No chance in Queensland to win a country pub

A HINCHINBROOK publican’s innovative idea to hold a raffle-like promotional sale of his local watering hole has been knocked back by the State Government due to bureaucratic red tape. Ashton Hotel owner Doug Senior has been fighting to have his proposal rubber stamped by the Office of Liquor and Gaming, which would involve the sale […] READ MORE

Single-use plastic ban a step closer

QUEENSLAND is a step closer to phasing out single-use plastic, with the introduction of a Bill in parliament last week. Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto welcomed the introduction of the Waste Reduction and Recycling (Plastic Items) Amendment Bill 2020, which if passed, will ban straws, stirrers, cutlery and plates. “Single-use plastics are a scourge on our […] READ MORE

Bus driver bashers should be banned: Dametto

ANYBODY who assaults or threatens a bus driver should face a permanent ban from using any bus service in Queensland, says Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto. Mr Dametto said he was “sickened” by news today that Sunbus has reported 52 incidents of driver assault, abuse or other incidents on Townsville buses between October 2019 and April […] READ MORE

Dametto savages Labor over gel blasters

HINCHINBROOK MP Nick Dametto has condemned the State Labor Government’s obsession with overregulating gel blasters in a fiery speech to parliament on Thursday night. Mr Dametto said the government’s Corrective Services and Other Legislation Amendment Bill was just part of an attempt to punish the vast majority of people who used their gel blasters safely […] READ MORE

Taxpayers stung for Labor’s bail house fail

HINCHINBROOK MP Nick Dametto has called on the State Labor Government to end its “failed bail house experiment” and immediately adopt relocation sentencing after taxpayers forked out money for yet another review. Mr Dametto said an $88,000 independent review into the bail house program being undertaken by consultants Ernst and Young was “utterly pointless”, after […] READ MORE

KAP agrees: It’s time to align

KATTER’S Australian Party (KAP) has backed tens of thousands of modified vehicle enthusiasts after agreeing to a full list of reforms proposed by the Australian Recreational Motorists Association (ARMA). The reforms, amongst others, include recognition of interstate modifications for registration transfers, introducing an engineering and certification program where Australian and Queensland Chartered Professional Engineers are […] READ MORE

Parking Bill a big win for vision-impaired

QUEENSLAND’S vision-impaired community will finally have the right to apply for a disability parking permit after the passing of a key Bill in parliament today. Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto welcomed the Bill’s passing, which came following a sustained lobbying effort from the vision-impaired community, Guide Dogs Queensland and Katter’s Australian Party. “After much delay, I […] READ MORE

Labor faces crunch time on COVID fines

THE State Labor Government will have a chance to prove they have some integrity by agreeing to refund or revoke COVID-19 fines with the tabling of an e-petition by Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto next week. Mr Dametto, who started the parliamentary e-petition following public outrage that no mass gathering fines were issued by police at […] READ MORE

Jetty repairs a welcome boost for fishos

LUCINDA’S popular service jetty will continue to be enjoyed by recreational fishers for years to come as the Port of Townsville spends $1.2 million to carry out much-needed repairs. Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto welcomed the announcement today by Port officials and Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey, with engineering firm CASA Projects awarded the […] READ MORE

Farmers denied a voice in Reef inquiry

HINCHINBROOK MP Nick Dametto has questioned the integrity of a Federal Senate inquiry into whether there is a link between farming practices and poor water quality after planned hearings in North Queensland were cancelled. Mr Dametto said he was baffled as to why an inquiry focused on agricultural practices would not even attempt to hear […] READ MORE