News

Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson is continuing to advocate for an end to the youth crime crisis after a break and enter incident resulted in the elderly victim rushed to hospital.

83-year-old Albert Price suffered serious chest pain after chasing a teenager who stole his wife, Meryl’s handbag off their kitchen bench, making off with their credit cards.

Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson has accused the Prime Minister of being asleep at the wheel when it comes to the cost of fuel, with his office overwhelmed with businesses and families struggling to make ends meet.

Fuel prices in Townsville today sit at $1.99 for Unleaded and $2.50 for the same on Magnetic Island.

Mr Thompson said it showed the Prime Minister was a hypocrite, after he called much cheaper prices unaffordable nearly two years ago.

Federal Member for Hebert Phillip Thompson has accused the Albanese Labor Government of putting its budget bottom line ahead of seriously ill patients, with plans to stop covering specialist telehealth appointments under Medicare.

A government-commissioned report has recommended the first appointment with a specialist doctor not be covered under the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), which Mr Thompson says will result in reduced access to healthcare in Townsville and the wider North Queensland region.

“Telehealth for our region is very important as we are a long way from the capital, and travel to out-of-town specialists can be very expensive.” Mr Thompson said.

Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson is calling for urgent State Government action to fulfill their promise to implement effective sound barriers around Carlyle Gardens Retirement Village after upgrades to the Ring Road.

A group of fed-up residents – who are losing sleep thanks to the extra noise from the development – contacted Mr Thompson for help to have their voices heard.

Construction of the Townsville Ring Road (Stage 5) project was completed in October, with Transport and Main Roads claiming the current sound barriers are a permanent, adequate solution, which resident Dan Thompson says is a lie.

Shadow Assistant Minister for Defence and Federal MP Phillip Thompson has welcomed the decision to fast track the Black Hawk into Australia but cautions that the battle is far from over.

After the permanent grounding of the MRH-90 Taipan helicopter fleet, the Minister for Defence Richard Marles has today announced the fast tracking of the Black Hawk in Australia.

Mr Thompson has been calling for this decision to be made for over 12 months and feels it was poorly communicated, meaning civilian contractors who could have transitioned from the Taipan to the Black Hawk have been left in limbo.

Herbert MP Phillip Thompson has welcomed a decision to press pause on the sale of old asbestos-riddled holiday apartments on Magnetic Island so community consultation can take place.

A David and Goliath battle between Magnetic Island Residents and the Federal Labor Government has been ongoing since the beginning of the year, with residents strongly objecting to the sale of the former Amaroo Holiday Apartments at Bremmer Point, which are owned by the Department of Defence.

Shadow Assistant Minister for Defence and Federal MP Phillip Thompson has been working with the residents of Magnetic Island to help voice their concerns, after the Department of Defence announced it would be disposing of the land without cleaning up the site.

Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson is calling on the Perth-based Labor Minister for Northern Australia to deliver more for North Queensland, after her home state was revealed as benefiting most from the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF).

The Townsville Bulletin has reported 87 per cent of decisions this past financial year went to Western Australia.

Mr Thompson said North Queensland had been dudded by the new minister’s administration of the government-backed loan scheme for significant infrastructure, which was set up by the former Coalition government.

Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson is calling for urgent State Government action to curb stolen car crime.

Townsville resident, John Nawar is the latest crime victim, with his stolen Jeep being one of many wreaking havoc across Townsville on Tuesday, forcing the Civic Theatre into lockdown.

Mr Thompson and Mr Nawar met at a local towing yard today, where Mr Nawar’s car is currently being held, along with half a dozen others that were used in the carnage.

The Maritime Museum of Townsville is set to unveil a new memorial plaque to recognise the maritime efforts of the region.

HMAS Magnetic was a naval depot erected along Townsville’s coastline in 1942, which made a significant contribution to the allied war efforts in World War II.

The Maritime Museum were the successful recipient of the Federal Government’s Saluting their Service Grant, which enabled them to erect a commemorative plaque in ANZAC Memorial Park on the Strand.

October 14 is the date set for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice Referendum.

Jenna and my position on the Voice has not changed: it will divide our nation.

We all agree we need to do something different in order to close the gap, but another national body that does not take into consideration the local voices in our community is not the answer.

Townsville locals have been left hurting after the Albanese Labor Government broke its promise to deliver a bulk-billing, urgent care clinic in the region.

During the 2022 Federal Election campaign, the Albanese Labor Government committed to delivering 50 Medicare urgent care clinics across Australia to be established by May 2023, with one later announced for Townsville. The clinics were expected to have extended operating hours and charge no out-of-pocket costs to patients.

Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson said community members like Mt Low resident Mikayla Lovegrove are telling him they’re struggling to find affordable healthcare for their families.

Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson is calling on the Albanese Labor Government to press pause on its phase-out of gillnet fishing and begin community consultation.

On World Environment Day, the Federal Labor Minister for Environment and Water and State Labor Minister for Fisheries announced the phase-out of N2 and N4 licenses by December 31, 2023.

The decision would put an end to the use of set mesh netting in offshore waters, the technique used to catch fish like barramundi, king salmon, flake and grey mackerel.