The good old turn your back on the problem and it will go away approach is just not going to work.

This is one region in the state which has undergone massive changes in licensing conditions in recent times.

And it would seem with the problems that these changes have created, it should be an absolute priority for the government to sort this situation.

Mount Isa has been forgotten and it is not good enough.

This is an isolated area, getting by with restricted services everywhere you look.

While this approach is not unexpected, it again shows how the North-West is treated like the long-lost cousin.

When is the Government going to stop and remember who and what it is governing? Are we not part of Queensland? This is a problem and it needs fixing, like many problems which seem to drag on out back.

It’s time for the Government to wake up.

We are a major player in this state and deserve the Government to take the time and give a little, no, what we deserve, back.

Yes it is hard to get people to come out here - we are all in the same boat - but the onus is on the Government to be active in addressing the situation.

There is a fix.

Someone in the Government, the appropriate department, the right division, needs to make a real effort to remedy this.

The ‘institutions’ that are governed by the licensing division form part of the heart and soul of this region.

Yes, we might love our drink.

Is that so bad? This is an area that is isolated and like people in the cities, when we get together for a party or function of some sort, we do like to have the odd beer or glass of champagne.

Maybe it is the nature of the functions in this part of the world that more people get involved - it is a way of connecting, of feeling like you are a part of a community.

Until you live here it is hard to understand.

This makes it vital that the Government listens to its representatives.

Our representative is on their side - surely that should count for something.