Liberal National Party Leader Deb Frecklington said serious delays to the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing project demonstrate Labor’s inability to manage the construction of key projects for Queenslanders.
"Today’s news today that it was ‘tools down’ on this critical project on February 9 is a blow to business and everyday Queenslanders who need this road built and built now," Ms Frecklington said.
"The Palaszczuk Government awarded the contract to Nexus in July 2015 and have been in charge of the project but refuse to take responsibility.
"Labor’s latest failure to properly oversee the project comes only a week after it was announced construction could be delayed by seven months and ongoing industry concerns with the secrecy around toll prices.
"The LNP fully funded the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing after years of inaction from Labor.
"Under the LNP the Second Range Crossing was on time and on budget - clearly under Labor it’s off the rails."
LNP Member for Toowoomba North, Trevor Watts said the people of Toowoomba and south east Queensland shouldn’t be forced to wait for this game-changing road to open because of the Palaszczuk Government’s incompetence.
"Workers have the right to work in safety, Labor need to fix this mess without further delay," Mr. Watts said.
"Under the LNP the project was set to open in mid to late 2018 but that deadline has blown out under lazy Labor."
A new report from the Queensland Audit Office has again highlighted that Queensland Labor is using electricity as a secret tax.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said the audit of state-owned energy businesses showed record wholesale power prices were bankrolling higher dividends for the money-hungry Palaszczuk Labor Government.
“Labor has recklessly driven power prices to record highs, hurting Queensland households,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Market prices in Queensland reached record levels, as the Palaszczuk Labor Government refused to act on the allegations state-owned generators were gaming the system to the detriment of businesses and families.
“Labor is addicted to the revenue these businesses provide.
“Profits across the sector increased by almost $600 million last year. This meant an 11 per cent increase in dividends to the government.
“That increase in dividends came straight out of the pockets of Queensland households and businesses.”
Ms Frecklington said Labor’s mishandling of the electricity industry would cause future price hikes.
“Remember, Labor ripped $5 billion out of these businesses and today’s audit report again highlights how this will impact them moving forward,” she said.
“The Palaszczuk Government has increased the dividend take at these businesses to 100 per cent, leaving them cash deprived.
“Queensland also has the most concentrated electricity generation market in Australia, but Labor is refusing to introduce competition as a way of driving down costs because they’re addicted to the dividends from these businesses.
“You can’t tax your way to growth. Sadly Labor continues to use electricity as a secret tax, on top of all the other massive tax hikes they’ve either announced or refused to rule out.”
Liberal National Party leader Deb Frecklington said Annastacia Palaszczuk’s decision to refuse an environmental authority (EA) for the Acland mining project on the Darling Downs is the likely death knell for up to 700 local jobs.
"I’m incredibly disappointed on behalf of the people of Oakey and the Darling Downs that the Palaszczuk Government hasn’t done what it said it would do and respected the judicial process underway for the Acland project," Ms Frecklington said.
"Despite a judicial review still being before the courts, Labor decided to unilaterally kill off a mine expansion before that legal process has been allowed to run its course.
"When the LNP asked the Premier in State Parliament today why she had broken her promise to the people of Acland to abide by this legal process, she refused to back away from her Environment Department’s decision to kill the EA.*
"Given the Acland project provides full time jobs for up to 600 Darling Downs locals and contributes almost $500 million to the Queensland economy, the company and its loyal employees should have been given the courtesy of having their day in court.
"Unlike Annastacia Palaszczuk, I know this mine provides critical off-farm employment for so many local primary producers and I’m really worried about what happens to those farming families now.
"Out of respect for those families, the LNP would have respected the court process.
"Labor’s knee jerk reactions and backflips are hurting business confidence, killing investment and costing Queenslanders jobs.
"Whether it’s the Gold Coast resort, the Carmichael project or Aquis in Cairns, who would do business with the Palaszczuk Labor Government when they keep changing the goal posts."
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, will be visiting Toogoolawah, Esk and Coominya on Monday 19th February and she is encouraging community members to come and have a chat!
"I wanted to kick off 2018 with a Mobile Office to give people the opportunity to meet me and to discuss their issues," Deb said.
"I’m keen to ensure I keep right up to date with matters affecting the community. Bookings are essential so please call my office to lock in a time," Deb said.
To make an appointment, please contact the Nanango Electorate Office on 4190 7100 or email nanango@parliament.qld.gov.au.
LNP Shadow Energy Minister Michael Hart today criticised the Palaszczuk Government for taking no action to cut household and business power bills in regional Queensland.
Mr Hart said he backed calls from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) for Labor to urgently act on a May 2016 recommendation to deregulate the Cairns and Townsville energy markets.
"Almost two years after the Productivity Commission recommended that deregulation would cut power bills in regional Queensland and the Palaszczuk Government has done nothing," he said.
"Labor established the Queensland Productivity Commission in 2015 and its first inquiry was into Electricity Pricing. *
"The Commission then recommended in May 2016 that retail competition be expanded in regional Queensland (recommendation 30).
"In its response to the Inquiry, the Palaszczuk Government stated recommendation 30 – expanding competition in regional Queensland - be ‘considered further' but nothing has happened." **
Mr Hart said in South East Queensland retail electricity can save households up to $500 a year.
"Retail competition would lower electricity prices in regional Queensland　but just like so many critical issues this lazy Labor government has done nothing and regional Queenslanders power bills are soaring as a result," he said.
"Annastacia Palaszczuk’s inaction means people in regional Queensland are getting ripped off for their electricity."
*Queensland Productivity Commission - https://www.qpc.qld.gov.au/inquiries/electricity-pricing/
**Palaszczuk Government response to Queensland Productivity Commission Inquiry - https://www.dews.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/939983/qps-response-outline.pdf
On this Safer Internet Day, Liberal National Party Leader Deb Frecklington has urged Queensland parents and carers to take action to educate and protect their kids from the dangers of the internet.
"Like so many parents I struggle to comprehend the complicated world our kids have to live in these days, but we must step up to ensure they’re protected from harm.
"The internet is a fabulous resource but it also presents very real dangers that must be managed.
"The terrible loss of Amy "Dolly" Everett last month touched people from across the nation and cemented in my mind the need to do all we can to stamp out cyber bullying.
"We can’t allow another young person to feel they have no options but to take their own life due to relentless bullying from people they know.
"But the dangers don’t stop there – the internet also allows strangers to enter into our own homes to prey upon our kids and we must constantly reinforce to them how to be ‘cyber safe.’
"That’s why this Safer Internet Day, as a mum of three teenage daughters, I decided to have a fresh conversation with my daughters.*
"I again let them know they can come to me for help if anything is inappropriate, upsetting or dangerous.
"This Safer Internet Day I am encouraging all parents to have a conversation with their kids."
*Click here to view Ms Frecklington’s Safer Internet Day video https://www.dropbox.com/s/nd60rm2gk00ad0g/20180131%20-%20Cyber%20Bullying.mp4?dl=0
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, says the delivery of the new Kingaroy Courthouse is the result of the LNP’s commitment to improving infrastructure in regional areas.
Mrs Frecklington said unless the LNP had committed funding to upgrade the Kingaroy Courthouse in 2014, it would never have been a priority for a Labor Government.
"Our region had been overlooked for so many years for this type of infrastructure investment, and even before I was elected as the local Member in 2012, I had been fighting for years to secure upgrades for the Kingaroy Courthouse," Deb said.
"I took the project to our former LNP Government, and it was only because we understood the need to improve the frontline services in regional areas that we finally saw a commitment to the Kingaroy facility.
"So many services across country Queensland areas had been literally forgotten for so long, it was a proud moment to achieve this improved facility for Kingaroy and the South Burnett.
"We now have a professional and up-to-date Courthouse precinct, which also includes the recently completed Kingaroy Police Station - another major commitment by the former LNP Government.
"While it was a shame that the Labor Government took another two years to get the project underway, it is great to see the service now re-established in these professional new premises.
"The project was also an excellent economic boost for the region, with many local tradespeople and small businesses involved in the construction phase.
Photo: 2014 - Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington, and South Burnett District Law Association representative, Mr Mark Werner, officially unveiling the sign announcing upgrades for the Nanango and Kingaroy Courthouses.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, will be visiting Murgon, Goomeri and Kilkivan on Thursday 8th February and she is encouraging community members to come and have a chat!
"I wanted to kick off 2018 with a Mobile Office to give people the opportunity to meet me and to discuss their issues," Deb said.
"I have received such a warm welcome over the past few months as I’ve travelled around the new parts of the Nanango Electorate and I’m keen to ensure I keep right up to date with matters affecting the community.
"The Murgon mobile Office will be at the Rotunda in the main street on Thursday morning. I’m then heading over to Goomeri and Kilkivan in the afternoon. Bookings are essential so please call my office to lock in a time," Deb said.
To make an appointment, please contact the Nanango Electorate Office on 4190 7100 or email nanango@parliament.qld.gov.au
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, is encouraging young people from the Nanango Electorate to apply for a position in the upcoming 2018 YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament.
Mrs Frecklington said nominations are now open for this year’s youth parliament which kicks off with a forum from 20-22 April in Brisbane, including a formal launch at Parliament House.
"More than 90 young people aged 15 to 25 will be selected to discuss the issues facing our youth and develop legislation that they will debate later in the year," Mrs Frecklington said.
"These young parliamentarians are selected to represent the 93 Queensland electorates based on their enthusiasm, ability to represent their communities and interest and passion for issues affecting Queensland. Four Indigenous members will also be selected to participate.
"These types of opportunities are so important for our young people so we can encourage them to get involved and learn more about how they can initiate change to tackle issues and help improve our communities.
"All Youth Members are involved in committee meetings, mentoring, training and research to help produce the Bills to be debated at Parliament House during the residential week from 23-29 September."
"Applications for the 2018 program close on 23 February, so I would encourage anyone interested to get in quick," she said.
"Youth Parliament teaches young people about the government decision-making process, while providing an excellent leadership opportunity for those who may one day become our future decision makers," she said.
For more information about the YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament, go to http://www.ymcaqyp.org.au/
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington with Rylee Muller, Nanango Youth Parliament Member during the 2017 Youth Parliament in Brisbane.
"This is just another example of our public health system under strain because of a lazy Labor Government and it’s not good enough.
"Annastacia Palaszczuk needs to explain why frontline services are going backwards on her watch.
"When we were in government, the LNP cleared the public dental long wait list.
"It’s time for Labor to stop blaming the patients and start giving our dental clinics the support they need."
