Cate Molloy

The Australian newspaper, came out in its editorial of Tuesday 8 January in favour of the dam across the Mary River to be build at Traveston. This dam is fiercely opposed by the local community which faces destruction if its farms comprising some of the most fertile soil in South East Queensland were to become inundated with water. In the face of evidence of turtles and fish being mutilated by equivalent measures at the earlier failed Paradise Dam (see below), the editorial proclaimed that "the ingenuity of science and technology should ensure that the endangered Australian lungfish, the world's oldest vertebrate animal, can continue to flourish".

The editorial also cited the high rate of inter-state immigration into South East Queensland as a justification for the dam. Typically, it never posed the question as to whether the residents of the Mary Valley, or the rest of South East Queensland should have any say in the population growth which has been encouraged by both Federal and the Queensland state Government and The Australian itself.

This editorial prompted Cate Molloy, the former state member of parliament for Noosa who was expelled from the Labor Party for supporting her local community against the dam to write a letter to The Australian on 5 January to correct its misinformation. This letter is reprinted below.

Cate Molloy's Letter to The Australian

Dear Editor,

Could I have my letter published in your letters section please?

With reference to your article "New Dam Essential - Lungfish will flourish with plenty of water" your complete argument is false. The damming of the Mary River will only destroy the natural habitat of the Queensland Lungfish. These fish require a specific breeding habitat not found in dams. The dam will also destroy an agricultural food bowl, an economy of $40 million, displace whole communities with the inherent social trauma, impact negatively on the Great Sandy Straits, and the whale, dolphin, dugong and fish stocks. The dam will also see the extinction of many already endangered species despite such Government sweeteners as promises of research facilities to co-opt vocal academic critics. Moreover, the Qld government's misguided effort to protect endangered species by building fish ladders is also farcical. These are already proven failures on Paradise Dam. When such ladders operate, turtles and fish are only mutilated {evidence based observations}. When all is considered, the nature of changing rainfall patterns, the proposed dam's shallowness, the concomitant massive evaporation loss feeding Greenhouse gases, to say nothing of the environmental damage to the Great Sandy Straits, the dam will be a failure on every front. Instead of pursuing such environmental vandalism with outdated 1950's technology (Qld government's own words), Premier Bligh should instead focus on the industrial water guzzlers down in Brisbane and inform the community of the progress being made on that front since Premier Beattie announcing a Water Emergency in 2006.

Cate Molloy,
Former State Member for Noosa,
Peregian Beach, Qld
07 54483248
cate.molloy|AT|gmail.com
0408729499

16th November 2007

Media Release 16th Nov 07

The Índependent Candidate for Wide Bay, Cate Molloy, today announced that once elected she will stop the Traveston Dam and legislate to over-ride the State Governments forced amalgamations of local councils.

"Stopping the Traveston Swamp will be achieved by the introduction of a Private Members Bill in the same way the independents legislated for the use of Ethanol in NSW," Cate Molloy said.

"My election vow is to stop forced amalgamations in Queensland," Cate Molloy said.

"Queenslanders in Noosa and other areas who vehemently oppose amalgamation are having their democratic voice and rights trampled upon," said Cate Molloy.

Ms Molloy said forced amalgamations serve only the "masters" not the constituents.

"Big developers want to get hold of the Noosa Brand and turn the region into a Surfers Paradise," said Ms Molloy.

"The Queensland Labor Government is prepared to back big business and amalgamate because it believes many smaller councils are conservative and at times obstruct the State Government from getting its way," said Ms Molloy.

"It's one way of avoiding accountability. Apparently, it's much easier to get what you want when everyone agrees with you," Ms Molloy said.

"Super Councils dilute the voice of the people, and the people of Noosa, Gympie and Maryborough in Wide Bay have had a gut full of the dictators," she said.

Enquiries:
Cate Molloy,
Independent Candidate for Wide Bay
Peregian Beach Qld 4573
0408729499
0407114729
0754483248

Media Release - 16 Nov 07

Cate Molloy, the Independent Candidate for Wide Bay, today claimed Premier
Bligh and Minister Warren Pitt had hoodwinked the people of Noosa and the
rest of Queensland about the Council amalgamation process.

"Claims by Bligh and Pitt that the decision to amalgamate local councils was
not made until after receiving the recommendation from the Independent
Commission on Council Amalgamations earlier this year, are nothing but
attrocius nonsense designed to fool the people of Queensland," said Cate
Molloy.

"The facts are this. In August and September 2004, Desley Boyle, then
Minister for the Environment and Local Government, wrote to me stating the
Government did not intend changing council boundaries unless councils
requested them to do so," Ms Molloy said.

"However, the Minister also later urged me to consider 'what great sense
amalgamation would make,' and said specific processes could be put in place
to "protect Noosa"', and - wait for it - that, 'Bob (Abbott) could be the
boss of them all, and you tell him that','" said Cate Molloy.

"While I rejected any involvement in this sinister plan and to my knowledge
Mayor Bob Abbot knew nothing of it, the further reality is this," Cate Molloy
said.

"Former Premier Beattie and Anna Bligh have long been lobbied by the
powerful Property Council of Australia for access to the lucrative Noosa
Brand," said Cate Molloy.

"In 2004 it commissioned the Sunshine Coast Research Institute for Business
Enterprise to prepare a pro-Amalgamation report, in conjunction with other
industry representatives," said Cate Molloy.

"As a consequence, the Government's plan for the bludgeoning of the Noosa
Council and the sweetener of iconic special treatment was already on the
table in 2004, long before the Minister attempted to cajole me with
simplistic and insulting platitudes," Cate Molloy claimed.

"I therefore make this appeal to all. Don't be further misled by Premier
Bligh," Cate Molloy said.

"It's clear the Government has allowed the Property Council of Australia to
get its way and Noosa shall suffer as a result. Amalgamation is just another
act of bastardry by the Government and its calculating high-placed allies,"
Ms Molloy claimed.

"I have the information to help stop amalgamation and I'm prepared to go to
court to save Noosa and other Councils opposed to this scam," Cate Molloy
said.

Enquiries:
Cate Molloy,
Independent Candidate for Wide Bay,

Peregian Beach, Qld., 4573

07 54483248

0408729499

Cate.molloy|AT|gmail.com

Media Release 15 Nov 07

Cate Molloy, the Independent Candidate for Wide Bay, today labelled both John Howard and Kevin Rudd's education election promises as farcical.

"Both the Prime Minister and Kevin Rudd are only paying lip service to the real needs of our education system," said Ms Molloy.

"Both are offering total gloss, but no substance. Their promises are farcical," she said. "And the quality of our education particularly our university system will continue to deteriorate," said Ms Molloy.

"Forget tax rebates and computers, they do not help all potential students gain access to our tertiary sector nor enable them to live," she said.

"HECS must be abolished and the Free Education system must be returned," said Ms Molloy.

"We have the biggest booming economy based on our resources sector and a massive surplus far greater than when we had free education in the seventies," said Ms Molloy.

"If we are ever going to catch up with the education investments in quality and infrastructure of the rest of the OECD countries, billions must be poured into our education infrastructure and all fees abolished," said Cate Molloy. "And we can do it," she said.

"It is totally disheartening for all Australians, that even New Zealand invests more per capita in its education sector than we do," said Cate Molloy.

"Our education system is rapidly deteriorating to that of a Third World Country in quality and infrastructure with all the social inequities associated with it," said Ms Molloy.

Enquiries:
Cate Molloy
Independent Candidate for Wide Bay,
Peregian Beach,
Qld, 4573
0408729499
0407114729

Cate Molloy exposes amalgamation scam - media release, 7 Sep 07

Cate Molloy, the former Member for Noosa, today claimed Queensland Premier Peter Beattie's promise to introduce iconic legislation to protect Noosa was nothing more than a scam. Ms Molloy also claimed that Beattie had "hoodwinked" the people of Noosa.

"Claims by many Noosa notables and others that we have had some sort of victory due to our strong protests are very sadly wrong," said Cate Molloy.

"Premier Beattie and even possibly some in our midst have again hoodwinked and deceived the anti-amalgamation movement and the people of Noosa," she said.

"The facts about so-called iconic legislation are this," said Cate Molloy.

"In August and September 2004, Desley Boyle, then Minister for the Environment and Local Government, wrote to me stating the Government did not intend changing council boundaries unless councils requested them to do so," Ms Molloy said.

"However, the Minister also urged me to consider 'what great sense amalgamation would make,' and said specific processes could be put in place to "protect Noosa" and - wait for it, 'Bob (Abbott) could be the boss of them all, and you tell him that','" said Cate Molloy.

"While I rejected any involvement in this sinister plan and to my knowledge Bob knew nothing of it, anyone suggesting such "iconic" legislation was a response to our protest has been either sadly deceived by Beattie's spin doctors and even perhaps local players in Beattie's plan," Ms Molloy claimed.

"The reality is this," she said.

"Premier Beattie has long been lobbied by the powerful Property Council of Australia for access to the lucrative Noosa brand," said Cate.

"In 2004 it commissioned the Sunshine Coast Research Institute for Business Enterprise to prepare a pro-Amalgamation report, in conjunction with other industry representatives," said Cate Molloy.

"As a consequence, the Government's plan for the bludgeoning of the Noosa Council and the sweetener of iconic special treatment was already on the table in 2004, long before the Minister attempted to cajole me with simplistic and insulting platitudes," Cate Molloy claimed.

"I therefore make this appeal to all. Don't be further misled by Beattie and those in our midst white-anting the anti-amalgamation movement! We must focus on logic and the facts and reject those trying to make political and other mileage out of this affair," Cate Molloy said.

"It's clear Beattie has allowed the Property Council of Australia to get its way and Noosa shall suffer as a result. Amalgamation is just another act of bastardry by the Government and any of its calculating high-placed allies in our midst," Ms Molloy claimed.

Media Release, 5 Sep 2007

The Independent Candidate for Wide Bay and former Member for Noosa, Cate Molloy, today called on the Friends of Noosa and all others opposed to council amalgamation to undertake a mass protest action that will border on civil disobedience.

"I'm calling on all Sunshine Coast people who oppose amalgamation, including the Friends of Noosa, to join with me in undertaking a unique but very powerful protest that well and truly shake Peter Beattie," Cate Molloy said.

"I'm calling for a massed vehicle convoy to drive all the way together to parliament house at all times not exceeding the minimum legal speed," she said.

"It's not breaking the law, but just as Beattie intends on disrupting the lives of the people on the coast, such a protest convoy shall certainly disrupt normal traffic and transport all the way into Beattie's backyard," she said.

"It's time for very serious action. And this is one way we can make the Premier re-think his dictatorial actions," said Cate Molloy.

Media Release 21 August 2007 The Southern Cross Independent Candidate for Wide Bay, Cate Molloy, today slammed Warren Truss for reportedly seeking to engage India in a Free Trade Agreement. "Again, Warren Truss seems intent on destroying the livelihood of Australian farmers, and seeing Australian businesses and jobs disappearing overseas," said Cate Molloy. "Truss has once again abandoned the bush," she said. "We need Fair Trade Agreements, not so-called Free Trade Agreements with high powered economies driven by cheap labour," said Ms Molloy. "Once again, the bush will suffer. India is highly protective of its agricultural sector, while Truss and Howard seem intent on destroying our own," said Cate. "How can we compete with slave labour?" she asked. "It's about time, we were protective of our Australian farmers, Australian businesses and Australian workers," said Cate Molloy. #2b2; padding: 8px 8px 8px 8px; margin: 16px 16px 16px 16px;">Enquiries Cate Molloy, Independent Candidate for Wide Bay, Peregian Beach Qld 4573 07 54483784 0408729499 0407114729

Media Release: Cate Molloy reveals truth about Beattie's dam decision 6th February 2007 The Southern Cross Federal Independent Candidate for Wide Bay, Cate Molloy, today revealed what she claimed is the truth about Beattie's decision to build a dam at Traveston on the Mary River. "Beattie's decision to put the dam at Traveston was purely political, and the public need to know this when debating other options," she said. "It was only because the area was strongly National Party that he decided he would put the dam there," said Cate Molloy. "I was actually at the Caucus Meeting when he said in as much words that it didn't really bother him about placing it in the Mary Valley as mostly only National Party voters lived there," said Cate Molloy. "Beattie was desperate to be seen as pro-active on water with the election coming on," she said. "His government had done nothing about water infrastructure and was caught out," said Ms Molloy. "So to find a way out, Beattie did an about face on Labor's earlier opposition to dams and had a list of preferred sites drawn up. Traveston was actually the fifth best choice," she said. "But Beattie knew all the better sites would actually impact more on Labor voters, so Beattie chose Traveston," said Cate Molloy. "I remember vividly that the Minister for Police, Judy Spence, strongly supported his decision, whereas I opposed it," said Ms Molloy. "Judy actually sprang to her feet and said the dam should be placed there as the people in the valley were all Nationals, never voted Labor and never would anyway, so why should anybody care," Cate Molloy said. "To me, Beattie's Traveston decision was never really about the water crisis, it was more about political expedience and morally corrupt," said Cate.