'Sluggish' Queensland economy a concern

Nearly 20,000 jobs in the manufacturing sector have been eliminated over the past few years, but the effect has been softened by a significant rise in the number of publicly funded positions over the same period. While manufacturing jobs have been lost, jobs in the mining and agriculture sector have grown. Economist Gene Tunny warned that this indicates a sluggish Queensland economy "and runs the risk of undermining the state's key job-generating sectors of mining and agriculture".

"Our comparative advantage is being able to dig stuff out of the ground and grow stuff out of the ground," Tunny said.

The Clermont business community, publicans and café owners, should be supported for their stance to refuse to serve the Adani Mine protesters who will descend on their community in coming weeks to delay/stop the mining venture gaining approval. Locals are acutely aware of the opportunity and prosperity that mining brings to their town and others in the north and realise that if this Adani opportunity is missed there are potentially several other projects that will be put in jeopardy. A number of property owners in the north have family members who have employment opportunities in the mines and a career prior to returning home to the property. This additional off-farm income in tougher times like those that we are experiencing is a godsend for many. People are free to protest, not to disrupt. Residents in Clermont most likely won't see them in town; they will fill up on the way now that you have relayed your punches!

Federal government approvals for the Adani project are in place. The Morrison government supports it, federal opposition opposes it, Shorten doesn't want it, but the unions do, the LNP needs it, and the premier is not sure until after the federal election, the deputy premier cannot support it, as she will lose her inner city seat to the Greens. In Joe's day, we would have loaded the first shipment by now!

Mareeba Saleyards I do not think have missed a weekly livestock market all year. While yardings have been light in numbers, they are expected to increase in coming weeks according to Northern Landmark Livestock agent Bob Lockhart. "Recently numbers have declined significantly due to a number of factors. The main has been the wet combined with a number of live slaughter boats out of Karumba and Townsville, which are a lot more regular and reliable than in the past." Mareeba has been a constant marketing and depot facility since about 1947 and Bob wasn't there then.

Animal welfare is a high priority for all in the red meat supply chain. RSPCA has indicated it is considering applying a fine to all involved for an animal that was not fit to load that was marketed recently. The current legislation is explicit. All those involved in the movement of an animal that adds to the stress of the animal can and will be fined. From the vendor's property to the processing plant and all in between who have added to the stress of the animal would be subject to a penalty if an incident were lodged and acted upon.

A Queenslander, again, won the National Young Auctioneers Competition. Anthony O'Dwyer, from GDL at Dalby, took home the coveted trophy. To top off a great day for Queensland, we were also the recipient of the NAB Agribusiness Shield with our other competitor in the final, Jack Henshaw, Elders Goondiwindi. The lads combined to achieve the highest state score in the national competition.

Election '19 When insults had class continued: Australian Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies apparently loved the town hall meetings during election campaigns. They were not staged as they are today and anyone could turn up. "Pig-Iron Bob" as some referred to him, had the occasional eggs and tomatoes thrown in his direction. One heckler to Sir Bob: "Tell us what you know Bob, it won't take long." To which Menzies replied: "I'll tell you everything we both know; it won't take any longer."