Mr CHRISTENSEN (Dawson) (13:13): I thank my colleagues on both sides of the chamber for their valuable contributions on this matter of natural disasters. Firstly, I wish to comment on the natural disaster that we witnessed over the last month, then, to address two important issues that arise from that disaster and which require urgent attention fro...

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The mining powerhouse in the Central Highlands is being undermined by a deeply divided and dysfunctional government, according to Federal Member for Dawson, George Christensen. Mr Christensen said the Greens, Independents, and some Labor MPs (including Kevin Rudd and Joel Fitzgibbons) were attempting to change the Gillard Labor government’s failed...

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The Whitsundays could have had Goorganga Plains flood-proofing work funded in just 18 days if the Gillard Labor government had not created the biggest government debt in Australian history, according to Federal Member for Dawson, George Christensen. “We are now paying $800,000 an hour in interest on Julia Gillard’s credit card,” Mr Christensen sai...

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Mr CHRISTENSEN (Dawson) (13:34): I rise to speak on the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012. In doing so I would like to note the bipartisan support the NDIS has in this parliament. I would also like to stress the importance of this issue across the nation and in my own electorate of Dawson, including the importance of getting the&n...

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The introduction of a carbon tax is nothing more than wealth redistribution and that means Mackay will be kicked in the guts again. Mackay incomes are higher than average because we work hard, do it tough, have higher cost of living, and fewer services than the capital cities. Mackay families will pay a fortune in carbon tax but a smaller percentag...

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Mackay has the second highest suicide rate in Queensland – mostly young men. Regional centres are worse for suicide than capital cities anyway, but Mackay has additional problems brought about by the mining boom. Mackay is a financially advantaged area but, socially, it’s very disadvantaged. There’s lot so shift work and parents who are away for fo...

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