Media Releases

Australia is a diverse country that welcomes people of all faiths, and Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien is encouraging local groups to apply for funding to ensure people can practise their beliefs free from violence and discrimination.

Labor’s planned misinformation laws should not be imposed on residents in Wide Bay or on any Australian.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien is inviting local volunteer groups to apply for funding from this year’s Australian Government Volunteer Grants Program.

Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien today announced the Australian Government will fund a $1.5 million extension to Katie Rose Cottage Hospice at Doonan to improve access to end of life and palliative care services for people in Noosa and the Sunshine Coast.

Community organisations and councils in Wide Bay are being encouraged to apply for grants to build and improve community infrastructure to enhance the liveability of our community.

The recent announcement that the Petrie Gardens aged care facility at Tiaro will close on 1 August 2023 has come as a shock to the Fraser Coast community.

As work progresses on the $1 billion Gympie Bypass, two new 85 metre concrete bridges will be constructed to carry the realignment of the Bruce Highway over Randwick Road at East Deep Creek.

Pomona Meals On Wheels has been awarded $5,000 under the latest round of Volunteer Grants funding, Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien has announced today.

The Cooroora Historical Society will safeguard the Noosa Museum’s extensive collection of photographs, documents and artifacts, thanks to a $3,700 grant from Round 8 of the Stronger Communities Program, Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien announced today.

Improvements to the Pomona Rotunda War Memorial will bring renewed emphasis to the war time service and sacrifice of local men and women, with the installation of a memorial seat and plaque funded by the Australian Government’s Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program.

Australian Defence Force personnel and first responders suffering from PTSD will benefit from a $3,000 grant to a local charity that supports the rescue, rehoming, and training of unwanted dogs, Llew O’Brien, Federal Member for Wide Bay announced today.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien is inviting defence force veterans who served overseas in Australia’s Defence Forces from the Second World War on, and those who served on the home front during the Second World War, to apply for a Certificate of Appreciation from the Australian Government.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien is advising that as the $1 billion Gympie bypass progresses, there will be further night works to deliver and install the concrete girders required to construct two new 100 metre two lane bridges over Upper Curra Creek, and a 60 metre bridge to carry Bradys Road over the new highway.

As works continue on the $1 billion Gympie bypass, Gympie Connection Road will be closed in two stages to allow further construction of the new Gympie interchange.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien said the State and Federal Labor Government’s secret cancellation of an $18 million grant for a water storage project in Maryborough will reduce agricultural production and turn off investment.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien today congratulated local sports stars who will receive grants to help them participate in state and national competitions.

The Albanese Labor Government’s first full year Budget breaks its election promise to deliver a better future for all Australians.

Motorists on the Bruce Highway may experience detours and minor delays in May with night works scheduled to take place to progress the construction of the $1 billion Gympie bypass.

As we pause today on the 25th of April to remember the fallen, I encourage everyone to reflect on the sacrifices made by our first Anzacs, and the courage of Australia’s service personnel who have served in the defence of our nation, and in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping missions around the globe.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien is encouraging telecommunication companies to extend mobile phone coverage and improve communication networks in Wide Bay through the Australian Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program.

In a media release on 14 March the Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey claimed that the four lane Tiaro bypass is on track all because a design study has started – but in the eyes of our Wide Bay community, this vital project is already woefully behind.

More than 45,000 people in Wide Bay will benefit from a boost to their social security payments from 20 March, Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien advised today.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien is inviting defence force veterans who served overseas in Australia’s Defence Forces from the Second World War on, and those who served on the home front during the Second World War, to apply for a Certificate of Appreciation from the Australian Government.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien is calling on eligible organisations to submit Expressions of Interest for Round 8 of the Australian Government’s Stronger Communities Program.

There will be more nightworks on the $1 billion Gympie bypass during February while the construction of two new bridges takes place.

The Queensland and Federal Labor Governments have finally confirmed that the much needed four lane Tiaro bypass will not be prioritised and the timeline has slipped further, with an Australian Government report confirming that more than half of the Australian Government’s $268.8 million contribution to the project’s total $336 million budget will not be spent until at least 2026-27 or beyond.

Local councils throughout Wide Bay are still waiting on the Albanese Labor Government to release their funding allocations under the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien today congratulated local sports stars who will receive grants to help them participate in state and national competitions.

On the 26th of January 2023 we mark Australia Day, a day where we acknowledge our country’s past, recognise our achievements, and look forward to the future.

As works continue on the $1 billion Gympie bypass, temporary road closures and detours will be in place at two bridge sites in 2023.

I would like to extend my best wishes to everyone in Wide Bay for a safe and joyous Christmas and New Year.

The Albanese Labor Government’s announcement to cut the additional Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions introduced by the Coalition has ripped away mental health support for vulnerable Australians in Wide Bay.

Murgon RSL Sub-Branch celebrated the opening of the newly created Veterans Memorial Park in Murgon today with a Garden Party and Plaque Unveiling Ceremony.

The Murgon community will have a perpetual memorial to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, with today’s ceremonial dedication of the sixteen native trees planted in Queen Elizabeth Park, funded by the Planting Trees for the Queen’s Jubilee Program.

Motorists on the Bruce Highway may experience minor delays and detours during December while large concrete bridge girders are delivered as part of the $1 billion Gympie bypass.

The rising cost of living is having a significant impact on household budgets, community groups and business finances, and Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien is encouraging people to make a submission to a new Senate inquiry on its effects.

Work on the Gympie Bypass is forging ahead, with night works scheduled to take place on three bridge sites over the next few months.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien is encouraging everyone in Wide Bay to honour those who have served our nation, by wearing a poppy and paying their respects at 11am on Remembrance Day, this Friday, November 11.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien today congratulated local sports stars who will receive grants to help them participate in state and national competitions.

It’s been five months since the election, and councils, community groups and road users in Wide Bay have all been treading water since then, patiently waiting for last night’s Budget to find out the fate of local projects, and all the while costs have been going up.

Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien has called on the Australian Government to immediately release a full funding profile for the four lane Tiaro bypass.

A media release issued on Sunday by the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King, heralded a so called $1.47 billion infrastructure allocation for Queensland in the upcoming 2022-23 Federal Budget.

But the release was silent on the four lane Tiaro bypass.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien cut the ribbon on a new accessibility ramp at the Kandanga Tennis Club today to help kick off Seniors Month in Wide Bay.

Maryborough Returned, and Services League of Australia Sub-Branch has achieved an $8,495 Federal Government grant to help veterans get support, Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien MP said today.

Maryborough Services Memorial Bowls Club Inc has been awarded $5000 under the latest round of Volunteer Grants funding, Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien has announced today.

A NEW Memorial Garden at Murgon will mark the Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and create a new space to pay respects to the men and women who fought for Australia.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt and Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien have welcomed the opening of the new flood-proof Saltwater Creek Bridge and Deadmans Gully Bridge on the Bruce Highway.

Murgon RSL Sub-Branch has achieved a $15,180 Federal Government grant to help veterans get support, Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien MP said today.

Small native birds will be given new habitat in a “Platinum Jubilee” grove at Cooroy Golf Club to mark the Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Gympie RSL Sub-Branch has achieved a $23,513 Federal Government grant to help veterans get support, Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien MP said today.

Architecturally-designed statement trees will frame Kandanga Cemetery to mark the Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

A Green Canopy will stretch from the United Kingdom to the Kia Ora & District Pony Club in Wide Bay to mark the Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee has been awarded $5000 under the latest round of Volunteer Grants funding, Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien has announced today.

A grand avenue of Hoop Pines will be planted near the Brooloo Trailhead of the Mary Valley Rail Trail to mark the Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

A corridor of 1500 trees, the same number that Queen Elizabeth II planted during her 70-year reign, will be planted at Langshaw’s Hope Reins property to mark the Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Australians who served in the Vietnam War will be honoured at Vietnam Veterans’ Day ceremonies across Wide Bay next Thursday (August 18), Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien said.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien has welcomed the reopening of the newly rebuilt $10 million Woolworths Maryborough today following the devastating floods early this year.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien is urging flood-damaged sporting clubs to lodge an Expression of Interest for grants to help rebuild and better prepare for the next flooding event.

Low-interest loans and freight subsidies are now available for primary producers and small businesses in Gympie and the South Burnett, in the aftermath of the May floods that affected south-east Queensland.

Pomona’s Majestic Theatre and the Gympie Golf Club are among more than 5,000 community organisations across Australia to share in $20 million through the Liberal and Nationals Government’s 2021 Volunteer Grants round.

Community groups in Maryborough and Glenwood will share in $19,741 as Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien recognises the valuable work of Wide Bay’s volunteers.

More Murgon veterans will be able to take in the sights of the city, and enjoy well-maintained grounds closer to home, with Murgon RSL Sub-Branch to receive $27,692 in funding to support the veteran community.

Tin Can Bay Community and Men’s Shed will have room to grow, with a re-elected Coalition Government committing $15,500 for two new storage sheds.

A re-elected Coalition Government will commit $500,000 to upgrade the Noosa District Rugby Union Club’s building and amenities to include improved access for parents and people with disabilities.

A world-leading product to improve women’s health will be manufactured in Maryborough, with Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien announcing $4.8 million from a
re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government for Analytica to build a new production centre.

A $4,348 grant will provide new computer equipment for Tin Can Bay Fishing Club volunteers, helping them organise training courses and events to get more people hooked on fishing.

Cooloola Coast community groups will share in grants of $26,000 as Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien confirms funding to support local volunteers and slash electricity bills.

Murgon’s Graham House Community Centre and the Queensland Dairy and Heritage Museum will receive a boost with Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien announcing funding through the Volunteer Grants Program.

Fresh fundraising opportunities are on the menu for Gympie Saloon Car Club, with Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien serving up a $4,500 grant to upgrade the club’s kitchen gear.

Gympie patients will have easier access to their medical appointments with Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien announcing a $13,990 grant for Gympie Medical Transport.

Two Gympie sports clubs will receive essential new equipment, with Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien announcing funding today to build a stronger, more vibrant Gympie community.

An upgraded car park and course at Noosa Golf Club will create more than 40 jobs and support Noosa’s tourism and hospitality sectors, with Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien announcing $1.3 million for the project today.

A reinforced concrete bridge will be built at Smith Road, Woolooga, to ensure safe and reliable access to local properties, with Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien announcing a $1.4 million grant for the project.

Cherbourg residents will soon be better connected to essential services and loved ones, with $920,025 in Australian Government funding to improve telecommunications to more than 1800 homes and businesses.

A new Telstra tower will boost mobile phone reception and improve safety at Inskip Point on the Cooloola Coast, with Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien announcing $794,875 towards the project.

Cherbourg Men’s Shed will provide opportunities for its members to explore woodworking and make new social connections with a $13,000 grant through the Liberal and Nationals Government’s Stronger Communities Programme.

Children and adults with disabilities will enjoy greater access to horse riding activities with a $12,500 grant to help Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) Maryborough upgrade its lighting.

State-of-the-art training is now helping people prepare for employment at Endeavour Business Solutions Maryborough, with Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien announcing federal funding for new technology today.

More older Australians in Wide Bay will have access to cheaper healthcare and medications under changes to the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, easing cost of living pressures for 9,600 people in Queensland – including self-funded retirees.

Thousands of people in Wide Bay will save $10 on prescription medicine, with a re-elected Liberals and Nationals Government to slash the price of medications listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS) from January 1 next year.

Cooroy and the Noosa hinterland, which were granted access to the Distribution Priority Area (DPA) classification to attract more GPs into the community, will now have access to the initiative for another year under a re-elected Coalition Government.

A new education and activity centre is “a dream come true” for Langshaw’s Hope Reins, with Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien officially opening the building today.

Residents of Wide Bay received a major road safety boost today with Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien announcing $1,367,000 towards three projects in Gympie and Maryborough under the 2022–23 Black Spot Program.

As we pause today (April 25) to remember the fallen, we reflect on the sacrifices made by our first Anzacs and the efforts of every service man and woman who has served in defence of our nation.

Local families and tourists will be safer when going for a swim in the beautiful waters off Rainbow Beach, with Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien announcing $14,788 in grants for the Rainbow Beach Surf Life Saving Club.

The Liberal and Nationals Government will provide $5 million for a new Veteran Wellbeing Centre in Queensland’s Wide Bay-Burnett region, to better support local veterans, Defence personnel and their families.

Noosa’s koalas are set to benefit from $249,985 for Noosa and District Landcare, with Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien announcing funding through the Liberals and Nationals Government’s Threatened Species Strategy Action Plan.

Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives today announced a $1.8 million grant for the Gympie RSL to construct a landmark Remembrance Park and Veterans Memorial at Normanby Hill, Gympie.

A $481,423 investment by the Australian Government will support Noosa’s Helitak Fire Fighting Equipment to develop the world’s largest aerial firefighting tankers, helping protect people, properties and wildlife from the threat of bushfire.

Today, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called the election for May 21, and I am ready to stand by my record of providing strong representation to achieve results for Wide Bay.