Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington has congratulated ninetee local groups on their success in the recently announced Round 93 of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund grants.
Mrs Frecklington said the community groups will share in nearly $330,000 for projects to improve infrastructure at their facilities, purchase equipment and much more.
“I am proud of my community, especially the hard working volunteer groups who give their time to make our region such a great place to live,” Mrs Frecklington said.
The successful organisations include:
“I encourage all local groups, however big or small, to consider applying for a Gambling Community Benefit Fund Grant to help achieve their goals.”
For more information give my office or call on 4190 7100, or head to http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/corporate/sponsorships-and-grants/grants/community-benefit-funding-programs
Young Queenslanders are continuing to suffer under the do-nothing Labor Government, with the youth unemployment rate sky-rocketing to 23.6 per cent in Wide Bay.
LNP Shadow Treasurer Scott Emerson said today’s youth unemployment figures were more evidence that Queensland was stagnating, leaving young jobseekers left behind.
“Labor’s jobs crisis has hit especially hard in Wide Bay with more than 1,000 job losses in the last 12 months,” Mr Emerson said.
“The youth unemployment rate would be even higher if 800 people didn’t give up looking for work.
“The Premier claims her Government cares about ‘jobs, jobs, jobs’ but she’s silent on the fact that young Queensland jobseekers are losing hope under her government.”
Mr Emerson said young Queenslanders deserved more from Annastacia Palaszczuk.
“These irrefutably show Labor’s ‘jobs budget’ is nothing more than a con job,” Mr Emerson said.
Mr Emerson said the LNP’s Get Queensland Working program would reverse Labor’s youth jobs trend by reducing the cost of working for young apprentices and offering financial incentives for businesses which train and retain staff.
“Unlike Labor, with a jobs program that has produced only a fraction of the jobs needed in the Wide Bay region, the LNP has consulted with industry and developed a real plan that will create jobs today,” Mr Emerson said.
“The LNP’s $100 million Get Queensland Working will create up to 20,000 jobs for young Queenslanders through financial incentives for businesses which take on young apprentices and vouchers for young tradies to buy their tools whether they’re a hairdresser, a carpenter or a pastry chef.
Transcript of Deb’s speech in Parliament on the Trading Hours Bill. or watch here
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington has backed South Burnett jobs and small businesses after the LNP forced the Palaszczuk Government into an embarrassing backflip, with Labor having to make major amendments to proposed trading hour reforms.
Mrs Frecklington said Labor’s laws were poorly drafted and would have led to price hikes for South Burnett shoppers, less job security and less opportunities for young people to get a job.
“We stood up for small business and their employees in the South Burnett and across regional Queensland to ensure they received a better deal under Labor’s proposed trading hour changes,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“I was proud to talk about local business like Bill Hull Car Centre, Ken Mills Toyota, our IGA stores and independent hardware stores like and Airds Hardware in Nanango, who are all affected by the legislation.
“This was about standing up for the little guy, supporting independent retailers and promoting competition to keep a lid on prices for customers.
“Until the LNP intervened, regional communities were being treated as second-rate citizens by a Brisbane-centric Labor Government.
“The LNP has protected local jobs and delivered trading hours certainty for Queensland small
business.
“Up until now larger retailers have used the opportunity to regularly seek changes to trading hours by making application to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission – a costly process out of reach for many small businesses.
“Our amendments lock in trading hours for each part of Queensland for the next five years, taking away a major business uncertainty for smaller operators.”
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls said the LNP did not support the Bill when it was introduced because
Labor had done such a bad job of consulting and listening to all sides.
“We weren’t dictated to by big business. We stood up for small businesses right across Queensland,” Mr Nicholls said.
“This was about standing up for mum and dad local businesses and giving them certainty so that they can invest and employ more locals.
“Labor’s laws were only geared towards the big end of town. They couldn’t tell us how many jobs in small business would have been lost under their first Bill.
“Only the LNP has a plan to support small business to create jobs across the state and Build a Better Queensland.”
The LNP has forced the Palaszczuk Government into an embarrassing backflip, with Labor having to make major amendments to proposed trading hour reforms.
Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls said Labor’s laws were poorly drafted and would have led to price hikes for shoppers, less job security and less opportunities for young people to get a job.
“We stood up for small business and their employees to ensure they received a better deal under Labor’s proposed trading hour changes,” Mr Nicholls said.
“This was about standing up for the little guy, supporting small businesses and promoting competition to keep a lid on prices for customers.
“Until the LNP intervened, regional communities were being treated as second-rate citizens by a Brisbane-centric Labor Government.
“The LNP has protected local jobs and delivered trading hours certainty for Queensland small business.
“Up until now larger retailers have used the opportunity to regularly seek changes to trading hours by making application to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission – a costly process out of reach for many small businesses.
“Our amendments lock in trading hours for each part of Queensland for the next five years, taking away a major business uncertainty for smaller operators.”
Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations Jarrod Bleijie said the LNP did not support the Bill when it was introduced because Labor had done such a bad job of consulting and listening to all sides.
“We weren’t dictated to by big business. We stood up for small businesses right across Queensland,” Mr Bleijie said.
“This was about standing up for mum and dad local businesses and giving them certainty so that they can invest and employ more locals.
“Labor’s laws were only geared towards the big end of town. They couldn’t tell us how many jobs in small business would have been lost under their first Bill.
“Only the LNP has a plan to support small business to create jobs across the state and Build a Better Queensland.”
The Queensland Parliament tonight delivered a damming blow to the Palaszczuk Labor Government for using electricity as a secret tax which is crippling Queensland businesses and costing jobs.
Shadow Treasurer Scott Emerson said the motion introduced by the LNP which condemned Labor’s high prices as a secret tax was the third vote the minority Labor government had lost in the Parliament today.
“Labor have continued to use energy prices as a secret tax, and tonight the Parliament agreed to publicly expose Labor’s electricity ‘hoax’ as a con on all Queenslanders,” Mr Emerson said.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk has presided over a period of the highest-ever power costs in Queensland’s history, and the Queensland Parliament took a stand and told them enough is enough.
“This is a government in chaos which has lost control of the Parliament as Queenslanders realise Labor is all about cons, costs and crisis.
“Labor tells Queenslanders they’ve never had it so good, but they aren’t fooling anyone.”
Shadow Energy Minister Michael Hart said it’s little wonder Parliament voted to condemn the Palaszczuk Government on energy when their policies will do nothing to reduce the costs for Queenslanders.
“Queensland’s economy can’t grow if it’s weighed down by high electricity costs, and the Palaszczuk Government were told in no uncertain terms they’re failing to manage those costs,” Mr Hart said.
“The impact of Labor’s gouging of consumers has seen wholesale power prices skyrocket by 70 per cent, which shows that the Palaszczuk Labor government delivers only Cons, Costs and Crisis.
“Queensland families and businesses are seeing their bills going up because of Labor’s failed policies.
“Industry and families are paying thousands of dollars more for electricity, and Labor couldn’t care less.
“Only the LNP has a plan to deal with skyrocketing power bills and get rid of Labor’s secret tax.”
A new survey has again confirmed it’s getting even tougher for business under the Palaszczuk Labor Government.
LNP Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington said the latest CCIQ Pulse survey of business conditions showed regional small businesses were feeling pessimistic about the year ahead.
“What’s most worrying is that the survey shows businesses in regional parts of the state, such as the South Burnett, are less profitable and face higher business costs,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“Unsurprisingly, the extremely high cost of electricity was listed as the number one issue facing small businesses right across the state.
“Power prices are particularly hurting the agricultural industry. This is really worrying for our
region, where the majority of businesses are either farming businesses or heavily rely on the business they do with our farmers.
“Sixty-five per cent of agricultural businesses surveyed indicated electricity prices were critically impacting them.
“Agriculture experienced the worst price rises of any industry, with 41 per cent of respondents
saying prices had jumped 75-100 per cent in the last two years.
“The survey also shows that unlike business in other industries, farmers aren’t in a position to pass these increasing costs on to customers and this challenges their profitability.”
Deb said the LNP recognised farming businesses couldn’t survive if prices kept increasing.
“The LNP has already pledged to establish the Agriculture Energy and Water Council which will give farmers a seat at the table with Ministers and energy company representatives to tackle critical issues such as tariff reform,” Deb said.
“We’re going to keep fighting against Labor’s actions that have pushed up prices. Labor’s expensive green schemes and the decision to load up state-owned companies with billions of dollars of debt have had a disastrous impact.
“Farming businesses in the South Burnett, can’t face these price increases by themselves. I
guarantee that I’ll listen to them and act on electricity prices to ensure a future for the industry and our region.”
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington has slammed a recent announcement by the State Government which claims to provide a 25 per cent electricity discount for customers in southeast Queensland.
Mrs Frecklington said the announcement was false, as the discount did not apply to the 4306 postcode.
“Labor claims their deal with CS Energy and Alinta Energy is for southeast Queensland, but it definitely does not cover the whole southeast corner,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“When residents from Postcode 4306 check their eligibility, they are excluded from this deal. This is a large area comprising parts of Somerset, Brisbane and the Ipswich region – which are all clearly in southeast Queensland!
“The Somerset areas include Fernvale, Wivenhoe Pocket, Harlin, Moore and Linville. And included in the Ipswich region are Amberley, Blacksoil, Karalee, Karana Downs, Ripley and Willowbank.”
Mrs Frecklington said the Alinta Energy deal was a cynical attempt in the dying days of the Palaszczuk Government to pretend Labor cared about rising power prices.
“It shows how desperate Labor has become to secure votes ahead of the next state election,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“Labor’s announcement is a slap in the face from this Brisbane-centric government for people living further afield in our regional areas.
“Regional Queensland is hurting and this government doesn’t care. In fact, two of Annastacia Palaszczuk’s own MPs took the extraordinary step last week to call her out publicly on that fact.
“Higher power prices are a tax by stealth – pure and simple. Everywhere I travel, people in Queensland are frustrated, angry and fearful about the price of power.
“Labor created this mess – it started with Beattie and Bligh and now Annastacia Palaszczuk is making it worse.”
Comment on protest in Kingaroy today -
“The protest in Kingaroy today was a joke,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“There was not one local amongst them - how dare these out-of-towners come here and try to criticise our local industries.
“Swickers is our region’s largest employer and our whole town survives on the economic flow-on effects of the agriculture sector.
“While democracy is a good thing, I’ll always stand up for our locals and their livelihoods.
Annastacia Palaszczuk’s cynical attempt in the dying days of her government to pretend she cares about rising power prices shows how desperate Labor has become to secure votes ahead of the next state election.
Liberal National Party Leader Tim Nicholls said Labor’s announcement today would do nothing for struggling Queensland families that had been slugged to the back teeth with record power price rises under Labor.
He said he understood the effects higher power prices had on Queensland families and it was the number one issue raised with him irrespective of where he was in the state.
“This proves that Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor have been using people’s electricity bill to tax them by stealth,” Mr Nicholls said.
“The announcement today is nothing but a cynical attempt by an inexperienced Premier who still hasn’t worked out how to lower energy prices for each and every household, small business and manufacturer in the state.”
LNP Deputy Leader Deb Frecklington said Regional Queensland households, businesses and farmers could not afford another three years of Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor.
“Regional Queensland is hurting and this government doesn’t care. In fact, two of Annastacia Palaszczuk’s own MPs took the extraordinary step last week to call her out publicly on that fact,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Labor’s announcement is purely for households in the south-east – what a slap in the face that is for people living in Mackay, Townsville and Cairns from this Brisbane-centric government.
“Under the Palaszczuk Labor Government, Queenslanders are paying more for power than ever before as electricity prices hit record highs.
“Higher power prices are a tax by stealth – pure and simple. Everywhere I travel, people in Queensland are frustrated, angry and fearful about the price of power.
“Labor created this mess – it started with Beattie and Bligh and now Annastacia Palaszczuk is making it worse.”
A Tim Nicholls-led LNP Government will review speed limits on 100 Queensland roads to ensure limits are sensible and safe.
Liberal National Party Leader Tim Nicholls said, when in government, the LNP’s $350 million Road Safety Action Plan delivered Queensland’s lowest road toll on record.
“That plan included a review of speed limits on 100 Queensland roads* to ensure limits were appropriate for individual roads,” Mr Nicholls said.
“Congestion costs motorists time and our economy money. Having ‘fit-for-purpose’ speed limits will help alleviate congestion and get Queenslanders home sooner.
“It’s been a long time since speed limits on many of our roads have been thoroughly reviewed.”
Mr Nicholls said many speed limits are a result of legacy limits which haven’t kept up to date with the increased standard of roads or do not take into consideration local variances.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government scrapped the LNP’s successful speed limit review policy,” he said.
“In that first review Queenslanders nominated 3000 roads, with 100 short-listed to have their speed limits reviewed.”
LNP Shadow Transport and Main Roads Minister Andrew Powell said the LNP would again ensure police and road safety engineers assess the speed limits on short-listed roads to protect community safety.
“Queenslanders will be encouraged to nominate speed limits for review because they are the ones who drive these roads every day,” Mr Powell said.
“Depending on the outcome of the review, a road’s speed limit can either increase, decrease or stay the same. In a number of cases speed limits along a stretch of road may increase and decrease to create a standard limit.
“The LNP’s Sensible Speed Limits Policy is a part of our plan to build safe and liveable communities which, in turn, will help us Build a Better Queensland.”
*Road safety engineers and police conducted safety assessments on the roads, which resulted in changes including:
Round Three of my ‘Local Hero Grants’ is now open and I’d like to encourage people to send in their applications.
Grants of $250 are available for community groups from the Nanango Electorate, and also for individuals needing assistance to travel to sporting events or other competitions.
The grants provides an opportunity to show my support, thanks and appreciation for all our hardworking volunteer groups who make such a difference for our community. And to encourage people who are attending sporting or other events and need assistance to make it possible.
The closing date is 31 August, so get your applications in! If you would like to apply, please go to my website at www.debfrecklington.com.au or contact the Electorate office on 4190 7100 for the guidelines.
Photo: Deb with Round 2 winners – Catherine Woodham, President of Kumbia QCWA, and Nanango local, Jae Clarke.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, says it has been revealed that the shed on the Mill Street Forestry property in Yarraman will be demolished.
Mrs Frecklington said it seemed ‘crazy’ that this would occur, given that there’d be no community consultation and that the newly formed Yarraman Men’s Shed have made requests to utilise the facility.
“I just can’t believe the State Government intends to demolish the Yarraman Forestry Shed,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“This infrastructure is perfectly suited to a group such as the Yarraman Men’s Shed, yet this Labor Government have decided the Shed is worthless and will be torn down.
“I have been working with the Yarraman Men’s Shed to seek permission for them to utilise the building, but now we have found out the property is being transferred to another government agency and will be removed.
“It seems crazy that the Government would spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to tear down a perfectly good building, when they could buy much more suitable land elsewhere in Yarraman.
“There’s just no common sense. The Shed has laid dormant for so long, and all of a sudden we hear this news. They haven’t consulted with the Yarraman community, and I know the residents would not want this to occur.
“I’m calling on the Labor Government to delay this land transfer and reconsider this plan,” Deb said.
Photo: Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington with members of the Yarraman Men’s Shed, Kerry Wyvil (left) and Graham Lancaster
