Paper Petition

The petition of electors of the Division of Cook draws to the attention
of the House the Government's infringement on the rights of the people of
Weipa by deeming the Weipa Town Office as “not eligible” for funding
under the Major Facilities Program (Majors) 2006. The people of Weipa
vote, they pay taxes and they acknowledge the Weipa Town Committee as
their democratically elected local authority. The Government's
determination has discriminated against Weipa as opposed to applying fair
policy to all tax paying Queenslanders. The people of the Western Cape
have paid taxes that have been spent on the $268 million (plus) Suncorp
Stadium and believe the request for an investment of $1.5 million is fair
and reasonable. Ratepayers have already spent $50,000 of the town’s money
on a feasibility study and the Government's own Cape York Justice Study
has highlighted the critical need for accessible recreational facilities
in the region.

Your petitioners therefore request the House use its authority to deem
Weipa Town Office as an eligible organisation for funding purposes.
Please note that there is no other suitably structured not-for-profit
organisation that could manage a project of this size.