Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, is encouraging voters to tell the Labor State Government that Their Voice Matters, following their last-minute introduction of compulsory preferential voting laws.
Mrs Frecklington said an on-line petition has been launched which will allow the community to send a real message to the State Government.
“A recent poll of Queenslanders showed 61.6 per cent opposed compulsory preferential voting,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“The Premier has broken Queenslander’s trust and now it’s time for our community to say we want our voice back in the State Government voting process,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“We need to tell them to bring back choice at the ballot box and scrap their sneaky plan to rig the next State Election,” Deb said.
You can sign the ‘My Voice Matters’ petition at www.myvoicematters.org.au
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, is urging farmers to attend a forums in Kingaroy, Gympie or Toogoolawah to learn how the Labor Government’s vegetation reforms will impact their ability to manage their land.
Mrs Frecklington will host the forum in Kingaroy Thursday 5th May, with special guest, Andrew Cripps, Shadow Minister for Natural Resources, along with forums in Gympie and Toogoolawah on 4th May.
“The Forum will discuss the proposed changes to the Vegetation Management Laws and what they could mean for local farmers,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“These changes have the potential to remove property rights, reduce the productivity of the agriculture sector and threaten jobs in the region,” Deb said.
Details of the Vegetation Management Laws Forum:
RSVP: To the Nanango Electorate Office on 4190 7100 or email nanango@parliament.qld.gov.au
Photo: Veg Managment Forum held recently in Beaudesert.
The LNP Opposition has welcomed today’s Commonwealth announcement of a new Child and Adult Public Dental Scheme (CAPDS).
Shadow Health Minister, Mark McArdle, said the Federal Coalition had announced $2.1 billion in new funding nationally over the next five years.
“This is great news for Queenslanders and builds upon the dramatic progress made by the former LNP Government in cutting dental health waiting lists from over 63,000 patients in February 2013 to just zero in June 2014,” Mr McArdle said.
“Under today’s Federal announcement, every Australian child - and millions of low-income adults - will be eligible for subsidised dental care under this new Turnbull government plan.
“Here in Queensland it will mean a doubling in the number of children and concession card holders treated in our public dental service.
“The Federal Coalition should also be congratulated for reversing the previous Labor Government’s decision to means test the $1000 benefit available for these important patients.
“The Turnbull Government has scrapped that means test, paving the way for many more Queenslanders to receive critical dental care.”
Mr McArdle said the new CAPDS scheme replaces the current underperforming means-tested Child Dental Benefits Scheme introduced under Federal Labor, which covered just 3 million children.
“This new Federal system should allow for all 5 million Australian children under the age of 18 and another 5 million Australian concession card holders to receive subsidised dental care.”
Key facts:
Since the NPA (Treating more Public Dental Patients) commenced in Queensland in late February 2013 there has been:
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, says Labor Government has pushed through radical changes to Queensland’s voting system without consulting a single Queenslander.
Mrs Frecklington spoke strongly against the legislative amendments, which have implemented compulsory preferential voting for State Government elections.
“Forcing significant voting changes through the Parliament last night, with only 18 minutes notice is disrespectful to every voter in Queensland,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“By pushing this through, the Labor Government has trashed the Fitzgerald reforms which implemented optional preferential voting, and which gave voters a choice about preference and how many preferences they wanted to give.
“This is a crooked move, which effectively ‘rigged’ state elections in Labor’s favour. The Premier signed the Fitzgerald Principles document before being elected, but it seems this is no longer worth the paper it’s printed on.
“Queenslanders deserve to have their say on a major shift in how democracy is conducted in this state. This move by Labor really does show their true colours and flies in the face of their promise to consult with Queenslanders.
One positive to come from the debate was the successful passing of legislation introduced by the LNP Opposition to ensure regional Queenslanders are better represented in State Parliament.
“In the past 30 years, the population of Queensland has doubled, but the number of Members has remained the same. These reforms align with Fitzgerald Inquiry recommendations that the number of electorates be reviewed every 7 years.
“Without this reform, regional seats, like my own seat of Nanango, would have just got larger and larger, making it more and more difficult for the people of the bush to access the representation they deserve.”
Key facts:
State Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington has added her support to the Save Our Sparkies petition and is calling on the South Burnett Region to do the same to help protect local electrical businesses.
Mrs Frecklington said the Labor Government was planning to create a new government-owned business to compete against mum and dad sparkies by offering a range of electrical services such as smart meter and solar panel installation.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government is turning its back on our local sparkies with this plan, which will grab their work and destroy their livelihoods,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“I’m calling on our community to help Save Our Sparkies by signing the petition to tell Annastacia Palaszczuk to put a stop to her plan that puts our local sparkies’ jobs at risk.
“The South Burnett has many licensed electricians whose businesses are under threat by this plan. In particular, in the field of solar installations and future electrical technologies, many have been building this into their future business plans, but the Labor Government wants to take over this business.
“I’d like to congratulate local business owner, Owen Blamires of Wondai Electrical Services, for travelling to Brisbane this week to speak out against this issue. Mr Blamires represents the thousands of electrical businesses which will be severely impacted by this poor decision.
Shadow Minister for Small Business and Employment, Tim Nicholls condemned the plan saying there is no demonstrated need for a government sponsored and taxpayer funded monolith.
“Labor’s crazy plan to merge Energex with Ergon and then allow the new company to unfairly bid against sparkies for bread and butter electrical work shows the contempt they have for small business, Mr Nicholls said.
“Labor jumps to attention when the ETU calls but couldn’t care less about the damage they will do to electrical businesses across the state.”
Shadow Minister for Energy, Andrew Powell said the Labor government could require government agencies to use the merged electricity company rather than their local sparky.
“Will we now see Labor direct all government departments to use this government-owned, taxpayer-funded monstrosity putting hundreds of small business and the families that run them at risk?” Mr Powell said.
“Only the LNP will Save Our Sparkies and I encourage all concerned to sign the petition which can be found via my website at www.debfrecklingtonn.com.au. ” Deb said.
Key facts:
Photo: Wondai Electrical Services, Owen Blamires, (centre of photo) was at Parliament House this week to help ‘Save our Sparkies”.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, has spoken in support of changes to Criminal Law legislation which will support victims of Domestic Violence.
Mrs Frecklington added her bi-partisan support to the Criminal Law (Domestic Violence) Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2015, which implements two important recommendations from the Bryce Report – Not Now, Not Ever.
“In Parliament this week I was very proud to help pass this particular legislation which I believe will go a long way to supporting the victims of Domestic Violence,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“The Bill amends the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 to make provision for domestic and Family violence to be an aggravating factor on sentence. It also amends the Criminal Code to create an offence of choking, suffocation or strangulation in a domestic setting.*
“During my speech in Parliament I noted a comment about strangulation offences in domestic violence situations which says – ‘Many domestic violence offenders and rapists do not strangle their partners to kill them; they strangle them to let them know they can kill them—any time they wish’.
“It is horrifying to know that people live with that threat hanging over their head day in, day out. This new offence relates to strangulation when they are in a domestic relationship with the other person and attracts a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment.
“As a former lawyer, I handled many cases of family and domestic violence and I am pleased to see the introduction of these amendments.
“I was extremely proud to be a part of the former LNP Government which established the Special Taskforce on Domestic and Family Violence, chaired by The Hon. Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO in September 2014. These amendments being made through the Bryce Report recommendations (Number 118 & 120) will help make a difference to the lives of those touched by Domestic Violence,” Deb said.
*Further details on the amendments passed through the Bill:
In regards to recommendation Number 118 - Rather than attaching a general circumstance of aggravation, which must be charged in the indictment and becomes a matter the Crown must prove beyond all reasonable doubt, the Bill amends the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 to make provision for domestic and family violence to be an aggravating factor on sentence, rather than attaching a circumstance of aggravation to any offence in the Criminal Code.
The amendment provides the Court must have regard to whether the offence constitutes an act of domestic and family violence when determining the appropriate sentence for an offender.
In regards to recommendation Number 120 - Currently, a person who unlawfully chokes, suffocates or strangles another person can now be charged under the Criminal Code with the offence dependent on the force used, the intent in committing the act, and the injury sustained by the victim. It would likely be one of the following offences – common assault, assault occasioning bodily harm, grievous bodily harm, torture, disabling in order to commit an indictable offence, or attempted murder.
The proposed new offence of ‘choking, suffocation or strangles another person, without the other person’s consent; and either:
a) The person is in a domestic relationship with the other person; or
b) The choking, suffocation or strangling is associated domestic violence under the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012.
The new offence attracts a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment.
News from our Federal Member for Maranoa, Mr Bruce Scott
Federal LNP Member for Maranoa Bruce Scott is backing Maranoa truck owner-operators with the Liberal National Coalition Government today introducing legislation which will help protect the trucking industry by abolishing the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal (RSRT).
Mr Scott said abolishing the RSRT would provide greater certainty for the 35,000 owner-drivers across Australia.
“The RSRT sets a controversial minimum rates order which is destroying the livelihoods of industry groups, farmers and truck drivers in rural, regional and remote Australia,” Mr Scott said.
“We have listened to feedback from owner-drivers and are committed to protecting the everyday mum and dad truckies whose livelihood has been crippled by the RSRT.
"Truck drivers are the lifeblood of rural and remote communities - these owner-drivers own homes, they have mortgages on their trucks, spend money off the beaten track and help keep our nation moving – and we are committed to supporting them.
“The Coalition Government will redirect funds saved by abolishing the RSRT into the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator to provide additional truck safety initiatives.
“The Liberal National Coalition is working every day through the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, state and territory governments and local communities to improve road safety.”
For those affected by the RSRT payment order, a special temporary hotline through the Department of Social Services is available to provide targeted financial advice for owner-drivers. You can reach the Financial Counselling Helpline by calling 1800 007 007.
The Nanango Electorate would benefit from a reinstated and enhanced Royalties for Regions program under an LNP Government, Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg and Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington have announced.
Mr Springborg said the Palaszczuk Labor Government had replaced the LNP’s $495 million Royalties for Regions initiative with a smaller, shorter and narrower program - more than halving investment in critical infrastructure projects and highlighting a lack of commitment to regional development.
He said Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk had held Queensland back by cutting infrastructure spending across Queensland since being elected more than a year ago.
“Over the next four years, capital purchases have been slashed by $3.6 billion, with regional communities particularly feeling the brunt of the cutbacks,” he said.
“This is typical of Labor governments that have long-denied regional Queensland the infrastructure investment it desperately needed to keep up with growth.
“That’s why in 2012 the LNP took action and announced the flagship $495 million Royalties for Regions program.”
“By restoring the Royalties for Regions program the LNP will help unlock the economic potential of regional Queensland to improve our communities and create more jobs.”
Mrs Frecklington said the LNP would enhance and expand the Royalties for Regions initiative to ensure the entire Nanango Electorate can once again share in the benefits of the wealth regional Queensland creates.
“Our upgraded Royalties for Regions fund will focus delivering more investment in our regions, creating economic growth and job,” she said.
“Reinstating Royalties for Regions will really help our local communities meet critical infrastructure needs going forward.
“The LNP’s original Royalties for Regions enabled us to fund and deliver critical infrastructure including:
“Only the LNP is committed to and regional Queensland and will deliver a fair and flexible Royalties for Regions.”
Fast Facts:
The wholecommunity is urged to join with rural industry groups and local MP Deb Frecklington in the fight against Labor’s proposed anti-agriculture vegetation management reforms.
Ms Frecklington said the petition, in response to the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s Vegetation Management (Reinstatement) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill, was an opportunity for all landholders and the wider community to register their protest to Labor’s plans.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government’s rollback of the LNPs sensible vegetation management framework will remove property rights, reduce the productivity of the agricultural sector and threaten jobs in our region,” she said.
“This petition is an easy yet influential way for the Nanango electorate community to send a message to local MPs that they object to Labor’s amendments and explain the negative impact they will have on landholders across the state.
Deb Frecklington said Labor’s proposed amendments were more extensive and aggressive than simply overturning the LNP’s 2013 changes.
“The former LNP Government’s common sense changes to the Vegetation Management Act means our local landholders can save time and money, while sustainably growing their businesses.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government plans to completely repeal the important High Value Agriculture and High Value Irrigated Agriculture pathways to development, threatening to bring the agriculture sector and future economic growth to a screaming halt,” she said.
“Freehold and indigenous freehold landowners will be stripped of their rights to manage regrowth vegetation and restrictions on vegetation management near watercourses will extend even further than ever before.
“Landholders will also be considered guilty until proven innocent with the re-instatement of the reversal of the onus of proof and ‘mistake of fact’ will no longer be considered a defence for alleged offences involving vegetation management activities.”
AgForce Queensland General President Grant Maudsley had agreed to be the principal petitioner and other rural industry groups had worked with the LNP and AgForce to develop the petition.
Key facts:
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, has sent her congratulations to the members of the Somerset Council team.
Mrs Frecklington said it was great to have the new team in place, ready to start representing the needs of the Somerset.
“I would like to congratulate Mayor Graeme Lehmann on his re-election. Hi success demonstrates the respect the community has for his hard work and I know he will continue to represent the Somerset with commitment and enthusiasm,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“It is also great to see Cr Dan Hall continuing in his role as Deputy Mayor.
“A big welcome also to our two new Councillors, Cheryl Gaedtke and Sean Choat who I know are so keen to start working hard for the community.
“Our region has many diverse issues, many of which cross over between State and Local Government responsibility, so I’m looking forward to working with the new Somerset Regional Council to achieve growth and opportunity for our region,” Deb said.
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, with newly re-elected Mayor, Graeme Lehmann.
The Palaszczuk Labor Government has bowed to pressure from the LNP and teachers, and will continue to offer Year 11 and 12 school students the opportunity to study Agricultural Science.
Shadow Minister for Education and Training Tim Mander said there had been growing concerns that when the new senior assessment system was introduced in 2018, Ag Science would not be available.
“At schools where Ag Science is offered as a senior subject there is strong and increasing student uptake,” Mr Mander said.
“This reflects the importance of food and fibre production to Queensland and surging export demand for our farm products. The last thing we need is Palaszczuk Labor dumping Ag Science in our schools.
“Given there are more university-level jobs in agriculture than graduates to fill them, the do-nothing Palaszczuk Labor Government should be expanding the number of schools offering Ag Science.
“Agriculture is a $17 billion industry and it’s crying out for graduates. It beggars belief that Education Minister Kate Jones even questioned keeping it in the first place.
“Only the LNP recognises how critically important Queensland’s agriculture industry is to the state’s economy, and understands its potential.”
Shadow Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Deb Frecklington said Ag Science subjects were critical in making students aware of rewarding career options.
“Many high school students will go on to study Agricultural Science and Agribusiness at a tertiary level where there’s currently only one graduate for every six possible jobs,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Others will see their future on the family farm or as employees of farming enterprises. For most of these students, Ag Science will be the only senior science subject they will choose to study.”
Shadow Science, Information Technology and Innovation Minister John McVeigh said the way Ag Science was currently taught in Years 11 and 12 provided students with high levels of competence in science.
“The agriculture, science and innovation industries can all breathe a sigh of relief, now that we know this important subject won’t be cut by Labor,” Mr McVeigh said.
Fast Facts:
Photo: With Ag students students from Downlands College
Time is running out to make a submission to the committee investigating the Labor’s proposed changes to the Vegetation Management Act, that are set to inflict a new level of pain on Queensland’s agriculture sector.
Shadow Natural Resources Minister Andrew Cripps said submissions to the Agriculture and Environment Committee on the Vegetation Management (Reinstatement) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 would close on Monday 25 April, 2016.
“The LNP strongly opposes the Palaszczuk Government’s Bill, which is the most anti-farmer, anti-agriculture and anti-rural document ever presented to the Queensland Parliament,” Mr Cripps said.
“IfLabor’s Bill gets passed, it will send a violent shudder through our agriculture sector and cripple the prospects of significant investment in Queensland’s regions with increased uncertainty.
“Although the committee won’t be reporting back to the Parliament until 30 June, public submissions must be submitted by 25 April and I urge all concerned Queenslanders to have their say.
“Monday 25 April is Anzac Day, a public holiday, so written submissions must be with the committee earlier than that to ensure they are considered.
“It really doesn’t leave much time for people to finalise their submission.”
Mr Cripps said the former LNP Government delivered much-needed, common sense changes to the vegetation management framework in 2013 and stood resolute to defend those reforms as Labor and the Greens geared up for another assault on the property rights of Queensland landholders.
“Queenslanders need to be aware the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s proposed amendments are more extensive and aggressive than simply overturning the LNP’s 2013 changes,” he said.
“They will inflict a new level of pain on the agriculture sector, which provides much-needed jobs and investment in Queensland.”
Written submissions should be sent to:
Research Director
Agriculture and Environment Committee
Parliament House
BRISBANE QLD 4000
or by email to: vminquiry@parliament.qld.gov.au
Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Deb Frecklington today said the decision by the Federal Turnbull Coalition government to scrap the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal (RSRT) was a win for agriculture, regional Queensland and common sense.
“Farmers and their local stock and grain transport operators will certainly welcome the decision,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Established by Federal Gillard Labor government in 2012, the RSRT has been making life very difficult for small, family-run trucking operations with its ridiculous rulings on pay rates for owner-drivers.
“The pay rulings appeared to be more about boosting union membership and union income than road safety.
“They threatened to destroy the owner-drivers who are the backbone of regional transport and getting livestock and farm produce from farmgate to processing and market.”
Ms Frecklington said the RSRT had proved a costly, Labor Government policy failure.
“The safety of trucks on our roads and highways needs to be left in the hands of our State transport and police departments and the national Heavy Vehicle Regulator,” she said.
Key facts:
The lack of State Labor Government forestry management policies which have been insidiously encroaching on local landholders were under discussion in Gympie today.
LNP Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Deb Frecklington, was in Gympie being briefed by industry and stakeholders about forestry and vegetation management policy.
Member for Gympie, Tony Perrett, invited the Shadow Minister to hear firsthand the impact of Government policies and its effect on local industries and to have direct input into the development of the Opposition’s policies regarding the industry.
“The Labor Government has been insidious and deceptive in its attempts to cripple forestry and vegetation management practices throughout the State,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“It is beholden to green groups which are driven by blinkered.”
“Many of them seem to prefer to destroy sensible and sustainably managed businesses,” she said.
Mr Perrett said that any threat to the viability of the timber industry would have a significant impact on the region.
“That is why it is vital that Government policies support sustainable and responsible timber management and provide certainty for loggers, sawmillers, industry employees, landholders, and a natural and renewable resource for locals,” Mr Perrett said.
“The LNP’s goal is to see and support a sustainable and sensible utilisation of this natural resource.”
“The timber industry is a key economic driver of this area.”
“Together with agriculture and fishing it is one of the top five industries providing employment in the Gympie region and accounts for 9.1% or $180 million of the local gross regional product.”
“The importance of the timber industry to this region cannot be underestimated.”
“Gympie district is abundant with the historical importance of the timber and forestry industry.”
“It is part of our history as sawmilling, logging, timber manufacturing and forestry has played a significant role in the development of Gympie since the 1800s,” he said.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington has welcomed a group of 36 primary producers from the Mackay region during their visit to the South Burnett.
Mrs Frecklington was invited to catch up with the group just before they toured the iconic PCA facilities in Kingaroy.
“The Mackay Rural Production Society conduct an annual tour of farming regions and this year they chose the South Burnett and Toowoomba regions,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“Last year I met the Group’s Secretary, Kim Roles, along with members Roddy and Patty Watt, when I was in Calen, near Mackay, and since then we’ve been helping them with ideas for their itinerary.
“Their tour has included the Nanango Energy Centre, the Bunya Red Caper Farm, Taabinga Homestead, Wondai Timber Museum, Glenrock Hay, a Duboisia farm and Kingaroy Kitchens.
“I’m so pleased that I could welcome this progressive group to our area and let them know all about our wonderful region and the food we produce. This is a great economic injection for the South Burnett and an excellent opportunity to showcase our local primary producers.
“I’d like to thank the Mackay Rural Production Society for choosing the South Burnett for their 2016 tour and congratulate them on their keen interest in agriculture,” Deb said.
Photos: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, with the Mackay Rural Production Society members just before their tour of the PCA factory.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, is urging the Labor Government to support a Bill introduced by the LNP into the Queensland Parliament called “Mason’s Law”.
Mrs Frecklington said the LNP’s Private Members Bill aims to expand the mandatory reporting of harm provisions in the Child Protection Act 1999 to the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector.
“Mandatory reporting laws are an important part of our State’s child protection system which can assist in the detection of serious cases of child abuse that might otherwise go unnoticed,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“This Bill will extend mandatory reporting to the early childhood sector. The introduction of this Bill by the LNP is the result of a long-running and dedicated campaign by John and Sue Sandeman, the grandparents of toddler Mason Parker who was tragically murdered in 2011, and who have been calling for these laws ever since.
“I admire the Sandeman’s determination to create change and potentially help save the lives of other children who may find themselves in similar circumstances. The Bill will be known as “Mason’s Law” and I will be supporting it wholeheartedly.
“Queensland and Western Australia are currently the only jurisdictions that don’t identify the early childhood education and care sector as mandatory reporters.
“I urge the State Government to support this important change to our Child Protection framework.”
