' competition tickets at $5 each to raise $2,500.
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, with Kilcoy Gymnastics Club coordinators, Mary Jane Parker (right) and Alana Searle (left)
