Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington was delighted to welcome Regional Youth Parliament to the Kingaroy Town Hall today.
The Youth Parliament program is a key initiative of the Queensland Parliamentary Education Program, designed to give students a hands-on understanding of the parliamentary process by stepping into the shoes of local Members of Parliament.
More than 70 Year 5 and 6 students gathered to participate in a parliamentary debate, gaining valuable insight into how democracy works in Queensland.
“I’d like to thank the Parliamentary Education Team for bringing this incredible learning experience to our electorate and providing local students with the opportunity to engage directly with the parliamentary process,” Deb said.
“Congratulations to the students from Coolabunia State School, Moffatdale State School, Nanango State School, Taabinga State School, Windera State School, Yarraman State School and Gin Gin State School for their impressive efforts, exemplary behaviour, and thoughtful contributions throughout the day. Their schools should be incredibly proud.”
“It was inspiring to hear the students speak so passionately while advocating for their region. With young leaders like these, our future is in great hands.” She said
The presence of Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Hon Pat Weir MP, and Member for Callide, Mr Bryson Head, brought a sense of authenticity to the day’s proceedings.
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington has welcomed $3 million in funding for a new educational facility at Cherbourg State School.
The investment is one of three priority infrastructure projects totalling $19 million announced today as part of the first round of the Crisafulli Government’s ongoing Closing the Gap Priorities Fund.
The money will support an upgrade to the Cherbourg State School’s Buwu program, an alternative to school suspensions, ensuring students keep up with the curriculum while learning progressive behavioural strategies.
The Closing the Gap Priorities Fund redirects previous Path to Treaty funding into practical, frontline projects for discrete and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Deb said she had been advocating for Cherbourg State School and was pleased to announce the funding.
“After hearing Principal McLean’s concerns last year about the program being held off campus, I was determined to help bring this facility to fruition,” Deb said.
“The building will allow suspended students to remain on campus and stay on track with their learning.
“Since the program was introduced just over two years ago, Cherbourg State School has reduced their lost school days, due to school disciplinary absences, from 1,000 to under 50, which is an incredible achievement,” she said.
The building will create a more consistent school environment for the students, while they are temporarily removed from their classroom.
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Fiona Simpson said there were many critical infrastructure projects identified by local communities that had been left unfunded under Labor.
“We are committed to engaging with leaders of our discrete Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to help address their key needs,” Minister Simpson said.
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington has welcomed a new multimillion-dollar women’s health service that is now available in the Nanango Electorate.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering expanded medical services for women and girls in regional and rural Queensland, with the new virtual counselling Women's Wellbeing Line.
The service provides women with essential mental healthcare, counselling, pregnancy loss advice and health referrals.
The service is operated by Women’s Health and Equality Queensland and supported by the Queensland Government with a $11.35 million investment over four years.
Staffed by trained counsellors and midwives, the service offers a telephone and web chat service and will soon offer face-to-face video conferencing.
Since December 1800 4 WOMEN has assisted nearly 180 people, who sought support for non-crisis mental health support, grief and loss counselling following pregnancy or neonatal loss, midwifery support and advice, and domestic and sexual violence counselling.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said the Crisafulli Government was committed to boosting mental health services across the state.
“The service responds to the vital need for more accessible women-focused mental health and wellbeing care statewide and is a lifeline for many Queensland women, especially in regional, rural and remote areas,” Minister Nicholls said.
“The Women’s Wellbeing Line is one way our Government is helping regional and rural women to have access to professional health support where and when they need it most.
“Another way we are delivering on our commitment to boost mental health services is through the provision of 30 perinatal mental health for new mothers and their families.”
Deb said she had been fighting for better regional and rural health care for many years.
“I’m so glad to see my years of advocacy have paid off and women of the Nanango Electorate are now getting the medical treatment they deserve.
“This is a huge win for regional women who can now access this essential health care from their homes.
The Women’s Wellbeing Line operates Monday-Friday 8am to 8pm, and Saturday from 9am to 5pm.
To access the service, call 1800 4 WOMEN (1800 496 636), email wellbeing@wheq.org.au, or connect via webchat.
