Victoria passengers need mandatory quarantine

ANY passenger arriving at a Queensland airport on a flight from Victoria should be subject to a mandatory two week quarantine with no exceptions in order to safeguard the population from another COVID-19 outbreak, says Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto. Mr Dametto said while he understood there were justifiable reasons for people arriving back in the […] READ MORE

KAP’s anti-crime policies the only way forward

HICHINBROOK MP Nick Dametto has warned the major parties to “sit up and listen” to Katter’s Australian Party’s tough, anti-crime policies with the prospect of a hung parliament likely after the upcoming State Election. Mr Dametto said any talk by either Labor or the LNP about what they would do on the issue of youth […] READ MORE

Highway upgrades must go further: Dametto

A $29.2 million safety upgrade along the Bruce Highway should be the catalyst for a broader road works program across Hinchinbrook, says local MP Nick Dametto. Mr Dametto said while he welcomed a joint Federal and State package that will upgrade a 7.3km stretch of road between Hechts Road and Easter Creek, other parts of […] READ MORE

Hospital upgrades a step closer with business case

  HINCHINBROOK MP Nick Dametto has revealed much-needed upgrades to Ingham Hospital are a step closer to reality after the finalising of key planning documents by Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS). THHS’s proposed “COVID-19 Recovery – Proposed Infrastructure Program” estimates Ingham Hospital will need $5.2 million for renal services, $3.6 million for a CT […] READ MORE

Federal housing scheme forgets regions

THE Federal Government’s new ‘HomeBuilder’ grant scheme does little to help regional families get a foot in the housing market due to narrow eligibility criteria, says Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto. Although Mr Dametto welcomed the boost the grant will give to the building industry, he was “incredibly disappointed” the $25,000 grant did not apply to […] READ MORE

Regional housing needs Federal focus

  HINCHINBROOK MP Nick Dametto has warned the Federal Government not to abandon regional Queensland’s housing market as speculation mounts over a new grants scheme. Mr Dametto said it was imperative the Federal Government’s proposed housing stimulus package included grants to both purchase existing homes in regional areas and the ability to do renovations. “Media […] READ MORE

Local journalism dealt a blow in newspaper closures

HINCHINBROOK MP Nick Dametto fears for the future of regional journalism following News Corp Australia’s decision to down the print editions of several regional newspapers, including the Herbert River Express. Mr Dametto said he was gutted for the thousands of employees at newspapers across the country who were told the heartbreaking news this morning. “Today […] READ MORE

Businesses left in the lurch after grant program closes

HINCHINBROOK MP Nick Dametto has called for an urgent funding boost to the State Government’s COVID-19 Adaption Grant Program, after thousands of businesses missed out due to funds being exhausted. Mr Dametto said his office had been inundated with calls from small business owners furious they had missed out on applying after the scheme was […] READ MORE

Labor misses mark in crime petition response

THE State Labor Government has failed to reassure North Queenslanders how it will keep them safe after thousands signed two parliamentary petitions demanding tougher penalties for criminals. Started by Take Back Townsville co-ordinator and Katter’s Australian Party’s candidate for Thuringowa Julianne Wood, the parliamentary e-petition and paper petition called on the House to “make significant […] READ MORE

Dametto pressures Minister over Reef regs

  HINCHINBROOK MP Nick Dametto has questioned Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch on Labor’s farm-destroying Reef regulations and the validity of the science used to impose them on growers. In a Question Without Notice in parliament this week, Mr Dametto asked whether Ms Enoch would commit to amending her government’s Reef regulations should the outcome of […] READ MORE