06 NEWS THURSDAY OCTOBER 13 2016 CAIRNSPOST.COM.AU Sunbus goes cash-free

DANAELLA WIVELL [email protected] Drivers refuse fares today as part of union action PASSENGERS on action would prevent a full reasonable, but also secure, to sit down with TransLink and He said the strike action conciliation through the Fair Sunbuses today may receive a strike, while still sending a wages and conditions.” work out a proper way to give TWU held last week left peo- Work Commission before fur- pleasant surprise. message to Sunbus and TAG He said neither Sunbus nor these drivers what they de- ple in Cairns high and dry ther action damages our busi- About 100 of the city’s bus Australia. TWU were ready to budge serve.” without transport around the ness beyond repair.” drivers will be refusing to ac- “This form of protected ac- from where they stood on Sunbus Cairns general city. Today’s work action follows cept payment for fares as part tion, the non collection of wages and work conditions. manager Bob Osmond said ne- “Tomorrow’s refusal to col- last Friday’s stop work action, of a fair work protest. fares, is the least disruptive ac- “While there has been some gotiations had reached a lect passenger fares is another leaving only two Sunbus servi- The drivers, who are part of tion that drivers can take,” he productive meetings between standstill. example of the TWU orches- ces to cater for those in Cairns the Transport Workers Union said. Sunbus and TWU members, “We regret that we are at an trating pointless action, rather reliant on public transport. (TWU), are taking part in the “We hope that we can sign with both sides making some impasse in our negotiations than negotiating in good faith Unlike last week’s protest action in a bid to have fair pay an agreement soon and end concessions, there hasn’t been with the TWU, despite our towards a reasonable out- against current wages and rises and working conditions. these actions, but it won’t hap- enough done to allay mem- every effort to negotiate in come,” he said. working conditions, today’s TWU branch pen until our members are sat- bers’ concerns about their rates good faith and reach a reason- “We have been left with no action will not negatively secretary Peter Biagini said the isfied that they have not only of pay,” he said. “Sunbus needs able agreement,” he said. choice but to apply for dispute affect Sunbus passengers. Setback for casino ambitions

KELMENY FRASER

PLANS for a regional Queens- land casino project have been dealt a new blow as another Chinese-owned developer says it is no longer interested. Hong Kong casino billion- aire Tony Fung’s withdrawal in August of the $8.15 billion Aquis project in Cairns from the state’s mega casino-resort building scheme raised expec- tations it would open the way for fresh bids. But a previous rival to Aquis, resort developer Full- share Group, says it has chosen not to bid if a new round of li- cencing opens. Fullshare, which owns the Sheraton Mir- age resort at Port Douglas, was one of 12 applicants in 2014. Fullshare Brisbane man- ager Helen Hei said it had viewed Aquis’ withdrawal as NOTEWORTHY MILESTONE: Mabellina Wong, Angela Harding and Esther Knight are Cairns Street Chaplains celebrating their third birthday. Picture: MARC McCORMACK an opportunity. But, she said, it had decided on a “direction change” for its Laguna Quays resort south of Chaplains keep on taking message to streets Proserpine to “health and well- being” after “numerous inter- KIMBERLEY VLASIC Revellers know that with- mark the organisation’s third ways be a place for street chap- or just get separated from their national discussions” about [email protected] out fail Cairns Street Chap- anniversary and celebrate the lains in Cairns. friends. That’s one of the main casino opportunities. lains will be there to help them launch of their new rest and re- “I see it as a service that will issues we deal with.” State Development Minis- EVERY weekend for the past in times of need to offer first covery vehicle. always be needed, no matter Ms Wong and Ms Knight ter Anthony Lynham yester- three years, a group of dedicat- aid, directions or simply a kind Angela Harding has been what measures are brought said it was a rewarding role. day said the Government may ed volunteers has patrolled the word. there from the first day, along into the Safe Night Precinct,” “People know that we are go back to the market to seek streets of Cairns to ensure the Tonight the street chaplains with Esther Knight and she said. “There are always there for them ... and we feel expressions of interest, but had city is a safe place for locals and their supporters will gath- Mabellina Wong. some people who are just going honoured and privileged to be not yet made that decision. and tourists alike. er at the Cairns Esplanade to She believes there will al- to have a bit too much to drink able to help,” said Ms Wong.

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