Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, has welcomed today’s announcement to assist young people transition from out of home care until the age of 21.
Mrs Frecklington said the program was developed by the former LNP Government following recommendations made by the Queensland Child Protection Commission of Inquiry which showed young people were often unware, or not involved in the planning for their transition to adulthood.
“When our Government was elected in 2012, Queensland was the only State not providing dedicated support for young people after leaving out of home care,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“We worked closely with the CREATE Foundation and young people to plan and design a new model of aftercare support, and in the 2014/15 budget we announced several million to implement the Transition from Care program.
“It is good to see that Labor have acknowledged this was an important initiative and will now implement it across Queensland, including funding for the South Burnett.
“Our region desperately needs this support, and I’d like to congratulate South Burnett CTC on being chosen to deliver these services locally.”
One of the programs being used as part of this initiative is the new ‘sortli’ app (sort out your life) which helps young people transition to independence.
“I know that our local South Burnett Child Safety Department was heavily involved in the development of this app and I’m so glad it will be an important part of this transition from care program,” Deb said.
Young people can call of text 1800NEXTSTEP at any time, or search for the sortli app.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, has congratulated 23 Nanango Electorate community groups who’ve been successful with their applications in the latest rounds of the ‘Gambling Community Benefit Fund’ and the ‘Caring for our Community’ Grants.
Mrs Frecklington said it’s fantastic to see the groups rewarded for their hard work and she is looking forward to seeing the results of the funding over the coming months.
“It’s always so exciting to see our local clubs and schools submit successful applications. Their success is thoroughly deserved as they put so much back into our communities,” Mrs Frecklington said.
The successful groups through the Gambling Community Benefit include:
The groups receiving funds through the Caring for our community grant include:
“The next round of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund closes on 31 May. I encourage all local groups, however big or small, to consider making an application if they have a project they’d like to see come to fruition,” Deb said.
For more information please visit www.justice.qld.gov.au
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, says small gifts of peanuts have helped create a connection between drought affected primary producers near Longreach and farmers here in the South Burnett.
Mrs Frecklington said she took bundles of peanuts to hand out during her recent tour of some of the State’s worst drought areas with Opposition Leader, Lawrence Springborg.
“I really wanted to take something with me as a small token when I visited the farming families around Longreach,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“Fresh, delicious peanuts from the South Burnett were the obvious choice and it was lovely to give these small gifts and help create a connection between primary producers from two distinct regions.
Deb says her two-day tour of drought-ravaged properties around Longreach was aimed at highlighting the plight of local farmers and calling on Government to do whatever they can.
“It is important our western cousins know we haven’t forgotten them. With so much of the state still in drought, these people are facing enormous hardships that won’t go away anytime soon.
“I’d encourage people to consider holidaying in Queensland’s west and to spend a dollar in the outback. This type of support will keep these small towns going through what really is a terrible crisis.
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, took locally grown South Burnett peanuts with her when she visited drought affected families near Longreach.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, says great employment opportunities exist in Kingaroy with several full-time and part-time nursing positions currently being advertised for Kingaroy Hospital.
Mrs Frecklington said it was a sign the Hospital is going from strength to strength and it was fantastic to see these excellent jobs here for local people.
“There are opportunities for several different nursing roles, along with the annual call for casual nurses. The casual positions are always popular as these jobs allow flexibility, especially for working parents,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“This follows hot on the heels of the 2.2% nursing payrise, which is a good investment in our nursing workforce and an investment in caring for patients across the South Burnett,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“During the term of our former LNP Government, the number of nurses at Kingaroy Hospital has increased with more than 125 nurses now working at the Hospital. The Kingaroy Hospital always has opportunities for good nursing staff, and they encourage people to make contact to see what may be available.
“In just a few weeks, on 12th May, we’ll also celebrate International Nurses Day and I think this is an excellent opportunity to say thank-you for the hard work and dedication our nurses show every day in caring for our community.
“Last year I joined the nurses on their International Nurses Day Walk and this year I’m looking forward to joining them again for their celebration.”
Photo: Deb joined South Burnett nurses at the 2014 International Nurses Day Walk.
Residents of the Ravensbourne area have raised concerns with their State Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, in relation to local bore water being extracted for commercial purposes.
Mrs Frecklington met with members of the Ravensbourne community at Sketches on Wednesday 8th April to provide the group with assistance in relation to the recent development assessment process being undertaken by the Toowoomba Regional Council.
“The owner of the property was recently issued with a ‘Show Cause’ notice by Council as they have been taking water for bottling for about nine years now without a development approval,” she said.
“This has led to the owners choosing to not only seek the development approval but to request permission to operate the premises on a 24 hour basis and to remove vegetation along the Esk-Hampton Road,”
“I understand the community’s concerns, especially in regards to the fact that there is no local economic benefit. This is because there are no employees at the site, the water is simply removed by the tanker drivers and taken away to the factory for bottling,” Deb said.
“There is also a major concern about the use of the Esk-Hampton Road by the B-Double tankers which visit the site approximately four-six times each day, causing noise and dust issues. Plus, as they travel fully-loaded back down the range they cause significant delays and damage to this stretch of very windy road,” she said.
Deb said she’ll be making enquiries on behalf of the residents to help answer the many questions they have in relation to this development application.
“The community did have a representative attend the Development Assessment Panel process, however, I would like to see their concerns raised further with Council. There are many other questions also being raised in relation to this industry and I’ll also be taking these to the relevant State Government Departments for clarification,” she said.
Nurses and midwives in the Esk, Kilcoy, Nanango and Kingaroy Hospitals will benefit from a 2.2% pay rise after the Labor Government agreed to honour the LNP’s promise.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington said the nurses at Esk (22), Kilcoy (27), Nanango (13) and Kingaroy (124) Hospitals will benefit from the well-deserved pay increase.
“The hard-working frontline staff in our health system deserve to be properly rewarded which is why the LNP ensured this increase was fully budgeted and costed,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“Importantly, under our former LNP administration the number of nurses at Kingaroy Hospital also increased by 21 to the current level of 124,” she said.
“This boost to pay ensures investment in our workforce and an investment in caring for patients in the Nanango Electorate.
“While Labor has now endorsed the pay rise, it seems strange the Health Minister waited until the very last minute to confirm the increase would definitely be delivered.
Mrs Frecklington said the Queensland Nurses Union have been quiet about the pay rise, particularly since they had previously indicated it was ‘substandard’.
“When the pay rise was announced in September 2014, the union said 2.2% had fallen under the Consumer Price Index recommended figure of 3%,” Deb said.
“Only time will tell if the union now changes its tune to support Labor just because they are in government.
“Let’s not forget it was the LNP that delivered a 12% pay increase to more than 33,000 nurses compared to Labor’s record of failing to pay nurses anything during the health payroll crisis.”
Fast Facts
Under the LNP Government nurses and midwives received pay increases over the 2012-2015 period as follows:
Photo: During a visit to the Esk Hospital last year - Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington and Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg with West Moreton HHS Board Members and Hospital staff. Nurses at the Hospital will receive a 2.2% pay rise.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington has congratulated new Somerset Region Councillor, Bob Whalley on his appointment.
Mrs Frecklington made a short address to the Somerset Regional Council on Wednesday to offer Mr Whalley her best wishes.
“I look forward to continuing to work with the Somerset Regional Council and with Cr Whalley for the betterment of the region. I’d like to congratulate him on being selected to join the Council team,” Mrs Frecklington said.
Photo: From l to r Mayor Graeme Lehmann, Cr Bob Whalley and Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington has welcomed the decision to name a gully in the South Burnett, Mangan Gully, in honour of ANZAC, Michael Mangan.
Mrs Frecklington said it was wonderful the announcement had come in time for the Anzac Centenary celebrations this year and is a fitting tribute for the Mangan family.
“I was extremely pleased to support the suggestion made by the South Burnett Regional Council to name the gully in honour of Mr Mangan,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“The Department of Natural Resources and Mines have now confirmed that the gully will indeed take Mr Mangan’s name,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“Michael Mangan settled in the Nanango district in 1919 following military service from 1914-1918 with the 15th Battalion AIF, fighting as an ANZAC at Gallipoli in 1915,” she said.
“He also saw action in France, the Western Front, the Somme and Belgium. After the war, Mr Mangan settled in the Nanango district and was granted leases over the properties through which the gully flows. The gully flows in a north-westerly direction and crosses the D’Aguilar Highway until it meets Peach Creek,” she said.
“The naming is timely for our region as our community prepares to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing,” she said.
