Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett has stepped up his campaign to help free pioneering aviator Bert Hinkler’s historic number plates on behalf of the Bundaberg community.
In a Question on Notice submitted in State Parliament today, Mr Bennett implored the Main Roads Minister to waive the exorbitant $5000 price tag for Bert Hinkler’s Q1152 number plate.
Mr Bennett said he was prompted to ask the Question in Parliament following almost a month of inaction by the Palaszczuk Labor Government.
In a letter sent to the Minister on October 7, Mr Bennett sought Minister Bailey’s approval to gift the special number plates, which adorned Bert Hinkler’s processional vehicle during his welcome home parade, to the Hinkler House Memorial Museum and Research Association.
Mr Bennett said despite the local Member for Bundaberg’s public assurances to support the project, Bundaberg’s pleas have fallen on deaf ears.
“We have heard nothing from the local Member for Bundaberg and her Labor Government, who seems hell-bent on ignoring this community,” he said.
“The vehicle which is so closely associated to the celebrated aviator’s world-renowned flight is an important part of Bundaberg’s legacy and of course our nation. To me, the government’s support in donating the number plate is a no-brainer.
“An incredible 3600 volunteer man hours have gone into restoring the Bundaberg pioneering aviator’s 1926 Armstrong Siddeley. These number plates would be the icing on the cake, adding to the vehicle’s authenticity, yet we have heard not one word from the Palaszczuk Government.
“The dedicated volunteers who have been working around the clock to restore the Bert Hinkler historical vehicle deserve better than this. In fact, the entire community deserves better.”
ENDS.