Member for Nanango, and Queensland’s new Attorney-General, Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity, Deb Frecklington has made Kingaroy the focus of her first official visit in her new role.
Deb said it was an important opportunity, following the outcome of the recent state election and her appointment as Attorney-General, to head back to Kingaroy and meet with staff at her local Courthouse.
“The Kingaroy Court House is a vital part of our local justice system and as Attorney General, I’m committed to ensuring all communities like ours have access to fair, transparent, and efficient justice,” Deb said.
“It was also a very special moment for me, having spent so much time at the Kingaroy Courthouse as a local solicitor, to be able to head home and show my support and appreciation to the Courthouse staff.
“I look forward to working together with all our local Courthouses to build a stronger, safer Queensland,” Deb said.
Photo caption 1: Member for Nanango and Attorney-General, Deb Frecklington made her first official visit in her new role to the Kingaroy Courthouse.
It is an absolute honour to be returned as the State Member for Nanango and as a member of the new Crisafulli Government as we work to deliver a fresh start of Queensland.
I would especially like to thank the people of the Nanango Electorate for putting their faith in me to continue to represent them in the Queensland Parliament.
My priority will be the key issues affecting our region, including the poor state of our road network, youth crime, access to health services and housing shortages.
This is what I’ll be working to achieve for our Nanango Electorate communities – right across the South Burnett, Somerset, northern Toowoomba, Cherbourg and western Gympie areas.
As a passionate advocate for regional Queensland, I am committed to ensuring our region has access to the same quality of services as our city cousins.
I also believe that areas like ours are the growth centre of Queensland and it is my priority to ensure our region gets its fair share.
I’ll be working hard each and every day because I love this area, and the people who call our beautiful part of the world home.
A big thanks must also go to the many volunteers who supported me during the election campaign and on voting day. I can’t thank them enough for their time and dedication.
Photo caption: Deb and her husband Jason casting their vote on election day.
The LNP will provide certainty to the Wide Bay Burnett by rebuilding Paradise Dam and constructing two new weirs along the Burnett River catchment.
The comprehensive plan for water security and capacity will meet the growing needs of Wide Bay Burnett producers and turbocharge agricultural production in the region.
The LNP’s plan includes:
Shadow Minister for Water and the Construction of Dams Deb Frecklington said the plan will boost agriculture in the region and allow producers to increase their volumes.
“Because of Labor’s failures, farmers in the Wide Bay Burnett have spent years in limbo worrying if they’ll have the water they need to support and grow their businesses,” Ms Frecklington said.
“As well as rebuilding Paradise Dam, the LNP will massively increase water storage capacity in the region by building the Cooranga and Barlil weirs.
“This will boost water security and create hundreds of local jobs in construction.”
LNP candidate for Bundaberg Bree Watson said the LNP’s water plan was a shot in the arm for local producers and businesses.
“When water dries up, business does too. Labor’s failures have left Wide Bay Burnett farmers unable to confidently plant crops, with devastating flow-on effects for Bundaberg,” Ms Watson said.
“We live in one of the most productive agricultural areas in the world, and this announcement will allow us to fully realise our potential.”
LNP Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said farming families have been left reeling by Labor's failures.
“Because of Labor’s failures at Paradise Dam, farmers have had to plant fewer crops, driving up the cost of fruit and vegetables in Queensland grocery stores,” Mr Bennett said.
“The LNP will deliver water security for the Wide Bay Burnett, so that local families and farming businesses have certainty to invest and grow.”
Bree Watson said Queenslanders could vote for water security in the Wide Bay Burnett region, by voting LNP on October 26.
“Labor is desperate to hold onto power, risking a Greens/Labor Coalition of Chaos that is ideologically opposed to dams and water projects,” Ms Watson said.
“This is the opportunity for a Fresh Start with the LNP’s Right Plan for Queensland’s Future.”
Deb Frecklington and the LNP have committed to build Barlil Weir to support agriculture and jobs in the South Burnett, if elected to government next month.
This major announcement is a flag in the ground for how importantly the LNP values water security for Queenslanders, and in particular, irrigators who rely on access to water in what is one of our State’s most important foodbowls.
Deb said she had been advocating for the construction of the Barlil Weir for many years to increase water security for the region and support primary producers.
“The Barlil Weir is a vital project for the South Burnett and will be built on the Barambah Creek at Barlil.
“The Labor Government have failed regional Queensland for too long by not building the critical water storage infrastructure regions like ours desperately need.
Deb said the $28million project would ensure every taxpayer dollar is invested to deliver the maximum benefit.
“The LNP will restore respect for your money, delivering projects on time and on budget, with the Right Plan for Queensland’s Future,” Deb aid.
“I have met with primary producers from the Byee and Mondure area and they know that an investment in water is not only an investment in agriculture, but an investment in hope, growth and jobs for the South Burnett.
“This announcement is a clear signal that the LNP are pro water security and are looking at projects across this state to progress and get build.
“As local Member but also Shadow Water Minister, I know this project will give local irrigators the confidence they need to invest more in their businesses, with certainty of water supply moving forward.
“Under Labor, projects like the Barlil Weir have been shovel ready for years, yet this Labor government’s addiction to reviews sees a constant merry go round of chaos rather than seeing shovels in the ground.
“Queenslanders are currently paying far more and getting far less under Labor.
"Time's up for Labor’s expensive failures which have overseen $20 billion-plus in project cost blowouts, that could have instead delivered local infrastructure like the Barlil Weir.
Deb said Nanango Electorate residents could vote for the Barlil Weir and a government focused on driving down cost pressures, by voting LNP at this election.
“Queenslanders must show Labor the door in 2024, to restore respect for their money,” Deb aid.
“This project is one of many a future Crisafulli LNP Government hopes to progress as part of our plan for water security in this state.
“Only the LNP stands ready to deliver a fresh start for Queensland.”
The LNP has committed to build a new skate park in the township of Wooroolin if elected next month.
Local MP Deb Frecklington said she had been advocating for a skate park in Wooroolin for several years after young people from the town highlighted the need with her.
“A skate park will be a great asset for the young people of Wooroolin providing an outlet for physical activity and fun which is currently not available in the small town,” Deb said.
“This is a project which I am passionate about, and which I want to see completed as soon as possible for our young people.
Deb said the $150,000 project was part of the LNP’s focus on working harder for Queenslanders, while under Labor Queensland was heading in the wrong direction.
“The LNP will restore a government that works for you, with the Right Plan for Queensland’s Future,” Deb said.
“Labor’s failures have overseen $20 billion-plus in project cost blowouts that could have instead delivered grassroots infrastructure like a skate park for Wooroolin.
“Queenslanders should have a government that delivers the programs and services needed for the State’s future, supporting our communities.”
Deb said South Burnett locals could vote for the Wooroolin Skate Park and a government which worked for them, by voting LNP at this election.
“Queenslanders must show Labor the door in 2024, to ensure the right focus on delivering the programs, services and communities for our state,” Deb said.
“Only the LNP stands ready to deliver a fresh start for Queensland.”
The LNP has committed to boost Queensland’s manufacturing capability with a new Manufacturing Hub in Toowoomba, as part of the Right Plan for Manufacturing.
As well as the new Hub in Toowoomba, the LNP will grow Queensland’s manufacturing sector with more grants that will boost Queensland jobs and back home-grown manufacturing.
Shadow Minister for Manufacturing and Regional Development Deb Frecklington said Toowoomba was an important regional manufacturing centre in the state and it was time a State Government recognised this.
“The LNP’s $10 million commitment not only expands the footprint of manufacturing hubs in regional Queensland like Toowoomba but will importantly look at how they can be made more fit for purpose,” said Ms Frecklington.
“Our vision is for the Department of Manufacturing to work hand in hand with industry to address the challenges manufacturers face including new threats like cyber crime, and assisting the industry with workforce planning and attracting staff.
“Manufacturing Hubs are the front line in this industry engagement and the LNP wants to provide a much needed boost to this program.
“In addition to this $10 million investment, the LNP commits to increasing funds to the Made In Queensland Grants Program to the tune of $5 million additional each year in from 2025-26, noting Labor has no money budgeted after the election.”
Under Labor fewer products are produced in Queensland and jobs are being exported to other states and overseas.
The LNP will unleash Queensland’s manufacturing potential and ensure we are more self-sufficient, which is important now more than ever.
Shadow Treasurer and MP for Toowoomba South David Janetzki joined Toowoomba North MP Trevor Watts to announce the boost to local jobs and the economy.
“Queensland has the potential to become Australia's most competitive and dynamic manufacturing state, which is why Queensland is investing in this manufacturing hub,” said Mr Janetzki.
“Queenslanders should have a government that delivers the programs and services needed for the State’s future, supporting our communities.”
“Our state needs a Fresh Start, only the LNP has the Right Plan for Queensland’s future.”
Photo: The announcement was made at local Toowoomba manufacturer, Tuff Bullbars with their CEO, Anton Griffiths.
