Annastacia Palaszczuk and Jackie Trad’s claim Brisbane’s Cross River Rail project is “shovel ready” is nothing but one big con.
Deputy LNP Leader and Shadow Infrastructure Minister Deb Frecklington said Cross River Rail had become hopelessly stalled.
“Labor has bungled the Cross River Rail project from the start,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Honestly, both Annastacia Palaszczuk and Jackie Trad couldn’t deliver the mail let alone the infrastructure Queensland needs.
“Quasi-Labor leader Jackie Trad has had more than two years to get her pet project off the ground but she has failed dismally at every hurdle.
“There is a secret business case, deadlines have been missed time and time again and Labor certainly has no money for this project.
“The only thing Jackie Trad has done so far is to create a bureaucratic behemoth in the way of a so-called delivery authority so highly-paid bureaucrats can sit around and talk about the project.”
Ms Frecklington said the only plan Jackie Trad had for Cross River Rail was to slug Queenslanders with secret taxes to raise billions of dollars to attempt to fund her shiny new tunnel.
“Jackie Trad has missed deadline after deadline when it comes to this project,” she said.
“Now she is claiming the latest reincarnation over the project’s design will cost Queenslanders less money.
“Don’t be fooled – when Labor says something is going to cost less you can bet your bottom dollar there will be a massive blow out in costs.
“In the latest reincarnation of the project, Jackie Trad embarrassingly had to move the proposed Albert Street station because she had no idea the first one would have been subjected to flooding.
“Jackie Trad’s pie-in-the-sky Cross River Rail has been bungle after bungle.”
The LNP Opposition today called on the Palaszczuk Labor Government to stop sitting on its hands and get on with 14 feasibility studies for dams across Queensland.
Shadow Minister for Energy, Biofuels and Water Supply Michael Hart said Labor was putting the lives of regional communities at risk by not moving forward on the feasibility studies.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk is more interested in cutting ribbons in South-East Queensland than making sure regional Queenslanders have access to much-needed water infrastructure,” Mr Hart said.
“Regional communities in North and Central Queensland are crying out for her to make a commitment to build critical water infrastructure projects in the regions.
“Labor has no idea how to unlock the growth potential of regional Queensland and get business moving.
“This is highlighted by the fact that so many water infrastructure projects are stuck in feasibility stage under this do-nothing Labor Government.
“It’s further proof that Annastacia Palaszczuk isn’t listening to regional Queenslanders and is happy to continue to treat them like second-class citizens.”
Mr Hart said Labor’s lack of action on dams could risk hundreds of thousands worth of funding to Queensland’s regions.”
“Labor’s go slow on this issue means they have missed another round of funding from the Federal Government.
“The Townsville City Council is pouring $27,000 down the drain by pumping water from the Burdekin to get water to Townsville.
“All Labor needs to do is finish feasibility studies that have already been funded and submit an application to the Federal Government to upgrade the dam infrastructure in our regions.
“Our dams are vital to our regions and we need to ensure they’re in the best condition to protect supply to Queensland families and businesses.”
Queensland projects that received feasibility funding:
Deputy Premier Jackie Trad has been caught red-handed trying to overstate the benefits of Labor’s latest rushed infrastructure policy.
Shadow Treasurer Scott Emerson said in just weeks the supposed benefits of Labor’s Works for Queensland policy had grown from 600 jobs to 6,000 jobs - a tenfold increase in the net benefit.*
“Labor is using desperate measures to make it look like they’re actually doing something and delivering jobs for Queenslanders,” Mr Emerson said.
“Queensland continues to lead the nation in job losses and it’s clear that in a panicked attempt for good news Jackie Trad has overstated the impacts of this policy.
“The question needs to be asked, has the Deputy Premier lied or is she just reckless?”
Mr Emerson said this was another sign Labor couldn’t be trusted to manage the Queensland economy, after it had slashed billions from Queensland’s infrastructure budget.
“Last year Treasurer Curtis Pitt was caught out massively underestimating the impact of his property tax hike and today Ms Trad has fibbed about the number of jobs created by Labor’s latest rushed policy,” he said.
“Is it any wonder they’re desperate for good news after Labor slashed $2 billion in infrastructure spending last year and knocked capital purchases down by $3 billion over the next four years?
“Regional Queensland is being let down and left behind by a do nothing government with no plans for creating jobs in Queensland.”
*Quote from Deputy Premier’s media release 19.01.17
“It will serve a double duty – supporting more than 600 jobs and upgrading important regional infrastructure across the state.”
http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2017/1/19/200-million-works-for-queensland-program-to-create-regional-jobs-now
Quote in today’s Courier Mail (p3):
“Most importantly, these projects will deliver a jobs bonanza supporting almost 6000 jobs in regional Queensland.”
The LNP will provide funding for 500 WiFi hotspots in key tourism destinations to allow tourists to showcase the state to the world.
Speaking from Dreamworld today, LNP Leader Tim Nicholls said that a newly-elected LNP Government would ensure tourists had access to world-class technology so they could brag to their mates back home about their Queensland holiday.
“We will commit $3 million over three years towards a program to install WiFi hotspots at key tourism destinations across the state so tourists can easily connect to the internet,” Mr Nicholls said.
“It is proving very popular with expressions of interest already put forward for more than 300 of the 500 WiFi spots we will fund.
“Tourism organisations will be asked to develop a digital and social media marketing campaign to encourage tourists to use the WiFi hotspots to spread the word to the world.
“These WiFi hotspots will be established through grants to local councils which will be responsible for setting up the network.
“We have an amazing range of natural and man-made tourism assets that are unique to Queensland and set our state apart from other destinations around Australia.
“A recent example of this was a post about the Cardwell natural spa pools which was shared on social media more than 7300 times and seen by more than 130,000 people.
“Using digital and social media to showcase our great tourism locations is an ideal way to share the world that Queensland is a great place to visit.”
Queensland’s youngest and most vulnerable will be better protected when the LNP’s Mason’s Law comes into effect later this year.
Shadow Minister for Education Tracy Davis said the Child Protection (Mandatory Reporting – Mason’s Law) Amendment Bill 2016 made it mandatory for all childcare workers in Queensland to report suspected cases of child abuse.
“Mason’s Law is about taking every possible step to protect a child’s wellbeing and safety while providing them with the opportunity to receive an education and lead a happy and healthy life,” Ms Davis said.
“These laws will provide our hardworking childcare workers with the processes they require to report suspected violence or abuse against children and that’s why it was so important that we introduced this law into the Queensland parliament.
“By introducing mandatory reporting the LNP has taken crucial steps in detecting serious cases of child abuse that may otherwise go unnoticed.”
Ms Davis said the Palaszczuk Government must not drag its feet.
“We need to make sure that the Labor Government implement these crucial laws and protect the rights of our children,” Ms Davis said.
“We know there has been enormous take up of this training and want to ensure this is rolled out to every childcare worker across the state so that our children remain protected.
“The Palaszczuk Government is often slow on implementation but we are focused on pursuing the issue to make sure Mason’s Law is fully and properly implemented in July.”
Ms Davis said the new laws owed much to the hard work and dedication of John and Sue Sandeman.
“Tragically, John and Sue lost their grandson Mason in 2011 and since then they have been working tirelessly for the introduction of laws to protect children,” she said.
“I am incredibly pleased that the LNP team was able to support John and Sue to strengthen our child protection system.”
On Thursday, the State Executive of the Queensland Liberal National Party unanimously endorsed the following position.
The Liberal National Party will not enter a coalition with One Nation.
We are a party that brings together two proud traditions – Liberal and National. That means voters get the best of both traditions. Our commitment is that we will work for Queenslanders to ensure a better future, now and for their children.
It is clear the Liberal National Party is the only conservative party that can fix Labor’s mess.
Our values are clear – we will put Queensland First, we believe in personal responsibility, freedom of the individual, in small business, a society with loving families at its foundation and a Government that works for Queenslanders, not vested interests, big business or the union movement.
Queenslanders know - that if they vote for a minor party they will return a do nothing Labor Government. After just one week in Parliament One Nation has already voted to support the Labor Government – you can’t get a clearer example than that.
The only way to ensure we don’t have another do-nothing Labor government is to put the LNP first.
Additionally, the matter of preferences will be decided by the State Executive on a seat by seat basis, in close consultation with candidates and members.
A decision on preferences will not be made until we see the full list of candidates in every seat, bearing in mind the names of new seats and their boundaries are still not known.
The Liberal National Party will go through a process of evaluating the candidates seeking election and go from there. We will not preference people who don’t agree with our values.
For instance, the Greens, who want to shut down the coal industry in Queensland – they are against our values. One Nation has already lost four candidates – so we are not even sure who will be standing for them.
Importantly, preferences are not an endorsement – voters will be forced to preference because Annastacia Palaszczuk changed the rules to ensure Labor received Greens preferences.
Together we commit to working diligently every day until the election and beyond to convince Queenslanders that an LNP Government is their best option for a Better Queensland.
Value-for-money and ability to deliver will be critical parts of an overhaul to Labor’s faltering Market-Led Proposals (MLP) framework announced by the LNP today.
Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls said Labor’s current framework boasted a success rate of less than one per cent, and change was clearly needed.
“We will replace it with the most aggressive MLP framework in Australia,” Mr Nicholls said.
“It’s not good enough that after a year and a half just one project has progressed to the delivery stage, when more than 100 proposals have been presented to the government.
“At a time when Queensland is crying out for more infrastructure, when government infrastructure spending has been slashed by $3 billion and when business investment fell by $13 billion in just one year, this do-nothing Labor Government has hit the go-slow button on its own pet policies.
“Queensland is suffering an infrastructure deficit under Labor and we need to be encouraging the private sector to step up and plug the gap – not dissuading them with just one of 100 MLP projects approved.
“The inaction is indicative of this government, a lethargy that is sapping confidence and economic growth here in Queensland.”
Shadow Treasurer Scott Emerson said the LNP’s reforms would deliver the nation’s best MLP framework. The LNP’s changes include:
“We know there are currently 15 projects languishing in Queensland Treasury, with no decision date in sight,” Mr Emerson said.
“By committing to a four-month assessment period we are giving proponents confidence that their proposals will be dealt with quickly and effectively and this will build confidence in the MLP process.
“Our changes will mean information about the type and number of projects received by the government are made public and not hidden from scrutiny as is currently occurring.
“We’ll give proponents more information about the types of projects the government is interested in partnering in, to save their time and ours.
“We’ll also reform the assessment framework to ensure that more projects are able to proceed. Value for money and ability to deliver will be major aspects of the new rules, so more than one per cent of projects are delivered.
“We’re going to change the culture so that projects are approved instead of becoming stalled as is currently happening under Labor.
“All of our actions are focused on getting more innovative projects approved and delivered, meaning more jobs and better infrastructure.”
Queensland continues to lead the nation in job losses under the do-nothing Palaszczuk Labor Government, with almost 30,000 full-time jobs disappearing in January.
Shadow Treasurer Scott Emerson said Queensland’s unemployment rate had increased yet again, up to 6.3 per cent.
“Unemployment dropped in every state across Australia except Queensland last month,” Mr Emerson said.
“We’re leading the nation for all the wrong reasons and our unemployment rate is now 0.6 percentage points above the national average.
“Almost 30,000 full-time jobs were lost in Queensland in January, with 66,000 disappearing over the year.
“We continue to see a sharp loss of full-time jobs and a mass exodus of people from employment.
Mr Emerson said it was clear Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor had no plan to deliver jobs for Queensland.
“People are giving up looking for work in record numbers and unemployment is increasing, which is worrying news for Queensland,” he said.
“It’s hardly surprising things have got so bad here in Queensland – Labor has slashed $3 billion from infrastructure spending and its “do-nothing” approach has driven business confidence to rock bottom.
“Queensland jobseekers are suffering from two years of Labor inaction and sadly the outlook is only getting worse.”
HEADLINE STATISTICS:
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Shadow Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Steve Minnikin today welcomed the “Closing the Gap” report handed down by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull but said more needed to be done by Minister Mark Furner and the Palaszczuk Government to ensure Queenslanders weren’t left behind.
The report outlined a number of key targets by the Commonwealth Government to build a promising future for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders through recognition and reconciliation.
Mr Minnikin said that while the report showed progress had been made across the seven key areas, only one (halving the gap in year 12 attainment by 2020) was on track.
“I am pleased to see in Australia we are making headway with reducing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, however there is still more that needs to be done to improve the outcomes of the remaining six targets,” Mr Minnikin said.
“Queensland is far from the front of the pack and needs to do better - Mark Furner must immediately step up and take control of his new portfolio.
“The key focus of the initiative is to improve life expectancy, education and employment for Australia’s Indigenous communities.
“Unfortunately, we do not see these communities thriving in the same way as non-Indigenous Australians, and this is simply not acceptable.”
Fast facts:
Key targets of the report are to:
The LNP Opposition has done what the Palaszczuk Labor Government won’t by introducing tough domestic violence laws in a Private Members Bill in State Parliament today.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls announced a raft of strong domestic violence reforms, including reversing the onus of proof for bail in domestic violence incidents, DV alert systems and GPS tracking devices.
“We don’t need another review, or another taskforce, or another talkfest – we know what the problems are and action is needed now to protect victims and their families,” Mr Nicholls said.
“Last year Queensland accounted for a quarter of all domestic violence-related deaths in Australia, with 18 Queensland women dying at the hands of their partner.
“Today the LNP introduced laws to reverse the onus of proof for bail in domestic violence incidents, to put responsibility on the accused to prove why they deserve bail and not the other way around.
“Most other states across the country have already enacted similar bail reforms for domestic violence offences – sadly, Queensland is one of the last remaining states to act.
“The LNP will also put in place a DV alert system, where victims and family members will be notified if a person charged with a domestic violence-related offence is being considered for, or has been granted, bail.
“It’s hard to believe there are currently no legislative provisions to allow this to occur in Queensland.”
Mr Nicholls said one of the other key measures of the Bill was to allow fast-tracked appeal rights against the bail application process to ensure all appeals were finalised within three business days.
“At the moment victims are often left living in fear while they wait for the appeals process to be finalised, while the alleged offender is out in the community.
“Under the LNP’s laws, the alleged offender will remain in custody while awaiting the outcome of an urgent appeal.
“Finally, GPS trackers will be introduced as a potential bail condition for high-risk offenders, to ensure the safety of the victim through an often lengthy court process.
“This will give the courts greater powers in certain high-risk cases to ensure the accused can’t make contact with the victim.
“It would be similar to the GPS tracking program currently in New South Wales.
“While Annastacia Palaszczuk has failed to take leadership, the LNP has got on with the job, introducing legislation to tackle domestic violence from Opposition.
“Almost two years since the Not Now, Not Ever report was handed down, Labor has followed through on just 46 recommendations.
“I call on Members on all sides of the House to rise above politics and do what’s best for the victims and families of domestic violence.
“Talk is cheap – we need action now.”
Bail (Domestic Violence) and Another Act Amendment Bill 2017
The LNP will today give Wilmar Sugar and Queensland Sugar Limited 48 hours to agree to resolve their long-running dispute by February 28.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls said the impasse was having a detrimental effect on up to 1500 growers in North Queensland cane growing districts.
He said the LNP had listened to growers and was putting their interests first.
“If Wilmar Sugar and Queensland Sugar Ltd can’t agree or don’t resolve the dispute by February 28, the LNP will act and amend the Sugar Industry Act,” Mr Nicholls said.
“Everyone in the industry is sick to death to this and it needs to end. Both parties need to grow up, bury their egos and sort this out, otherwise growers will lose out.
“Wilmar and QSL need to provide an iron-clad guarantee within 48 hours that negotiations will be finalised for supply and on-supply agreements by February 28.
“If not, then the LNP will introduce amendments to State Parliament compelling millers and marketers to go into arbitration.
“The LNP is serious about this issue. Drafting instructions have already been given to parliamentary counsel and we’ll be speaking with Wilmar, QSL, Canegrowers and the Australian Sugar Milling Council today and giving them a very clear message – get a deal done.
“While others are late-comers to the issue of protecting Queensland’s $2 billion sugar industry, I have been listening to my colleagues Deb Frecklington, Andrew Cripps, Dale Last and Jason Costigan and growers on my numerous journeys to Central and North Queensland since I became Queensland LNP Leader.”
Deputy Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said while the dispute had been at times heated, senior managers from both organisations needed to shoulder responsibility and come to an agreement, especially after the LNP warned the companies last December that if they failed to reach an agreement we would act.
“The LNP made common sense changes to the Sugar Industry (Real Choice Marketing) Amendment Bill in Parliament on December 2, 2015 and since then, the vast majority of milling companies have successfully negotiated with QSL regarding on-supply contracts (between millers and marketers) and provided growers with cane supply contracts which offer real choice in marketing,” she said.
“Maryborough, Bundaberg and Isis, Mackay and Tully (mills) have all been able to work through the new marketing contracts to provide their growers with genuine choice in marketing for their Grower’s Economic Interest (GEI) sugar.
“It’s past time for Wilmar and QSL to finalise agreements so that the remaining 1500 growers in the Burdekin, Herbert and Central districts can have contracts for the coming season.
“No existing agreements between growers, millers and marketers will be affected by these changes, but in the future, growers with current agreements which expire will have greater protection and a clearer dispute resolution framework.”
“We have listened, planned and are now acting to ensure growers are not disadvantaged.”
Key Facts:
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls today announced the final key measures to be included in the Opposition's Private Members Bill to crack down on domestic violence in Queensland.
Further strong laws announced today will speed up the court process for victims of domestic violence by allowing urgent appeal rights to the bail application process, similar to existing provisions in the NSW bail laws.
“The sooner we act, the sooner vulnerable women and children can feel safe knowing the law is working for them and not the alleged perpetrator,” Mr Nicholls said.
“One of the key measures in this Bill is to allow fast-tracked appeal rights against the bail application process to ensure all appeals are finalised within three business days.
“Currently appeals can take far longer, meaning victims are stuck living in limbo and fear.
“During this time the alleged offender is out in the community – but under the LNP’s laws, the alleged offender will stay in custody while awaiting the outcome of the appeal.
“The LNP’s Bill will also allow GPS trackers to be fitted to an alleged offender as a bail condition, to ensure the safety of the victim through the court process, which can often be lengthy.
“This will give the courts greater powers in certain high-risk cases to ensure the accused can’t make contact with the victim.”
Shadow Attorney-General Ian Walker said today’s announcement followed a suite of measures already announced by the LNP,including a DV Alert system to ensure victims were informed when their alleged attacker first applied for bail or when their parole was up for consideration.
“The Bill also reverses the onus of proof, forcing those charged with domestic violence crimes such as assault, grievous bodily harm, deprivation of liberty, strangulation and stalking to prove why they deserve bail,” Mr Walker said.
“It’s been almost two weeks since Teresa Bradford’s life was tragically cut short, but we’ve seen no action from the Palaszczuk Government.
“While Annastacia Palaszczuk has failed to take leadership, the LNP has got on with the job, introducing legislation to tackle domestic violence from Opposition.”
Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Ros Bates said this wasn’t the first time the Palaszczuk Government had dragged its heels on domestic violence reforms.
“Almost two years since the Not Now, Not Ever report was handed down, Labor hasn’t implemented even half of the recommendations,” Ms Bates said.
Shadow Police Minister Tim Mander said Labor could no longer allow families to be let down by the system that’s there to protect them.
“I genuinely hope Members on all sides of the House will see past the politics and do what’s right by supporting the LNP’s strong laws,” Mr Mander said.
“Talk is cheap, the time for action is now.”
Bail (Domestic Violence) and Another Act Amendment Bill 2017
Measures already announced in past fortnight:
Measures announced today:
Queensland students are the biggest losers in the latest Labor cabinet reshuffle with Education Minister Kate Jones’s attention to be diverted to the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
LNP Shadow Minister for Education Tracy Davis said it was disappointing Annastacia Palaszczuk thought education could play second fiddle to the glamorous Games portfolio.
“Our kids deserve a full time Minister who is focussed on ensuring they get the best education,” Ms Davis said.
“This mammoth portfolio was too big for Kate Jones last time and it’s too big for her now.
“The Commonwealth Games is the largest event Queensland will host since the 1988 World Expo and we can’t get that wrong – but it shouldn’t be at the expense of our students’ education.
“Last time Labor’s Kate Jones had this cobbled-together portfolio, it was revealed she spent less than 40 per cent of her time meeting education groups - despite education representing 98 per cent of her budget responsibilities.
“What has changed since Annastasia Palaszczuk stripped Kate Jones of the Commonwealth Games due to the heavy workload 14 months ago?
“The next 12 months are critical for Queensland as we negotiate a new education funding agreement with the Commonwealth Government and we can’t have a distracted Minister.
“Only the LNP will put our students’ education first with a dedicated Minister for Education.”
A week after the Queensland Auditor handed down damning findings into the state of Hospital and Health Services under Labor, another report has shown a light on a dysfunctional health system.
Shadow Health Minister John-Paul Langbroek said the Queensland Audit Office (QAO) report into purchasing of high value medical equipment found the Health and Hospital Services (HHSs) have not been “managing the costs of high value medical equipment adequately”.
“The lax purchasing arrangements in HHSs are wasting taxpayers’ dollars on expensive equipment costing thousands of dollars that has not been through a business cases or not following through on value for money options,” Mr Langbroek said.
“Labor is failing to adequately monitor and hold to account the Health Department and the Hospital and Health Services.
“Once again Labor’s do-nothing Health Minister Cameron Dick has been found wanting.
“How can we plan for increased demand when money is not being properly managed and expended in the best interests of the community?
"Despite issues of monitoring performance of high value medical equipment being raised through the Hunter Review in 2015, further criticism from the Auditor-General shows not much has been done to improve the situation.
“How many more times does Labor’s Cameron Dick need to be told to start being a minister and sort the system out?”
Key findings of QAO Report
Shadow Attorney-General Ian Walker today met with victim of crime Janice Keys who was brutally assaulted last year inside her Rockhampton home.
Mr Walker said he was disgusted to learn Ms Keys’ attacker was given a slap on the wrist and sent back out into the community.
“The first rule of government, and any leader, is to keep communities safe – unfortunately that has not happened under Annastacia Palaszczuk,” Mr Walker said.
“This type of incident is not an isolated one, it is happening all across the state, with victims playing second-fiddle to offenders under this Labor Government.
“People are sick to death of the approach taken by Annastacia Palaszczuk with regards to law and order and her inability to keep them safe.
“A future LNP government will ensure the scales of justice are balanced in favour of victims, rather than offenders.”
Mr Walker said he was disappointed, but not surprised, Ms Keys’ request to meet with Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath was rejected.
“Ms D’Ath wasn’t much chop in the federal arena and that certainly has carried over to the state arena,” he said.
“I understand Ms Keys only met with Annastacia Palaszczuk after attending a community meeting, the Premier certainly didn’t go out of her way to meet with her.
“That is pretty gutless in my book – but what else can you expect from Annastacia Palaszczuk?”
Mr Walker said a future LNP government would reverse Annastacia Palaszczuk’s approach to law and order.
“Over the past year, according to QPS data, car theft has increased by 60.9% and unlawful entry by 40.8% across Rockhampton,” he said.
“Our comprehensive plan will include better resourcing and better laws to assist the police and courts, and we will ensure people are safe in their own homes.
“Rockhampton residents will be under no illusion as to the LNP’s stance on law and order ahead of the next election.
“You can rest assured that we won’t be influenced by the Brisbane bleeding heart brigade and we certainly won’t put political interests ahead of keeping Queenslanders safe, unlike Annastacia Palaszczuk.
“Only the LNP will make the streets of Rockhampton safe again.”
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls today outlined more key measures to be included in the Opposition's Private Members Bill to crack down on domestic violence in Queensland.
The LNP Bill, which already includes forcing those charged with domestic violence to prove why they deserve bail, will also include other tough measures.
“I owe it to all those people who have died, I owe it to my kids, I owe it to all Queenslanders to act,” Mr Nicholls said.
“We will put in place a DV alert system, where victims and family members will be notified if a person charged with a domestic violence related offence is being considered for, or has been granted, bail.
“Unbelievably there is currently no legislative provisions to allow this to occur in Queensland.”
Mr Nicholls said another measure being taken will be in relation to parole from prison.
“DV victims and family members who are, or have been, named in Domestic Violence Protection Orders will automatically be notified if an offender applies for parole,” he said.
“That means no matter what offence someone has committed that sent them to prison, when they are being considered for parole and may potentially be released, victims and family members will be notified.”
Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Ros Bates said it is unbelievable given all the research, reviews and information available, that the Palaszczuk Labor Government has asked for yet another review.
“We will drive reforms to Queensland domestic violence laws from Opposition because all Labor does is review, they never do,” Ms Bates said.
“The time for reviews and weasel words like ‘may, could, look at it, think about it’ are over.”
Mr Nicholls and Ms Bates were joined today by Sonia Anderson whose daughter Bianca was murdered by her partner.
"It just needs to stop, I don't want any parent to have to go through what I have been through," Ms Anderson said.
"I hope and pray with all my heart that politicians from all sides support the LNPs legislation.
"It is what is needed and it is the right thing to do."
As a husband, a parent, a Queenslander, I was absolutely shocked and sickened by what happened to Teresa Bradford.
For the Premier and Attorney-General to say they are going to review bail laws again, to say they may do something … quite frankly, is the kind of gutless leadership we have become used to from this Labor Government.
We don't need another review to tell us the system has failed yet another victim.
We know what they do when they review. They hold reports back, let them gather dust in George St and, worst of all, they never act.
So if they won’t do what they’re paid to do, and lead, we will.
We will be introducing a Private Members Bill in the first week of Parliament.
We will reverse the onus of proof for bail in domestic violence-related crimes such as assault, grievous bodily harm, deprivation of liberty, strangulation and kidnapping.
This is the first part of a multi-pronged approach and, over the next few weeks, after consulting with stakeholders we will announce a number of other measures to toughen our bail, parole and youth justice systems.
It’s been two years after the Not Now Not Ever report made 140 recommendations and, as of today, only 46 have been implemented.
That is simply not good enough from an inexperienced, do-nothing Labor Government.
What we are proposing is a sensible reform that will rebalance the scales of justice in favour of community safety.
With more than 22,000 DV protection orders now flooding the courts each year we can’t afford not to have the strongest bail laws to protect victims.
