Ben De Luka has been the face of Bowen Summergarden Cinemas for also 75 years and turned 90 last month. Photo credit: Mackay and Whitsunday Life Newspaper

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Bowen’s longest serving entrepreneur Ben De Luka turned 90 this September, and the much-loved local personality says keeping busy at the Bowen Summergarden Cinema is one of the main reasons for his longevity.  

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“I love my customers, I think they’re God’s gift to any donkey like me!” shared Ben.

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“They’re always grateful to see me still standing up and see the place still going...  

“All my friends of yesteryear, they’re all gone because they retired too early!”

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Known for his charm, quick wit and kindness, Ben can still be found welcoming customers at Summergarden Cinemas in Bowen most days.

Beginning as a trainee projectionist 74 years ago, Ben has been part of the iconic cinema since the age of 16.

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Within 10 years, he purchased the business and has operated it successfully for almost 65 years.

Over this time he has seen significant change.

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“It used to be dirt floor down the sides and bitumen in the middle,” he recalls.

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“Everyday we used to hose the dirt lightly so it couldn’t make a dust storm!

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“It was an open air cinema when I first started and there was a section out the back with an army supply of tarps – customers could run back there when it rained and get cover under a tarp.

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“It was a circus!”

When Ben purchased the business, he saved money to eventually complete a full roof, something the previous owners had started.

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The cinema was a popular place for viewing movies but also live entertainment. One of Ben’s favourite memories was hosting Slim Dusty shows, something he did for 38 years.

“By the end we were good friends,” said Ben.

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Another significant moment was the filming of Australia in 2008.

Ben met Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman and the rest of the cast, forming long-lasting friendships with many.

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Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy, said Summergarden Theatre was a great tourist attraction.

“Many of our visitors go to the theatre, not just for the movies but to check out the memorabilia and to admire the old building,” she explained.  

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“Ben is always very welcoming whenever we recommend our visitors go to the theatre.

“We all wish Ben a very happy 90th birthday – what a fantastic milestone.”  

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After welcoming in his 90^th year on the 18^th September with a surprise birthday party organised by his wife Phyl, Ben says he is looking forward to many more years to come.

And, when asked if he will retire soon, Ben says “no way!”

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The Proserpine Art Exhibition of Established and Emerging Artists 2026 was celebrated as a resounding success over the weekend, attracting more than 50 attendees and showcasing the remarkable talent of both experienced and up-and-coming artists from the region.

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The exhibition, coordinated by long-time art educator Dawn Pearce, highlights the importance of nurturing the next generation of creative talent. With 35 years of experience as an art teacher, Mrs Pearce has dedicated many years to supporting emerging artists through exhibitions and community programs.

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"These young artists are the future of our creative industries," Mrs Pearce said. "They will become the graphic designers, illustrators and professional artists of tomorrow, and they are the ones who will help keep our galleries thriving for years to come."

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The exhibition provides a valuable platform for developing artists to display their work alongside established practitioners, giving visitors the opportunity to recognise and encourage artists at the beginning of their creative journeys.

Mrs Pearce believes art competitions and exhibitions should continue to create dedicated opportunities for emerging artists, helping the public appreciate both their talent and potential.

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Guests enjoyed an evening of art, community connection, and celebration, with the diverse range of artworks receiving enthusiastic support from attendees.

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The exhibition will remain on display at the Proserpine Museum until the end of October, with a selection of artworks available for purchase.

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The organisers extended their sincere thanks to the Proserpine Museum for its ongoing support and assistance in hosting the event, helping to create a welcoming space for local artists to share their work with the community.

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More than 50 volunteers removed 1,574 kilograms of marine debris from remote beaches and bays along 9 kilometers of the Cape Upstart coastline earlier this month.

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Much of the debris is believed to have been associated with the North and Far North Tropical Low event earlier in 2025.

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Volunteers were joined by Juru Enterprises Limited (JEL), the Juru owned business and the Eco Barge Clean Seas team over four days of hands-on marine debris removal.  

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“This clean-up was about much more than removing debris. It brought people together to care for a coastline and the marine life that depends on it. Every item removed was one less threat in the ocean, and every person involved helped show what a community of care can achieve.” Libby Edge, Founder, Eco Barge Clean Seas Inc.

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Teams worked across identified debris hotspots, while protecting sensitive habitats and respecting cultural protocols. Marine debris within designated transects was collected, sorted, counted and processed to capture and report on key insights to help build understanding of marine debris sources and storm impacts.  

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The clean-up also provided a clearer picture of the debris affecting the Cape Upstart coastline. Across the four days, teams collected debris from designated transects to be further analysed, with the most common debris types –plastic fragments, bottles and oil drums among the most frequently recorded.

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The Cape Upstart Marine Debris Removal Project forms part of the Environmental Cleanup and Local Conservation Program and is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments under the Disaster Recovery funding Arrangements.

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Whitsunday Mayor Ry Collins and CEO of Tourism Whitsundays, Tim Booth. Photo credit: Zach Houtenville

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Local tourism operators are expressing concern toward troubling times ahead, with the federal government’s new visa restrictions set to shrink the backpacker workforce that drives seasonal operations.  

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The Federal Government’s proposed cuts to Working Holiday Visas have raised concerns across two of the Whitsundays’ biggest industries. Bowen farmers warned that fewer backpackers could leave crops unpicked, and now tourism leaders in Airlie Beach have added that the same cuts could leave local businesses scrambling to find workers that aren’t there.  

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At Airlie Beach’s Heart of the Great Barrier Reef sign, Tourism Whitsundays CEO Tim Booth and Whitsunday Mayor Ry Collins spoke about what the proposed changes could mean for a region that relies heavily on tourism.

“We can't have Airlie Beach named Australia's top tourism town in the small category and then have the knees cut out from us by federal policy,” Tim said.

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The proposed changes form part of the Federal Government’s effort to reduce migration, a topic that has been of hot debate by all three parties that Mayor Ry Collins believes the working holiday visas should be separated from.  

“Obviously the federal government is really coming in with broad brushstrokes to try and address the publicly perceived issue around net overseas migration (NOM),” said Mayor Collins.

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“Some of the dialogue I heard last week in Canberra was actually taking that working holiday maker class completely out of the NOM calculation.

“I think that's a fair and reasonable way that they can make the numbers look as good as they want but it won't affect the actual number of workers that are here to support our industries.”

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The new restrictions look to cut the second-year extension on Working Holiday Visas from 57,000 to 45,000 slots, and 3rd year extension from 31,000 to just 5,000. According to Tourism Whitsundays, the Whitsundays hosts about 3,500 backpacker workers at any given time of the year.  

“I think for regions like the Whitsunday’s unemployment rate is lower than the national average by 0.9%, so at a 3.5% unemployment rate, we just don't have the workforce there that can pick up these roles that the working holidaymaker delivers for our communities,” Tim said.  

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According to figures released by Tourism Whitsundays, in the year ending March 2026, domestic visitors spent $959.1 million in the region and international visitors spent a further $271.8 million. This spending was made possible by the abundance ofworkers delivering those experiences.  

“[Working holidaymakers] do a terrific job already in delivering world-class experiences, particularly here in the Whitsundays,” said Mayor Collins.  

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“We do see working holidaymakers really take up that mantle, particularly in areas like customer service roles, hospitality roles, housekeeping roles...

“What we're asking for is that we can stay strong as an entire tourism industry.”

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Having just returned from Canberra, the pair said raising regional and statewide voices is crucial to persuading the Federal Government to reconsider how the proposed restrictions would apply.  

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“And then at a federal level, obviously through our federal member Andrew Wilcox, but we've also engaged with the members of the Labor Party around that as well.

“But unfortunately it's starting to feel like a number of issues that we're campaigning on…along with things like disaster recovery funding arrangements which was one we linked into last week.”

In this world of AI and other technological advancements, you don’t want to be the person who wanders around the office like a big old clumsy Tyrannosaurus Rex bumping into all the youngsters and stepping on their laptops and other devices.

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It’s one of the challenges of our times; getting the balance right in business in a world that is increasingly controlled by AI, robotics and a rapidly changing IT environment.

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I remember, some years ago now, when older family members had refused to embrace computer technology and mobile phones etc. They were really left behind and felt excluded in a world that had moved ahead without them.

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I’ve got a 19-year-old son who doesn’t have to think about it. Current and evolving technology is part of his life and, like others in his age group, he is completely at ease with something that is just part of his make-up and comprehension of the world around him.

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The trap you can fall into is letting the kids do all the IT stuff for you. My son set up our old TV with all the streaming services etc, which was the easy option for me, but I find it’s important to get involved and do it yourself otherwise everything will move ahead and you won’t be able to do things for yourself.

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But I am still stuck in some of the old ways. If I am ordering a takeaway meal I still ring the restaurant and go and pick it up. The old T-Rex wanders into the Thai or Indian joint and picks up his plastic bag of goodies, pays, and drives home.

There aren’t many of us left. Uber Eats baby. Everyone has embraced it.

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My wife and daughter were having dinner together in Brisbane recently and my daughter noticed that her stockings or tights had “run” or a ladder in them.  

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My wife suggested she jump in the car and drive to a nearby supermarket and get another pair. But my daughter ordered a new pair to be delivered to the restaurant by Uber. They were there in a jiffy and the night continued without the peskyinterruption of having to leave the restaurant to buy them.

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It’s a great example of the modern world making things easier and how many of us need to ensure we are adjusting and understanding how things can now be done.

There is another side to the coin, however. People have told me that I should get AI to write my columns. They say I could give it some examples of columns I have written and give it an idea for a new column and tell it to knock out 600 words on my chosen topic in my style of writing.

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It’s something I would never do. Apart from the fact that it would somehow seem like I was cheating, it would also not be authentic. I feel that however boring or pedestrian my stories and comments are, at least they are mine. They have come from my noggin, my experiences. It is my take on the world, not something that has been cobbled together by artificial intelligence.

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It’s similar in the world of real estate and, I’m sure, business generally. You need to embrace the technology, use it when it creates a better service, a superior experience for buyers and a better result for sellers.

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But there is still a place for picking up the phone and calling buyers, following up from open homes, doing the hard work that needs to be done as an agent.

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In a world of AI, robotics and Uber Everything the human element, the person-to-person connection still needs to happen to deliver good service and create the best result for clients.

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Maisy is a beautiful little soul who seems to understand that the very best place in the world is right beside someone she loves.

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She is affectionate, gentle, social and wonderfully trusting. She loves curling up on a welcoming lap, snuggling into your arms and settling close enough to make you feel as though you have always belonged together.

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Maisy is generous with her purrs, her cuddles and her sweet little air biscuits. She even places her paw in your hand as if to say, “I choose you.”

But this gorgeous girl is not only a champion snuggler.

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Maisy is playful, curious and full of kitten joy. She loves exploring her toys, chasing anything that moves and turning ordinary moments into entertainment. She will happily amuse herself, but everything is even more fun when her favourite person joins in.

She has that perfect combination of affection and personality, soft and loving when it is time to cuddle, and playful and bright when it is time for fun.

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Maisy will bring warmth to your home, companionship to your days and a little paw to hold whenever you need it.

If you are looking for a kitten who will play with you, curl up with you and love being part of your life, Maisy may be the girl you have been waiting for.

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Maisy has been desexed, microchipped, received her first vaccination, been wormed and is litter trained. She is ready to begin her beautiful new life as a much-loved indoor companion.

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To arrange a meet and greet with Maisy, please call Ros on 0403 814 318.

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Tarren McAuley, Web Director and Co-Owner

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I remember when those AI posters started popping up – the first one looked kinda different. By the end of the week, when I’d seen 30 of them, I was much less enamoured + actively scrolled past anything that had that telltale paint smear style font.

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It’s not that the quality had gotten any worse between me seeing that first one + when I was sick of them by the 30^th. But it was no longer novel or original. I think AI is especially susceptible to this because as soon as someone discovers a winning formula, everyone else jumps on the bandwagon, but because everyone is getting similar outputs, it gets old – quick.

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I think brands can fall into a similar trap. Humans are always looking for inspiration + when seeking it out, where better to look than the other players in your field. If you’re a tech company, you’re going to look at Samsung, Apple + the like. But when that happens too much, you get a feedback loop of samey-ness.  

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For me, this is best exemplified by airline logos. Look at Qantas + Virgin, probably the two biggest brands in Australia. Both use a red plane-like icon, w/ their logo in big letters next to it. Bit cherry picked but even the other big players’ logos are similar - Emirates uses mainly red + shakes it up by having a slightly more exotic font. Jetstar ditches the red for orange + has their icon at the end but it has similar visual markers.  

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This isn’t unique to logos, like w/ the poster example earlier – it could be your social tiles, your website or even your company email sig. Whatever it is, if you wake up one day + notice that the other businesses around you are looking a bit too similar, that should be your sign to start looking at a rebrand to shake off the rust + re-establish your unique identity. You know, until the cycle repeats again!

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Stress has become so woven into modern life that many of us barely notice it anymore. We move from one responsibility to the next, manage family needs, meet deadlines, answer messages and fall into bed with our minds still racing. Eventually, feeling overwhelmed can begin to seem normal. Perhaps these feelings deserve our attention.

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Stress is a significant and often overlooked contributor to ill health. It can influence sleep, digestion, mood, concentration, energy and many other aspects of wellbeing. Once again, the body may be sending us a message and inviting us to look more closely at what needs care.

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Our nervous system is designed to help us respond to challenges. In short bursts, this response can be useful. When pressures continue without enough recovery, the body may remain in a heightened state for too long. Daily responsibilities, demanding workloads, deadlines, financial concerns and relationship pressures can gradually build. You might feel tense, irritable, exhausted or unable to switch off. Even simple tasks can begin to require enormous effort.

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These experiences can be valuable signals that your current pace needs to change.

The amount of distraction we face has also increased dramatically. Notifications, emails, social media, news and endless streams of information compete for our attention. It can become difficult to focus on the people, priorities and goals that matter most.

Distraction may offer a temporary escape, yet it can also become a place in which we get lost. When our energy is repeatedly pulled away from what we genuinely want to achieve, unfinished tasks and neglected priorities can create even more pressure.

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A helpful direction is to develop realistic strategies that allow the nervous system to experience safety and balance. One simple place to begin is with four slow, long outward breaths. Breathe in gently, then allow each exhale to be longer and softer than the inhale. You can even add a sigh as you breathe out. This can help calm the body and support the parasympathetic nervous system, often called the rest and digest response.

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Stress deserves regular opportunities for release. Waiting for a holiday or an exotic retreat can leave the body carrying tension for weeks, months or even years before returning to the same demanding environment. Gentle recovery needs to become part of everyday life.

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Healthy Life Essentials is offering a regular group relaxation class to help you pause, breathe and practice releasing stress in a welcoming setting.  

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These sessions create protected time for your nervous system to settle while giving you practical techniques to use at home, at work and during busy periods.

Through our eight essential pillars of health, we also explore sleep, nutrition, hydration, movement, emotional wellbeing and the pressures shaping your life. Every strategy is tailored to the individual, because stress feels different for everyone.

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If exhaustion, overwhelm or constant distraction has become familiar, pause and listen. Your body will be guiding your attention towards an area of life that needs greater care.

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Contact Healthy Life Essentials to learn about our next group relaxation class and begin creating more calm, clarity and breathing space in your everyday life.

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Brad Baker : Healthy Life Essentials  

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A career in medicine spanning more than three decades, two surgical specialties and three countries has given Dr Maged Aziz plenty of experience. It has also reinforced something he has carried with him throughout his career: that there is always more to learn, and another way to give better care for the patient.

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Born and raised in Egypt, Dr Aziz later moved to New Zealand, where he met his wife and business partner, Debbie. The couple eventually made Australia home with their three children, and today their focus includes bringing specialist care to regional communities across Queensland and beyond.

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Dr Aziz’s medical career has been marked by a willingness to continue beyond the expected path.

After completing his Fellowship in General Surgery, he undertook further specialist training and earned a second fellowship in Vascular Surgery. The additional training expanded his expertise while giving him experience across both surgical fields.

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As the only vascular surgeon operating locally in Mackay, Dr Aziz is helping bring specialist vascular care closer to home for regional patients.

That breadth of experience now forms an important part of Advanced Vascular, where Dr Aziz provides assessment and treatment for varicose veins, with advanced non-surgical treatment options considered before surgery where appropriate.

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He can assess and investigate patients himself, including performing his own ultrasound assessments, allowing him to follow a patient from their initial consultation through to treatment planning.

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For patients, particularly those living outside major centres, that can mean a more straightforward experience when seeking specialist care.

“We tailor our services to what our patients need, not to what I can or can’t do,” Dr Aziz explained.

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Mackay locals can access in-person appointments, while telehealth consultations provide another option for patients who may find travelling for specialist care difficult. The practice also offers appointments in Maryborough and across Queensland.

For Dr Aziz and Debbie, flexibility is part of their broader approach to making specialist healthcare more accessible to everyday people and their families.

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“We provide flexibility, and a one-stop-shop for our patients. We don’t wait for them to come to us – we actually go to them.”

Rather than recommending intervention for the sake of it, Dr Aziz believes patients should understand what is happening, what their options are and whether treatment is genuinely needed.

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Ultimately, the value of specialist care lies in Dr Aziz’s passion for seeing his patients walk more comfortably, better understand their health concerns, and return to everyday activities with greater confidence.

“We see the real change in people’s lives – and that’s why we do it,” Dr Aziz said.

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For Mackay and other regional Queensland communities, Advanced Vascular offers a specialist service shaped not only by Dr Aziz’s extensive surgical experience, but by a broader mission to meet patients where they are and put their needs at the centre of care.

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The Brief: Large Renovated Home with Two Sheds on 2 ha in Mount Martin

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AT A GLANCE 

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INSIDE 

• Large open plan living, dining and kitchen with extra tall ceilings and split system a/c

• Modern kitchen with electric cooktop and oven, dishwasher, stone bench tops, double fridge space

• Master bedroom with ensuite and built-in robe 

• Office off main bedroom 

• 3 bedrooms with robes, fans and split system a/c

• 5th bedroom with fan and box a/c 

• Large laundry room with external access 

• Family bathroom with bath, shower, vanity and separate toilet

• Vinyl floor planking and 2.7m ceilings throughout 

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OUTSIDE 

• Shed / Garage 7x6m, located next to home

• Undercover large patio area/ entertaining area with built in electrical. 

• Machinery Shed - 17m by 6m - 4 bay, 2 open, 2 enclosed

• Separate power meter for shed and bore

• 1 x 5,000L water tank at the shed 4 x 25,000L water tanks at the house

• 1 tank connect to dishwasher and for drinking water

• Bore- used for troughs in paddocks and irrigation set up to vegetable garden 

• Stable / shade shed with concrete floor and round yard 

• Garden shed

• Fenced paddocks

• Established Orchard and vegetable gardens

• Closed in pet enclosure, attached to the house

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Contact Robyn Agius, your local Area Specialist to arrange a private inspection or request further information.

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Students at Catherine McAuley College, Mackay are putting their engineering skills to the test, transforming classroom learning into a high-performance project with the construction of a fully functioning race car.

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The Year 11 Engineering Pathways students have spent the past three terms designing, fabricating and assembling the vehicle as part of their Vocational Education Program (VEP) and Certificate II in Engineering Pathways studies.

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The ambitious project provides students with valuable hands-on experience across a range of engineering disciplines, including fabrication, mechanical assembly, problem-solving and teamwork. Working together to bring the race car to life, students have gained practical skills that closely reflect real-world engineering and manufacturing environments.

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The project offers students a unique opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge in a meaningful and exciting way.

Students have embraced the challenge from the very beginning. They have developed technical skills, learned the importance of precision and teamwork, and taken great pride in seeing their hard work come together.

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The race car represents more than just an assessment task. It is the centrepiece of the students' preparation for the Formula High School Challenge, which will be held at Lakeside Park Raceway in 2027.

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The statewide competition brings together schools from across Queensland, with teams challenged to complete the highest number of laps possible during a six-and-a-half-hour endurance event. Success depends not only on speed but also on the reliability, performance and engineering quality of each vehicle.

For the Catherine McAuley College students, the challenge day at Raceview Park will be the culmination of months of dedication, persistence and innovation.

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As the final pieces of the project come together, excitement continues to build among the aspiring engineers. Their race car stands as a testament to their commitment, practical skills and passion for engineering, proving they are well and truly on the fast track to success.

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Burdekin Grower and Queensland Canegrowers Chair Owen Menkens is the industry-preferred candidate for the upcoming STL G-Class Director position.  Photo credit: QCGO.

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By Joseph Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay

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The upcoming Sugar Terminals Limited (STL) Grower/G‑Class Director election, to be decided at the company’s Annual General Meeting on 21 October 2026, has unexpectedly become one of the most closely watched governance moments in Queensland’s sugar industry recent history.  

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With major shareholder Queensland Sugar Limited (QSL) announcing its support for CANEGROWERS Chairman Owen Menkens, the contest has highlighted deeper questions about grower representation, terminal strategy, and the future direction of one of the industry’s most important infrastructure owners.

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STL oversees Queensland’s bulk sugar terminal network which is a system of storage and loading facilities that underpins the state’s export driven sugar sector. For growers, the terminals are not just physical assets but are a critical choke point: the backbone of the industry’s logistics chain. Decisions made at the STL board table can influence marketing efficiency, shipping schedules, and long‑term investment in infrastructure.

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QSL—itself a major player in sugar marketing and, up until 1 July this year, the operator of the terminals—has made it clear that they believe, along with the vast majority of growers and some milling companies, that Queensland CANEGROWERS Chairman Owen Menkens brings with him extensive knowledge of Queensland’s sugar industry and the vital role the bulk sugar terminal network plays within it. As Chair of Qld CANEGROWERS, also president of the World Beet and Sugar Association and a Burdekin cane farmer, Menkens has long been regarded as one of the industry’s most experienced grower leaders. Former CANEGROWERS Chairman Paul Schembri already serves as a Grower Director on the STL Board, and Menkens’ election would place another seasoned grower voice in a key governance role.

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Most of the industry believes that this year’s election carries unusual weight. STL is navigating a period of significant challenge, including rising maintenance costs, evolving export requirements, and ongoing debate about the future configuration of the terminal network. Growers have expressed concern that decisions made now will shape the competitiveness of Queensland sugar for decades.

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Against this backdrop, the decision by the CEO of Tully Mill to nominate for the Grower Director position in competition with Menkens has drawn attention and disappointment from some grower groups. While the CEO has not released detailed reasoning, the move has been interpreted by many as a sign of growing tension between some milling companies and certain growing sectors of the industry.

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It could be argued that the G‑Class Director role exists specifically to ensure grower perspectives are not overshadowed by mill interests. Growers rely on STL to protect the integrity of the terminal network, so when a respected grower leader puts his hand up, it’s surprising to see a mill CEO try to oppose that.

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Disagreement is not unusual in an industry where marketing, logistics, and governance responsibilities are shared across multiple organisations with differing commercial priorities. The Tully Mill CEO’s action in nominating for a grower role may be considered to reflect broader debates about how STL should evolve and who should guide that evolution.

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Despite the controversy, the election has prompted renewed discussion about the importance of strong grower representation. Many growers argue that having experienced industry leaders on the STL Board helps ensure decisions remain grounded in the realities of farming, harvesting, and delivering cane into a complex supply chain.

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I would encourage all G‑Class shareholders to support Owen Menkens as this election is shaping up as a defining moment for STL governance. As the AGM approaches, growers and the broader public will be watching closely. The decisions made on 21 October will influence not only who sits at the board table, but how the industry navigates the challenges ahead.

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Almost 100 graziers attended the Reef Catchments’ annual Grazing Forum in Sarina. Photo supplied

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Almost 100 graziers gathered in Sarina this week for Reef Catchments’ annual Grazing Forum, putting practical ideas, new technology and on-farm learning in the spotlight.

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The two-day event began at the Sarina Showgrounds on Wednesday, 16^th September, before moving to a field day at Mt Charlton on Thursday, giving producers the chance to take the discussion from the presentation room into the paddock.  

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Keynote speaker Stuart Andrews from Tarwyn Park Training explored the five pillars of Natural Sequence Farming, including how landscape function and water management can contribute to productive and resilient grazing enterprises.

Other sessions looked at agricultural drone technology and innovation, natural capital and emerging opportunities for landholders, before the field day covered pasture management, soil formation and landscape processes.

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Local landholders and specialists, including Jim Fletcher of Nightcamp Agriculture and Reef Catchments’ Chanelle Barrett, also shared practical experience with attendees.  

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The annual forum is now a long-running fixture for the region’s grazing industry, with Reef Catchments describing it as an opportunity for producers to connect with industry representatives, service providers and fellow landholders while picking up ideas they can apply on their own properties.  

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The 2026 forum was presented by Reef Catchments through funding from the Australian Government and Glencore, continuing a partnership supporting sustainable agriculture and natural resource management across the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac region.

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Last week delivered an important victory for Australia's veterans when the Albanese Government finally abandoned its proposed $5,000 annual cap on veterans' allied health care.

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The measure, announced in the May Budget and due to commence in July 2027, would have introduced a $5,000 annual threshold for allied health treatment, with additional care subject to further assessment of clinical need. The measure was expected to save the Budget around $750 million over three years.

The Coalition strongly opposed the proposal and called on the Prime Minister to ‘scrap the cap’, arguing that veterans with complex and ongoing health needs should not face additional uncertainty over their treatment. Veteran organisations and other parliamentarians also raised significant concerns.

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Our position was simple: Australians who have served their country deserve confidence that clinically necessary health care will be there when they need it.

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The Government argued the threshold was designed to address overservicing and said veterans requiring additional treatment would continue receiving clinically appropriate care. But the response from the veteran community demonstrated the depth of concern about how the proposal would operate in practice.

Eventually, pressure led by the Coalition produced a result.

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The Albanese Government walked back the Budget measure and confirmed the $5,000 threshold would not proceed. DVA subsequently confirmed that eligible Veteran Card holders will continue to access allied health treatment under existing arrangements.

This outcome belongs first and foremost to the veterans, families and ex-service organisations who spoke up.

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It also demonstrates why a strong Coalition Opposition matters. When government policy gets it wrong, our job is to listen, challenge it and fight for a better outcome.

Our veterans answered Australia's call when their country needed them.

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When they needed Parliament to listen, the Coalition stood with them, and together, we helped scrap the cap.

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Glen Kelly MP and Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell during his visit to Eungella earlier this year.  Photo supplied

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For too long, national park management has been caught up in the idea that the best way to protect these places is to lock them up and leave them alone. I don’t agree.

Protecting our national parks means actively looking after them, and that is the practical approach the Crisafulli Government is bringing back to Queensland.

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Here in the Mirani electorate, Eungella National Park is a perfect example of why this matters. Eungella is one of the jewels of our region. Its rainforest, wildlife, walking tracks, creeks and spectacular views make it a major drawcard for locals and visitors alike.

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But if we want people to experience and appreciate places like Eungella, we have to look after the basics. That means maintaining road networks and fire trails, grading access where required, keeping walking tracks in good condition and making sensible, strategic improvements to visitor facilities.

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The Mackay Highlands Great Walk has certainly seen better days. That isn’t a criticism of the hardworking people on the ground; it is an acknowledgement that we need to give them the resources and support to do better. We should be looking at how we can improve these assets and encourage more people to experience Eungella and the Mackay Highlands without detracting from the very environment they are coming to see.

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Active management also means getting back to practical land and fire management. Planned burning, well-maintained fire trails and sensible fuel-load management are important tools for protecting our natural environment, neighbouring properties and local communities.

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That approach is important not only for Eungella, but across Homevale National Park, the Mackay Highlands and our national parks on the other side of the range.

Our national parks should be good neighbours. That means working alongside landholders, Rural Fire Brigades and local communities. It means managing weeds and pests, maintaining access and recognising that responsible conservation requires boots on the ground. There is still plenty of work to do, but I believe we are heading in the right direction.

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We don’t have to choose between conservation and access. With practical, responsible management, we can protect these incredible places, make them safer, improve the visitor experience and ensure more Queenslanders can enjoy them for generations to come. That is what properly looking after our national parks should be about.

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