Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington and Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien
Statement
Now is the time to step up and get vaccinated against COVID 19.
Together with the Cherbourg Council both Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien and State Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington are calling on their community to protect themselves against COVID.
Now that we have better access to vaccines in our region we encourage community members to take up this opportunity and get vaccinated so we can look after our family and friends.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington says the Labor Government has forgotten the Somerset and Lockyer again, with the areas not included in the home quarantine trial.
Mrs Frecklington said the exclusion of the Somerset and Lockyer from the trial is extremely disappointing.
“People from the Somerset and Lockyer have been completely overlooked to be a part of this quarantine trial,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“These regions are both less than two hours from Brisbane and are largely rural.
“It is difficult to accept, especially as the State Government have been including our communities in the south-east Queensland COVID-19 restrictions for some time now.
“This is just another example of the State Government disregarding the Somerset and Lockyer when it suits them,” Deb said.
Member for Lockyer, Jim McDonald said, “Our community has shared the pain of lockdowns and restrictions, but are now getting no benefit from this sensible home quarantine trial.”
“Our rural communities are spacious and in fact provide the ideal location for home quarantine,” Mr McDonald said.
“We call on the Labor Government to do the right thing and extend the home quarantine trial to the Somerset and Lockyer areas,” Deb said.
“The South Burnett continues to be hit with bank closures and this time it’s ANZ Kingaroy who will abandon their regional customers,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“I have been advised that ANZ Kingaroy will close its doors in March 2022, leaving behind thousands of business, community group and individual customers.
“This will be the third ANZ branch to leave my Nanango Electorate, with Kilcoy and Toogoolawah also closed over recent years.
“Unfortunately, this is now the common theme for the big banks, who believe they can service their customers just as well online.
“However, it will also be necessary for community groups, businesses and many individual customers to have access to face-to-face banking services. And we all know that many people in regional areas have poor internet connection, or no computer access at all, so internet banking isn’t always the answer.
“The other thing that we’re seeing in regional Queensland is the issue of cybercrime. More and more people are being targeted in scams and there is a genuine need for victims of these crimes to be able to access their bank in person to discuss their situation.
“I am hugely disappointed with the ANZ Bank and their decision to strip services from the South Burnett,” Mrs Frecklington said.
• REVEALED: Full extent of North Coast (which includes the Somerset) road funding shambles
• ROADWORK BACKLOG: More than $1.1 billion and counting
• ROAD FUNDING: Millions cut from North Coast road infrastructure
The state government is losing control of road infrastructure projects on the North Coast.
Shadow Minister for Transport and Main Roads Steve Minnikin says Mark Bailey’s incompetence is costing the North Coast millions of dollars.
“Motorists are stuck in traffic because of Bailey’s budget blowouts,” Mr Minnikin said.
“Motorists aren’t getting new roads because of Bailey’s budget blowouts.
“The North Coast region has a deferred maintenance backlog of more than $1.1 billion.
“That’s more than a billion dollars of safety improvements, pot holes and signage that isn’t being fixed on local roads.
“The state government has also ripped out millions of dollars on North Coast road projects.
“Last year Labor promised they would spend $870 million in 2021/22, but this year that figure is down to $651 million.
“That’s $217 million dollars not being spent on the Sunshine Coast as originally promised.
“It’s not just the North Coast feeling the affects of Bailey’s budget blowouts.
“The state government’s biggest road project, the Coomera Connector on the Gold Coast has blown out by more than $600 million.
“All Queenslanders deserve to get home sooner and safer no matter where they live.
“North Coast locals deserve more than Bailey’s budget blowouts and broken promises on crucial road infrastructure projects.”
Deferred maintenance backlog on the North Coast Region- $1.114 billion.
• Data is from estimates this year
• North Coast region is from Pomona in the north to Strathpine (Brisbane) in the south
Reduction in 2021-22 budget spend of 25%
• Last year’s QTRIP said they would spend $870m in 2021/22. This year’s QTRIP shows they will only spend $651m.
• An example is the Beerburrum to Nambour rail duplication which is underspent by $10m and the 2021/22 spend has been reduced by $32m.
Source: QTRIP (Queensland 2020/2021 Budget)
The LNP is calling for the terms of reference into shocking allegations of botched surgery and abuse at Caboolture Hospital to immediately be expanded with an assurance that it will be independent.
Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates said the Labor Government’s review was inadequate and would not guarantee a full and thorough investigation into the claims brought by several patients, doctors and nurses.
In a letter to Health Minister Yvette D’Ath, Ms Bates called for immediate changes to the terms of reference saying it was not satisfactory in its current form.
Ms Bates identified three key aspects that required change.
Ms Bates said openness, transparency and accountability was critical.
“The people of Caboolture must be heard,” Ms Bates said.
“They must also have confidence that patient safety at the Caboolture Hospital has not been compromised.
“Queenslanders need to trust our public health system, knowing that when they attend one of our hospitals, they will receive the very best care.
“I’m urgently calling on the Health Minister to amend the terms of reference and to guarantee its independence.
“The people of Caboolture deserve better from this government.”
“I am truly saddened to hear the news of the passing of local Cherbourg icon Uncle Bevan Costello,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“My husband Jason and I send our sincerest sympathies to his family and the Cherbourg community.
“This is a devastating loss for Cherbourg and I pass on my gratitude for the work Uncle Bevan has done across so many groups and organisations including 30 years as Deputy Principal at Cherbourg State School and the Barambah campus of Arethusa College, two terms on the Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council, founding member of the Ration Shed and the Muran Djan Centre for Cherbourg Men.
“Most recently I met with Uncle Bevan in his role as Chair of the Barambah Local Justice Group where he highlighted key issues affecting the people of Cherbourg.
“He was passionate in this role, and also as a member of the Qld Sentencing Advisory Council and as a JP Magistrate on the Murri Court.
“Uncle Bevan Costello is one of those people that everyone who met remembered. I know that he will be remembered with absolute fondness by so many people across Queensland—not only in Cherbourg, Murgon and the South Burnett district but across the wider Indigenous community across Queensland.
“May you rest in peace, Uncle Bevan.”
Link: Deb’s speech in Parliament 15th September 2021 - https://tv.parliament.qld.gov.au/?reference=0Mba20210915_210921
