LNP Announces State School Reform Policy

Schools and students in Glass House will benefit from the LNP’s Independent Public Schools concept, unveiled today by LNP Leader Campbell Newman.

Speed Camera Revenue should go back into D'Aguilar Highway

Member for Glass House Andrew Powell has responded to community feedback by calling on the Government to redirect funds raised from new speed cameras along the D'Aguilar Highway back to road safety in the local community.

Andrew Powell talking about Malaysian Pineapples and Bats

See the Morning Magazine Podcast below. The following text is a transcript from Queensland Parliament relating to the 101.5FM interview.

Mr POWELL (Glass House—LNP) (10.21 pm): On 19 October, just last week, Biosecurity Australia released a draft import risk analysis report for fresh decrowned pineapple fruit from Malaysia.

The draft IRA summary statement declares—

Biosecurity Australia proposes that the importation of fresh decrowned pineapple fruit to Australia from Malaysia be permitted subject to a range of quarantine conditions. The draft report identifies four pests that require quarantine measures.

I suggest that such a proposition is flawed and dangerous and that the Queensland Minister for

Agriculture, Food and Regional Economies needs to support the Australian pineapple producers. More importantly, he needs to support Queensland’s pineapple producers, and he needs to stand up for the health and wellbeing not only of the industry but also of Queenslanders more broadly.

Those four pests that Biosecurity Australia refer to are the Dysmicoccus grassii, Dysmicoccus neobrevipes or grey pineapple mealy bug, Planococcus minor or Pacific mealy bug, and Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi or the Jack Beardsley mealy bug. Basically they are a range of exotic borers that have the potential to decimate local pineapple crops.

How does Biosecurity Australia suggest we address this quarantine issue? Through a combination of pre-shipment or on arrival methyl bromide fumigation and an operational system to verify the status of the imported fruit. Can I suggest fumigation with methyl bromide will not sit well with Australian consumers? Methyl bromide is not registered in Australia for use on pineapples and there is worldwide concern with its use, particularly its link to the destruction of the ozone layer. It is a massive concern that importers could potentially be allowed to circumvent national chemical registration regulations by fumigating fruit offshore with this chemical. What would that do to our reputation?

If we put methyl bromide fumigation aside for a moment, perhaps what is even more concerning is what is not in the draft IRA. In 2008 the Australian pineapple industry biosecurity plan listed the Erwinia chrysanthemi, now Dickeya, species as the most important of forbidden pathogens. The pathogen causes bacterial fruit and heart rot in pineapples, and the industry experts pointed out at the time quite clearly that it does not exist and still does not exist in the Australian pineapple industry. It does, however, exist in the Philippines, from which we already import fresh pineapples, and Malaysia, from which we are considering to import fresh pineapples.

Despite regular scientific and industry advice, Biosecurity Australia has ignored the risk this pathogen poses to the industry. I am sorry, but as a member of an electorate that is home to 80 per cent of Queensland’s fresh pineapple production, I am not willing to ignore that risk. I implore the Minister for Agriculture to petition his federal counterpart and Biosecurity Australia and reject this proposed import approval. I implore every Queenslander concerned at this serious biosecurity risk to send in their submission by the 19 December closing date.

State Dumps Levy on Councils - LEAKED DOCUMENTS

Caboolture dump - Levy protest sign.

The Council and rate payers are set to pay for a complicated $35-a-tonne waste levy being introduced by the Queensland State Labor Government.

State Government Admits D'Aguilar Highway is a Killer

The Queensland State Government has admitted the D'Aguilar Highway is dangerous. It has opted to reduce the speed limits in places instead of upgrading it, a move expected to exacerbate driver and community frustration.

Glass House LNP State Member, Andrew Powell, welcomed the news and said he "couldn't be happier" that a recent review of the D'Aguilar Highway will result in changes to the speed limit.

Talking about the proposed waste levy with Andrew Powell

To see all news stories and interviews relating to the Queensland Waste Levy (click here).

Petition to reduce speed on D'Aguilar Highway

The safety for motorists along the D'Aguilar Highway continues to be a constant concern for local road users and the State Member, Andrew Powell, is demanding that something be done about it now.

"The Government knows this road is a hazard yet they refuse to hand over the money that is needed to make necessary upgrades and ultimately save lives.

Andrew Powell puts his Best Foot Forward.

Image contributed

Despite having the flu, Member for Glass House, Andrew Powell MP, was off to an early start yesterday morning. Starting out on foot at 6am from Little Yabba Creek at Connondale, Mr Powell hopes the walk reinforced awareness for the need of the completion of the upgrade of the Maleny-Kenilworth Road.

LNP Listens To Sunshine Coast Train Commuters

THE LNP connected with Sunshine Coast rail commuters this morning to hear first-hand concerns with service schedules and higher fares, particularly for periodic tickets.

 

LNP Shadow Transport Minister Scott Emerson joined Member for Glass House Andrew Powell and Member for Caloundra Mark McArdle at Landsborough station at 6:15am to meet and listen to commuters.

Mt Mee State School On 101.5fm

Community Behind Icon Status For Glass House Mountains

L TO R - Andrew Powell, Leanne McLaughlin Parks Australia,
Kel McNamara Glasshouse Chamber of Commerce,
Front - John Sereni Tourism Queensland,
Suzanne Thompson Representative from Nungeena

The campaign to have the iconic Glass House Mountains included on the National Landscapes list gained further momentum today with a community forum in Maleny.

Member for Glass House, Andrew Powell MP, invited Leanne McLaughlin from Parks Australia to visit the Glass House electorate and provide detailed information to the general public about the inner workings of the National Landscape program and the benefits for the community.

Andrew Powell Claims Win On Water

LNP Member of parliament Andrew Powell has claimed Premier Anna Bligh has been forced to reform the water system that she bungled.

North Coast Commuters Still Hurting

The April 5th release of the proposed June timetable for Queensland Rail sees minor changes to public transport services available to the public between Brisbane and Nambour.

Volunteers Recognised by Exclusive Glass House Award Ceremony

National Volunteer week will be punctuated in Queensland by the second annual Glass House Volunteer Award ceremony. Member for Glasshouse, Mr Andrew Powell,  has announced the opening of nominations for the 2011 event.

Special Edition - 101.5Fm Morning Magazine

In a special edition of Morning Magazine, 101.5Fm, put together a panel and looked at the recent New South Wales state election and what it may mean for our local area.

Glass House Mountains National Landscape Campaign On The Right Track

The campaign to have the iconic Glass House Mountains listed on the National Landscapes program continues on the right track.  On the back of the successful delegation to the Minister for Tourism last year, Andrew Powell MP Member for Glass House will be hosting a representative from the National Landscapes Board on Monday 11 April 2011.

Andrew Powell Talks With 101.5Fm About The Recent LNP Leadership Changes

Call Action After Fatal Crash

  An 89-year-old man has died in a car accident on what locals believe is a notoriously dangerous stretch of road.