Fast rail will reinvigorate hinterland towns
Ted O'Brien's Column as it appeared in the Sunshine Valley Gazette, January 2018 You may have seen news reports about a bold plan for fast rail from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast called North Coast…
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Local Drug Action Team applications open for community groups in Fairfax
The Federal Government is continuing to take action to combat the scourge of ice and other illicit drugs with more Local Drug Action Teams set to rollout across Australia. Member for Fairfax, Ted O’Brien said…
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Australia Day 2018 – FREE events and activities around Fairfax!
Looking for free events and activities this Australia Day? We’ve put together the following list of great events to celebrate Australia Day on Friday 26 January 2018 across the Fairfax electorate. Coolum Beach Australia Day 2018…
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CORNED BEEF AND HARD WORK SECRET TO LONG LIFE
TURNING 100 is just the latest milestone in the long and colourful life of Maroochydore centenarian Mary Murray OAM. Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien popped into Mary’s birthday celebrations on Monday January 8, to congratulate…
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Buderim teen races ahead with sporting grant
Buderim's Harri Jones, 18, is on track to become one of the nation’s hottest names in world motor sport. The local lad graduated from Immanuel Lutheran College in 2016 and spent his gap year racing both…
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Local investment in medicinal cannabis
Ted O'Brien's Column as published in the Mary Valley Voice, January 2018 The Sunshine Coast can trace its roots through agriculture, starting out as a cane growing region and now gaining a solid reputation for…
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Ted’s new mobile office to hit the streets
Ted O'Brien will take a fully staffed mobile office on a listening tour of the electorate so pop in and have a chat or book a longer appointment in his private marquee office (dates &…
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Medicinal cannabis future blossums
EXPORTING medicinal cannabis to overseas countries will be allowed following an important announcement by the federal government. The move helps develop and secure the future of the medicinal cannabis sector and follows extensive consultation undertaken last year. It…
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$3million to reduce drownings
Sunshine Coast surf lifesaving and water safety groups will benefit from the Turnbull Government's commitment to reducing drowning deaths. Ted O'Brien said an extra $3 million would be delivered to lifesaving clubs and other water safety organisations around…
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Nambour Salutes Rats of Tobruk
A SPECIAL banner representing Queensland’s Rats of Tobruk war heroes is going on permanent display in Nambour’s historical museum. Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien announced a $2,631 grant to the Nambour and District Historical…
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BRUCE HIGHWAY TO GET SMART WITH ‘INTELLIGENT TRANSPORT SYSTEM’ INFRASTRUCTURE
The Australian Government has approved funding for a $56 million Intelligent Transport System (ITS) to deliver a safety warning system along the length of the Bruce Highway – giving drivers immediate updates on the status…
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Marriage Amendment Bill – speech 2
...I rise to support the amendment put by the member for Deakin. To me, it addresses a deficiency in the bill where there's an embedded assumption that religious beliefs are more important than conscientious beliefs.…
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Member Statement – Sam Dastyari
...Any senior official who undermines the interests of the nation that they represent is not worthy of office, and the Leader of the Opposition should have the courage to remove the senator from this parliament...'
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BIG GROWTH IN INTERNATIONAL TOURIST NUMBERS ON THE SUNSHINE COAST
International tourists are flocking to the Sunshine Coast in ever greater numbers in an important boost for the region. Visitor numbers increased 8% in the year to September over the 2016 figure. Federal Member for…
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FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DELIVERS LEG-UP FOR FIRST HOME BUYERS AND DOWNSIZERS
In early December, the Parliament passed key elements of the Federal Government’s housing affordability plan, giving first home buyers a tax cut by allowing them to save for a deposit inside superannuation through the First Home Super…
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Marriage Amendment (Definition & Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017
...Changing the definition of marriage is more than a legal issue; it's a social issue—a social issue that holds great cultural significance. This is why I have been, from the get-go, so supportive of a…
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OLDER PERSONS ADVOCACY NETWORK: A STRONG VOICE FOR FAIRFAX SENIORS IN NEED
Ted O’Brien MP says a new, free support network is now available to stand up for the rights older people in need in Fairfax. “The Turnbull Government understands that, from time to time, older people,…
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Sunshine Valley Stronger Communities Programme grants announced!
Indigenous culture and history will be passed on to school students through a new hinterland outdoor education facility. Mapleton’s Queensland Conference and Camping Centre (QCCC) is one of five community groups in the Sunshine Valley…
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Noosa Stronger Communities Programme grants announced!
Nature lovers will create new walking trails at Verrierdale as more people seek outdoor adventure on the Sunshine Coast. The Yandina Creek Progress Association has received an early Christmas present from the Federal Government's Stronger…
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NAMBOUR STRONGER COMMUNITIES PROGRAMME GRANTS ANNOUNCED!
A plan to build a community kitchen to encourage healthy cooking and eating will go ahead in Nambour with the help of a Federal Government grant. Coast2Bay Housing Group – the largest provider of community…
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Mary Valley STRONGER COMMUNITIES PROGRAMME GRANTS ANNOUNCED!
New signage to cater to the Kenilworth Showground’s increasing popularity with tourists will be installed thanks to a federal grant. The Kenilworth Hall, Show and Recreation Grounds Association is one of two Mary Valley groups…
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Maroochydore STRONGER COMMUNITIES PROGRAMME GRANTS ANNOUNCED!
A popular Maroochydore rowing club will have new storage for its boats with the help of a Federal Government grant. The Sunshine Coast Rowing Club is one of four community groups in Maroochydore to receive…
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COOLUM STRONGER COMMUNITIES PROGRAMME GRANTS ANNOUNCED!
A popular Coolum kindy will soon have a new climbing fort with the help of a Federal Government community grant. C&K Coolum Childcare Centre is one of five groups in the Coolum and North Shore…
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Buderim Stronger Communities Programme grants announced!
Muddy paws will no longer be a problem at dog obedience classes with a new concrete floor for Buderim’s busy training facility. The Sunshine Coast Dog Obedience Club is one of four Buderim community groups…
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NATIONAL ENFORCEMENT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ORDERS TO BETTER PROTECT VICTIMS
I am very happy to see this change to the system in support of domestic violence laws across the country. Here is the full media release from Sen Michaelia Cash, Minister for Women: From today (25…
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Local Fairfax businesses can share in the multi-billion dollar Government ICT spend
Smaller tech companies in Fairfax will benefit from changes to the Commonwealth’s ICT (Information and Communications Technology) procurement rules. Ted O’Brien MP welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to target a greater share of its multi-billion…
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Christmas Carol events in Fairfax!
What a fabulous way to celebrate the Christmas spirit - check out these fabulous Christmas carols around Fairfax! Friday 1 December - Bli Bli Community Carols Saturday 9 December - Christmas at Cotton Tree; Nambour Community Carols…
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Support Burnside State High School’s STEMM Program at the annual Nambour Cup!
It’s on again. As Christmas approaches, so too does the Nambour Cup – known in many circles as the greatest (cane toad) race in the southern hemisphere. What's the Nambour Cup? See here for all the…
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Veterans’ Employment Awards now open
Member for Fairfax, Ted O’Brien MP has encouraged local businesses to nominate for a new national awards program recognising veterans and their employers. Mr O’Brien said the inaugural Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Awards would celebrate…
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Agribusiness on the Sunshine Coast
We are proud foodies on the Sunshine Coast, not just with eating and cooking but also growing. Many specialist and niche farms are popping up across the Sunshine Valley area and proving that agriculture is…
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