Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, has officially welcomed Charlie Plant of Murgon to his new role as the 2022 Youth Member for Nanango.
Mrs Frecklington met with Charlie to congratulate him on his selection to the role and discuss issues relating to his assigned portfolio of Agricultural Industry, Resources and Rural Development.
“It was great to meet with Charlie and learn more about his aspirations for his time as the Nanango Youth Member,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“Charlie is studying to be a secondary school teacher at USQ and currently works as a Youth Worker with South Burnett CTC.
“He explained that he loves regional communities and small town culture, and is passionate about securing long-term economic viability and social cohesion for these communities.
“I was impressed with his passion for regional areas and we discussed the important role of the YMCA Youth Parliament process.
“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.
“The Youth Parliament program kicked off on 9th April with a three day forum in Brisbane, and Charlie will be involved in meetings with his Portfolio group throughout the year to write a Youth Bills and engage in community consultations.
“They will come back together in late September for a full sitting week at Parliament House in Brisbane to debate their Bills and deliver personal statements.
“Youth Parliament brings together 93 young people aged 15-25 each year to teach them about the government decision-making process, while providing an excellent leadership opportunity for young people like Charlie who may one day become our future decision makers,” she said.
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington welcomed Charlie Plant of Murgon as the 2022 Youth Member for Nanango.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington has announced the four winners of the March 2022 round of her Local Hero Grants.
Mrs Frecklington said the grants will go to groups ranging from disability services, to sporting groups and early childhood education.
“These are modest but meaningful grants of $250 to help clubs achieve those smaller projects,” Mrs Frecklington said.
The winners of the March 2022 round are:
The Local Hero Grants are in their seventh year and are designed to provide small donations to not-for-profit community groups and individuals from across the Nanango Electorate.
Four grants of up to $250 each are available in three rounds per year. The next round closes on 31 August and information can be found at https://debfrecklington.com.au/online-office/debs-local-hero-grants
It was an honour to be a part of the official opening of the Kingaroy Hospital today.
I would like to thank everyone involved in the creation of this new facility, in particular the staff of Kingaroy Hospital for their professionalism and commitment during the construction over the past two years.
There is no doubt that this new building is of vital importance to the health and wellbeing of the people of the South Burnett.
It is a beautiful new building and my community deserves this investment.
However, I think it is important to highlight that while we have shiny new Hospital… it is not a guarantee that we have shiny new services.
We have a Hospital that has leaked since it was opened. The first leak, after just 37mm of rain, damaged the brand new CT scanner and closed down 55% of the beds for months. It leaked again in November and again early this year.
There is also no doubt that Kingaroy Hospital is understaffed. Everyone knows that it’s the staff who ultimately deliver our health services. But there are too many short-staffed shifts, resulting in stressed and overworked doctors and nurses.
And in relation to mental health, unfortunately our region has the highest rate of suicide in the State. Yet we still see no increase in mental health services or specific mental health beds.
I will also continue to advocate for a full-time Paediatrician, a Specialist Cancer Nurse, more mental health services and a Persistent Pain Clinic for the South Burnett.
We need these services to achieve the best health outcomes for my community. This is what they deserve.
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington with DDHHS Board Chairman Mike Horan and Board Member, Cheryl Dalton at the official opening of Kingaroy Hospital
Vote on Public Health and Other Legislation (Extension of Expiring Provisions) Amendment Bill 2022
Last week in Parliament I joined with my LNP Opposition colleagues to vote against the Public Health and Other Legislation (Extension of Expiring Provisions) Amendment Bill 2022.
Unfortunately, my opportunity to speak on this Bill in the Parliament was denied by the Labor Government when they guillotined debate early.
However, I was able to make a shorter statement during the Adjournment period in order to express my thoughts on this issue – (video available at https://www.facebook.com/DebFrecklingtonMP/videos/1091697541674853)
Importantly, I would like to thank the health care workers who have been at the frontline during the COVID pandemic. I also acknowledge that COVID has impacted many people in many different ways. There are those who have lost loved ones, those who are struggling with the effects of long-COVID and those who have had less serious symptoms and recovered quickly.
But COVID has also affected more than just our physical health. It has affected businesses, our children’s education, our ability to see our loved ones in aged care, mental health and so much more. Significantly, it has also taken away people’s livelihoods and caused significant disruption and upheaval to all our lives.
In relation to the extension of these emergency powers however, people are telling me that enough is enough. Queenslander’s have demonstrated an extraordinary level of trust in government - giving up their basic rights and freedoms to control the spread of COVID-19.
However, the LNP Opposition believes that in a democracy such as ours, these types of powers should not be in place any longer than necessary.
We now have more than 90% of our state’s adult population double vaccinated. The Labor Government said they would review restrictions when we reached 90%. But instead we have a Government that just sits on its hands.
These are extraordinary times, but we must question why the Labor Government continues to need this extraordinary power when there is little to no oversight.
Video: https://www.facebook.com/DebFrecklingtonMP/videos/1091697541674853
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, has asked the Minister for Racing why horse trainers based in the South Burnett have been left off a list of to receive support following the recent floods.
Mrs Frecklington said despite licenced horse trainers being acknowledged as needing assistance with costs such as transport, food, forage and bedding for their animals as a result of the floods, South Burnett trainers had been forgotten by the State Labor Government.
“I am at a loss as to why horse trainers in our region have not been included in this support package,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“The South Burnett is defined as a disaster declared area, and trainers in all other disaster declared local government areas have been included.
“The horse racing industry is a major economic contributor to our region and country racing is an important part of our social fabric.
“South Burnett horse trainers also need access to this support and that’s why I have asked the Minister for Racing, Grace Grace, why they have been excluded,” Deb said.
President of the Nanango Race Club, Mr Andrew Green backed this same call.
“There are at least 25 trainers located in the South Burnett region, so it is disappointing that our region hasn’t been included in this funding,” Mr Green said.
“Horse trainers were impacted for at least 10 days as it was impossible to train on the wet tracks, plus they also had to deal with cancelled race meetings and key roads being cut in so many places,” he said.
Question on Notice asked Thursday 31 March 2022
To Hon Grace Grace MP, Minister for Education, Industrial Relations & Minister for Racing
In relation to the Training Assistance Fund to support racing participants in flood-impacted areas of South East Queensland, will the Minister explain a) why Cherbourg Regional Council is listed in the media statement of 5th March 2022, yet is not listed on the Racing Queensland website; and b) why the South Burnett region has not been included, given it is a defined disaster area (for the South East Qld Rainfall and Flooding event 22 Feb-7 March).
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington & Nanango Race Club President, Andrew Green
