The Palaszczuk Labor Government must today release an independent report recommending ways of reducing power costs for Queensland families and businesses.
Shadow Energy Minister Michael Hart said the Queensland Productivity Commission’s (QPC) final report into electricity pricing had today been handed to the Labor Government.
“This $4 million inquiry was set up for the express purpose of providing detailed research and recommendations to put downward pressure on electricity prices and boost competition in Queensland’s electricity market,” Mr Hart said.
“A potential six month delay in releasing this report means Queenslanders will have been waiting two years for Labor to come up with a policy to reduce power prices.
“As part of the inquiry process the QPC received more than 100 submissions and responses from interested stakeholders, businesses and individuals who will rightly want to know what the QPC is recommending and how the government intends to respond.”
Mr Hart said the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s response to the QPC’s draft inquiry left Queenslanders with more questions than answers.
“The draft report outlined a $10.8 billion cost from implementing Labor’s election commitments which will drive up costs for families and businesses,” he said.
“After the release of the last report, Treasurer Curtis Pitt scared the pants off seniors by announcing he was considering scrapping the $321 Electricity Rebate Scheme for Queensland Seniors Card holders, only to scrap the idea 24 hours later.
“This bungled response only highlighted that the Palaszczuk Government has no plan to drive down the cost of living for Queensland families over the long term.
“That’s why Queenslanders deserve to know what independent recommendations the QPC has made.
“The completion of this inquiry is one of the few election commitments this government has actually lived up to, and the government should today be open and transparent and release the final report to the Queensland public.”
Key facts:
Annastacia Palaszczuk needs to pull on the jersey for Queenslanders and demand the NRL drop plans to auction off a State Of Origin game every year to the highest bidder.
Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls said the new plan set to start in 2018 was a raw deal, and would see Queensland miss out on hosting two games at Suncorp Stadium every five years.
“The Premier needs to do everything she can for Queenslanders to protect our share of home games at The Cauldron, instead of dropping the ball and selling Rugby League fans out,” Mr Nicholls said.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk should be pushing back against the NRL to tell them State Of Origin is not a play thing for them to sell off at the expense of dedicated fans.
“Taking Origin matches away from Queensland and New South Wales will take away from the unique and heated rivalry between the states.”
Mr Nicholls has backed calls from Queensland Maroons skipper Cameron Smith to maintain the current arrangement, which sees one game every three years played outside of Queensland and New South Wales.
“I think if we step outside of Queensland and New South Wales, it shouldn’t happen annually… We have an unbelievable product, but we have to remember it is State Of Origin – it’s NSW versus Queensland… We have the three year rotation with Melbourne and that has worked.” (Queensland Maroons captain Cameron Smith, Courier Mail, 30 May 2016)
“The Premier needs to start listening to Cameron Smith, instead of just posing for photos with him,” Mr Nicholls said.
“The government has a key role in sticking up for Queensland when it comes to hosting major events, and Queenslanders shouldn’t have to pay a premium to host two of the three games in a single year.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk could save taxpayers millions while maintaining the strong economic boost that comes with hosting State Of Origin matches at a sold out Suncorp Stadium.
“On one hand the NRL would benefit from the Queensland Government stumping up for a new stadium in Townsville, but on the other hand they’re ripping away a prized asset for Queensland and Queenslanders.”
Key facts:
With less than five weeks till new biosecurity protocols come into force Agriculture Minister Leanne Donaldson is keeping farmers in the dark about the government’s new regulations.
LNP Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Shadow Minister Dale Last said the level of concern and angst over the Minister’s failure to release the new regulations had reached new levels this week - heightened by government advertisements warning about foot-and-mouth disease.
“It’s impossible to follow what’s going on,” Mr Last said.
“Maybe there’s been a mix-up at the printers, because industry is anxiously waiting for the new biosecurity regulations covering pests such as wild dogs and weeds, animal pests such as ticks and plant diseases and property registration fees.
“Instead of any detail on what’s happening with the new regulations, the Minister appears to have ticked-off on a coloured flyer on foot-and-mouth disease and yet another review that apparently ends June 30 – the same time the new biosecurity regulations come into force.
“It’s all very confusing and hardly helpful to our livestock and crop farmers who are being kept on the dark on a whole range of important issues, not least of which is bovine Johne’s disease, cattle ticks and the tick line.”
Mr Last called on the Minister to focus on finalising and finally releasing the new regulations.
Key facts:
The LNP Opposition has welcomed the Turnbull Government’s investment in Queensland dams as a major boost to the state’s agriculture sector.
Shadow Water Supply Minister, Michael Hart, said the $150 million commitment towards the construction of the Rookwood Weir Dam, and the fast-tracking of feasibility studies for 14 other water projects across the state would drive investment in agriculture and help drought-proof Queensland.
“Regional Queensland has been in desperate need of major job-creating infrastructure to boost confidence and grow the agriculture sector and today’s announcement will Get Queensland Moving,” Mr Hart said.
“While Labor is asleep at the wheel, the LNP has a real plan to create jobs, boost our economy and support farming in Queensland.”
Mr Hart said the fast-tracking of construction of Rookwood Weir Dam near Rockhampton would help ensure towns will never run out of water and the region’s farms could double production within five years, but Labor had stalled on its responsibilities to deliver the project.
“If the project goes ahead it has the capacity to create more than 2,000 full-time jobs in the farming sector and could boost agricultural production for the region by $1 billion,” he said.
“This is a significant investment in water infrastructure in Central Queensland that has the capacity to provide affordable water for agricultural growth in the region.
“I call on the Palaszczuk Labor Government to complete the business case for Rookwood Weir Dam and commit to funding the other 50 per cent of the construction costs.”
Key facts:
The Palaszczuk Labor Government’s ‘soft on crime’ policy has taken effect, with the first steps to wind back the LNP’s strong anti-criminal gang laws pushed through Parliament.
Shadow Attorney-General Ian Walker said provisions introduced by the LNP were to take effect on July 1 and would have rid the state’s construction industry of criminal thugs and corruption.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government sprung on Parliament, with less than 24 hours’ notice, amendments to postpone operation of the new laws for 12 months,” Mr Walker said.
“Cleaning up the construction sector is vitally important to our state’s economy with the Royal Commission into union corruption hearing evidence about corruption and thuggery at Queensland construction sites.
“This is the first move in Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s plan to repeal the laws and welcome criminal gangs back to Queensland.
“I don't believe Labor had any intention to bring these provisions into force.
“Premier Palaszczuk has said she'll repeal the VLAD laws in August and the provisions to clean up Queensland’s construction sites will be swept away when that happens.
“Labor's longstanding policy has been to weaken the criminal gang laws and go soft on crime in Queensland.
“The Premier’s Taskforce into the laws had a pre-determined outcome - to repeal the laws. Tonight we have seen the start of that process.”
Mr Walker said Labor had made the changes at the 11th hour, bypassing the Parliamentary Committee process and public scrutiny.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk has made a habit of sneaking through amendments with hardly any notice after she rammed voting changes through the Parliament,” he said.
“They have tacked on the deferral of the LNP’s provisions to a completely irrelevant bill and I think Queenslanders can see through their tricks and motives.
“This wind back of the criminal gang laws has been attached to a bill about a sentencing advisory body.
“There's no connection between the issues, this tricky manoeuvre has not gone through the Parliamentary Committee process or even been raised in the community.
“Legislation by ambush is becoming this Labor Government's preferred method of operation – it seems they are not a government of consensus and consultation as the Premier would have Queenslanders believe.”
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk must today front up, admit her broken promise and tell Queenslanders how much money she plans to raid from the public servants’ superannuation fund.
Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls said the Labor Government had today been forced to admit they had no other way of propping up the Queensland budget than to raid a fund put aside to cover public servants’ superannuation entitlements.
“In last year’s budget the Premier announced a freeze on paying contributions, depriving the fund of $2 billion, but that wasn’t enough. Now they’re raiding the piggy bank,” Mr Nicholls said.
“The Premier and her Treasurer are going where no other government in Queensland’s history has gone before, and it’s a sign of their desperation and lack of an economic plan.
“Former Premier Peter Beattie, a man Labor just appointed as chair of GOLDOC, is on the record as saying that these investments should be left alone to provide a buffer against periods of market instability.
“The Premier has ignored this advice and the advice of other Labor luminaries, and in doing so has set a new low bar in the history of Queensland’s finances.
“She also refused to release the advice she is relying on to justify this unprecedented move.”
Mr Nicholls said Ms Palaszczuk had broken yet another election promise to the people of Queensland.
“Not once before the election did the Premier say that her government would prop up their budget in such a short-sighted way,” he said.
“Remember, last year’s State Budget included a $3.4 billion raid on public servants’ long service leave, a freeze on paying superannuation contributions and a $4 billion debt shift onto government-owned businesses.
“The independent Auditor General called out these hollow log raids for what they are – “short-term strategies that cannot be relied upon indefinitely”.
“Instead of accepting the Auditor General’s advice and outlining a long-term plan for improving Queensland’s financial position, the Premier and the Treasurer have once again resorted to one-off sugar hits which could have disastrous implications in the long-term.
“Queenslanders deserve better than a government whose only budget strategy is raid every single fund previous government put aside to fund future entitlements.
“Only the LNP has the experience, enthusiasm and energy to deliver a strong economic framework and Get Queensland Moving.”
Key facts:
The Palaszczuk Labor Government had once again shown its total fiscal incompetence and neglect of Queensland families with plans to push car registration costs even higher.
Shadow Minister for Transport Andrew Powell said Premier Palaszczuk and her Treasurer Curtis Pitt had the power to freeze car rego costs but had chosen instead to slug Queenslanders with a registration price hike two times the rate of inflation.
“Where's Premier Palaszczuk’s commitment to the battlers now? Queensland families are struggling to cope with spiraling household costs but the Premier doesn’t seem to care,” Mr Powell said.
“Her Treasurer, Curtis Pitt can strike whatever car rego rates he likes, but instead thinks it's OK to treat Queensland motorists as cash cows to cover the fact that he has no idea how to balance Queensland's books.
"The LNP froze car registration costs for the three years we were in government and we’ve given a guarantee that registration for the family car would not rise by more than the inflation rate during the first term of an LNP government.
“Premier Palaszczuk has the power to do exactly the same.
“Instead, we see this desperate Labor Government looking for any opportunity to raise revenue, deciding to increase car rego to over $350 per year for a four-cylinder car, and saying 'to hell with the impact on Queensland families'.”
Mr Powell said Queenslanders would remember that Qld Labor had form in hitting up Queenslanders to raise the revenue required to prop up a state budget that bled red ink due to their fiscal ineptitude.
“Car rego costs soared by 30 per cent in the last four years of the Bligh government and Premier Palaszczuk herself was the Minister responsible for a 52 per cent hike in public transport fares in the last three Bligh years,” he said.
“Queenslanders deserve better than this clueless Labor Government that has no plan except to slug Queensland families."
“Only an LNP Government has the experience and competence to power up the economy, generate jobs and manage the state’s debt.”
More than 36,000 full-time jobs have been lost in the last two months, under the do-nothing Palaszczuk Labor Government.
Shadow Treasurer Scott Emerson said Queensland was also the only state in Australia to experience an increase in the trend unemployment rate in April.
He said the news was worse in the seasonally adjusted measure, with the unemployment rate shooting up to 6.5 per cent last month.
“Queensland still has the third highest trend unemployment rate and second highest seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the nation,” Mr Emerson said.
“Both trend and seasonally adjusted unemployment rates increased in April, while the participation rate fell in trend terms by 0.1 per cent and remained steady at 65.2 per cent seasonally adjusted.
“This is a double whammy when it comes to unemployment – it means not only are jobs in the economy disappearing but it means more Queenslanders are giving up looking for work.”
Mr Emerson said the figures proved the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s do-nothing approach was having serious ramifications for our great state.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk promised Queenslanders at the last election her Labor Government would be all about jobs, jobs, jobs but what’s clear from these figures is that she was talking about jobs for Peter Beattie, jobs for Labor mates and jobs for union bosses,” he said.
“States like New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia continue to power ahead, while Queensland languishes at the bottom under the Palaszczuk Government.
“Queenslanders want to see a plan from the Premier they elected more than 12 months ago, they’ve given Annastacia Palaszczuk a fair go and now want to see less talk and more action.
“Only the LNP has the energy, experience and enthusiasm to get Queensland moving.”
Fast Facts:
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rate:
Headline rate up 0.3 per cent to 6.5 per cent. This is 0.8 per cent higher than the national average.
Second highest unemployment rate on mainland Australia.In the last three months the participation rate has declined by 1.1 per cent.
Trend Unemployment Rate:
Headline rate increased to 6.2 per cent. 0.5 per cent higher than the national average.
Last month 3,400 jobs were lost on the trend measure.
Participation rate has gone down 0.1 per cent.
Lack of any understanding in the Agriculture Minister’s office in Ann Street looks set to leave thousands of Queensland beef and dairy farms at increased risk from the debilitating bovine Johne’s disease (BJD).
LNP Shadow Minster for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Dale Last, said Agriculture Minister Leanne Donaldson looked set to accept the report from faceless bureaucrats in Canberra, who, with agents and southern vested interest groups, were pushing for an end to Queensland’s hard-won ‘Protected Zone’ for bovine Johne’s disease.
Mr Last said before any final decision was taken on scrapping Queensland’s ‘Protected Zone’ a producer vote needed to be held.
“It’s totally unfair for bureaucrats in Canberra and Brisbane to be making any decisions like this which ultimately will be paid for by producers. Queensland has worked hard over many years to maintain its ‘Protected Zone’ status and now Minister Donaldson looks set to take the least line of resistance and fold to pressure from Canberra and southern vested interest groups,” Mr Last said.
“The whole process led by Animal Health Australia (AHA) and a handful of southern, self-appointed industry reps has been a sham. There’s been no broad consultation with producers and the Minster, at the very least, needs to be honest on this point.
“The so-called national review of BJD management by Animal Health Australia has been nothing more than a Canberra desk job and I call on the Minister to show where Queensland producers have overwhelmingly called for change.”
Mr Last also questioned the timing of the move given nearly 85 per cent of Queensland remained in the grip of drought.
“Vast areas of the state have been de-stocked and the last thing on anyone’s mind is BJD,” he said.
“The real danger is once drought-breaking rains come, there’ll naturally be a rush to re-stock with a likely influx of cattle from southern areas where BJD is prevalent and disease status of cattle will rest with some form of paperwork/electronic declarations.
“Without proper testing protocols and clearance, all I can say is good luck because nothing on how this will really work has come out of the Department, let alone the Minister’s office.”
Mr Last said the Queensland Dairyfarmers’ Organisation (QDO) was rightfully very concerned, with QDO president, Brian Tessman highly critical of AHA.
“The Minister and the (Queensland) Department of Agriculture should be focussed on the 19,000 beef and dairy producers in Queensland whose properties and herds are currently BJD-free, because there is absolutely no guarantee, least of all from the management at AHA, that they’ll remain so under Labor’s open slather plan.”
Key facts:
Pleas from the business community have fallen on deaf ears as the Palaszczuk Labor Government still has no plan to help small tourism businesses struggling under the regulatory burden of this clueless government.
Shadow Minister for Tourism Jon Krause has called on Labor to deliver for small tourism operators by committing to regulatory reform in Small Business Week, to boost the industry in Queensland.
“The Government needs to develop a red tape reduction target and enable these smaller tourism operators to grow and employ more Queenslanders around the state,” Mr Krause said.
“For too long, over-regulation had stifled growth in the tourism industry, meaning competition with other domestic and international markets was becoming increasingly difficult.
“You can’t just sit back and rely on a low Australian dollar and good weather to keep the tourism industry in good stead.”
Mr Krause highlighted the LNP’s commitment in government to re-vitalising the tourism industry to capitalise on the significant multiplier effects tourism investment can have on other industries across the Queensland economy.
“We listened to the mum and dad tourism operators through the LNP’s DestinationQ strategy and forums which would continue under an LNP Government,” he said.
“The LNP implemented over 60 red tape reduction initiatives in the tourism sector while maintaining important measures to ensure businesses operate responsibility.
“These measures include everything from allowing half day tour operators who want to serve a glass of wine with lunch to be able to, and slashing licensing processing times for restaurants by 47%.
“This is in stark contrast to Labor, who have no plan for Tourism in Queensland and just hope the visitors continue to roll in.”
Key Facts:
The LNP has called for less talk and more action from Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, almost a year after promising to conduct a review into cracking down on Wicked Campers for offensive and derogatory slogans and murals on their vehicles.
Shadow Attorney-General Ian Walker said the Premier herself had described the slogans as ‘vile’ and called for a boycott, but hadn’t said what her Labor Government was doing to fix the problem.
“We haven’t heard a peep from the Palaszczuk Labor Government about its review, how it’s progressing or what the outcomes were,” Mr Walker said.
“It would appear that like most of the other reviews that have come out of this do-nothing government, it was just a stalling tactic in the hope that the problem would go away.
“Well the problem hasn’t gone away, and these offensive vehicles are still driving on Queensland roads.”
Shadow Attorney-General Ian Walker said he found many of the Wicked Camper slogans to be extremely offensive and called on the Palaszczuk Government to act.
“The former LNP Government held a Parliamentary Inquiry into sexually explicit outdoor advertising and was preparing to introduce laws to strengthen existing regulation,” Mr Walker said.
“Whilst the advertising industry is self-regulated, the legislation was going to give government the power to fine those advertisers that didn't comply with appropriate standards.
“This was determined to be the best way to crack down on offensive advertising, without increasing unnecessary red tape.
“I can’t understand why the Palaszczuk Government has taken so long to introduce these tougher laws, especially considering all the work’s been done for them.
“If the Premier is really so concerned about this issue then I urge her to quit stalling and do something to fix it. That’s what Queenslanders deserve.”
Strikes at five of Queensland’s largest prisons - Lotus Glen, Capricornia, Woodford, Brisbane and Wolston – come as Labor’s Police Minister Bill Byrne struggles to deal with prisoner overcrowding across the state.
Shadow Police and Correctional Services Minister Tim Mander said staff at the correctional centres were concerned about the rising rate of incidents and assaults as a result of Labor’s prison bed shortage.
“The LNP had a clear plan to combat overcrowding in our prisons and keep our correctional staff safe – Labor has been intent on playing politics and unravelling our fully-funded plan,” Mr Mander said.
“Since the do-nothing Palaszczuk Labor Government has come to office, prison overcrowding has increased by five per cent with no end in sight.
“The union organising the strikes has said the rampant overcrowding has led to an increase in incidents and assaults involving prison staff but Minister Byrne refuses to act.
“In opposition, Bill Byrne said ‘the Corrective Services Minister needs to be held personally responsible’ for any incidents as a result of prison overcrowding.
“When is Minister Byrne going to take responsibility for the overcrowding occurring under his watch and admit he does not have a plan?”
Mr Mander said the next step in the LNP’s plan to address overcrowding included $61 million to increase prison capacity by 650 beds but Labor had scaled back the plan.
“The key to prison overcrowding was bringing the Borallon Correctional Centre back online which would add 492 beds and was due to be opened by the LNP in mid-2015,” he said.
“Bill Byrne has instead announced a ‘staged re-opening’ which would see about half the beds brought online a year after schedule.
“It isn’t good enough for Bill Byrne to sit on his hands while staff struggle to deal with a surging prisoner population.”
Key facts and background:
Labor’s Energy Minister Mark Bailey has failed to keep the cost of living for Queensland families under control as power prices continue to surge and Queenslanders miss out on discounts other states enjoy.
Shadow Energy Minister Michael Hart said the true cost to families over Minister Bailey’s decision to delay the LNP’s power price deregulation plan had become clear, with the release of a Canstar Blue report into electricity costs in Queensland.
“When the Palaszczuk Labor Government delayed electricity price deregulation by a year, that was in fact a delay to much-needed discounts for Queensland families,” Mr Hart said.
“Queenslanders are undoubtedly angry seeing Victorians receive up to 35 per cent discounts on their power bills while the only thing Queensland consumers have available is a small discount for paying their bill on time.
“The lack of competition in the Queensland electricity market means we end up paying more than the other states.
“July can’t come soon enough – Queensland families will finally be able to benefit from the LNP’s plan to deregulate power prices.”
Mr Hart said the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s plan for a state-based carbon tax was still on the table, with Ministers making conflicting statements and the Premier channelling former Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
“What we saw last week was Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk echoing the now infamous words of former Prime Minister Julia Gillard who said there would be no carbon tax under her government,” he said.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk’s promise was just as genuine as Julia Gillard’s and Queenslanders will ultimately pay through their power bills.
“The Palaszczuk Government’s flawed electricity merger, its deregulation delay and this latest plan to impose a carbon tax are just going to hurt Queenslanders and end up costing jobs.”
Parliament has passed the LNP’s reforms to Queensland’s planning system which will boost the state’s economic activity while also balancing environmental outcomes.
Shadow Planning Minister Ian Walker said while the changes has come about after four years of consultation, started by the LNP, the Palaszczuk Labor Government refused to support practical reforms to modernise planning in Queensland.
“What we saw in the Parliament was a laughable attempt by Deputy Premier Jackie Trad to oppose some of the LNP’s sensible changes to modernise Queensland’s planning system,” Mr Walker said.
“The terminology in regards to ‘code’ and ‘impact’ assessment is outdated but Labor would not support changes to clarify the terms, claiming that it was too hard to change something that was introduced 20 years ago.
“Deputy Premier Trad’s excuse is laughable, it’s like saying ‘don’t buy a car because a horse and cart will do’.”
Mr Walker said the consultation process for the planning reforms started under the previous LNP Government and found the former Sustainable Planning Act was long, complex and unresponsive, resulting in an over-regulated system that stifles, instead of facilitating development.
“The changes to planning laws that have gone through the Parliament will simplify the development process and provide certainty for councils, developers and the community,” he said.
“The bipartisan reforms passed by the Parliament are the culmination of the LNP’s consultation with interested stakeholders, local government and community representatives.
“This continues the significant achievements of the LNP in making Queensland’s planning system the best in Australia including the introduction of the State Planning Policy and the State Assessment and Referral Agency both of which won national Planning Institute of Australia awards.”
Key Facts:
In further proof that cracks in the state Labor Government are widening, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has today overruled her Deputy Jackie Trad, approving Lawrence Springborg’s nomination to Chair the Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Committee (PCCC).
Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls said Ms Trad’s comments and the Premier’s subsequent rejection of them indicated a shaky ship in Labor seas.
“The Deputy Premier’s attempts to undermine her Premier have become more frequent as she eyes the top job,” Mr Nicholls said.
“This most recent squabble is proof all is not well in the Labor camp and adds to the list of contradictions between Annastacia Palaszczuk and Jackie Trad.
“Last year they clashed over whether or not unions would be probed as part of the Labor Government’s inquiry into political donations.
“Just last week they were at odds over their sneaky move to introduce compulsory preferential voting, with the Premier dismissing her Deputy’s concerns over a damning poll on their abandonment of the Fitzgerald principles.
“Now the Deputy Premier has been pulled into line over her position on the very person appointed to ensure the PCCC adheres to these principles.
“Rather than focusing on its own jobs, this fractured Palaszczuk Labor Government should start governing in the best interests of Queenslanders.”
Mr Nicholls said he welcomed Mr Springborg’s appointment as Chair of the PCCC.
“As the ‘father of the house’ Lawrence will make a valuable contribution to the Committee, having demonstrated the utmost honesty, integrity and wealth of knowledge during his service to the Queensland Parliament,” he said.
Key Facts:
Queensland’s LNP Opposition has welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement of a July 2 double dissolution Federal Election as a source of certainty for the people of Queensland and Australia.
Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls said a re-elected Coalition Government in Canberra would provide Queensland with much-needed economic confidence and investment in major infrastructure.
“Economic confidence means investment in infrastructure and investment in infrastructure means more jobs for Queenslanders, which only a Federal Liberal National Government led by Malcolm Turnbull can deliver the for the state,” Mr Nicholls said.
“The Queensland LNP team of MPs and candidates stands ready to provide strong representation in Canberra and ensure a Turnbull Government continues to drive jobs and growth and invest in crucial infrastructure and frontline services.
“I call on the Premier to put Queenslanders before her Labor Party and union mates and challenge Bill Shorten to match the Prime Minister’s infrastructure commitments to the state, including the Ipswich and Gateway Motorways, Bruce and Warrego Highways, Inland Rail and Toowoomba Second Range Crossing.
“A Bill Shorten-led government will mean the same for Queensland as the Palaszczuk Labor Government – an asleep at the wheel administration willing to let the country grind to a halt.”
Key facts:
The Turnbull Government’s 2016-17 budget has promised $11 billion in Queensland infrastructure projects, part of a $50 billion national package between 2013-14 and 2019-20.The projects include:
Queensland education spending is up more than ten percent to $3.7 billion for 2016-17, and Queensland’s health budget for 2016-17 will increase to $3.6 billion.
The LNP Opposition has welcomed the Federal Budget’s big-ticket water initiative for northern agriculture and investment in beef roads and has called on the Palaszczuk Labor Government to ensure Queensland projects were prominent in funding bids for the two programs.
Shadow Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Deb Frecklington said the $2 billion Water Infrastructure Loan facility and $100 million to upgrade northern beef roads were great programs for northern Australia and north Queensland.
“The money has been allocated by the Federal Coalition Government and we need to ensure that Queensland projects get every opportunity for funding,” Ms Frecklington said.
“That means the Palaszczuk Labor government needs to be far more proactive and pro-agriculture.
“Instead of demonising farmers and trying to shutdown productive agriculture with its plan to bring back draconian vegetation laws, Premier Palaszczuk and Agriculture Minister Leanne Donaldson should be embracing opportunities for investment and jobs growth in agriculture.”
Ms Frecklington said the National Water Infrastructure Loan Facility would offer direct loans to the states to build dams, pipelines and job-creating water infrastructure projects from 1 July 2016, while the $100 million beef roads program would target road upgrades to get cattle to market faster, at less cost and in better condition.
While welcoming the initiatives, Ms Frecklington said funding was open for projects in Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia.
“This means our state government needs to be on front foot to get the best deal for Queensland,” she said.
“It means we need real leadership and working very closely with industry to get the best outcomes.”
Ms Frecklington also welcomed the extra funds in the federal budget for biosecurity - $15.9 million over four years - to improve preparedness for potential pest and disease incursions.
“The ability to identify and adequately deal with biosecurity threats is essential for our nation to retain its reputation as a producer of clean, green food,” she said.
Federal Budget key facts for Queensland Agriculture:
In addition to the $2 billion Water Infrastructure Loan facility, $100 million to upgrade northern beef roads and $15.9 million funding boost for biosecurity, Ms Frecklington also welcomed:
A message from Federal LNP Member for Maranoa, Mr Bruce Scott
Federal LNP Member for Maranoa Bruce Scott said the 2016-17 Budget will deliver better outcomes for regional Australia, with the Coalition Government continuing their commitment to encourage investment, facilitate innovation and build vital infrastructure across Australia.
“The Coalition Government’s 2016-17 Budget delivers an economic plan for Australia’s future, with measures to create jobs and promote growth in rural, regional and remote communities,” Mr Scott said.
“The Federal Government is committed to improving the livability of rural, regional and remote communities with better transport and telecommunications infrastructure, while also improving access to vital health services and providing more support for rural health workers.
“The Liberal National Coalition is also committed to helping families and business by easing the tax arrangements for middle income earners and small businesses.
“From July 1, 2016, the upper limit of the middle income tax bracket will be increased from $80,000 to $87,000 per year. This will keep 500,000 middle income earners out of the 37% second top marginal tax bracket.
“From July 1 this year, the annual turnover threshold for small business entities will be increased from $2 million to $10 million, to expand access to a majority of small business concessions. From July 1, the Coalition Government will also reduce the corporate tax rate for businesses with a turnover of less than $10 million per year to 27.5%.
“These measures will benefit more than 800,000 businesses including access to small business concessions such as lower corporate tax rates, accelerated depreciation and depreciation pooling provisions..
“The Federal Government is also changing tax averaging arrangements to allow primary producers to re-access tax averaging ten years after the year in which they chose to opt out. This will ensure producers streamline their business operations by accessing benefits to assist in balancing income tax liability.”
Mr Scott said a number of other measures in the 2016-17 Budget will help drive growth across the Maranoa electorate including:
Infrastructure & Regional Development
Agriculture
Communications
Australian Broadcasting Corporation – an additional $41.4 million to maintain local news and current affairs, particularly in rural, regional and remote areas.
Health and Social Services
Education
Employment
Environment
Yet another independent economic report has indicated business confidence and conditions are on the decline in Queensland under the do-nothing Palaszczuk Labor Government.
According to the NAB Monthly Business Survey business confidence fell by seven points in April, the equal-largest drop in Australia.
Shadow Treasurer John-Paul Langbroek said it came just a day after the CommSec State of the States Report showed Queensland had dropped to second last on economic growth.
“Treasurer Curtis Pitt is shameless in his attempts to spin these concerning figures,” he said.
“The NAB survey shows both business conditions and business confidence declined in Queensland last month, on both the available measures.
“In fact, Queensland was the only state to experience a decline in trend business confidence, while things improved across the rest of Australia.
“The survey also confirms that many businesses are struggling in the current economic climate, with business conditions in Queensland lower than the national average.”
Mr Langbroek said it was concerning the Treasurer ignored the warning signs detailed in a range of independent reports, including yesterday’s CommSec Report and the CCIQ Pulse Survey, and that more needed to be done to strengthen Queensland’s economy.
“Whether it’s business confidence, business conditions, economic growth or infrastructure investment – things have worsened dramatically since the election of the Palaszczuk Labor Government,” he said.
“This is a direct result of Labor still not having a plan for strengthening economic growth after 15 months in office. Other states like New South Wales and Victoria are streaking ahead, while Queensland falls further behind.”
Fast Facts:
State and Federal Labor representatives were fueling distrust between commercial and recreational fishing sectors as they rushed around using the fishing industry as a political football.
LNP Shadow Minister for Fisheries Deb Frecklington said the latest impasse between state Labor Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders and Federal Wide Bay Labor candidate Lucy Stanton was causing unnecessary angst and uncertainty.
“The argument between the pair over a proposed net fishing ban in Great Sandy Straits shows neither have a clue when it comes to fishing policies, or consulting with the industry,” Ms Frecklington said.
“In fact, the Palaszczuk Labor Government failed to properly consult with fishers on any of its net-free zones and finally admitted there wasn’t a shred of scientific data that supported its rushed policy.”
Ms Frecklington said Mr Saunders and Ms Stanton couldn’t be trusted on fishing issues and were ignoring the harm Labor’s politically-driven actions were inflicting on local small businesses, livelihoods and jobs.
“Labor isn’t interested in properly managing our fisheries by using sound, independent scientific data, particularly on species management,” she said.
“On taking power, the Palaszczuk Labor Government rushed through its three net-free zones to please a handful of vocal supporters, especially in then-Minister Bill Byrne’s own electorate of Rockhampton, and they’ve done nothing since.”
Ms Frecklington said only the LNP was committed to using sound, scientific data in fisheries management and, when in government, had implemented the independent MRAG review of fisheries management in Queensland.
“The MRAG report has been gathering dust in Fisheries Minister Leanne Donaldson’s office and we’ve got the ALP representatives around Cooloola and Fraser Coasts publicly throwing stones at each other,” she said.
“This do-nothing Labor Government needs to stop its infighting and politicking and actually do something to support our fishing industry.”
Key facts:
Labor Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk must immediately repudiate comments by Queensland Council of Unions president Rohan Webb comparing the significance of ANZAC Day to Labour Day, the LNP Opposition said.
Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg said the Premier’s rejection of the comments made at a Labour Day march must come swiftly and unequivocally.
“Unions play a positive and significant role when they are advocating for workers’ rights but today’s comments from a leader of the union movement are completely unacceptable,” Mr Springborg said.
“It is outrageous and fanciful for any public figure to equate ANZAC Day with Labour Day.
“These comments are disrespectful to the service men and women who fought for our country – the significance of ANZAC Day is second to none in our nation’s calendar.
“The ANZACs gave the ultimate sacrifice for us in times of war, including at Gallipoli and on the Western Front – that is beyond comparison.
“Don’t forget that this is the union boss who is a key union adviser to Annastacia Palaszczuk, no wonder this government is out of touch with Queenslanders right across the state.
“Mr Watt should apologise and Premier Palaszczuk must reject these comments.”
