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New Defib at Benarkin SS will help whole community

New Defib at Benarkin SS will help whole community

14th March 2024

Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington has congratulated Benarkin State School on the installation of the first defibrillator for the community.

Deb said she was delighted to officially ‘open’ the arrival of the defibrillator, which the school has recently had installed.

“This is a great initiative by Benarkin SS who have fully funded its purchase and installation on school grounds,” Deb said.

“The defibrillator is available for the use of the whole community, and it has been put in an easy to access location on the school tuckshop wall so that anyone who has a family member or friend experiencing an emergency can come and utilise it.

“Well done to Benarkin SS Principal Kerry Christie and her team for making this happen. 

“I was also delighted to officially present the 2024 School Leaders, Mikayla Bear and Koby Bear with their badges and I wish all the new leaders and the school community a great year ahead,” Deb said.

“It is terrific to see Benarkin SS going ahead in leaps and bounds with strong support from the families and surrounding community,” Deb said.

Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington and Principal Kerry Christie opening the new defibrillator at Benarkin SS

Not good enough – New England Highway roadworks delayed again

Not good enough – New England Highway roadworks delayed again

4th March 2024

Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington says further delays on the roadworks on the New England Highway between Cooyar and Coalbank are just not good enough.

Deb said she has been receiving complaints from local residents who are extremely frustrated by the ongoing delays which have been occurring since the roadworks began in May 2021. 

“It has been nearly three years since the roadworks on the New England Highway began and while the community have been very patient over this time, these further delays are just not acceptable,” Deb said.

“At the beginning of the year the heavy machinery left the site and I have been advised by the Department of Transport and Main Roads have been temporarily stopped and that the works won’t restart until March, depending on weather.

“That’s a three month delay, which has left the unfinished section of the Highway a narrow one-way stretch, controlled by a set of traffic lights with very high drop-offs on each side.

“Locals and regular users of the New England Highway are quite frankly sick and tired of how long this is taking.

“It’s just not good enough that the works have been suspended. The Minister for Main Roads just needs to prioritise regional roads and get this job finished,” Deb said.

Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington at the roadworks on the New England Highway between Cooyar and Coalbank.

 

LNP calls on crossbench to support Cost of Living Inquiry expansion

1st March 2024

LNP invites Queenslanders to sign petition to have cost of living put under microscope

The LNP has today called on crossbench Parliamentarians to throw their weight behind an expanded cost of living inquiry, to drive down living costs.

Shadow Minister for Cost of Living, Deb Frecklington, spent time in Toowoomba this morning to listen to businesses’ experiences of skyrocketing costs, announcing she has written to crossbench MPs, calling for their support to put Government-controlled cost increases under the microscope. 

The LNP has launched a petition inviting residents and businesses to have their say and demand action on the Queensland Cost of Living Crisis.

Shadow Minister for Energy and Cost of Living Deb Frecklington said businesses and families are doing it tough and government needs to take action to drive-down cost of living.

“While the big supermarkets must absolutely be held accountable for their role in cost of living, so too must the Government that is influencing costs like electricity, transport, insurance and water,” Ms Frecklington said.

“Power bills have jumped 20% in the past year on average with some businesses paying a staggering 40% more on their bills.

“Businesses are being forced to absorb much of these rising costs, but it means they’re having to make difficult decisions about not upgrading equipment, working longer hours themselves. 

“Families are now choosing between putting food on the table and paying their bills on time.

“This is what happens under a Government that has left our major power plant offline for nearly three years.

“We know Callide being offline has sent power bills through the roof, the Auditor-General and Queensland Competition Authority have confirmed it.

“Queenslanders have had enough, we must have action today.

“Queenslanders can join our fight on cost of living by signing our petition.

“We’re also calling on crossbench MPs to support their communities by joining us in putting a microscope on the big costs government influences like electricity, water, transport and insurance.

“The Palaszczuk-Miles Labor Government has the wrong priorities and their constant state of chaos and crisis is costing Queenslanders. 

“Only the LNP has the Right Priorities for Queensland’s Future including saving you paying for Labor’s failures.”

Queenslanders can sign the LNP’s petition here.

It’s still empty… 

21st February 2024

Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington has again spoken in State Parliament about the State Government owned home on Chester Street in Nanango remaining empty, despite her ongoing calls for the Labor Government to make a decision about its future.

Deb said the home, formerly occupied by respected Nanango doctor, Dr John Robinson, has remained empty for almost four years since Dr Robinson left the residence in June 2020.

“In November 2022 I asked the Minister for the then Department of Public Works, Mick De Brenni about why the property had remained vacant for so long given the current high demand for housing,” Deb said.

“Labor claim they are ‘swooping’ on homes for social housing, but this is a classic case of the Government caring more about how things look rather than focusing on how things actually are for Queenslanders.

“I am appalled by the lack of action.

“We are in the middle of a housing crisis with 40,000 Queenslander desperately waiting for social housing.

“I am calling on the new Public Works Minister to do something about this forgotten asset - either make the home available for social housing or prepare the property for return to the private market,” Deb said.

 

Video &Transcript:  Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington’s speech to Parliament on Thursday 22nd Feb - https://www.facebook.com/DebFrecklingtonMP/videos/331123143258942

Mrs Frecklington (Nanango—LNP) (6.10 pm): In the middle of the ongoing housing crisis, where 40,000 Queenslanders are desperately waiting for social housing, there is still a state government owned home in the town of Nanango which has remained empty for nearly four years. I have asked questions of the various ministers, I have stood in this House and I have talked about this issue, yet this four-bedroom home sits empty while families in my region desperately search for a way to put a roof over their heads. Labor claim they are swooping on homes for social housing, but this is a classic case of the government caring more about how things look than about how things actually are. 

I am appalled by Labor's lack of action on this issue. Labor's former minister for public works could not make a decision on how to utilise this home. I now call on the new public works minister to do something about this forgotten housing asset. They should either make the home available for social housing or prepare the property for a return to the private market if they cannot do anything about it. It is a four-bedroom home sitting completely empty.           cont’d over page…

Interestingly, that empty home in Nanango was formerly occupied by a respected Nanango doctor, Dr John Robinson, who left the residence in June 2020 on his retirement. I want to thank Dr Robbie for his service. I note that, while he did retire, he works now as a private GP in Nanango because, like in so many other regional areas, there is a continuing chronic shortage of GPs across this electorate.

Charlotte takes out Deb’s School Leavers Bursary

Charlotte takes out Deb’s School Leavers Bursary

14th February 2024

Kingaroy State High School graduate, Charlotte Landherr, has been selected to receive Deb Frecklington’s Nanango Electorate Year 12 School Leaver’s Bursary.

Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington has personally congratulated Charlotte who was one of many graduates who applied for the $1,000 Bursary.

“This year was a very difficult choice for my School Leavers Bursary with a large number of high-quality applications from Year 12 graduates across the Nanango Electorate,” Deb said.

“My bursary aims to help them with the costs associated with making the move to access further education and training, whether it be for TAFE, university or an apprenticeship.  

“Following the interview process, Charlotte was chosen to receive the bursary, which will help her relocate to Townsville to study medicine at James Cook University.

“I would like to thank Mr Keith Campbell who once again assisted me with each of the interviews, and in the difficult task of choosing the Bursary winner.

“We were very impressed by Charlotte’s aspiration to become a regional doctor, and her desire to give back to rural communities.

“Her efforts have seen her achieve her goal of being accepted to study medicine and I know this financial support will help make her transition to Townsville just that little bit easier. 

Applications for the 2024 Deb Frecklington Nanango Electorate Year 12 School Leavers Bursary will open in early October 2024.

Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington with Nanango Electorate Year 12 School Leavers Bursary winner, Charlotte Landherr.

LNP introduces legislation to tackle Youth Crime

13th February 2024

QUEENSLAND YOUTH CRIME CRISIS 

LNP introduces critical amendments to remove “Detention as a Last Resort” and reopen the Children’s Court

On the first sitting day of 2024, the LNP today has taken decisive action to tackle the Youth Crime Crisis gripping Queensland.

In the aftermath of Vyleen White’s death and skyrocketing youth crime, the LNP is introducing three critical amendments to Queensland’s youth crime laws.

The LNP has moved to:

  • ​Amend the Youth Justice Act to remove the provision of “Detention as a Last Resort”
  • Amend the Children’s Court Act to remove the provision excluding victims and their families from Children’s Court on the basis of prejudice to offenders.
  • Amend the Children’s Court Act to reopen the court to media for greater scrutiny.

Shadow Minister for Youth Justice Laura Gerber said the LNP had acted because the longer Labor was in Government, the worse the Queensland Youth Crime Crisis had become.

“These are the laws Queenslanders want.  The LNP has brought them.  Labor should support them,” Ms Gerber said.

“Today the LNP has taken critical action to make our community safer with changes to crime laws, because Labor has failed to act on the crisis they created.

“Queenslanders are living in fear, worried if they’re going to be the next victim of the Youth Crime Crisis, all while Labor fails to act.

“Failing to support these critical changes to the Youth Justice Act and Children’s Court Act will be a clear message Labor cares more about politics than people.

“The Premier has already admitted their cupboard was bare when it comes to tackling youth crime and the Government is in a constant state of chaos in crisis.

“The LNP has put solutions on the table and today we have taken the next step to enact them in Parliament. 

“The LNP’s policy to remove ‘Detention as a Last Resort’ will unshackle the judiciary and police, putting consequence for action at the heart of Youth Justice.

“The LNP has committed to putting the rights of victims above the rights of offenders, which is why we have moved to put a stop to excluding victims from the Children’s Court.

“By reopening the Children’s Court to responsible media reporting, we will be restoring transparency and openness to the Youth Justice process and help put an end to the revolving door of youth crime.

“This Labor Government has the wrong priorities, it is fewer police and watering down crime laws in 2015 that created the Youth Crime Crisis.

“Only the LNP has the Right Priorities for Queensland’s Future, including making our community safer.”

The LNP’s key priorities include increasing the number of police on the beat through retention and attraction, restoring consequence for action at the heart of the Youth Justice Act, diverting young lives from crime by reforming Early Intervention, and fixing the broken Child Safety and Residential Care systems to prevent vulnerable kids heading down a path of crime.