News Headlines for Mackay & the Whitsundays, 21st November 2017

Mackay Police have got their eyes on the growing burglaries in the region revealing at least 28 homes, businesses, garages and sheds were unlawfully entered in the week ending on Sunday. Senior Constable Steve Smith says a  variety of items are being stolen- cameras, cash, I.D cards, bikes, sound speakers and cigarettes the most common. South Mackay and Mount Pleasant have the most activity recorded at least four in each area, followed closely by Slade Point

Police have charged an 18-year-old Townsville man following an incident in Arlie Beach. Police say at around 1am the man assaulted a 17-year-old woman on Shute Harbour Road- the woman suffered facial injuries as a result. He faced the court in Proserpine yesterday afternoon

Small Business Minister Leeanne Enoch has paid a visit to Mackay- meeting local business owners and talking about how the Queensland Government’s small business grant programs are helping our operators to start, grow and employ. Ms Enoch says with just four days until polling closes it's a clear choice for Mackay small business- do you want stability and support or cuts and chaos   

Local aboriginal man Peter Santo is going to be known worldwide soon. He's been given a grant from Mackay Council's Regional Arts Development fund which will see him try to smash a world record at the Commonwealth Games with the most didgeridoos being played in one place.

Member for Dawson George Christensen has commented on his choice to abstain from voting on the Marriage Amendment Bill if it doesn't include protections for free speech and religion, despite 55.1% of the Dawson electorate returning a 'Yes' preference in the same sex marriage survey. On his social media page, George says "New laws to change the definition of marriage must allow freedom of speech and religious liberty on the topic. He continued, "Otherwise we will have bishops, priests, pastors and Christians hauled before authorities for simply quoting the bible or stating the Christian position on marriage. It has already happened in this country and it will happen more with same sex marriage legalised" One facebook  suggestion was he should "resign" if he is not voting with his constituents. In response Mr Christensen said  "I'd rather not get elected than vote for something that undermined free speech, freedom of religion and parental rights"

LOCAL SPORT

21 year old Wayne Morton is back from Coffs Harbour sporting a brand new trophy for the cupboard- winning the Queensland Rally Title at the weekend. The Kuttabul local and his Rockhampton sporting partner Megan Benson raced a South African Toyota import.

WEATHER

MACKAY: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower in the late morning and afternoon. Winds E 20 to 30 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 16 and 20 with daytime temperatures reaching the mid to high 20s. 

WHITSUNDAYS: Partly cloudy. Slight (30%) chance of a shower in the late morning and afternoon. Winds easterly 20 to 30 km/h. 

ON THE WATERS:  Easterly 15 to 20 knots. Seas 1 to 1.5 metres. Swell Easterly around 1 metre offshore.

UV Index - Sun protection recommended from 7:50 am to 3:40 pm, UV Index predicted to reach 12 [Extreme]