Member for Cook Cynthia Lui has praised the 2018-19 State Budget as it delivers on the Palaszczuk Government’s election commitments and pumps millions of dollars into the regional economy.
“We are honouring our election commitments and investing heavily in health and education, building on the significant projects delivered since 2015.”
“I am particularly pleased to see millions of dollars in health investment. No matter where you live, people deserve to have the best health services.”
“The 2018-19 State Budget also shows the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to developing long-term infrastructure, boosting the economy and creating jobs.”
Budget Highlights:
Education and Industrial Relations
-
$4,000 for Electrical safety upgrade at Thursday Island Early Childhood Site
-
$53,000 for electrical safety upgrade at Tagai State College- Thursday Island Primary
-
$74,000 for electrical safety upgrade at Tagai State College - Thursday Island Secondary
-
$20,000 for electrical safety upgrade at Tagai State College (District Office)
-
$19,000 for electrical safety upgrade at Tagai State College - Horn Island Campus
Local Government, Multicultural Affairs and Racing
-
$4,500,000 as part of a $12,000,000 commitment over two years to upgrade to Torres Shire Council’s drinking water treatment infrastructure including water filtration and other related infrastructure on Thursday Island and Horn Island. The adjacent Hammond Island will also benefit from the upgrade as its drinking water is sourced primarily from Torres Shire Council via a pipeline.
-
$2,500,000 as part of a $5,000,000 commitment over two years to remove waste metal build-up including vehicle stockpiles from communities located in the Torres Strait Island Regional Council, Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council and Torres Shire Council areas.
Environment, the Great Barrier Reef, Science and The Arts
-
The Government is providing $155,000 in 2018-19 to supply library resources to public libraries. Library allocations are made at the local government level- Cook, Douglas, Torres and Weipa LGAs.
Child Safety, Youth and Women and Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence
-
$1,096,347 as part of a $4,427,774 commitment over four years to provide out-of-home care placement services to ensure children and young people in need of protection are supported and safe in Torres
-
$214,299 as part of a $861,104 commitment over four years to provide child protection support services that help support children and families meet case plan goals in Torres
-
$1,332,748 as part of a $5,373,378 commitment over four years to provide family support services to work with vulnerable families to help improve parenting skills and give parents the support they need to prevent problems from escalating to crisis point in Torres
-
$592,385 as part of a $2,382,502 commitment over four years to provide domestic and family violence services to improve the safety and wellbeing of victims and their children, particularly those in high risk situations in Torres
-
$631,471 as part of a $2,550,897 commitment over four years to provide support to vulnerable women to keep them safe and connected in their communities in Torres
Health and Ambulance Services
-
Grant funding is $1,736,016 as part of a $8,680,080 commitment over 5 years to provide management of environmental issues that impact on health in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Torres.
-
$425,000 in 2018-19 out of a $7 million total spend to replace the Mer (Murray) Island Primary Health Care Centre to support the provision of quality and safe services and meet current and future healthcare needs.
-
$1.2 million in 2018-19 out of a $36 million total spend for the redevelopment of the Thursday Island Hospital to align with contemporary models of care and unique cultural consideration of the Torres Strait Islander community.
-
$330,000 in 2018-19 out of a $1 million total spend to complete electrical upgrades at Primary Health Care Centres across all 14 sites, located in the Northern Sector of the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service, covering all inhabited islands of the Torres Strait Northern Peninsula Area.
-
$1.3 million in 2018-19 out of a $3.4 million total spend for the Torres Strait Primary Health Care Centre Redevelopment project, which will upgrade five Primary Health Care Centres at Yorke Island, Coconut Island, Stephen Island, Dauan Island and St Pauls Community on Moa Island.
Housing, Public Works, Digital Technology and Sport
-
$4,850,000 to commence construction of 24 beds of additional student accommodation on Thursday Island for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Communities, Disability Services and Seniors
-
Funding Commitment is $75,528 in 2018-19 to assist persons under 65 or an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person aged under 50, with a disability. As clients transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme in Torres.
-
$90,693 as part of a $364,424 commitment over four years to provide support for older people to help maintain and strengthen their connections to community at Thursday Island.
-
Funding Commitment is $224,896 in 2018-19 to assist people with a disability and their families to access the support and services they need as they move through the different stages of their life. As clients transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme in Torres.
Fire and Emergency Services
-
$2.1 million will be provided in 2018-19 out of a $2.8 million total spend to upgrade the Rural Fire Service and State Emergency Services facility at Horn Island to help the community prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from the impact of fire and emergency events.
Local Government, Multicultural Affairs and Racing
-
$1,500,000 as part of a $3,750,000 commitment to upgrade wastewater facilities on Saibai Island.
-
$1,120,000 as part of a $2,800,000 commitment to upgrade wastewater facilities on Hammond Island.
Natural Resources, Mines and Energy
-
$417,000 in 2018-19 out of a $2,125,000 total spend to maintain fuel tankers at Torres Strait Power Station.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
-
$3.098 million in 2018-19 to upgrade airstrips in the Torres Strait region. Joint project with the federal government. $3,098,000 in the 2018/19 budget from a total state spend of $6,554,000.
State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning
-
$477,500 as part of a $285 million commitment from the Building our Regions program, to upgrade the ageing and failing freshwater station at Mogor well on Erub Island.
ENDS
Media contact: Cook Electorate Office – 4223 1100
