News

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.

Federal Member for Herbert, Phillip Thompson OAM, has warned that the Albanese Government is failing Australia’s servicemen and women by refusing to urgently lift defence spending despite escalating global threats.
Speaking in Parliament, Mr Thompson highlighted the recent strike near Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, where Australian Defence Force personnel are stationed.
“Last week, an Iranian projectile struck near an Australian-linked base. Accommodation and medical facilities were damaged. Thankfully, no personnel were injured but the message is clear: the world is becoming more dangerous, faster than this Government is acting.”

I’m sure every Australian share the relief that no Australian Defence Force Personnel were injured following the strike on Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates by Iran.
Al Minhad has long been a critical hub for Australian Defence Force operations. Many Australian service men and women have been posted and passed through the base on their way to and from conflict zones, and it has been a transit point for personnel receiving medical care after being wounded on deployment. This attack therefore resonates deeply for me and countless others who have relied on the base during operations in the Middle East.

The Albanese Labor Government has voted down legislation that would have criminalised the burning and desecration of the Australian National Flag — a decision that deeply offends millions of Australians and dishonours those who have served under it.
The Australian flag is not a prop for protest theatre. It is worn on the shoulder of every Australian Defence Force member. It is carried into battle. And it is draped, with solemn respect, over the coffins of fallen soldiers.

Townsville homeowners deserve genuine engagement, not advertising, after the Australian Reinsurance Pool Corporation (ARPC) chose to place a full-page advertisement in today’s Townsville Bulletin instead of appearing in Townsville to listen to the community.
The decision comes during a cost-of-living crisis and despite the ARPC being asked to hold a community hearing in Townsville as part of its review into the cyclone reinsurance pool — a commitment that was meant to prioritise the voices of North Queenslanders most affected by soaring insurance costs.