23/09/2016
Building better incubators to support local start-ups

Existing and new business incubators across Wide Bay can now apply for grants from the Coalition Government to help local start-ups access advice, capital and connections.

Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien, said the Liberal Nationals Government’s $23 million Incubator Support initiative would provide matching grants of between $10,000 and $500,000 for the creation of new incubators in regions or business sectors with strong links to international trade, and for existing, high-performing incubators to expand their services. 

“Business incubators are programs intended to help small businesses get off the ground and this initiative is focused on bringing local businesses together in new ways, to increase collaboration and local knowledge,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Ultimately it’s about providing the opportunity and tools for local businesses to be competitive and it puts them, and their ideas, in the driving seat for potential success.”

Incubators can also access matching grants of up to $25,000 to engage experts-in-residence from Australia and overseas.

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20/09/2016
School Leavers’ Guide for year 12 students

Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien, has released a School Leavers’ Guide for year 12 students.

“The 2016 edition of the School Leavers’ Guide is a useful resource, containing a range of information that is designed to help year 12 students prepare for life after school,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Year 12 students have many choices and decisions to make about the future and it’s important to consider all of the alternatives and the support that is available to help them reach their goals. 

“The School Leavers’ Guide provides a summary of the options, including education and training, financial assistance, employment programs, and other information, which may help to inform those decisions.

“The guide will be distributed to secondary schools in the Wide Bay electorate.  It is also available by telephoning my office on 1300 301 968.”

20/09/2016
Llew O’Brien appointed Chair of Queensland Black Spot Consultative Panel

The Australian Government has today appointed Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien as the new Chair of the Queensland Black Spot Consultative Panel.

Mr O’Brien will work with a range of community and road user groups, industry members and government agencies to allocate funding under the Australian Government’s Black Spot Programme toward some of the most dangerous roads in the country.

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said Mr O’Brien would bring a range of skills to the role, including a strong knowledge of Queensland road safety issues.

“As a rural-based Member of Parliament and former police officer, Llew is well-versed in the issues facing many communities in terms of road safety, with regional areas often disproportionately affected by road crashes,” Mr Chester said.

“He has seen firsthand the terrible impact crashes have on families, friends and the wider community and knows the importance of fixing priority danger spots to prevent accidents occurring.

“His years of experience in working collaboratively with a broad cross-section of the community will also be invaluable in this role.

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02/09/2016
National Child Protection Week 2016 Working together to build stronger communities to protect our children. 

Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien today said National Child Protection Week will be observed between 4-10 September this year. 

This year’s theme is ‘Stronger Communities, Safer Children’ focusing on the important role communities serve in protecting and supporting children. 

“It is a sad reflection on our society that approximately 40,000 Australian children are abused or neglected each year, which demonstrates the need for everyone to do more to prevent abuse. 

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29/08/2016
Betterment funding to upgrade Gundiah floodway.
The Coalition Government is improving access to Gundiah in times of flood, Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien confirmed today, with $740,000 allocated to upgrade Netherby Road, south of Gundiah. 

“A new eight-metre-wide floodway will offer increased protection from future natural disasters, improving access and allowing emergency services to respond to calls for help,” Mr O’Brien said. 

Netherby Road, also known as Old Gympie Road, connects the communities of Gundiah and Tiaro, south-west of Maryborough in the Fraser Coast region. 

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25/08/2016
New roundabout to open at Cooroy Southern Interchange on the Bruce Highway.
A new roundabout at the intersection of Myall Street and Nandroya Road, which forms part of the upgrade to the Cooroy to Curra Southern Interchange is now open.

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the new roundabout was a major milestone in the delivery of the $490 million Bruce Highway, Cooroy to Curra – Section A project.

“This roundabout is a vital component of the Cooroy southern interchange upgrade, which will meet capacity and efficiency demands for long-term road freight and transport needs in the region,” Mr Chester said.

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22/08/2016

Wide Bay’s sporting champions recognised by Llew O’Brien

Wide Bay has many young people with great sporting abilities, Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien said today.

“I’m pleased to congratulate 18 sporting champions in Wide Bay who have been awarded $500 each from the Australian Government’s Local Sporting Champions program,” Mr O’Brien said.

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22/08/2016
Coalition Government extends mobile phone coverage. 
The Wide Bay communities of Widgee, Kin Kin and Woolooga are benefitting from the Liberal Nationals Government investment through the Mobile Black Spots Programme to extend the mobile phone network, Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien said today.

“These communities have long fought for mobile phone coverage and I’m pleased to announce the Coalition Government has heard their call and is helping them to connect to the mobile network,” Mr O’Brien said. 

The Coalition’s Mobile Black Spot Programme supports the extension of the mobile phone network to areas where it has not been commercially viable for telecommunication operators to make those investments. 

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22/08/2016
National Broadband Network rolling out in Bells Bridge.

Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien today said premises in Bells Bridge will soon have access to faster and more reliable nbn internet access. 

“Superfast nbn broadband is on its way to Bells Bridge, opening up a range of new opportunities for business, students, and local residents,” Mr O’Brien said. 

There are approximately 130 premises that will gain access to the nbn from the Fixed Wireless site at Bells Bridge. The nbn has advised final network designs have been completed and residents will soon see nbn subcontractors connecting the area with new high-speed broadband. 

“High-speed broadband enables more opportunities for commerce and people to connect, and the nbn will provide the platform to deliver new economic and social benefits to residents in Bells Bridge,” Mr O’Brien said.

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04/08/2016
National Broadband Network rolling out in Tuchekoi, Maaroom, and Aldershot.
Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien today said premises in the Fraser Coast communities of Maaroom and Aldershot, and the Mary Valley community of Tuchekoi will soon have access to faster and more reliable nbn internet access. 

“Superfast nbn broadband is on its way to Tuchekoi, Maaroom, and Aldershot, opening up a range of new opportunities for business, students, and local residents,” Mr O’Brien said.

There are approximately 800 premises that will gain access to the nbn from Fixed Wireless sites at Tuchekoi (100 premises), Maaroom (200 premises), and Aldershot (500 premises). The nbn has advised final network designs have been completed and residents will soon see nbn subcontractors connecting the area with new high-speed broadband. 

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