Important untold story of Queenslanders helping our region’s most needy people
Wednesday, 03 December 2008 14:52
On Tuesday, 25th November I was privileged to co-ordinate a forum for Burmese refugees and a small group of wonderful Queenslanders who are making a difference.
The need
Fifty years of military dictatorship in Burma have resulted in over one million internally displaced Burmese (mostly Karen ethnic minority).
People have been forcibly removed from their villages which are land mined to prevent return. Rape, murder, hunger are common.
This year’s cyclone killed over 130,000 people (making it one of the biggest disasters in history) as military dictators prevented both aid and media getting to victims.
This was a genocide by neglect on our doorstep.Hundreds of thousands have fled to camps in Thailand where they have remained for 10 years unable to work or access education. One in five children dies in childhood. One in 12 mothers dies as a result of child birth.
Hope for some
Some fabulous Queenslanders have helped the hundreds of Karen refugees who have settled in Brisbane under Australia’s Humanitarian Immigration Program. Others have delivered life changing help.
One organisation has supported 2,500 teachers teaching 50,000 children, also putting 30 medical teams in after the cyclone. .
I want you to read their story. Further information can be obtained by request to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Colleges Crossing need for safe Pedestrian and Cycle Path
Tuesday, 02 December 2008 14:17
The absence of a safe pedestrian and cycle path along the road at Colleges Crossing is a significant problem and I have written to the Department of Main Roads to consider an action to remedy it.
Read more: Colleges Crossing need for safe Pedestrian and Cycle Path
TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT:
Friday, 28 November 2008 16:08
Please Get Serious On Local Public Transport!
In excess of 5,000 residents of the Mt Crosby/Karana Downs/Karalee area currently have no access to a Translink (State government funded) bus service.
Residents Finally Win on Speed Limit
Friday, 21 November 2008 17:08
Local residents in the Moggill/Bellbowrie area have finally won the right to have a residential speed limit on Moggill Road through central Bellbowrie.
The State Government have announced that a new 60 kph speed limit will be in place within the next week.
Kenmore South Booth
Wednesday, 26 November 2008 09:55
I conducted an information booth on Kersley Road at Kenmore South on Saturday 15th November.
This was a very valuable experience and an opportunity to meet and discuss the bypass issue with a number of local residents who are aggrieved by my support for the bypass as a solution to the bottleneck in central Kenmore and the congestion of Moggill Road.
I extend my thanks to the seventy or so local residents who attended my information booth and for the good spirit in which they did so. A number of residents are clearly distressed about the issue. With any difficult issue there will always be that range of opinion and emotion. 
Whilst I made it clear that I would support a bypass because of the critical state of local traffic congestion and the need for additional lanes to and from the local area to allow for enhanced public transport, it was important to hear and appreciate some of the legitimate concerns.
Concern about a closure of Gem Road and its impact on local residents is legitimate and requires measures to minimise the impact.
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