Two months after first promising to release the expert panel review, the Palaszczuk Labor Government must come clean and release investigation reports into the Child Safety Department’s handling of Mason Lee prior to his death.
LNP Shadow Minister for Child Safety Ros Bates said Annastacia Palaszczuk and Shannon Fentiman must make good and release the reports and finding into Mason Lee including the Queensland Family and Child Commission final report.
“Last November, Shannon Fentiman looked Queenslanders in the eye and promised to release the expert panel review in January – and still nothing,” Ms Bates said.
“Queenslanders deserve answers and we deserve to know how the system failed Mason Lee to ensure no other child faces the same fate.”
Ms Bates said the Department was hurting and the Minister’s previous scapegoating of frontline staff had been unfair.
“Labor can come out and announce more child safety officers, but they will mean nothing if we can’t recruit to fill existing placings,” she said.
“We need to ensure we have the right laws and procedures in place to ensure this never happens again.”
Ms Bates said Labor should be horrified by the latest performance numbers and act before the situation worsens.
“Based on the most recent numbers, 11 per cent of the most critical cases requiring a 24-hour response aren’t being seen to on time,” she said.
“On top of that, 74 per cent of at-risk children who should be seen within the recommended 5-10 day period are also being missed – this just can’t go on.
“Queensland is the second worst performing state in Australia – we’re even behind South Australia where there was a Royal Commission into child safety.
“We know from the leaked October data that the story only gets worse, with almost 4,000 cases of suspected child abuse being stuck in backlogs across the state.
“After two years of inaction, Annastacia Palaszczuk and Shannon Fentiman must fulfil their promise and release the Mason Lee report immediately so we can identify failings within our child protection system and ultimately make it stronger.”
North Queenslanders are being urged to make preparations, remain vigilant and keep an eye out for their family, friends and neighbours as TC Debbie bares down on the region.
LNP Shadow Minister for Northern Development and Hinchinbrook MP Andrew Cripps said North Queenslanders were resilient and had experience with cyclones, but urged residents not to be complacent.
“We have confronted this scenario before, so many of us know what to expect, but we also know how dangerous tropical cyclones can be and we will need to stick together" Mr Cripps said.
“This is a very fluid situation at the moment because cyclones are unpredictable, but I urge everyone to ensure they are as prepared as possible for the events that will unfold over the coming days.
“People shouldn't wait until the last minute to make decisions to leave the region, so if you haven't made up your mind, don't leave it too late and make your family or a friend aware of your plans.”
Burdekin MP Dale Last said towns and communities from Cairns to Mackay would more than likely be affected by the cyclone.
“Each household should have an emergency kit prepared and on hand including supplies of current medication, torches, a battery-powered radio, additional batteries, several days’ worth of non-perishable food and drinking water,” Mr Last said.
“People should also prepare their homes by removing items around the yard that could become flying debris in strong, gale force, or cyclonic winds, including securing outdoor furniture and garden items.”
Whitsunday MP Jason Costigan said residents should keep themselves updated because information during tropical cyclones is vital.
“For ongoing and up-to-date advice, residents and tourists should stay-tuned to their local radio stations, or should continue to visit the Bureau of Meteorology website, which publishes regular updates,” Mr Costigan said.
“Please also be prepared to accept advice or direction from your local council, the police, the SES and other agencies, who are all working with Local Disaster Management Committees to ensure people remain safe.”
Unlawful appointments, claims of nepotism and thousands of client cases under a cloud are symptoms of a mental health system in crisis under the incompetent Palaszczuk Labor Government.
LNP Shadow Health Minister John-Paul Langbroek said the string of catastrophes engulfing the sector meant the LNP opposed any further changes to the Mental Health Act.
“Queenslanders have lost confidence in the mental health system and in particular the Mental Health Review Tribunal and the LNP could not support any changes to a system in such dangerous disarray,” Mr Langbroek said.
“Labor’s heartless Health Minister Cameron Dick would rather protect the secretive mental health tribunal process at the expense of families who have lost loved ones at the hands of patients released by the tribunal.
“Thousands of families have been left in the dark over revelations of a dodgy appointment that the Minister knew back in December and did nothing about until now.”
Mr Langbroek said the LNP also refused to back the 54 amendments Labor are trying to push through a Mental Health Act that hasn’t even commenced yet.
“How many more things have been missed, overlooked or not acted on in this Act?,” he said.
“We saw numerous submissions make extra recommendations not in the Act, including a number from the dysfunctional tribunal.
“More worryingly for Queenslanders is the impact certain proposed amendments could have on regional and remote health services.
“What has been revealed over the last few months is a mental health tribunal in meltdown.
“In January it was revealed allegations of nepotism had been referred to the CCC for further investigation.
“Simply rushing through amendments to correct a major legal bungle will do nothing to answer many of the questions left unanswered.”
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk admitted in State Parliament today that her government was warned over 18 months ago that emergency phones on some of Queensland’s busiest highways would be shut down and did nothing.
LNP Shadow Transport Minister Andrew Powell said Labor Main Roads Minister was clearly so busy using and deleting his private email account, he’d put Queenslanders lives at risk.
“Mark Bailey has known for over 18 months that emergency phones along the busiest stretches of the Bruce Highway and Pacific Motorway would be decommissioned last December and yet no action was taken to protect driver safety,” Mr Powell said.
“I am advised that Telstra first notified the department in mid-2015 of their intention to decommission the network.” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Hansard, 23 March, 2017
“Imagine the utter desperation and fear felt by a motorist who clambered their way to one of these phones to call an ambulance, only to be met by deafening silence from a useless hand piece.
“It’s just not good enough and Queenslanders deserve so much better from this incompetent government.
“And now only because of media coverage and LNP questions in Parliament does Labor say they’re going to fix these lifelines.
“In the meantime Queenslanders are expected to rely on dodgy or zero mobile phone reception to make a desperate call for help after a road accident or other tragedy.
“The Premier needs to tell her minister to get off his yahoo account and get on with the job of making Queensland roads safe again.”
The Palaszczuk Labor Government has continued to starve Queensland communities of vital projects and can’t even get Cross River Rail off the ground, according to a new report released today.
LNP Deputy Leader and Shadow Minister for Infrastructure Deb Frecklington said the 2017 Major Projects Pipeline Report summed up this paralysed Government.
“The report highlights the abject failure of under Annastacia Palaszczuk lead do-nothing state government to invest in infrastructure,” Ms Frecklington said.
“It highlights an infrastructure “underspend” of $1.7 billion last year, and forecasts an infrastructure funding gap will emerge in coming years.
“It also calls on Labor to do more to approve private sector projects through their stalled Market Led Proposals (MLP) framework – with only one project out of more than one hundred projects progressing to contractual close since this program was launched almost two years ago.”
Ms Frecklington said that meant a staggering 99 per cent of projects had not been approved under Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor.
“This is a government that over the past two years has whinged, blamed others, picked fights and delivered absolutely nothing… except dodgy laws designed to benefit its union paymasters,” she said.
“This report again emphasises the need for the Palaszczuk Government to commit to the LNP’s overhaul of the MLP framework which will ensure more innovative proposals are approved and delivered, meaning more jobs and better infrastructure.
“Labor still hasn’t worked out that major infrastructure projects create jobs, simulate local economies and provide a flow-on effect for small, medium and large businesses.
“The LNP knows how to get on with the job. We will build the roads, bridges and dams we need to build a better Queensland.”
Queensland Parliament will today debate some of the most important new laws to protect Queensland victims of domestic violence, their children and their families for many years.
Liberal National Party leader Tim Nicholls has urged Labor and cross-bench MPs to support the new laws and save women’s and children’s lives.
“All Queenslanders are horrified and saddened every time we hear about the tragic death of another victim of domestic violence and we want the carnage to end,” Mr Nicholls said.
“I cannot see, in all conscience, how any member of the Queensland Parliament could vote against these laws today.
“I urge all politicians, no matter which party they belong to, to vote to protect women and other victims of domestic violence.
“It was also very sad that despite the majority of public submissions strongly supporting these reforms and widespread community support, Labor committee members chose to reject these important laws.
“I sincerely hope on behalf of every woman, man and child feeling threatened by a violent former partner that MPs will vote with their heads and hearts and support these reforms.
“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.
“Most other states across the country have already enacted similar reforms for domestic violence offences – sadly, Queensland is one of the last remaining states to act.”
Key reforms in the Bail (Domestic Violence) and Another Act Amendment Bill 2017:
Reversing the presumption for bail in domestic violence-related crimes such as assault, grievous bodily harm, deprivation of liberty, strangulation and kidnapping.
Introducing a DV Alert system to ensure victims and families are notified when someone charged with domestic violence crimes is being considered for or has been granted bail.
The DV Alert system will also notify victims and families when someone with a DVO is being considered for parole, even if the reason they are in prison is not related to domestic violence.
Introducing urgent appeal rights to the bail application process, meaning bail decisions will be stayed for up to three business days and referred to a higher court for urgent review.
Allowing GPS trackers to be fitted to an alleged offender as a bail condition by the court to ensure that victims of crime are better protected throughout the trial process, which can be lengthy.
Domestic violence victims and mothers of murdered women have been abandoned by Labor members Duncan Pegg, Nikki Boyd and Don Brown in an act of pure partisan politics.
Labor’s three members of the committee examining the LNP’s tough new domestic violence Bill have refused to recommend that the new laws be passed – ignoring pleas of victims and advocates and choosing to side with civil libertarians and perpetrators.
See the committee report released late today, here: http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Documents/TableOffice/TabledPapers/2017/5517T396.pdf
Shadow Minister for Prevention of Domestic Violence Ros Bates said this was a complete slap in the face to victims and families who had been impacted by domestic violence.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government has ignored and dismissed the views of victims and families who have lost loved ones to domestic violence,” Ms Bates said.
“The Labor members of this committee think civil libertarians and the rights of perpetrators trump victims, which is simply offensive.
“It is nothing short of shameful of Labor to rip up years of bipartisanship on tackling domestic violence at the expense of cheap politicking.”
Ms Bates said the Bill was based on working laws in other states, recommendations of the “Not Now Not Ever” report not yet enacted or ideas from the sector.
“Doing nothing is not a solution and Labor have offered nothing in the committee process to help this Bill pass,” Ms Bates said.
“Labor’s Annastasia Palaszczuk and her so called Minister for Women and Attorney-General should hang their heads in shame.
“It has been clear from the very beginning that Labor were never going to support this important legislation and today’s committee report is further proof of that.”
Sonia Anderson, whose daughter Bianca was murdered by her partner, said she was shocked it could not reach a unanimous agreement on passing important legislation.
“The reason for this legislation is to save lives, it's simple,” Ms Anderson said.
“I strongly hope that Annastasia Palaszczuk and her colleagues do what the public want, and back this legislation to protect victims and their families from domestic violence.
“We can't let civil libertarians and perpetrators hold us back from strengthening the laws to protect the victims of domestic violence.”
Ms Anderson said the time for action was urgent and would help to save lives.
“If this legislation had been in place just six months ago, Queensland women would still be alive,” Ms Anderson said.
“In the past, both sides of Parliament have said to me that tackling domestic violence, and ultimately domestic homicide will be done with bipartisan support.
“It would be distressing for me and the community if that is not the case with this new proposed legislation.”
LNP’s Bail (Domestic Violence) and Another Act Amendment Bill 2017:
New figures released today show more young Queenslanders are being left without a job and on the training scrapheap under the Palaszczuk Labor Government.
Youth unemployment figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show Queensland’s youth unemployment rate jumped to 14.8 per cent – up more than two per cent.
Shadow Skills, Training and Employment Minister Jarrod Bleijie said these young Queenslanders were not moving into training.
“Sadly, new figures from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research released today showing a huge decline in the number of people in training and completing training,” Mr Bleijie said.
“In the last year the number of training completions in Queensland have fallen by 15 per cent.
“The number of Queenslanders in training has fallen by 25,400 in just 12 months.
“The greatest risk young Queenslanders face is job security and getting a start. Sadly, under Annastacia Palaszczuk they are just giving up.
“The LNP has a plan to build a better Queensland where we can deliver the jobs needed and restart our economy.”
Key statistics:
September quarter figures
Annual figures to Sept 2016 (Sept 2014 – Sept 2015 vs Sept 2015 – Sept 2016)
Source: National Centre for Vocational Education Research
Queensland has the highest unemployment rate in Australia with almost 12,000 jobs disappearing from the state in just one month, according to new labour force figures released today.
Liberal National Party Shadow Treasurer Scott Emerson said the alarming statistics revealed Queensland was leading the nation for all the wrong reasons.
Queensland now has:
Mr Emerson said today’s figures were more evidence that Queensland was stagnating with people left behind under a do-nothing Labor Government.
“We should be leading the other states in job creation and job security, but under this Government we are coming dead last,” he said.
“There are 66,000 fewer bread-winner jobs than there were just 12 months ago.
“We are again leading the nation in job losses and in the numbers of people giving up even looking for work.
“Our unemployment rate continues to trend higher – on both available measures. On a seasonally-adjusted basis we are up at 6.7 per cent, which is the worst in the country, and this has only become worse on Annastacia Palaszczuk’s watch.
“The Premier claims her Government cares about “jobs, jobs, jobs” but she’s silent on the fact that Queensland jobseekers are losing hope under her government.
“A future LNP Government would strengthen and diversify our economy by focusing on six key drivers; tourism, resources, agriculture, construction and manufacturing, education and services, science and technology.”
The Palaszczuk Government continues to fail to sell Queensland to the world following figures released by Tourism Research Australia on international visitor numbers and expenditure in 2016.
Shadow Tourism Minister Jon Krause said New South Wales, Tasmania and Western Australia all saw a greater increase in visitor numbers than Queensland in 2016.
“Queensland should be Australia’s number one tourist destination for international visitors, but Labor’s failure to support Queensland tourism means we are losing ground,” Mr Krause said.
“Why would you go anywhere else when you can dive on the Great Barrier Reef, or soak up the sun and the sand at our pristine beaches?
“Queensland was the second-most popular state for international visitors in 2014, but has fallen behind Victoria on the tourism ladder under Minister Kate Jones’ watch.
“Queensland had second-lowest growth in tourist spending last year, and now we are stalled in third place on international visitors while other states like New South Wales and Victoria continue to power ahead.”
Mr Krause said Queensland’s international visitor nights fell last year by 2%, whereas New South Wales increased by 2% and Victoria by 8%, meaning that people weren’t staying in Queensland for as long.
“As Queenslanders we have the greatest State in the world to sell to tourists – but we need a government with a clear plan for our tourism sector,” he said.
“Queensland is falling behind other states because Labor has no plan, instead talking about a ‘tourism infrastructure pipeline’, but it’s just all talk and no action from a Minister who is out of her depth.
“Is it any wonder why we have increasing regional unemployment when our tourism jobs are disappearing interstate?
“This shows yet another industry falling behind under a do-nothing Palaszczuk Labor Government with no plan for Queensland.”
A future Liberal National Party Government would fast-track the necessary approvals to ensure a North Queensland coal-fired power station becomes a reality.
LNP Deputy Leader Deb Frecklington said North Queensland residents, manufacturers and businesses were crying out for access to affordable and reliable electricity.
“North Queenslanders are sick to death of Annastacia Palaszczuk and her embattled Energy Minister Mark Bailey treating them like cash cows and second-class citizens,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Townsville cannot afford to have another refinery close because of soaring power prices witnessed under Annastacia Palaszczuk - it would be devastating for workers and the city’s economy.
“The LNP will not stand by and watch what happened at Boyne Smelters in Gladstone occur at Townsville’s zinc and copper refineries.
“Unlike Annastacia Palaszczuk, the LNP realises reliable and affordable base load power would provide North Queensland, and cities such as Townsville, energy and economic security for generations to come.
“Queensland has some of the cleanest coal in the world on our doorstep, yet Queenslanders are paying through the nose for electricity which is unacceptable.”
Ms Frecklington said the LNP would declare a North Queensland power station as a “priority project” if it was successful at the upcoming state election.
“We fully support the development of a new coal-fired power station in North Queensland and an LNP government would streamline the necessary regulatory approvals,” she said.
“We would use the powers of the Coordinator General such as prescribed project status to ensure secondary approvals were provided in a timely manner.
“Senator Matt Canavan has said he will consider applications from private sector proponents interested in developing a coal-fired power station from the $5 billion Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility.
“It beggars believe that Annastacia Palaszczuk would look a gift horse in the mouth and rule out supporting a coal fired power station in North Queensland.
“South East Queensland has them, why should North Queensland miss out?
Ms Frecklington said Annastacia Palaszczuk’s refusal to support a coal-fired power station in North Queensland was all about self-interest and self-preservation.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk has flatly ruled out supporting a coal-fired power station in North Queensland,” she said.
“This just goes to show how beholden Annastacia Palaszczuk is to inner-city Green groups – she is willing to risk thousands of North Queensland jobs based on ideology and her extreme and dangerous renewable energy targets.
“North Queensland residents, manufacturers and businesses shouldn’t miss out on affordable and reliable electricity because Annastacia Palaszczuk is trying to win inner-city Green preferences.
“It is about time Annastacia Palaszczuk puts the interests of North Queenslanders ahead of her own self-interests.”
New figures reveal Queensland remains the strike capital of Australia.
Shadow Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations Jarrod Belijie said yesterday’s union strikes were nothing more than political stunts on behalf of the Labor Party.
“We all know that unions rule the Palaszczuk Labor Government and that this do-nothing Premier listens to the advice of senior union leaders over the people of Queensland,” Mr Belijie said.
“Once again we have seen union thugs take to the streets of Brisbane, closing down construction sites and fighting on the streets.
“This is disgusting behaviour that the Palaszczuk Government continues to tolerate.”
Mr Bleijie said yesterday’s strike action was a slap in the face for thousands of Queensland job-seekers.
“Queensland’s unemployment rates are at an all-time high, yet we see union mobs who have secured employment voluntarily walking off the job,” he said.
“It’s clear that under Labor the unions are calling the shots and they think they can do whatever they want.
“If these people are more interested in striking than working, I urge them to resign and give their jobs to one of the many of Queenslanders looking for work.”
Mr Bleijie said yesterday’s strikes pointed to a larger problem that continue to be ignored by the Palaszczuk Labor Government.
“On a per person basis, Queensland is almost triple the national average when it comes to working days lost due to strikes,” he said.
“These strikes are adding to the cost of buying a home or adding to the cost of doing businesses, and every day Queenslanders are picking up the tab.
“The Premier needs to address this issue urgently and pull her union mates back into line.”
Background and figures:
Working days lost per 1,000 employees:
Shadow Minister for Child Safety Ros Bates said she was shocked and angered to learn of yet another child dying while waiting in a child safety backlog.
"I have been advised that the six-month-old baby who died at Yeppoon was missed by child safety officers despite concerns being raised in January this year,” Ms Bates said.
"His death occurred while waiting in an investigation backlog at the Rockhampton child safety service centre.
"Rockhampton is in a worse state than Caboolture and staff are stretched to the limit.
"Secret internal data from October 2016 shows only 20 per cent of abuse reports requiring a 10-day response were actioned in time in Central Queensland.
"Worse still for abused children is that some 12 per cent of critical 24-hour cases were missed.”
Ms Bates said Annastacia Palaszczuk and Minister Shannon Fentiman were not only failing to protect Queensland children, but putting child safety staff in the most stressful of situations.
"Labor's Child Safety Department is in complete disarray and is imploding fast,” she said.
"The crisis and growing backlogs engulfing child safety investigations are nothing short of a scandal.
"Annastasia Palaszczuk continues to support a bumbling Minister who is putting kids’ lives at risk by failing to fix this crisis.
"We need to overhaul the way child abuse investigations are carried out in Queensland if we are to reduce the backlog and end these terrible deaths.”
The Queensland Parliamentary Committee charged with scrutinising the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s proposed changes to the management of Queensland’s stock route network has unanimously recommended that the Bill not be passed in its current form.
Shadow Natural Resources Minister Andrew Cripps said the Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources Committee - made up of Labor, LNP and crossbench MPs - had unanimously agreed that Labor’s Bill was unfit to proceed through the Queensland Parliament.
“This is a major embarrassment for Anthony Lynham, who claimed when he introduced the Bill that it was the result of a decade of consultation with key network users and stakeholders,” Mr Cripps said.
“It’s extremely rare to see all MPs on a parliamentary committee - across the political spectrum - agree unanimously that a bill should not be passed.
“The Committee concluded the consultation process had been inadequate and insufficient information had been presented, which is amazing given how long the State Government has been talking about modernising the management of the stock route network.
“I call on Minister Lynham to withdraw this flawed and inadequate Bill and set up a proper consultation process involving representatives of AgForce and local councils that actually use stock routes in order to formulate a modern and practical management framework.
“Anthony Lynham must accept this feedback and withdraw the Bill until proper consultation can take place.”
Deputy Committee Chair and Warrego MP Ann Leahy said the Committee had heard widespread concerns about the stock routes Bill from a range of stakeholders during committee hearings held in Brisbane, Boulia, Longreach and Emerald.
“Despite a decade of consultation between the State Government and stakeholders about the need for reform of Queensland’s stock routes’ management framework, the proposed changes were missing critical supporting analysis and information,” Ms Leahy said.
“What industry needed to see was a draft state-wide stock routes’ management plan, draft regulations to support the legislation and an updated Regulatory Impact Statement, so the real costs and responsibilities of all parties could be understood.”
A future Liberal National Party Government will create jobs, build stronger families, build the roads, bridges and dams Queensland needs, provide safe and reliable communities across Queensland and deliver better government – not more government.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls today outlined the LNP’s plan to Build a Better Queensland during an address at the Queensland Media Club today.
“When I was 12 my parents moved our family to Queensland because they saw a state that offered great opportunity – a state not hamstrung by rules and regulations,” Mr Nicholls said.
“Unfortunately after years of Labor Governments, this spirit has slipped away. Things seem to take forever to get done while costing more, and no one seems to be able to explain why.
“I love Queensland and I’m ready to lead - to make sure our great state grows and prospers once again.
“An LNP Government will reopen the State for business, to help create the wealth and jobs for this generation and those to come.
“The LNP recognises that the six key drivers of the Queensland economy are tourism, resources, agriculture, construction and manufacturing, education and services, science and technology – and we will be announcing policies around these areas very soon.
“We know that without a strong economy, Government will not have the money to realise our ambition.
“An LNP Government will also build stronger families and provide safe and liveable communities across Queensland by restoring police powers that have been stripped away by Labor.
“We will give police the necessary laws to move drugs like ice out of our communities and organised crime out of Queensland, after Annastacia Palaszczuk invited bikie gangs back in.
“We will build the roads and bridges this state so desperately needs – and dams to boost agricultural production and provide water security.
Mr Nicholls said the LNP team had learned a hard lesson from the past, having moved too quickly and failing to take Queenslanders on the journey when last in Government.
“After almost 20 years out of office, there was an urgency to get things done – and there’s no doubt we had major problems to solve – but I will not be wasting the lessons learnt from those days,” he said.
“What’s clear to Queenslanders is that the Annastacia Palaszczuk experiment has failed and her wait-and-see, review-not-do approach is pushing Queensland further behind than ever.
“Under my leadership, a Liberal Nation Government won’t stand for stagnation – we’ll put Queenslanders first and get on with the job.
“The choice is clear – the LNP is a team with enthusiasm, experience and energy – a team committed to five clear priorities to build a Better Queensland – a team with a clear six-point economic plan for jobs, jobs, jobs.
“Together, we will be a common-sense Government that listens, plans and acts to Build a Better Queensland.”
An LNP Government will focus on five key priorities to build a better Queensland:
An LNP Government will reduce the risk to our economic security by focusing on six drivers to strengthen and diversify the Queensland economy. The six drivers are:
Queensland students with disability are being removed from school for disciplinary reasons because teachers aren’t receiving the necessary support to manage their needs, according to a new report for the Department of Education and Training.
LNP Shadow Education Minister Tracy Davis said Deloitte’s Review of Education for Students with Disability in Queensland State Schools highlighted a lack of support for state school teachers who currently aren’t being given the skills and support to manage special needs students.
“Every day we ask our teachers to manage a diverse range of students with varying needs – and there is no one size fits all solution,” Ms Davis said.
“This report makes it very clear that our teachers, who are already under immense pressure, aren’t being given the skills and support they need to assist students with special needs.
“Alarmingly, students with a disability are being removed from school for disciplinary reasons because of a lack of understanding and training around the link between learning and behaviour.
“Currently, restrictive practices such as social exclusion and restraints are also being used on students with no way of monitoring the outcomes, when they should only be used as a last resort behind other behaviour management options.”
Ms Davis said the report identified a need for better awareness and cultural support to make all families, regardless of their needs, welcome in the school community.
“In order to ensure students with a disability are given the same opportunities as other students, schools need to be given an explicit framework that they can implement on a local level,” she said.
“Labor’s Education Minister Kate Jones has spent months waiting to be told she needed to do more to support students with a disability in state schools - she can’t drag her heels implementing the recommendations.
“Our students and teachers can’t afford any further delays – Kate Jones needs to action this report immediately and ensure all students get access to the best education possible.”
Pauline Hanson throws Steve Dickson under the bus Hanson says politicians should stay with the party they are elected to representDickson’s act of self-interest has now even been recognised by his party leader
One Nation's Steve Dickson's position is officially untenable after Federal Leader Pauline Hanson said politicians shouldn't change teams after being voted in under another party's umbrella.
On ABC's Insiders Program Ms Hanson said, "… if you are elected to a party then you should stay with that party."
"Steve Dickson's act of self-interest has now even been recognised by Pauline Hanson," LNP Shadow Treasurer Scott Emerson said.
"There's one thing Pauline and I do agree on and that is if you are elected for one team, you shouldn't change that team halfway through the game for your own self-interest."
Mr Emerson said Steve Dickson needed to come out today and either back Ms Hanson's comments and resign, or publicly explain why he disagrees.
"If Steve Dickson had any moral fibre he would have resigned months ago, given the people of Buderim a by-election and a choice about who they want representing them.”
A future LNP government would help create jobs for up to 20,000 young Queenslanders through its $100 million Get Queensland Working plan.
On a visit to local Bundaberg Butcher Rob and Sarah Cook today Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls said the LNP’s plan offered financial help for small businesses to take on apprentices and young unemployed Queenslanders, as well as grants for apprentices to buy their first tools.
“We understand that Bundaberg businesses are keen to grow and employ more young people and would welcome a financial helping hand to do so,” Mr Nicholls said.
“Our plan will provide a $5000 incentive to not only take on new apprentices, but hang onto them right through their training.
“$4000 grants will also be offered to businesses to take on young out-of-work Queenslanders who just want a job.”
Mr Nicholls said the LNP would also offer direct financial support to 20,000 young tradies who finish their apprenticeship.
“Whether you’re a chippie, hairdresser or butcher, having to buy your tools of trade in that first year out can burn a big hole in your pocket,” he said.
“Our Get Queensland Working plan offers young apprentices a $500 voucher to buy their first toolkit or set of hair straighteners to help them hit the ground running.”
LNP Deputy Leader Deb Frecklington said the plan was the right mix of support for Bundaberg employers and jobseekers.
“The Wide-Bay region has had more than its fair share of difficulties over the last two years with thousands of jobs lost across the region. That's why more than anything else, local business owners need all the help they can get to keep the doors open,’ Ms Frecklington said.
“The LNP’s plan to offer direct financial incentives for small businesses and relief from workers compensation premiums is just the leg up employers need.
“Just as important, this plan offers help to young people who have shown the commitment to finish their trade and are keen to make a contribution to our local community.”
The LNP’s Plan to Get Queensland Working:
After years of angst and uncertainty for Queensland cane farmers, the Liberal National Party cautiously welcomes the news that sugar milling company Wilmar and marketing company Queensland Sugar Limited have finally reached an in-principle agreement.
The Liberal National Party’s ultimatum and comprehensive legislation has worked. We now await the quick resolution of the final contract. Both parties should move swiftly to finalise the formal contract.
We sincerely hope the finish line is within sight for a dispute which has dragged on for over two years. Our interest has always been to ensure growers and their families are supported.
The LNP’s determination to protect canegrowers in these matters goes back to April 2014.
Our interest has always been to ensure that farmers have genuine choice in marketing and cannot be held to ransom through damaging disputes between companies that can’t reach agreement.
I would like to pay tribute to the hard work of Liberal National Party MPs Dale Last, Andrew Cripps, Jason Costigan and my deputy Deb Frecklington who have led the debate over this important issue from community meetings to the Queensland Parliament.
Since this dispute began this do-nothing Labor Government has shown nothing but contempt for canegrowers.
Annastacia Palaszczuk, Bill Byrne and Labor MPs from all canegrowing districts in the State have failed at every juncture to stand up for the farmers in their electorates.
Annastacia Palaszczuk and Yvette D’Ath’s spectacular backflip on what they claimed were “much-needed” lockout laws twelve months ago is now official, after Labor voted to support the LNP and scrap their own 1am lockout in State Parliament today.
LNP Shadow Minister for Fair Trading Jarrod Bleijie said Labor’s inaction and indecision over the 1am lockout over the last twelve months had left Queensland’s liquor industry and thousands of employees in limbo.
“This time last year Annastacia Palaszczuk said she didn’t know how anyone in good conscience could vote against these laws – but tonight she’s done just that,” Mr Bleijie said.
“Instead of listening to the community and taking lockouts off the table, Labor was more interested in protecting their political image than the thousands of Queensland jobs that they put in jeopardy over the last twelve months.
“From day one, the LNP has stood beside business owners and employees who said the 1am lockout was grossly unfair – punishing the majority for the sins of a few.
“As recently as November last year, Labor voted against an LNP motion in Parliament to scrap the lockouts. We gave them an out but they refused to take it.
“Now just four months later, they’ve back-flipped on a key election policy.”
Mr Bleijie said Labor’s mishandling of the lockout laws was the latest in a line of bungles on the Palaszczuk Government show-reel.
“Under Labor we’ve seen trains that don’t turn up on time, changes to gaming laws that forgot to include Keno, a review of local government elections last year that forgot to appoint people to actually do the review – and the list goes on and on,” he said.
“And who could forget Dr Anthony Lynham – the man who campaigned on the single issue of alcohol-related violence and how now gone quiet on the issue because it’s ‘not in his portfolio’.
“It’s time Annastacia Palaszczuk and her Ministers started listening to Queenslanders to avoid a repeat of the mismanagement and uncertainty we’ve seen over the last twelve months.”
This morning an article appeared on the ABC Queensland website accompanied by radio reports alleging that the former LNP government cut funding for coal seam gas compliance activities.
These allegations are false. The ABC article claims to have obtained cabinet documents that show that the budget for overseeing the CSG industry was repeatedly cut. This is inaccurate.
State budget documents covering this period clearly document that the allegations in this ABC article are incorrect. In fact, the 2011-12 budget, the last budget of the Bligh government, allocated no money for CSG compliance activities.
Today in Parliament I tabled an extract from the 2011-12 state Budget Measures document which shows the last budget allocation for CSG compliance activities was made by the Bligh government in 2010-11, with the 2011-12 forward estimates left vacant. (Tabled paper: Extracts, Budget Measures 2013-14)
In fact, the incoming LNP government were confronted with an unfunded allocation by Labor, a measure we accommodated in our first 2012-13 State Budget. (I also tabled a State Budget Measures extract to support this statement).
In addition to covering Labor’s $9 million shortfall, the former LNP government allocated an additional $3.6 million to CSG compliance activities in our first budget in 2012-13. (I tabled the Budget Measures extract to support that statement).
In our second budget, the former LNP government provided a further $11 million for coal seam gas compliance activities across the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, Department of Energy and Water Supply and the Department of Natural Resources and Mines.
This represents the largest state budget allocation ever by any Queensland government for CSG industry oversight, supervision, compliance and regulation - something the LNP did in recognition of community concerns about this issue.
In our third budget, the former LNP government put into place the very first substantial long-term funding for CSG compliance activities, with a $23.4 million allocation over four years - again, more than any other Queensland government.
This funding was allocated through the departments previously mentioned but, in addition, funded the activities of the newly established GasFields Commission. (Today I also tabled a State Government Budget Measures extract that clearly demonstrated these allocations).
When the former LNP government left office in early 2015, it had put in place funding for CSG compliance activities that were sustainable across the forward estimates, in contrast to the unfunded mess that we found when we came to office in 2012.
It is extremely disappointing that the taxpayer funded national broadcaster has failed to check publicly available, published state budget documents to corroborate the information it alleges to have secured from a leaked cabinet document.
The performance by Labor’s Environment Minister Steven Miles today in Parliament was absolutely embarrassing.
He relied on a factually inaccurate article by the ABC to mount a childish political attack on the Leader of the Opposition, an attack that is completely unfounded.
Andrew Cripps MP - LNP Shadow Minister for Natural Resources and Mines
Queensland's construction industry continues to feel the impact of Labor's anti-development policies, with building approvals across the state falling for the 12th consecutive month.
Shadow Treasurer Scott Emerson said the building approvals trend rate fell 6.8 per cent in January under the stewardship of the Palaszczuk Government.
“Building approvals in Queensland have fallen off a cliff in the past year, decreasing 38 per cent since January 2016.
“It’s been a year since Queensland has seen any increase in the rate of building approvals, which shows the lack of confidence the construction industry has in this do-nothing Labor government.
“The Palaszczuk Government is seen as the worst performing government in Australia by this sector and the building approval rate continues to plummet.
“These figures highlight how Labor’s decision to increase property taxes continues has shattered confidence in Queensland's construction industry.
“Private infrastructure investment fell by $4.7 billion last year in Queensland, while business investment continues to go backwards because of a lack of confidence in the Palaszczuk Government.
“Nothing is getting built, even government infrastructure spending is declining, with further falls on the cards after the Palaszczuk Government cut $3 billion out of the capital program.”
Tonight Bill Byrne and the Palaszczuk Labor Government turned their back on Queensland cane farmers and their families by failing to support the LNP’s laws to end a long-running stalemate over sugar marketing agreements.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls said Labor’s Agriculture Minister Mr Byrne and his Labor colleagues had the opportunity to give cane growers certainty heading into the 2017 crush but instead chose the path of uncertainty and division.
“Labor’s Agriculture Minister has blocked laws which would have provided much-needed certainty to Queensland canegrowers ahead of the 2017 harvest,” Mr Nicholls said.
“Our laws would have allowed formal arbitration to resolve any future deadlocks in contractual negotiations between sugar millers and sugar marketers - in the same way arbitration is available to resolve deadlocks between canegrowers and sugar milling companies.
“This was the perfect opportunity for Bill Byrne to show some leadership as Minister – but instead he chose more delays and bureaucracy – which is exactly what Queenslanders don’t like about politics.”
LNP Shadow Minister for Agriculture Dale last said Labor had shown their true colours, siding with a foreign-owned multinational instead of backing growers in Burdekin.
“Labor’s done nothing but support multi-nationals ahead of Queensland farmers, mill workers and their local communities, the LNP has been determined to end this damaging row,” Mr Last said.
“They have turned a blind eye while Wilmar holds farmers to ransom and take away grower choice.
“The LNP is the only party prepared to end the stalemate that is affecting the farm businesses and lives of 1500 Queensland canegrowers and their families.”
Member for Hinchinbrook Andrew Cripps said he was bemused by the actions of the Member for Cook, Billy Gordon, who voted with Labor given he supported the LNP’s 2015 amendments.
“Mr Gordon has abandoned the objectives and the spirit of the amendments that he supported in 2015 and has voted to deny cane growers in Wilmar mill areas timely access to a cane supply agreement,” Mr Cripps said.
“However, I was more shocked to see the Member for Cairns, do a complete backflip on these changes in less than 24 hours and after he had made a public declaration to support the LNP’s bill.”
Member for Whitsunday Jason Costigan said Labor’s Member for Mirani has sold out his own constituents in the sugar industry by failing to use his voice in State Parliament to support them.
“I challenged Jim Pearce to cross the floor but instead he towed the party line and backed his Labor comrades from the deep south,” Mr Costigan said.
The Palaszczuk Labor Government today showed its contempt for Queensland canegrowers by attempting to block LNP plans to fast-track important new sugar marketing laws.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls today introduced laws into State Parliament to end a long-running dispute between milling company Wilmar and marketing company QSL that was threatening the livelihoods of 1500 canegrowers, their families, mill workers and regional communities.
With the cane crush just around the corner, the LNP moved an urgency motion to ensure these laws were debated immediately, but the motion was opposed by all Labor MPs.
“Instead of supporting Queensland farmers, every single Labor MP effectively voted to do nothing, to allow this damaging dispute to drag on indefinitely,” Mr Nicholls said.
“Labor has happily backed multi-nationals over regional Queensland farmers, mill workers and their local communities that have been left in limbo by this dispute.”
Mr Nicholls said the LNP was committed to competition and committed to providing competition in the sugar marketing industry so that growers have choice in marketing.
“Yet again today, Annastacia Palaszczuk and Bill Byrne showed they prefer to put the interests of a foreign-owned milling company ahead of Queensland farmers,” he said.
“Desperate to cover his total inaction on the issue, Bill Byrne suggested a trumped-up marriage counselling service for the warring parties that would cost taxpayers thousands of dollars an hour in QC fees.
“Mediation has been offered many times to both parties, and as late as last week has been rejected.
“Labor should be ashamed of its actions in Parliament today for abandoning canegrowers - Queenslanders the Palaszczuk Government is supposed to represent,” he said.
“The LNP is the only political party that’s delivering on its promise to sort this mess out and protect our third-largest agricultural industry.”
Unlawful appointments, claims of nepotism and thousands of client cases under a cloud are symptoms of a mental health system in crisis under the incompetent Palaszczuk Labor Government.
LNP Shadow Minister for Health John-Paul Langbroek said the string of catastrophe’s engulfing the sector meant the LNP opposed any further changes to the Mental Health Act.
“Queenslanders have lost confidence in the mental health system and in particular the Mental Health Review Tribunal and the LNP could not support any changes to a system in such dangerous disarray,” Mr Langbroek said.
“Labor’s heartless Health Minister Cameron Dick would rather protect the secretive mental health tribunal process at the expense of families who have lost loved ones at the hands of patients released by the tribunal.
“Thousands of families have been left in the dark over revelations of a dodgy appointment that the Minister knew back in December and did nothing about until now.
“The LNP also refused to back the 54 amendments Labor are trying to push through a Mental Health Act that hasn’t even commenced yet.
“How many more things have been missed, overlooked or not acted on in this Act?
“We saw numerous submissions make extra recommendations not in the Act, including a number from the dysfunctional tribunal.
“More worryingly for Queenslanders is the impact certain proposed amendments could have on regional and remote health services.
“What has been revealed over the last few months is a mental health tribunal in meltdown.
“In January it was revealed allegations of nepotism had been referred to the CCC for further investigation.
“Simply rushing through amendments to correct a major legal bungle will do nothing to answer many of the questions left unanswered.”
