Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, says the announcement yesterday of a three month trial Nurse Navigator trial for Kilkivan and Goomeri is a good start.
Mrs Frecklington said the announcement was made at a special health forum in Kilkivan on 21st June, which came about through community pressure and a recent petition.
"The community deserve a huge congratulations for their unwavering determination to see a Community Health Nurse back in Kilkivan," Mrs Frecklington said.
"This process began in February, when three Kilkivan ladies, Mavis O’Neill, Jan Kirby and Joyce Koy approached me to highlight the need for the services of a Community Health Nurse.
"At the time, I wrote to the Minister for Health, Steven Miles, but he rejected our initial request to bring back these services.
"We then decided to start a petition to demonstrate the need to the Minister, and this month I tabled the petition which attracted 354 signatures, a significant achievement for small towns like Kilkivan and Goomeri.
"It was really pleasing that nearly 100 people attended a special health services forum in Kilkivan on 21st June.
"The forum was a direct result of our calls for a Community Health Nurse and I would like to thank the Federal Government’s PHN (Central Qld, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast) and the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service (SCHHS) for listening to the communities concerns and taking steps to improve health services for the two towns.
"The three month trial of a Nurse Navigator for Kilkivan is welcome, and I encourage the community to make use of the service to demonstrate the need.
"I will keep track of the progress of the trial and will be lobbying to ensure the service becomes permanent," Deb said.
"Congratulations must go to Mavis O’Neill, Jan Kirby and Joyce Koy who first raised this issue with me and then worked very hard to coordinate the petition in Kilkivan and Goomeri. It goes to show that perseverance and determination does pay off, and if you believe in something strongly enough, you can create change," Deb said.
Photo: Nearly 100 people were involved in the Health Forum held in Kilkivan which sought community feedback on health service needs for the region.
Our kids and teachers have been suffering in hot classrooms for too long.
Kids are being sent home with heat exhaustion and are often unable to learn because it is simply too hot.
In Parliament recently, I talked about schools like Yarraman State School, which only has 60% of its classrooms air conditioned. I know many of our P&C’s have worked hard to fundraise for air-conditioning, but in many cases, there are just too many classrooms to get the full job done. And this means many kids miss out.
During summer, temperatures in classrooms across schools the Nanango Electorate often rise above 35 degrees and last year Queensland had its hottest year on record.
How can children possibly learn and teachers teach in these conditions.
The simple answer is they can’t.
The LNP has a plan to keep kids and teachers cool by air-conditioning every state school classroom in Queensland.
We know our children learn better in cooler classrooms and this is all part of our plan to make our kids the smartest in the nation.
Our plan to air condition classrooms will lead to better student results and a more comfortable working environment for our teachers, teacher aides and Principals.
We want our kids to be the smartest in the nation, as well as the coolest.
The Liberal National Party plans to bring down electricity bills by $300 by introducing competition to regional Queensland’s electricity market.
In response to Labor’s Budget of taxes, debt and unemployment, LNP Leader Deb Frecklington today announced her plan to level the playing field for electricity retailers in regional Queensland.
"Households in regional Queensland deserve affordable energy but the government-owned Ergon Energy has a stranglehold on the market," Ms Frecklington said.
"The LNP believes more competition in the marketplace is the best way to drive down prices and should not be restricted to the Southeast corner.
"Southeast Queenslanders are spoilt for choice when it comes to their energy retailers while regional communities are chained to Ergon.
"It’s not good enough that Queenslanders north of Gympie and west of Toowoomba are treated like second-class citizens."
Ms Frecklington said the LNP would introduce reforms to allow other energy retailers to compete against Ergon.
"The LNP’s plan would end Labor’s electricity divide between the Southeast and the rest of Queensland and deliver real choice for regional communities," she said.
"Competition drives efficiencies and cuts bills and that’s why an elected LNP Government would make extending retail competition to the whole of Queensland a priority.
"The LNP’s plan would make the market more attractive for retail operators to compete against Ergon’s retail business and ensure all Queenslanders can look for better deals.
"Labor’s only plan is to use electricity as a secret tax and set state-based renewable energy targets that push up everyone’s bills."
Ms Frecklington said giving regional Queenslanders the chance to shop around would save households around $300 a year (based on the experience of households in the Southeast where competition is strong and consumers are saving $350 to $400).
LNP Shadow Minister for Energy Michael Hart said Labor’s great electricity rip-off was a kick in the guts for regional Queensland from a Brisbane-centric Labor Government.
"Labor set up the Electricity Pricing Inquiry and has failed to act on key recommendations that should provide cheaper electricity," Mr Hart said.
"The last LNP Government introduced competition into the retail electricity market in Southeast Queensland and if Deb Frecklington were Premier she would apply the policy statewide.
"We’re now seeing competition deliver real savings in Southeast Queensland.
"According to the Queensland Productivity Commission, this reform would deliver around $303 million in benefits to regional customers over the initial five-year period due to price discounting and competition.
"The LNP’s plan would also maintain the Uniform Tariff Policy, which supports economic development by levelling the playing field for businesses operating in the regions."
The LNP’s plan to introduce competition in regional energy markets complemented two polices announced earlier this month to boost competition and support green energy by:
Background:
The Queensland Productivity Commission Electricity Pricing Inquiry states:
Our Economic Plan will be uploaded at 2.00pm today. Find the Economic plan at: www.deb2020.com.au/our-plan
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington has today pledged a Government she leads will air-condition every state school classroom in Queensland as a part of her plan to make Queensland kids the smartest and the coolest in the nation.
Ms Frecklington said Queensland kids and teachers had been suffering in hot classrooms for too long.
"Currently there are children and teachers sweltering in classrooms with no air-conditioning," Ms Frecklington said.
"Last year, Gatton hit 45.7 degrees Celsius, Dalby hit 43, Warwick hit 42.2, Toowoomba hit 40.8 and in January Brisbane’s maximum temperature was 37.5 degrees.
"How can children possibly learn and how can teachers teach in these conditions.
"This is why, as a part of our education plan, we will air-condition every classroom in Queensland so our children have the best possible chance at learning.
"This is all part of our plan to make Queensland kids the smartest in the nation.
"Cool kids are smart kids."
Ms Frecklington said the Palaszczuk Labor Government had no plan to air condition classrooms across the whole state.
"Last year we had the hottest year on record across Queensland with many communities in Southeast Queensland recording their highest temperatures ever," Ms Frecklington said.
"This is why I will deliver air-conditioning to classrooms in every state school in Queensland so our children have the best chance to learn.
"Our plan to air condition classrooms will lead to better student results and a more comfortable working environment for our teachers, teacher aides and Principals."
LNP Shadow Education Minister Jarrod Bleijie said Labor were all talk and no action when it comes to investing in education.
"Labor’s only plan is taxes, debt and unemployment," Mr Bleijie said.
"Kids are being sent home with heat exhaustion and yet Labor are turning a blind eye to this problem.
"In 2017, 13 out of 20 NAPLAN rankings went backwards and it is no wonder kids are struggling to learn when some days their classrooms are over 35 degrees.
"Schools will be cool under the LNP’s plan.
"We want our kids to be the smartest in the nation, as well as the coolest."
Our Economic Plan will be uploaded at 2.00pm today. Find the Economic plan at: www.deb2020.com.au/our-plan
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, says the announcement in this week’s State Budget that Kilkivan will get a new Fire Station is old news.
Mrs Frecklington said it is extremely disappointing that the majority of projects in the 2018/19 State Budget are just re-announcements.
"The Kilkivan Fire Station was announced in last year’s State Budget. The Labor Government is simply pulling out the smoke and mirrors on the Kilkivan community," Mrs Frecklington said.
"It’s very worrying though that over this full year, no works have actually started on the Kilkivan Fire Station, so I’ll be keeping a close eye on this promise to make sure it is delivered.
"And when it comes to the road network in the western part of the Gympie region, we are seeing no funding for the Kilkivan-Tansey Road or the Running Creek Bridget near Woolooga.
"Sadly, the Burnett Highway has again missed out, with just $200,000 to widen and seal a 700m section somewhere between Goomeri and Gayndah. It’s unacceptable that this is all that has been set aside for the Burnett, especially in light of the recent fatalities," she said.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said this week’s State Budget revealed Labor will rip $366 million out of Queensland’s wagering and racing industry over the next four years.
"Labor’s budget of taxes, debt and unemployment confirmed that the Palaszczuk Government has failed to listen to Queensland’s racing industry," Ms Frecklington said.
"Labor’s wagering tax was meant to raise $30 million a year, at a rate that industry said would cost 300 jobs – it’s now set to raise a whopping $100 million a year.
"The industry told Labor that a 15% tax was too high but instead of listening and working with the industry they decided to tax them even more.
"This is a broken election promise and a total breach of faith.
"Jackie Trad has shown how arrogant and out of touch she is with a massive tax grab on the wagering and racing industry.
"Hundreds of direct jobs are at risk and thousands of indirect jobs.
"Labor always thinks it can tax its way to growth but Queenslanders are always the losers."
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, says just 1.9 per cent of the North Coast region State Network roads budget has been allocated to the Somerset region.*
Mrs Frecklington said this is an unacceptable amount, given the continued deterioration of the major connecting roads throughout the Somerset.
"It seems unbelievable that there is no funding for the D’Aguilar Highway within the Somerset Regional Council area, and no funding for new overtaking lanes or turning lanes for the Brisbane Valley Highway," Mrs Frecklington said.
"The Somerset road network has been completely overlooked and once again our regional communities will have to put up with a third class road system.
"The Esk community will appreciate funding which has been earmarked to commence the replacement of the Esk Fire Station. I’ll be watching this project to see that it is completed and on time.
"The Budget papers also list $1million to commence the restoration of the Jimna Fire Tower. It doesn’t go into detail about when this will begin, but it will be another project to watch closely and ensure it isn’t just a false promise from Labor which is never undertaken," Deb said.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, says the State Budget is just smoke and mirrors, with no major new announcements for the South Burnett.
Mrs Frecklington said it is extremely disappointing that once again the South Burnett has been overlooked.
"Most of the projects are re-announcements. There are no new major projects for the South Burnett in this State Budget," Mrs Frecklington said.
"Most of these projects have already started, like the Kingaroy SHS Multi-purpose Hall and the Kingaroy Hospital.
"Another $20million has been budgeted for to continue the work on the Kingaroy Hospital, but this only brings the money’s allocated so far to $28million. This is a $62 million project and it’s extremely concerning that we might see the project held up with not enough funding allocated this year.
"It is also very disappointing to learn that the Kingaroy Hospital is not on the list to be included in the Digital Hospital’s rollout," Deb said.
"Common sense would indicate that including digital technologies at the same time as the Hospital’s refurbishment would be the way to go, however, once again Kingaroy will miss out.
"I have requested a briefing with the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service to better understand the services to be included in the new Hospital and funding arrangements. The digital hospital rollout will certainly be on my long list of questions," Deb said.
"In regards to road funding, we are finally seeing a recognition that funding needs to be spent on the Bunya-Mountains Maidenwell Road, but it is not until 2020/21. This is just too long to wait.
"There is a small budget for widening and sealing an 800m section of the Byee Road and $6.5 million for the D’Aguilar Highway.
"But, the Burnett Highway has again missed out, with just $200,000 to widen and seal a 700m section somewhere between Goomeri and Gayndah. It’s unacceptable that this is all that has been set aside for the Burnett, especially in light of the recent fatalities," she said.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, said today’s State Budget announcement that a new Fire Station will be built in Yarraman means that the State Government must now do the right thing and make the DAF Forestry Shed available to the Yarraman Men’s Shed.
Mrs Frecklington said while the Yarraman community will welcome investment in a new Fire Station, they must help fast track the process to help the Men’s Shed to finally find a home.
"The State’s Public Safety Business Agency (PSBA) has confirmed that they have concluded their investigations into where the new station should located and their results have confirmed they will choose an alternative site to the DAF Forestry Shed which they had originally considered," Mrs Frecklington said.
"After lobbying the State Government on behalf of the Yarraman Men’s Shed, it is good news that they have confirmed they will relinquish any further interest in the Mill Street property.
"However, now that the State Government has confirmed the Fire Station will be purpose built, the process to hand over the building to the Yarraman Men’s Shed should not be held up any further.
"It makes good, common sense to get the Yarraman Men’s Shed into the DAF Forestry Building as soon as possible.
"Other communities within the Nanango Electorate to also receive funding to commence new Fire Stations are Esk, Kilkivan and Wooroolin.
"This is a good start, and I will be monitoring this spending to ensure the projects are completed and on time," Deb said.
Photo – Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington with members of the Yarraman Men’s Shed.
I am extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Valmai Burnett of Avocavale, a woman with true passion and vision for the environment and sustainable land management.
Valmai first made contact with me not long after I took on the role as the Local Member in 2012. During our first meeting, it was obvious that this was a woman with a wealth of information on the Somerset region, in particular, the headwaters of the Brisbane River. She shared maps, articles and reports on as much as she could, and over the years, kept me updated with her work and environmental commitments.
The fax machine in my office was frequently busy receiving her lengthy, typewritten letters, and accompanying information, as she was very good at communicating the issues which impacted on the management of our natural resources, especially our water and soil.
I will greatly miss Valmai. She was an incredible woman who had travelled the world, but loved her unique property here in the Somerset. Our region is blessed to have been the beneficiary of the passion and vision of Valmai and her late husband Graham. May she rest in peace at Rathburnie.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, says she is cautiously optimistic following the announcement by the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service (SCHHS) that they will deliver services to the Kilkivan and Goomeri communities.
Mrs Frecklington said the announcement comes after the community approached her to highlight the need for the services of a Community Health Nurse, and a petition was started to demonstrate the need to the Minister for Health.
"This week in State Parliament I will be tabling the petition, calling on the State Government to provide a Community Health Nurse for Kilkivan and Goomeri. There are 354 signatures, which is a significant achievement," Mrs Frecklington said.
However, Mrs Frecklington said that while the announcement by the SCHHS is welcome, it is still yet to be seen if the services will be delivered on the ground.
"The announcement by the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service District that they will listen and consult with the community on the issue is welcome, especially in light of the Minister for Health’s initial rejection of my request," Deb said.
"I would encourage the community to attend the Forum on the 21st June and directly voice their feedback for the services needed in the district. This is a good start and I will keep the pressure up to ensure a Community Health Nurse returns to the district.
"I applaud the Kilkivan and Goomeri communities for their determination and assistance in pushing for better community health services in their townships," Mrs Frecklington said.
"Congratulations must go to Mavis O’Neill, Jan Kirby and Joyce Koy who first raised this issue with me and then worked very hard to coordinate the petition in Kilkivan and Goomeri. It goes to show that perseverance and determination does pay off, and if you believe in something strongly enough, you can create change," Deb said.
Photo – Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, with Kilkivan community members, Mavis O’Neill (right) and Jan Kirby.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington has announced an LNP Plan to give Queensland children the best start to their schooling.
"Our hardworking teachers and principals deserve to have the best resources to teach our children, improve standards and give our kids the best chance to get a job in an increasingly competitive market," Ms Frecklington said.
"Education is a major priority for me and my team because we know that an investment in education is an investment in the future of our children and grandchildren.
"Sadly at the moment, our children’s future is being put at risk by a Premier who likes to talk about education, but is all talk and no action.
"Which is why, if I were Premier I would overturn Labor’s decision to exclude English in results of senior assessments.
"Labor’s decision to scrap English as a mandatory subject for ATAR diminishes the importance of the subject.
"We want our kids to be the smartest in the nation and scrapping English sends the wrong message to our kids and teachers.
"The LNP won’t treat English as a third-rate subject and we will include English as a mandatory subject in senior assessments."
Ms Frecklington said a major focus of the LNP’s education plan was to boost NAPLAN standards across Queensland through decluttering the curriculum.
"The latest NAPLAN results show that Queensland is falling behind other states in the fundamental areas of reading, writing and numeracy," Ms Frecklington said.
"This is why the LNP has committed to decluttering the curriculum to ensure there is a greater focus on teaching language, literacy and numeracy.
"As a mother of three teenage girls, I know reading and writing are two of the basic skills our kids need to get a job and succeed in life.
"We know our teachers work extremely hard to teach our kids but having a crowded curriculum puts them under a lot of pressure and often unable to focus on the basics.
"We’ve heard from teachers that they are worried students are going to be left behind under the current curriculum which is why we want to work with teachers, parents and principals to develop a Queensland guideline that gets back to basics.
"The LNP understand we need to support our teachers, parents and principals to focus on the basics of reading, writing and numeracy and to give our kids the best chance to succeed."
LNP Shadow Education Minister Jarrod Bleijie said while Labor was focused on cutting Independent Public Schools (IPS), the LNP would support school communities and continue the roll-out of IPS.
"IPS give principals, teachers and parents a say in their children’s education, but are destined for the scrapheap under Labor," Mr Bleijie said.
"Under the former LNP Government, 250 IPS have commenced across Queensland, but the program has stalled under Labor.
"We recognise that a one-size fits all approach to education simply does not work and research shows that more autonomy improves school performance and student outcomes.
"Unlike Labor, the LNP will take the pressure off our kids and teachers by decluttering the curriculum and getting back to basics.
"We’ve heard that one of the key issues in schools is teachers are trying to get through too much content and kids don’t have enough time to understand key concepts before the teacher has to move on.
"This is all part of our plan to support local decision-making and provide Queensland mums and dads with more choice.
"Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor have no idea when it comes to Queensland schools."
Southeast Queenslanders will be slugged with water price increases between $50 and $90 over the next three years.
Liberal National Party Leader Deb Frecklington said Annastacia Palaszczuk had used the cover of State of Origin to drop this ‘unQueensland’ announcement.
"Labor has failed Queenslanders. Annastacia Palaszczuk should have intervened and stopped the price increases. Southeast Queenslanders will now pay 3 to 5 times the rate of inflation on their water bills," Ms Frecklington said.
"Before the last election Annastacia Palaszczuk promised Queenslanders their water bills wouldn’t increase. Today we see that promise broken in 11 affected local councils.
"Just like electricity prices, this Labor Government is delivering price hikes in basic amenities that will hit every household in SEQ.
"How are Queensland businesses and families meant to get ahead if the most basic of government services are costing more and more every year?
"It’s the same old Labor – Queenslanders end up paying more because of their incompetence and lack of proper planning.
"Queenslanders are still paying the price for Labor’s multi-billion dollar water grid fail that saw pipes built without dams and dams built without pipes.
"Labor’s legacy was almost a 400% increase in bulk water prices over 10 years.
"Recently the LNP moved a motion in Parliament calling on the Palaszczuk Labor Government to rule out accepting the Queensland Competition Authority’s recommendation for an increase in water prices.
"Labor did not support saving Queenslanders money then and it has failed again today."
Over the next 3 years, residents in Southeast Queensland will be paying on average $50 to $90 more in bulk water charges.
The Liberal National Party has unveiled key planks of its plan to bring down electricity prices in Toowoomba and support growth in the renewable energy sector.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said households and businesses in Toowoomba and across the Darling Downs deserved affordable and reliable energy.
"Under Labor Queenslanders are paying record high power prices," Ms Frecklington said.
"Households are hurting, small businesses are under pressure and vulnerable Queenslanders like seniors and pensioners are struggling to afford the basic necessities of life.
"The Palaszczuk Government has been using electricity as a secret tax and set state-based renewable energy targets that push up everyone’s bills."
Ms Frecklington said the LNP would boost competition in the energy sector and support green energy by:
"Labor reduced competition in the energy sector when Anna Bligh merged the three state-owned generators (Tarong, CS Energy and Stanwell) into two, all while Annastacia Palaszczuk was sitting at the Cabinet table," Ms Frecklington said.
"To promote more competition and put downward pressure on wholesale prices, the LNP will split our government-owned power generators from two into three entities – a move expected to save Queenslander families over $50 a year.
"While Labor chases short-term sugar hits, this long-term structural reform is backed by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission*, small business and consumer advocates."
Ms Frecklington said an LNP government would also mandate investment by our government-owned energy companies in renewable energy generation.
"Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor have blindly followed South Australia’s rush to a 50% renewable energy target, ignoring the blackouts and higher prices it’s caused there," she said.
"Under Labor, Queenslanders pay more for green schemes than any other state, but have the lowest amount of renewable energy.
"The LNP would work with the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) on the right mix of electricity generation to ensure that power is affordable and reliable through a national approach.**
"National action through the National Energy Guarantee is predicted to save Queensland households $300 a year from 2020.
"We will support additional jobs and investment in Queensland’s renewable energy industry and reduce electricity prices."
The Gympie Bypass would finally be completed and congestion cut between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane under LNP Leader Deb Frecklington’s plan for the Bruce Highway.
With the State Budget approaching, Ms Frecklington has committed the Opposition to delivering $2.35 billion worth of upgrades to the vital route.
"Fixing the Bruce Highway is such a priority for the LNP that I’m committing to delivering these upgrades more than two years from the next election," Ms Frecklington said.
"But I’m calling on Labor to fund them all in the next State Budget.
"Labor needs to realise that its $15 billion Brisbane tunnel is no help to regional Queensland.
"The Bruce is the economic lifeline of Queensland and we need to get its traffic moving.
"Unlike Annastacia Palaszczuk, I have a plan for the Bruce Highway."
As part of the recent Federal Budget, the Coalition offered to fund the following projects through an 80-20 co-funding deal with the Queensland Government:
The LNP announced it would co-fund the six-laning of the highway between Caboolture and Caloundra last month and is today confirming its backing for all the remaining projects – a $470 million commitment.
The Federal Government is set to announce a further $1.42 billion of funding for Bruce Highway projects before the next election, as part of the $3.3 billion Bruce Highway plan announced in the recent budget.
Ms Frecklington said only the LNP was committed to building a better Bruce Highway.
"Seven months ago Labor announced it would create a Bruce Highway Trust, but there has been no news on the trust since then. That shows how much the Bruce matters to Annastacia Palaszczuk," Ms Frecklington said.
"I back investment in the Bruce Highway because I want safer roads and less congestion for Queenslanders."
The LNP launched the $8.5 billion Bruce Highway Action Plan in 2012. Projects worth billions have been delivered or are under construction thanks to the former LNP government, including the Yeppen Floodplain upgrade, Mackay Ring Road, Townsville Ring Road and Cairns Southern Access Corridor.
The Liberal National Party today unveiled key planks of its plan to bring down electricity prices in Queensland and support growth in the renewable energy sector.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said Queenslanders deserved affordable and reliable energy to their homes and businesses.
"They’re not getting that under the Palaszczuk Government because Labor has been using electricity as a secret tax and set state-based renewable energy targets that push up everyone’s bills," Ms Frecklington said.
Ms Frecklington said the LNP would boost competition in the energy sector and support green energy by:
"Under Labor Queenslanders are paying record high power prices," Ms Frecklington said.
"Households are hurting, small businesses are under pressure and vulnerable Queenslanders like seniors and pensioners are struggling to afford the basic necessities of life.
"Labor reduced competition in the energy sector when Anna Bligh merged the three state-owned generators (Tarong, CS Energy and Stanwell) into two, all while Annastacia Palaszczuk was sitting at the Cabinet table.
"To promote more competition and put downward pressure on wholesale prices, the LNP will split our government-owned power generators from two into three entities – a move expected to save Queenslander families over $50 a year.
"The Government’s own modelling shows that creating three state-owned generation companies will reduce wholesale prices by more than 8 per cent.
"While Labor chases short-term sugar hits, this long-term structural reform is backed by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission*, small business and consumer advocates."
Ms Frecklington said an LNP government would also mandate investment by our government-owned energy companies in renewable energy generation.
"Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor have blindly followed South Australia’s rush to a 50% renewable energy target, ignoring the blackouts and higher prices it’s caused there," she said.
"Under Labor, Queenslanders pay more for green schemes than any other state, but have the lowest amount of renewable energy.
"The LNP would work with the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) on the right mix of electricity generation to ensure that power is affordable and reliable through a national approach.**
"National action through the National Energy Guarantee is predicted to save Queensland households $300 a year from 2020.
"We will support additional jobs and investment in Queensland’s renewable energy industry and reduce electricity prices."
*"Having two generators control two-thirds of the capacity rather than three is clearly a retrograde step. It clearly gives them more market power than they would have without that step and this clearly means we’re paying higher prices because of that move from three players to two."
ACCC Chairman Rod Sims 612 ABC Radio, 21 July 2017
**In 2017, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) indicated that the resilience of the national energy market is at risk and that ‘renewable generation can provide some support to maintain reliability’. However, if renewable development was to lead to earlier retirement of existing baseload generators, the risk of increased blackouts would increase.
I would like to congratulate the Cherbourg Historical Precinct Group for winning the 2018 Community Reconciliation Award.
This is fantastic recognition for the amazing work the group do each year to coordinate the Reconciliation Fun Run.
The Reconciliation Fun Run is a project of the Ration Shed Committee and many hard working volunteers. It is recognition for their efforts in coordinating this increasingly important event for the Cherbourg and Murgon communities and indeed, the entire South Burnett.
Well done to Ration Shed Chairperson, Sandra Morgan, and her team, for their passion and dedication to bringing communities together in the spirit of reconciliation.
Deb Frecklington
Member for Nanango
Queensland’s 5,000 irrigation farmers will receive no relief from spiralling electricity prices under the Queensland Competition Authority’s (QCA) final price determination for regional retail prices released this week.
Liberal National Party Shadow Agriculture Tony Perrett has slammed the state Palaszczuk Labor Government for failing to deliver on its election promise to reduce electricity prices for rural and regional Queenslanders.
"We said it before the election and we’ll say it again - this State Government doesn’t care about the future of Queensland farming families," Mr Perrett said.
"The QCA determination hasn’t delivered a single dollar in price relief for the state’s irrigators who have been screaming out for immediate intervention.
"Labor promised to deal with electricity prices in this state and with today’s lack-lustre announcement all we have are more broken promises.
"Annastacia Palaszczuk should immediately introduce retail competition across the state to bring power bills down.
"The QCA’s determination also does nothing to reassure the more than 10,000 customers on obsolete farming and irrigation tariffs (T62, 65 and 66) who will be worse off after existing tariffs are switched off in 2020.
"Whether it comes to crippling our farmers with onerous vegetation management laws or failing to address spiralling power prices, this Labor State Government is happy for farmers and rural and regional communities to suffer.
"Labor always treats regional Queenslanders like second-class citizens.
"Only the Liberal National Party gives a damn and delivers for farming families and regional communities."
