Jackie Trad-led activists have replaced traditional unions as the primary drivers of the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s mining agenda.
Shadow Mines Minister Andrew Cripps said the state’s unions had been sidelined by professional environmental activists seizing control of Labor’s policy agenda.
“Jackie Trad’s ideological and political agenda is dominating any major mining decision made in this state,” Mr Cripps said.
“There is no clearer example of this than the continued roadblocks paced in front of the New Hope’s Acland Stage 3 and Adani’s Carmichael mine projects by the Palaszczuk Labor Government.
“Green politics are now getting in the way of thousands of jobs and billions in investment in regional Queensland.
“We all know of the internal battle underway between the need to create jobs and the need to preserve the political preference deal with the Greens.
“The Premier likes to talk about the importance of mining jobs, but at the end of the day it is all talk – Labor puts politics first.
Mr Cripps said Labor was only interested in is securing Green preferences which prop up the Palaszczuk Government, keeping people like Jackie Trad and Steven Miles in their seats.
“The CFMEU and the AWU have gone missing when it comes to protecting their members’ jobs and interests,” he said.
“Union leaders need to step in and curtail the takeover of Labor’s mining policy agenda by professional environmental activists.
“These unions, with members working in the state’s mining sector, must realise Labor’s policy agenda has been taken over by Jackie Trad-led activists who want their industry shut down.”
Mr Cripps said it would be interesting to see if the unions had the spine to stand up to Jackie Trad at this weekend’s State Labor Conference.
“It will be interesting to see if the CFMEU puts up a fight to protect the jobs of its members at who want to work at Acland Stage 3, or if they get sacrificed to preserve the preference deal with the Greens,” he said.
“Jackie Trad is hell bent of killing-off coal mining in this state, and the New Hope and Adani projects are at the top of her hit list.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington says the Mega Bridge Opening in the Somerset is the exact reason why the LNP would restore their former ‘Royalties for Regions’ program.
Mrs Frecklington said it was fantastic to see so many bridges across the Somerset benefit from the former LNP program which has now been axed by the Labor Government.
“Of the nine bridges officially opened, four of them received funding through the LNP’s Royalties for Regions program to a value of $1.65million,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“The renewal of these key bridges will make a real difference across the Somerset and our former LNP Government had the foresight to fund projects like these.
“In fact, between 2012 and 2015 Royalties for Regions invested in 147 regional community infrastructure, road and flood mitigation projects with a combined value of more than $790 million.
“If the LNP were to be re-elected to Government, we would restore the ‘Royalties for Regions’ program, helping to unlock the economic potential of regional Queensland to improve our communities and create more jobs.”
“Our upgraded Royalties for Regions fund will focus on more investment in our regions, creating economic growth and jobs through the delivery of critical infrastructure,” she said.
“I would also like to thank the Federal Coalition Government for their funding through the ‘Bridges Renewal Program’ for three of the bridges. Of the 14 bridges announced for Queensland in the same round, three of them were in the Somerset and received nearly $2million.
Deb also explained that the two bridges on Hine Road had special significance, as she had been working to have these improved since first becoming the local member in 2012.
“One of the first enquiries I received was in regards to the Hine Road Bridges, so to see them completely renewed is a great achievement,” Deb said.
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, congratulated the team who helped build the new bridges.
Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls says the LNP’s unwavering commitment towards Toowoomba while in government has seen the community forge ahead.
Mr Nicholls said Toowoomba and the Darling Downs was experiencing an economic boom thanks largely to the multi-million dollar projects currently underway that were initiated under the former LNP government.
“The $1.6 billion Toowoomba Second Range Crossing was never going anywhere under successive Labor governments,” Mr Nicholls said.
“The LNP identified the project as a critical piece of infrastructure for the region and the state and we put our money where our mouth was with a $326 million commitment.
“It took the LNP only 18 months to deliver a project many said would never be built.
“We plan on replicating the economic potential the LNP unleashed in Toowoomba across the state should we win the next election.”
Toowoomba North MP Trevor Watts said he was proud to have delivered nearly $600 million* worth of infrastructure for the city over the past two years.
“For too long under Labor, Toowoomba and the Darling Downs was ignored and missed out on its fair share of funding,” Mr Watts said.
“The Highfields State Secondary College would not have been established without a $35 million commitment from the former LNP government.
“This college will continue to be a fantastic community asset for many years to come.
“It is great to see Stage 2 being delivered and providing local kids with the educational experience they deserve.”
Toowoomba South MP David Janetzki said Labor and its twice-failed candidate Kerry Shine took the city for granted.
He said situation had certainly not changed under the Palaszczuk Labor Government.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government promised infrastructure before the last election but investment across the state is down to record lows,” Mr Janetzki said.
“Infrastructure spending per person in Toowoomba under Labor has fallen to $3012 in 2016-17 compared to $4670 under the previous LNP government.
“Infrastructure investment has been slashed by more than $220 million under this Labor government – meaning our region is missing out on vital upgrades and job-creating projects.
“Whatever way you look at it, the Palaszczuk Labor Government is bad for business and is bad for Queensland.”
*Projects the LNP delivered for Toowoomba:
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington is encouraging anyone interested in the future planning of the Somerset Region to review the recently released South East Queensland Regional Plan.
Mrs Frecklington said that while it has taken the Labor Government some time, the draft SEQ Regional Plan has finally been released for public feedback and it is essential the community has their say.
“I have already heard from one landholder who has been waiting on the release of this plan for several years. He had hoped to develop his block, however he is incredibly disappointed as his land has not been included in the urban footprint area,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“It seems some of the original planning ideas raised through initial discussions during the term of our former LNP Government have not been honoured by the Labor Government.
“With this in mind, I’d really encourage developers and anyone with an interest in the future of the Somerset to go online and consider what has been included for our region in this important planning document.
“You can share your views up until 3 March 2017 and it is expected the document will be finalised by mid 2017.
“I am also seeking feedback and would like to hear from anyone who may be affected by the proposed planning details in this document,” Deb said.
The Draft SEQ Regional Plan can be found at www.shapingseq.com.au
Shadow Planning Minister Ian Walker said the hypocrisy of the Palaszczuk Labor Government was laid bare for all to see after the release today of its draft South-East Queensland Regional Plan.
“This is just another example of this bad Labor Government saying one thing and doing another,” Mr Walker said.
“The plan says that 94% of new housing stock in Brisbane over the next 25 years needs to be infill development, where blocks within the existing urban footprint are re-developed into apartments or smaller blocks.
“The reality is the Palaszczuk Labor Government has done nothing except run for the hills when it comes to supporting business investment and development in this state.”
Mr Walker said it was staggering the Deputy Premier touted her plan on the Gold Coast given how anti-investment and anti-business she is.
“What developer is going to want to come to Queensland to invest and develop a project if they have to go through the dramas of a West Village or Cedar Woods,” he said.
“They certainly wouldn’t want to deal with Jackie Trad given her history of destroying job-creating projects in Labor-held electorates based purely on how much of a presence and influence the Greens have there.
“This government sets the targets, but as soon as they are set, and councils and developers act on them, they want to change the rules.”
Mr Walker said the Palaszczuk Labor Government couldn’t even be trusted to build the necessary infrastructure needed as outlined in its plan.
He said Labor had no plan to fund current infrastructure requirements let alone the roads, transport and infrastructure needed moving forward.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington has challenged the Premier in Parliament today about redundancies at the Tarong Power Station.
Mrs Frecklington said Stanwell had commenced cutting positions at the Tarong Power Station and in Rockhampton and this deserved an explanation from the Labor Government, given they promised the people of Queensland that no jobs would be lost in Government businesses.
“When I asked the Premier about these redundancies, she refused to answer why her government is putting people out of work,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“The Premier knows that her government’s reckless rush to 50% renewable energy will cost Queensland jobs and boost Queenslanders power bills – but she won’t come clean with the people of Queensland.”
Mrs Frecklington said the release yesterday of Labor’s ‘Credible Pathways to a 50 per cent Renewable Energy Target for Queensland – Draft Report’ was very worrying for the people of South Burnett as itincludes an option to close one of Queensland’s coal fired power stations.
“With the release of this report, it is even more concerning the whole Tarong Power Station may close and I believe our community deserves to know if this is the case, and how the transition is going to be made.
“Our region is particularly sensitive to this flawed policy, with so many people in the South Burnett reliant on the jobs and benefits which flow from the Tarong Power Station and Meandu Mine.
“The Queensland Productivity Commission say the real cost of this excessive 50 per cent renewable target will be nearly $11billion in costs to Queenslanders who will have to subsidise this plan.”
Hansard Transcript
Questions Without Notice 13 Oct 2016
Energy Industry, Jobs
Mrs FRECKLINGTON: My question is to the Premier. I refer the Premier to the fact that the Minister for Energy said on 7 May 2015—
I regard all of our staff in the public sector as front-line staff. We will defend them.
Given the Premier’s commitment that no jobs will be lost in government businesses, can the Premier explain why she is again failing to honour Labor’s pre-election commitments considering that Stanwell Corporation has commenced the first round of redundancies across power stations in Rockhampton and in my electorate of Nanango?
Ms PALASZCZUK: I thank the member for the question. Let me be very frank here. We value our staff who work in the industry, unlike those opposite. They have—
An honourable member interjected.
Ms PALASZCZUK: I take that interjection. They have no credibility when it comes to talking about jobs. The biggest risk to the Queensland economy is the Leader of the Opposition, because when they were in government they put out their plan to sell $37 billion of electricity generation and our ports, and what did they call it? The ‘no asset sales’ document. The biggest risk to the Queensland economy is those opposite because they still will not state for the people of Queensland whether or not they will keep the electricity assets—
Mr SPEAKER: Premier, I am keen that you do not debate—
Ms PALASZCZUK: I am just finishing—on whether or not they will—
Honourable members interjected.
Mr Cripps interjected.
Mr SPEAKER: Thank you, members. I do not need your assistance, member for Hinchinbrook. One moment, Premier. I am keen that you do not debate the question with the Leader of the Opposition and that your answer is relevant to the question as asked.
Ms PALASZCZUK: Who could forget the Leader of the Opposition when in government saying that he wanted to ‘right size’ the Public Service? We all know what ‘right sizing the Public Service’ means. That means sacking people. Today members opposite have the prime opportunity to back in the government’s renewable energy targets because that means jobs for regional Queensland. They are anti Queensland and anti jobs.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington says our region’s young artists have excelled with three works of art being chosen for the annual Farm Safety Calendar.
Mrs Frecklington said of the 500 designs submitted by school children around Queensland, it is remarkable that three of the final 12 artworks are from local students.
“I am really proud that students from Crawford State School, Kingaroy State School and Cooyar State School will have their artworks printed in this popular calendar,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“They will each receive a $250 voucher and the school also wins $500. Their pictures illustrate various farm safety messages including water safety, electrical safety and riding horses. I’d like to congratulate the following winners:
“Farm safety is so important, and with our region relying heavily on the agricultural sector, it’s wonderful that our students can share their knowledge and understanding of keeping safe on the farm,” Deb said.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington has congratulated SBcare on their successful grant application to construct a special Respite Room in Kingaroy.
Mrs Frecklington said SBcare were one of eight South Burnett groups to receive more than $170,000 in grants through the latest round (89) of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF).
“Recently there have been calls for more Respite Services in the South Burnett, and I would really like to congratulate SBcare on addressing this need,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“The room will be like a ‘home away from home’ for local people who need respite services. It will be safe, and familiar with a kitchenette, computer area, table and comfortable chairs,” Deb said.
SBcare CEO, Cheryl Dalton said the $31,800 grant will be a great boost and will help improve SBcare’s respite services
“We are always striving to improve our services for the community and the addition of a new Respite Room will allow SBcare to continue to be responsive to community need,” Mrs Dalton said.
“We’re using a local designer and local builder, so it is good for local small business as well,” Cheryl said.
Other South Burnett groups to be successful with their GCBF application include:
Deb also noted that the online grants application process for the Gambling Community Benefit Fund is being updated, so community groups can expect to see changes to the website and application.
“It is important to note that the next round (round 91) will close in late January, rather than late November. This is to allow everyone time to get used to the new process and I’d encourage groups considering or preparing an application to visit the GCBF website and note the new details,” Deb said.
“One important change to note is that groups who are already registered with GCBF will need to re-register and a new ‘organisation’ number will be issued,” she said.
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, SBcare CEO, Cheryl Dalton and Steven Young from Blueprint Drafting Services, discuss the plans for the new Respite Room.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington says she has been contacted by local pensioners and families who have raised concerns about being hit by increased freshwater fishing permits fees.
Mrs Frecklington said a sneaky rise in the fees by the Labor State Government means families are being slugged at least $100 for a fishing permit that cost $36 last year, and a pensioner couple now forks out $72, up from $36.
“The Wondai Social Fishing Club wrote to me expressing their concerns that the new fees were brought in with very little if any consultation with fishing clubs or the general public,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“They are concerned that this rise could reduce their membership as the club comprises mostly pensioners, who may be unable to pay double the price for a freshwater fishing permit each year.
“Following this complaint, more complaints poured in and it is obvious families and pensioners are feeling fairly ripped-off by the increase.
“Freshwater fishing in our local dams is an important tourism and recreational activity for our region and I’m really disappointed Labor is targeting our local families and pensioners in this way.
“I’m keen to hear from as many people as possible about the impact the rise is having on them,” Deb said.
