It has been a big month, including the Skilling Queenslanders for Work trainees starting at the decommissioned TAFE site, spending time with Ministers on home turf during ‘Governing from the Regions’ and speaking at Zonta regarding the housing crisis impacting our over 55’s women and also updating on potential projects at the Affordable/Tiny House Forum at The J.
It is always an honour and a privilege to spend time with our youngsters, and this last month was very special. Firstly spending time with year 6 students at St Thomas More Catholic Primary School as part of their learning about Government and preparation for their visit to Parliament House. They asked insightful and relevant questions, and yes at the ‘Big House’ they did get to test run my seat! As well, to be on hand with Cr Wilkie to celebrate the Pollard Family and their efforts to clean up our beaches, resulting in the ‘Turning the Tide’ artwork which took out Gold Champion at the Hatchery Crusader’s Awards as part of the World Science Festival in Brisbane, and now has pride of place in the Queensland Museum. Outstanding!!
Secondly, a community radio interview with Mary Valley students striking against climate change. As an advocate of respectful advocacy, I explained how community activism is one of the most effective ways to achieve positive outcomes, and Noosa has seen many outstanding results through the efforts of people with a shared vision and collective voice. However, it is important to have the right information, support and methodology for it to be effective, and even though I did not agree with them taking a day out from school, I commended them on their passion and am always available, as other students do, to obtain assistance to have their voices heard. I am very fortunate to have work experience and intern students here in Noosa and in Brisbane, as well as our new Youth Ambassador Mia Fitzgerald, who provide not only valuable assistance through the projects they undertake on our behalf, but also insights on issues from their perspective.
L-R: St Thomas Moore Primary; MIN Bailey at Pomona Rail; Noosa Tafe Skilling Qlders
Perceptions and perspectives are instrumental in every issue dealt with as an MP, and last month in Parliament media had picked up on my standing alongside the Member for Maiwah and Mirani during the speaker’s acknowledgement to our traditional custodians. This was to highlight the need for respectful discussion and reflection on our daily Parliamentary rituals, and I believe my speech on this which can be viewed here clearly outlines the reasons why, and the ongoing importance on the ‘conversations we need to have”!
Another of these conversations surrounds a highly emotive topic of ‘sharing space’. Every day we see an increase in altercations, incidents, accidents and tragically at times fatalities from a growing inability to share space with courtesy, respect and safety, whether that be on our roads, pathways, river or parks. This was highlighted through my Question on Notice (QON) relating to the growing ‘road rage’ between cyclists and drivers, which sadly saw a number of Facebookers throughout Queensland react negatively. The intent of this QON was to explore options of developing greater safety for road users, whether that be bikes, scooters or walking, as part of the modal shift desperately sought in Noosa to ease congestion, parking issues, as well as getting healthier! It was fabulous to meet up with Bicycle QLD, to work together to develop better safety and culture for all road users, and coming up I shall be opening discussion on the Noosa 360 to look at ways we can create a space to get more people pedaling, walking and ‘scootering’ safely in Noosa.
L-R: Tewantin SS Harmony Day; Zonta International Noosa; She & the Sea exhibition NFOS
As an Independent Member of Parliament there is great opportunity to bring together diverse viewpoints to create innovative solutions to social issues. We do this in a number of ways to bring into the public domain a conversation that needs to be had by working through challenges respectfully together. Even when those challenges can seem ominous, such as the sharing of space, it is by good communication, understanding of diverse perceptions and perspectives, and yes, some serious hard work, that we can achieve solutions. As always, I am only a phone call or email away.
So collectively to our young, and not so young residents, can I say, every day in every way – you encourage me, astound me, humble me and give me inspiration for our now, and our future. In all ways I will foster the passion that you have, give voice to your perspectives, and work to provide the space for you to #bethechange you wish to see!
L-R: Noosa FM interview; 100 years of Girls Guides; SFN School Garden Project
The Inbox
Prominent issue updates and discussions posted to Noosa 360 in summary include:
Rail services between Gympie North and Brisbane – Ministerial response
Response to MP ‘Question on Notice” (QON) – Cycling
Solar and battery installation grants
Horse manure in National Parks
Noosa MP Survey – comments summary now uploaded
Queensland Environmental Offsets Framework
Please visit Noosa 360 for all updates.
Speeches
Jump to our Parliament page here and click on “all speeches” to see the full list which includes this month:
- Human Rights
- Special Wildlife Reserves
- Great Barrier Reef
- Safer Waterways
- Sustainable Fishing
- Illicit Drug/Pill Testing
- Health & Other Legislation Amendment Bill
- Inclusive Rituals in Parliament
- QCAT & Other Legislation Amendment Bill
- Economic Development & Other Legislation Amendment Bill
Projects / Initiatives / Your Say
Local
Community Trailer & Marquee: Please call the office to book on 5319 3100.
State
Have your say: to see all areas open for consultation click here.
Voluntary assisted dying. Submissions close on 15 April 2019.
Review of the Queensland environmental offsets framework. Submissions due by 15 April 2019.
Sexual Violence Prevention Framework Consultation. Online survey closes 30 April 2019.
Community Interest
Although a Federal Government rather than State Government matter, the proposed new flight paths for the Sunshine Coast Airport include the southern tips of our electorate. For more information click here.
To lodge your comments or opinion click here by 30th April.
Alternatively please contact your Federal Member: Llew O’Brien MP at llew.obrien.mp@aph.gov.au or Ted O’Brien MP at ted.obrien.mp@aph.gov.au
Grant search tools:
QLD Government Grant Finder
Noosa EO Reminders
Stay Connected
Our monthly newsletters can be viewed by clicking here, and stay updated by ‘liking’ our Facebook page. Monthly columns are in Noosa News and Noosa Today, Coolum Advertiser and at SandyBolton.com where you will find helpful links, as well current bills and committee reports. To catch up on ‘Hot Topics’ or participate in a discussion forum register for Noosa 360.
And Finally…
With two sittings of Parliament and so many events attended, it is impossible to fit it all in one newsletter, hopefully the photos give a small snapshot of the many fantastic community and sporting events I was privileged to attend.
We are also incredibly fortunate to have astounding creative talent in Noosa and it gives us so much joy to appreciate and display the talents of our ‘mob’ in our office “Noosafication”. Julie Dodd and Patchers of Cooroy’s Wallum Quilt is one of our newest additions, as well as a moving piece by artist Michele Rudder titled ‘The Courage to Leave Domestic Violence’. Every piece in our office not only contains the most important of messages, but also inspiration for the work we do daily.
A special congratulations to Jandamarra Cadd on your latest portrait entry for the Archibald Prize, it is stunning and as I’ve mentioned before the ‘eyes’ have it!.
We are truly blessed in this community.
Warmest regards,
Sandy