News

The Coalition is warning that thousands of veterans living in Brisbane’s northern suburbs could be affected by the Albanese Labor Government’s proposed $5,000 annual cap on access to allied health services.
Department of Veterans’ Affairs data shows there are approximately 3,739 DVA-supported veterans living in the federal electorate of Petrie, with almost 4,800 DVA clients and dependants residing in the electorate.
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor said veterans had earned the right to receive the healthcare support they need and should not be forced to worry about arbitrary limits on their treatment.
“The men and women who served our country should never have to fight their own government for access to healthcare.

Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson OAM MP has written to the Minister for the Environment and Water demanding urgent answers following reports the Albanese Labor Government may be considering relocating the long-promised Reef HQ redevelopment from its Townsville CBD site.
Mr Thompson said the reports had created fresh uncertainty around a project that has already been plagued by years of delays, changing timelines and escalating costs.
“After more than five years of waiting, Townsville deserves answers about what is happening with Reef HQ,” Mr Thompson said.
“The community was promised a world-class aquarium, yet all we have seen is delay after delay and a completion date that continues to be pushed out.”

Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson OAM MP has been a driving force for change in the aged care system. Mr Thompson welcomes both a positive outcome for Townsville resident Merv Pether and the passage of coalition led landmark legislation to restore human oversight to aged care assessments.
After sustained advocacy from Mr Thompson who demanded a review of Mr Pether’s My Aged Care assessment, resulting in confirmation that Mr Pether will receive his full approved Support at Home funding.
Mr Pether had previously been assessed as requiring a high-level package but was only provided with 60 per cent of that care, placing significant pressure on him and his family.

Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson OAM MP has called Prime Minister Albanese a liar and condemned the Prime Minister and the Albanese Government for walking away from its commitment and promise to not introduce new housing taxes, warning the move will make life harder for Townsville families, renters and small businesses.
Mr Thompson said Anthony Albanese has been caught out in a lie. Labor went to the election promising no new housing taxes, including no changes to negative gearing or the capital gains tax discount only to now signal the exact opposite.
“Before the election, Australians were clearly told there would be no new housing taxes. Now, on the eve of the Budget, families are being told to expect higher taxes on their homes, their savings and their investments,” Mr Thompson said.

Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson OAM MP has welcomed Queensland Premier David Crisafulli’s proposal to establish additional fuel storage facilities at major Queensland ports, including Townsville, saying the plan is a practical step to strengthen Australia’s fuel security and resilience.
Mr Thompson said Townsville’s strategic location and existing port and defence infrastructure made it an ideal hub for expanded fuel storage supporting local jobs while protecting northern Australia’s economic and national security interests.

The Labor Government has failed in its $7.3 billion Hanwha Redback infantry fighting vehicle project, with cost blowouts, delays and unresolved technical risks undermining Australia’s Army at a time of growing global instability.
With war raging overseas and security uncertainty increasing across the Indo Pacific, national security should be a top priority. Instead, Australia’s fighting men and women are being let down by this slow to act Labor Government.
“Labors’s defence minister Richard Marles has failed to deliver a critical capability when our national security environment is becoming more dangerous by the day,” Mr Thompson said.

The member for Herbert Phil Thompson OAM MP believes in restoring integrity and public confidence in Australia migrations system. Something that he believes has been lost under the current Labor government.
Today the Coalition announced the first instalment of its comprehensive plan to put Australian values back at the heart of immigration policy.
The plan will strengthen standards, crack down on abuse of the system, and send a clear message that Australia will not tolerate those who do not respect our way of life.
The member for Herbert, Phillip Thompson OAM MP said Australians deserve a migration system that works in their best interests.
Mr Thompson said the Prime Minister’s comments were deeply hypocritical, coming from a government that has spent years prioritising renewables at any cost while burdening mining and resources projects with uncertainty, red tape and ideological attacks.

Federal Member for Herbert, Phillip Thompson OAM, has slammed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for lecturing Australian miners on “patriotism” after years of Labor attacking the very industry that keeps regional Australia strong.
Mr Thompson said the Prime Minister’s comments were deeply hypocritical, coming from a government that has spent years prioritising renewables at any cost while burdening mining and resources projects with uncertainty, red tape and ideological attacks.

This Labor government has all the wrong priorities.
While people in Townsville are struggling to pay their power bills, their insurance, put food on the table and fill up their car, the last thing they should be asked to fund is more politicians in Canberra.
I will OPPOSE Labor’s plan for more politicians. Labor’s plan would cost over $600 million of taxpayer dollars and do nothing to help Australians.

I welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement to cut the fuel tax, it is something that I called for three days ago.
As the Opposition, we want to work with the Government for solutions during this fuel crisis.
The Labor Prime Minister and the Treasurer both said they wouldn’t cut the fuel tax.
We put positive, practical solutions on the table, and we are happy that this slow to act government has finally listened to the opposition’s calls on behalf of the Australian people.

Today I am calling on the Albanese Labor Government to immediately halve the fuel tax, delivering urgent cost-of-living relief to Townsville families, tradies and small businesses as fuel prices continue to surge.
In Townsville high fuel costs are hitting household budgets hard, getting to work, dropping the kids off at school or to pick groceries up is becoming an impossible as fuel prices soar.
A cut in the fuel tax the government collects would reduce fuel prices, providing immediate and practical relief. The Government must also match that in the reduction in the Heavy Vehicle Road User Charge to help keep our trucks on the road and protect local supply chains.

Federal Member for Herbert, Phillip Thompson OAM, has slammed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for lecturing Australian miners on “patriotism” after years of Labor attacking the very industry that keeps regional Australia strong.
Mr Thompson said the Prime Minister’s comments were deeply hypocritical, coming from a government that has spent years prioritising renewables at any cost while burdening mining and resources projects with uncertainty, red tape and ideological attacks.