No – this headline is not the start of a joke. It is a very serious topic that needs more attention. In 1902, Australia became the first country in the world to allow women both the right to vote and to stand for representation in National Parliament.

More than three years in government, and Labor still doesn’t have any real plans to positively grow the economy. Last week, a hand picked group of government, union, business and industry figures gathered for a three day economic forum to supposedly chart a course for Australia's economic future.

Immigration is important. Our country has been built on it. We would not be the Australia we are today without people choosing to set up their lives here. But we have to be honest. Immigration needs to be properly managed. Right now, I have major concerns. Major concerns with how the current government has been managing our immigration.

The students of Mackay West State School had the honour of hosting a momentous occasion this week, as an official Australian Flag, previously flown over Parliament House in Canberra, was brought to the school by the Speaker of the House, the Hon. Milton Dick, as part of the Parliament in Schools program and National Flag Roadshow.

The Australian flag is not just a piece of fabric. It is the enduring symbol of who we are. It represents our shared history, our sacrifices, and the freedoms earned through generations of courage and service. As the federal member for Dawson, one of my favourite tasks is presenting an upstanding community member with an Australian flag.

We need homes for every Australian. We need a housing policy that creates environments where everyone can find their own way into the housing market, and stay there. We need an actual housing policy that is more than writing a few cheques or throwing around big numbers with dollar signs.

Thousands of Australians including Dawson locals, many older or approaching retirement, are reeling in the wake of the collapse of First Guardian and Shield managed investment schemes, leaving them with little to no retirement savings after losing millions of dollars in managed funds.

This week was the first sitting of Federal Parliament since the May election. As the Federal Member for Dawson, I’ve been in Canberra raising the concerns of our region. Thank you to everyone who shares their stories. Your experiences shape the fight I take to Canberra.

The Albanese Labor Government has used its numbers in Parliament to block a proposed Senate Inquiry into the health and future of Australia’s metals manufacturing industry, without providing any explanation for the decision

Australia is blessed with abundant resources — coal, uranium, sunshine, wind, and water. We should have the world’s cheapest and most reliable power in the world. Instead, electricity bills are soaring, reliability is falling, and households are feeling the squeeze. The gap between what we are paying for power and what we should be paying, keeps growing.

Last week, I attended the inaugural Queensland Resources and Innovation Expo at the Resources Centre of Excellence in Paget, Mackay. The expo, promoted as a platform showcasing cutting-edge technologies, fostering industry collaboration, and driving sustainable advancements in the resource sector, definitely delivered – what a fantastic event it was!

The sugar crush across Dawson is on again, and it’s a timely reminder that cane trains are on the move and caution is needed around level crossings. Please, everyone be aware and remain safe on our roads.

It’s no secret that the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is under financial pressure. Costs have ballooned, and participation rates are rising faster than anticipated. Reform is clearly needed. But how the government plans to tackles reforms is all cloak and dagger.

Local fishers across the Dawson region are expressing growing concerns over the future of both commercial and recreational fishing, citing a range of challenges including regulatory changes and economic pressures.

The Coalition has wasted no time returning to the policy table, meeting this week at Parliament House in Canberra.

The closure of the Mackay Caneland Post Shop has left local residents dismayed, with many raising concerns about the loss of this essential service.

Superannuation is one of Australia’s most important vehicles for building a comfortable retirement. Yet many of us only start paying attention to our super balances later in life. I encourage everyone to check in on your fund and think seriously about what your retirement nest egg might look like.

The Australian Electoral Commission today officially declared Andrew Willcox re elected as the Federal Member for Dawson following the election last month.

Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox has today been appointed as the Federal Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Sovereign Capabilities, a portfolio focused on cultivating Australia’s national interests and strengthening the economy.

After careful consideration, The Nationals have agreed that now is not the right time to be re-entering a Coalition agreement with the Liberal Party after the Federal election.