Greetings from the first sitting of Parliament for 2023! With tabling’s in Chamber to be debated at the next sitting including efforts to reduce youth crime, and a Notice Paper with instrumental reforms regarding coercive control, a reminder that you can view Parliament live via www.Parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Live-and-Archived-Broadcasts, with all my speeches outlining the rationale on how Noosa’s vote is utilized available at www.SandyBolton.com/Parliament/Speeches. And should at any time the dreaded ‘guillotine’ occurs and I miss out, they are posted to there as well.

Never forget you can be part of effecting change by partaking in consultations, remaining updated via Noosa 360 and through initiating colourful, informed discussions, respectful debate and believe it or not, surveys!!  Speaking of which, thank you to everyone who responded to our call out regarding the proposed changes to birth certificates as our office had no notifications of this prior to tabling in order to include in the Annual Survey.  Your views assisted in the assessment of this Bill and speech preparation prior to voting in Parliament, and is appreciated.

L-R: Froggies; Smoking Ceremony; Equality Australia Briefing @ Parliament

From the Chamber and Beyond

At the start of every Parliamentary year, we gather on the Speakers Green to recognise the traditional custodians with a wonderful ‘smoking’, and this year was no different! Thank you to all in attendance for the magical energy and words of wisdom as we embark on the first steps to ‘Path to Treaty’ via legislation for A First Nations Treaty Institute and a Truth Telling and Healing Inquiry. In the latest edition of the Noosa Today, I started the journey to untangle the web of complexities as I continue to fight misinformation and misunderstandings through respectful debate and objective research. To read more head to at https://noosatoday.com.au/news/22-02-2023/beating-the-path-to-treaty

Government have proposed new legislation to tackle youth crime to be debated next sitting. We are currently researching see if what is contained is ‘enough’ including bringing back criminal bail breach. If you haven’t already, please read our Noosa 360 update www.sandybolton.com/youth-crime-recidivism-january-2023 that outlines the complexities of this situation and why increasing penalties may not be enough.

There was as usual many ‘before’ and ‘after’ Chamber events. This included honouring all former members of Parliament who saw active duty in the Malayan Emergency, Indonesian Confrontation and Vietnam War. Learning more from Chris and Steve of Red Frogs Australia on their work with young Queenslanders and our communities to create greater safety and connectivity was enlightening. Having operated now for 25 years, ‘Froggies’ are everywhere across Australia and the globe, with a phenomenal number of volunteers that are at major events, in our universities and schools, on our streets including during ‘schoolies’, and here at Noosa when needed. They are much loved by all ages and make a real difference in the lives of so many.

Hear and Say gave us a briefing on their efforts for Queenslanders impacted by hearing loss or deafness. Thank you to the phenomenal Jaimie Lee Lewis who MC’d, the inspirational youngsters who gave better speeches than I ever could, Lady Dimity who has worked in this space for many decades, and all of the families who travelled many miles.

On the Homefront

Noosa National Park was the backdrop to the launch of the Noosa Area Management plan launch event which saw Kabi Kabi representatives Norman, Kerry, Brian, Cecilia and Melissa, the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, the Queensland National Parks team and Minister Meaghan Scanlon come together to celebrate the release which incorporates a blending of both cultures to promote mutual learning and better outcomes for our national parks. I took the opportunity with all present to ask regarding Cooloola Great Walk processes, invasive weeds within our Parks and others matters, and look forward to updating everyone as I continue my ‘digging’!

We had a fabulous Mobile Office at Kin Kin visiting new and old biz, meeting with residents, catching up with many buds and inspecting works along the Noosa Country Drive including Six Mile Bridge #7. Enroute met up with Nick Thompson regarding the #3 pedestrian bridge that has gone missing. The magic at the Kin Kin Markets saw our youngest store holder Chloe painting my face and Bear scoring a new cap!! As we continue to wait on the court determination regarding the devastation from the never ending volume of heavy haulage through our beautiful villages, I continue to advocate to Government to intervene, with the response to my latest Question on Notice available on our website here

L-R: With Chloe at KK Markets; With the Women Open, Pirates Team; With Hear and Say Chair Mathew @ Power of Speech

The 10th year of the One Billion rising dance in Noosa saw all ages including myself, staff Lisa & Dylan, Deputy Frank and Councillors Amelia and Karen join with others at Noosa Surf Club to raise awareness through dance to see an end to the increasing domestic violence here and around the globe. Thank you to organisers Gail, Pam, Peppie and team, as well the stunning angels Karen, Lisa and Candace, and the magical drummers Ian, Maldonado, Jacky and Cameron and the Embellished Belly Dancers. Congratulations to all and especially those who joined in from the beach with their little ones and furry buds! Make sure to keep an eye out next year so you can get involved.

For 30 years I have followed the Noosa Pirates Rugby League Club journey since my kids played so I was thrilled to do the ‘reveal’ of the new women’s team jerseys, the result of the biggest sponsorship ever from our Bendigo Community Bank of $33,000. Thank you to Cooroy Bendigo branch manager Steve and the Bendigo team, MC and President Liam and DJ, fellow guest speaker Mayor Clare, coaches Mic, Rob, Clinton and Shannon, and all players, supporters and sponsors – a truly awesome effort!

It was an honour to present not 1, not 2, but 3 Justice of the Peace long-service awards on behalf of Attorney General Shannon Fentiman this month! The selfless service these men have done for our community and Queensland tallying 105 years is massive. “Thank You” to Ian, Nigel and Gordon for over a century of service.

In amongst a swag of Team and Zoom ‘Meets’ and teleconferences for a range of matters including with Queensland South Native Title Services, the Local Disaster Management Group and Noosa Business Roundtable, it was lovely to do some in person!  Thank you to Jamie and Emma from Hillsong City Care for meeting with me to discuss ongoing challenges to our Noosa family including the urgent emergency housing and domestic violence refuge needs. These partnerships including Coast2Bay Housing Group and our other front-line organisations are key to community driven solutions. And yes, there is an announcement coming any day, as well as a major one by June.

On the Parliament front, we are still awaiting the Government’s review of the economic impacts of short-term accommodation following the Housing Summit Outcome Report and I requested some details via a Question on Notice I will also be updating on a range of housing matters including progress on the Doonella Street site at the upcoming Noosa Council Housing Forum.

L-R: With Nigel, a JP for 40 yrs!; With Scouts on Founders Day; Investigating the ‘missing’ bridge @ Kin Kin

From the Inbox

The Births, Deaths and Marriages Bill has completed my Legal Affairs and Safety Committee phase, with the report now tabled, where, in my Statement of Reservation (SOR), I expressed the concerns of submitters. The lack of forewarning of these proposed changes, appropriate community consultation, information and alternative solutions has led to needless angst and misunderstandings, reflected in the responses to our recent poll where 80 per cent opposed these changes. As I said in my SOR, the Committee’s report does not give voice to the parents who testified, nor elevate these to an appropriate recommendation. To read my SOR, it is available here. As I said, proper community engagement could potentially have led to a solution that addressed the issues faced by our trans Queenslanders without any of the divisions that we have seen during this inquiry.

 

As has been reported previously, we have requested the Department of Transport and Main Roads be considerate of residents and not schedule nightworks when not absolutely necessary, as well the rationale for the recent nightworks for Kin Kin Creek Bridge #2. TMR replied that due to the type of works required to replace selected components of the bridge, it being single-lane, safety considerations as well as TMR’s efforts to minimise impacts to motorists and reduce extended traffic delays, nightworks were unavoidable, and that their contractor endeavours to complete the noisiest works earlier in the night. Striving to balance the need for carrying out works while limiting inconvenience to the local community where possible is not easy, and they understand these works are frustrating. However, due to the very high level of community requests to keep this road safe, they are responding by investing heavily in these roads.

Following our conversations with TMR, they will also door knock in the vicinity of the next large scale nightworks to see how they can mitigate the impacts on residents closest to the works, and we ask anyone who requires alternative accommodation at night to please let our office know on 53193100.

Grants and Reminders

More upcoming grants:

For further State Government grant opportunities see the QLD Government Grant Finder or Grants Guru.

Parliamentary Speeches and Questions

Recent Questions on Notice (QON’s) can be found at www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Questions-on-Notice-and-Answers. and latest speeches at www.sandybolton.com/parliament/speeches

Upcoming Mobile Offices

Cooroy – Thurs 2nd March 10:00am to 11:00am

Follow ‘Sandy Bolton MP’ on Facebook to receive alerts of Mobile Office in other areas of the Noosa Electorate. As always, if you have any questions or require assistance regarding state related matters, or do not know where to start, please contact our office at 5319 3100 or email noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au.

Have Your Say

For a complete list of Queensland State Government Consultations, including on Incident and Disaster Warnings in Queensland, head to www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au/gi

New submission periods are always opening for bills going through parliament committees so to hear firsthand and to receive other updates, you can subscribe at www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Visit-and-learn/Have-Your-Say/Subscribe

Office Reminders

Our office is open 9am – 4pm Monday to Friday, except during public holidays.  For community organisations we have the photocopier, marquees, and trailer available at no charge for your use, simply phone and book on 5319 3100

Connect

With so much to share, stay up to date via  Noosa 360, Facebook page updates or our monthly newsletters. Columns are in Noosa Today, Coolum Advertiser, Cooroy Rag, Your Local Lifestyle, Forest star and Eastern Beaches News.

L-R: With legend Clare from Noosa Pirates (38 years!!); The Kin Kin ‘Moby’; One Billion Rising 2023

And finally….

From my recent experiences and investigations, it is no wonder residents are confused when it comes to matters relating to our First Nations people and processes, including where recently I read that we are being disrespectful by referring to our first Australians as ‘indigenous’ or First Nations as they are Aborigines!  Having seen the work for nearly a decade of Kabi representatives, and having lived and worked with Roper and Ngukurr mobs in the Northern Territory, I thought I had a basic understanding, however the more I learn, the more difficult it is to translate! We are unsure whether the challenges we face whilst researching are because this mostly is in the Federal Government realm and legilsation, or whether the answers are purposely hard to find? However, as you know, I never rest until I have responses to questions, including recent ones from Kabi Kabi women in relation to the Cooloola Great Wallk,  which I will include in upcoming Noosa Today columns and Noosa 360’s as part of our Path to Treaty journey. The one thing that would assist, is a ‘map’ and I look forward to meeting with one expert who has worked in this space for decades.

Until next month

Sandy