The Stronger Communities Programme which provides Federal funding of up to $20,000 for small community groups is now open for expressions of interest.

The Stronger Communities Programme has provided much needed funding over the past 7 rounds to local community groups in Dawson to undertake small capital works projects.

Andrew Willcox, Member for Dawson is calling on the Albanese Labor Government to immediately reverse its decision to impose a defacto regional processing penalty on skilled workers in priority sectors hoping to take up one of thousands of jobs that need to be filled in regional communities.

Successful applicants for Round 3 of the Federal Government’s Local Sporting program have been announced.

The Local Sporting Champions program provides financial assistance for coaches, officials and competitors aged 12-18 participating in state, national or international championships. Successful applicants will receive $500-$750 towards the cost of attending their championships.

Mackay Christian College has suffered firsthand by the Youth Crime Epidemic this week with students almost being run over by an out of control stolen vehicle. This is becoming all too common with recent figures revealing that a record 2133 cars were stolen in QLD through December 2022.

Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox was delighted to see crews finally setting up to recommence works on the deserted roadworks between Proserpine and Bowen this week.

Construction halted on three projects between Emu Creek and Drays Road, and Bowen Connection Road and Champion Street in 2022 following the contractor WBHO Infrastructure Pty Ltd going into voluntary administration.

Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox is calling for residents to make submissions into the ACCC’s Regional Mobile Infrastructure Inquiry.

“I am in full support of this inquiry and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) recent decision to rule out a 10 – year mobile infrastructure sharing deal with Telstra and TPG Telecom because more than 700 towers would have been lost.

When asked about flood proofing the highway on Wednesday, Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King failed to commit any funding to the flood affected highway.

Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox criticised the Minister’s inaction saying it leaves residents vulnerable, cut off from the rest of the country.

In order to reach their 2030 climate targets, the Federal Labor Government have announced they will force 215 of Australia’s biggest polluters to cut emissions by 5 per cent each year or pay for their emissions output.

Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox has slammed the Albanese Labor Government for stripping $69 million from the Black Spot Program.

Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox this week showed his frustration with a Christmas twist on social media at the stagnant road works on the Bruce Highway between Bowen and Proserpine.

Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox this week showed his frustration with a Christmas twist on social media at the stagnant road works on the Bruce Highway between Bowen and Proserpine.

Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox is inviting eligible providers in the Dawson region to apply for grant funding that offers hope for the aged care workforce.

Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox warned of the detrimental effects of price caps in an address to the Parliament stating that they would drive business offshore and add pressure to the supply shortage.

The Albanese Labor Government’s announcement that they are cutting the additional Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions introduced by the Coalition has ripped away mental health support for vulnerable Australians in Dawson

Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox said the Government’s package is looking to have a disastrous effect on the coal and gas industry both in the short and long term.

“The effect of price caps is that they kill supply. The way to address this issue, is to increase the supply,” Mr Willcox said.

The State Government’s sky high coal royalties enforced on our region’s mines, are putting the industry at risk, says Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox.

Mr Willcox said the recent decision from Glencore to can their $2 billion investment into a mine in Queensland shows the cracks beginning to appear in our coal sector.

The Nationals Regional Listening Tour has kicked off in Queensland, starting in Dawson, with leaders and MPs of the National Party meeting with locals across the region, to hear about the issues affecting them.

Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox criticised the Labor Government’s rushed passing of the Industrial Relations Bill, which has been described as the biggest IR reforms since the GST.

Andrew Willcox on Thursday asked the Minister for Climate Change and Energy why North Queenslanders are paying for Labor’s broken promise to lower power prices by $275.

Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry, and Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox, are calling on the Federal Labor Government to immediately reinstate funding for the Urannah Dam project and deliver on this crucial water security plan that is waiting and ready to go.