MEDIA RELEASE
Yodie Batzke
House of Representative Candidate for Leichhardt
Federal Airport - Cairns Airport Pty Ltd (CAPL) Land Use Plan 2010
may shed some light on unrealistic rental increase placed on Reef Watch
The recent decision to increase current tenancy rentals on Reef Watch is a ‘triple bottom line’ decision made to accommodate future development yet to be undertaken as per CAPL Land Use Plan 2010. It is unfortunate that the general public are not privy to the in depth planning and compliance processes federal airports are required to follow. In accordance to the Airport Act 1996 [Cth], Airport Assets (Restructuring and Disposal) Act 2008 [Qld] and other relevant commonwealth regulations consultation must be undertaken.
According to CAPL website “A Statement of Proposals (SOP) has been prepared as part of the public consultation phase of this review”. Outcomes from the SOP process will be ‘included’ in the Draft Cairns Airport Land Use Plan 2010. Media releases informing the general public of the current SOP review being undertaken by CAPL are so far none existent. Whether or not the general public, businesses and services located in the business precinct have been notified of the SOP review is yet to be determined.
It is great to see an increase interest in international carriers now agreeing to fly into Cairns as this will assist in other areas however this increase also comes with a price. The demand for further infrastructure development to accommodate new international and domestic carriers may have indirectly influenced the decision to increase rental on business operators located in the Airport business precinct.
The financial uncertainty placed on employers, employees, their families and clients can not be dismissed. CAPL public consultation phase requires the SOP to be on public display for a period of (20) business days from the 29 April to 28 May 2010. The unrealistic rental increase imposed on Reef Watch has also occurred during the SOP review process, question remains is this coincidence?
Mrs Batzke will be submitting issues/ comments on behalf of FFP Leichhardt in response to SOP review.
“There is an opportunity for you to have a say on the future of CAPL. I urge and encourage those who would like to raise issues or comments on SOP regarding the future development of the draft Cairns Airport Land Use Plan 2010 to submit comments by 28 May 2010. This is an opportunity for you to have a say.”
Interviews with Yodie Batzke and all media enquiries or comments please contact
Family First Party Coordinator for Leichhardt & Kennedy:
Janice Skipp on mobile: 0423 881 651 | email leichhardt@familyfirstqld.org.au | fax: (07) 4045 5101
MEDIA RELEASE
Yodie Batzke
House of Representative Candidate for Leichhardt
12 May 2010
BUDGET 2010-2011
“Budget lacks substance, integrity & transparency
with no common sense value function approach”
Yodie Batzke House of Representative candidate for Leichhardt has called the 2010 budget announcement, “a budget filled with rhetoric cliché laced with more tranche arrangements projected for future fiscal years. Lacking substance, integrity and transparency with no evidence of a common sense approach taken.
Families – It is still unclear which part of the budget actually provides some relief and hope for families in 2010. “Although Mr. Swan believes the tax cuts and other initiatives will ease the cost-of-living carried by working families, we will not see a tax break on families for another 2 years. Yet it is still unclear what exactly are families getting a tax break on. At the present time our family values are continually being challenged by labour market values and demands. We are working longer hours in order to meet the demands of industry and rising cost of living, and less time is spent with our families. However, Mr. Swan is slightly delusional if he believes our time spent on completing a ‘tax pack’ is the reason why we don’t have more time with families. The government will now introduce a ‘tick and flick’ system of pre-filled tax returns to ease the burden of time spent on tax returns.”
Health - Our health reform is the clear winner on the day however funds for this reform will come from the increase in tobacco prices.
Unemployment – “whilst the government is boasting a decline from 5.8 per cent in the unemployment figures to a possible 4 ¾ per cent by mid -2012, our unemployment rate is increasing in Leichhardt and climbing to 13 per cent.”
Infrastructure – “details of future infrastructure development for Cairns are now posted on current Member for Leichhardt’s website and were not part of Mr. Swan’s budget announcement. Future infrastructure funds according to Mr. Swan will be created from the Resource Super Profits Tax (RSPT) to be introduced in 2012. The question still remains as to whether or not infrastructure dollars posted on Mr. Turnour’s website are unspent allocation from 2009 infrastructure dollars now being rolled over to 2010?”
Whilst the 2010 Budget displayed more of an election budget, there are still real issues in Leichhardt to be addressed. Mrs. Batzke believes a more pragmatic approach is needed to explore further economic development opportunities in Far North Queensland other than Tourism. Pressing issues in Leichhardt are: property rights (land tenure), over- regulated industries, Wild Rivers, border security, autonomy, selling of assets and social justice to name a few.
Interviews with Yodie Batzke and all media enquiries or comments please contact
Family First Party Coordinator for Leichhardt & Kennedy:
Janice Skipp on mobile: 0423 881 651 | email leichhardt@familyfirstqld.org.au | fax: (07) 4045 5101
MEDIA RELEASE
Yodie Batzke
House of Representative Candidate for Leichhardt
17 May 2010
“Cairns airport future may not be at stake”
Public not aware of public consultation forum on Terminal Navigation (TN) Pricing
Yodie Batzke House of Representative candidate for Leichhardt has stated that “article featured in Cairns Post dated 17 May 2010 claiming the “Cairns airport future is at stake”, is depicting a future of doom and gloom for the Airport is misleading”. Mrs Batzke agrees future increase in pricing is a barrier in making Cairns tourism competitive, but the cold hard fact is that we are placing high expectations on our tourism industry and not seriously exploring other opportunities for business development in Leichhardt”.
Mrs Batzke said “a review consultation process into Terminal Navigation (TN) Pricing closed on the 14 May 2010. Both Airservices and Cairns Airport Pty Ltd may have overlooked to publicize a scheduled ‘public consultation forum’ for the 29th April 2010, at the Control Tower Complex, Ground floor located on the airside of airport land”.
“If the public were made aware of this consultation process, then an opportunity would have presented itself for questions to be raised as to what are some of the alternate approaches to subsidisation of airport costs and options in relation to TN services and price”.
Mrs Batzke also pointed out that “whilst the airport concerns are valid in relation to how future pricing would affect our tourism industry, ensuring the right information is presented to the public is also important if the article was an attempt for the Airport to regain public confidence after a tumultuous past few weeks focused on Reef Watch matters”.
The Discussion Paper on TN Review outlined several interesting recommendations for consideration developed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) recent pronouncement Policies on Charges for Airports and Air Navigation Services on how air navigation services should be priced. The first recommendation stated foreign-based international carriers should be treated the same as domestically based international carriers in pricing and access to aeronautical services.
In concluding Mrs Batzke said “it is hoped the Airport has developed strategies on how to dismiss fears of airlines being deterred from utilsing the airport if a price rise was to occur in the future”.
Interviews with Yodie Batzke and all media enquiries or comments please contact
Family First Party Coordinator for Leichhardt & Kennedy:
Janice Skipp on mobile: 0423 881 651 | email leichhardt@familyfirstqld.org.au | fax: (07) 4045 5101
MEDIA RELEASE
Yodie Batzke
House of Representative Candidate for Leichhardt
27 May 2010
‘Sorry Day’ for the 3 W’s -
Wenlock, Wild Rivers, World Heritage
Family First candidate for Leichhardt, Mrs Yodie Batzke said today, “The ongoing debate regarding the proposed Cape Alumina project near Wenlock River which, if allowed to proceed, will provide benefits to all stakeholders. However, both Indigenous and Industry have yet another hurdle of Federal government’s incompetency to jump over with the proposed introduction of the Resource Super Profits Tax (RSPT).”
Mrs Batzke continued on to say. “The Anglican Church has taken a brave and bold stance on decisions regarding Indigenous affairs. Mr Peter Pearce comments made on behalf of the Anglican Church calling Colonisation in a green disguise posted Cairns Post (May 22, 2010) has displayed common sense, boldness, maturity and simplicity.”
Mrs Batzke said, “Mr Pearce’s concerns colonization of a more harmful kind is still a fact of our current history are valid. Evidence of this can be seen in our 3 W’s – Wenlock, Wild Rivers and World Heritage.”
Referring to a report in the Cairns Post (April 13, 2010) which had stated “more than 280,000 now have called for Wenlock protection through petitions and messages of support”, Mrs Batzke said, “It would be instructive to know how many of these people reside in Far North Queensland.”
Mrs Batzke said, “Land Management decisions and the autonomy to develop and maintain areas of cultural, environmental and economic significance in Leichhardt by Indigenous and Non-Indigenous stakeholders are all subject to State or Commonwealth regime. This demonstrates the strategic importance of the region yet to be revealed by all levels of government.”
Mrs Batzke acknowledges there are many arguments for and against Cape Alumina project near Wenlock River and the RSPT only adds to this debate.
“For years Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been accused of being reliant on welfare.”
“Traditional owners who support any future development of the Cape Alumina Project are only demonstrating self determination.”
Mrs Batzke said, “It is apparent dissatisfaction towards the current government’s neoconservatism and inability to govern without being paternalistic and lack of transparency is increasing in the seat of Leichhardt.”
Interviews with Yodie Batzke and all media enquiries or comments please contact
Family First Party Coordinator for Leichhardt & Kennedy:
Janice Skipp on mobile: 0423 881 651 | email leichhardt@familyfirstqld.org.au | fax: (07) 4045 5101
MEDIA RELEASE
Yodie Batzke
House of Representative Candidate for Leichhardt
31 May 2010
‘Bob Irwin calls for end to dugong kill is unrealistic’
Family First Party Candidate for Leichhardt Mrs Batzke believes Mr Irwin’s call for end to dugong kill is
unrealistic and may lack an understanding of Indigenous Australian’s customs lores/ laws and traditions.
“Question still remains, is it possible to implement a moratorium on something that is apart of a traditional lifestyle for Indigenous people? The answer to that would possibly be no.”
Mrs Batzke says if a total end on hunting dugong and turtle was to occur, the Federal government would be
in breach of every federal act they have designed and implemented to control how Indigenous Australians
use, hunt and gather natural resources.
Mrs Batzke said, “Both Federal and State government understand the implication if a moratorium was to be
imposed, hence the reason why the Federal government is entering into Traditional Use of Marine
Resources Agreements (TUMRA) with Indigenous Australians.”
“In a Native Title process Indigenous people are required to provide evidence demonstrating they still
maintain a connection to both land and sea. A total ‘end’ to hunting and gathering practices could be
detrimental to Traditional Owners who are required to give such evidence of connection to ‘country’ – both
land and sea.” Mrs Batzke said.
Mrs Batzke said, “Traditional Owners should be given the autonomy to correct any form of abuse of hunting
and gathering of seafood if this is occurring in their area.”
Mrs Batzke concluded by saying TUMRA’s acknowledge the need for Indigenous traditional hunting and
gathering practices to be maintained, and whether or not we agree with this process it is something all
concerned citizens must respect without interference.
Interviews with Yodie Batzke and all media enquiries or comments please contact
Family First Party Coordinator for Leichhardt & Kennedy:
Janice Skipp on mobile: 0423 881 651 | email leichhardt@familyfirstqld.org.au | fax: (07) 4045 5101
MEDIA RELEASE
Yodie Batzke
House of Representative Candidate for Leichhardt
4 June 2010
Wild Rivers Declaration on Wenlock -
example of QLD Government’s conscious incompetence
Family First Party (FFP) candidate for Leichhardt, Mrs Yodie Batzke, has denounced the Queensland Government’s Wild Rivers declaration on Wenlock River.
“As we know, this will mean the foregoing of 1,700 jobs within the Cairns Region, ensures that the traditional owners remain largely welfare dependant and, once again, means that we have to rely on tourism to keep the local economy afloat.” Mrs Batzke said.
“I do not think that due process was followed in that the views of traditional owners were not properly taken into account and casts a big doubt in the State Governments ability to engage with Traditional owners.”
Mrs Batzke continued by saying the current Native Title Act both federal and state are accountability to each other. Unfortunately this is not the case with the Wild Rivers Act in QLD: no answering to any Federal Wild Rivers Act because it does not exist, no answering to an Upper House, and no recourse to the Governor as the Declaration is purely a ministerial decision.
“To my knowledge no outcomes to the Senate Inquiry – Wild Rivers (Environmental Management) Bill have as yet been made public.”
“This is just the tip of the iceberg and heralds the beginnings of world heritage listing.”
“As opposed to the views of conservationists and other extremist groups, Family First attaches more importance to the future of people striving for economic independence than to the future of the palm cockatoo.”
“Thank you Queensland government for demonstrating to us your conscious incompetence with Wenlock, Archer and other rivers in Queensland.”
Interviews with Yodie Batzke and all media enquiries or comments please contact
Family First Party Coordinator for Leichhardt & Kennedy:
Janice Skipp on mobile: 0423 881 651 | email leichhardt@familyfirstqld.org.au | fax: (07) 4045 5101
