Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, has questioned the Minister for Police, Mark Ryan, about a Policing shortage in the South Burnett.
Mrs Frecklington said she had been contacted by concerned community members across the South Burnett who have highlighted issues with Police staffing levels in their towns.
“It has been raised with me on several occasions that there is a shortage of Police right across the South Burnett,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“I know the Police in our region are doing their very best, particularly with the crime wave which is still ongoing in Murgon, Cherbourg and Wondai, but if they are dealing with staff shortages, it just makes their jobs even harder.
“I have heard we have Police staff being transferred between stations, and some stations are not currently at full strength.
“This is unacceptable and the community needs answers.
“I have asked the Police Minister to advise the actual and approved strength of full-time Police Officers at each of our local Police Stations.
Teachers and students will continue to swelter in classrooms without aircon after the Palaszczuk Labor Government refused to adopt the LNP’s education policy.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said she had committed to deliver air-con to every state school classroom in Queensland if elected in October 2020.
“The LNP believes cool kids are smart kids,” Ms Frecklington said.
“I want our kids to have the best education, but it’s hard to work in a sweltering classroom.
“It’s not fair on our hard-working teachers either.
“We know kids will concentrate better in air-conditioned classrooms and our amazing teachers deserve decent working conditions too.
“It’s a pity for the sake of Queensland kids that Annastacia Palaszczuk won’t match the LNP’s commitment.
“Air-conditioning has been called for by the Queensland Teachers Union, P&Cs Queensland, and mums and dads.
“We’ll keep the pressure on the Palaszczuk Labor Government and take the policy to the 2020 election.
“We will implement this plan responsibly, over two terms and stop Labor’s waste*.”
Currently, air-conditioning is not compulsory in state schools in southeast Queensland, including Toowoomba, Bundaberg, Gympie, the Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Brisbane and on the Gold Coast.
* Examples of Labor waste:
On top of that the Premier’s own office budget blew out by almost $300,000 last year and was increased by $325,000 this year.
After months of waiting and years of lobbying, the southern section of the Brisbane Valley Highway will finally see resurfacing begin.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, Member for Lockyer, Jim McDonald and Mayor Graeme Lehmann said the announcement is years overdue, but a win for the community.
“The real winners here are the thousands of people who use the Brisbane Valley Highway each day and know just how bad it has become,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“These are works Jim and I have been fighting for along with the Somerset Regional Council and the community, and it’s about time the Labor Government heard our calls.
“The works will take place over 26 km of the Brisbane Valley Hwy between Esk and Fernvale,” Deb said.
Member for Lockyer, Jim McDonald said the Brisbane Valley Highway needs to be built to a highway standard, with intersections upgraded and the road safe for all motorists.
“As a former police officer, I understand how dangerous this stretch of road can be and how desperately needed these upgrades are,” Mr McDonald said.
“My local community has been raising concerns about the highway for a long time and it is the number one issue for the Fernvale community.”
“I’m glad we have been able to deliver these improvements and finally have the Labor Government recognise that this Highway needs attention,” he said.
Mayor Graeme Lehmann said Somerset Regional Council has long been campaigning for funding for upgrades to the Brisbane Valley Highway.
“This a 6% annual increase in traffic on the Brisbane Valley Highway just south of Fernvale,” Mayor Lehmann said.
“Upgrading transport opportunities and connectivity for rural regions is vital for long-term sustainability, safety and freight efficiency. These works are step towards improving this connectivity for the Somerset and safety for our community.”
Resurfacing works are schedule to take place from mid-February and will take about eight weeks to complete. Motorists may experience minor delays during single lane closures.
Works are due to start in February, and are expected to take about eight weeks to complete, weather permitting.
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, Member for Lockyer, Jim McDonald and Somerset Regional Council Mayor, Graeme Lehmann discuss the works on the Brisbane Valley Highway
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington has today announced she will call a Commission of Inquiry into Queensland’s building industry, if elected in October 2020.
Ms Frecklington said more than 50 building companies have collapsed in Queensland on Annastacia Palaszczuk’s watch.
“The Premier promised the world when she was elected but after more than 4 years she has failed to deliver,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Builders are falling over, subbies aren’t getting paid and homeowners are being left devastated.
“7000 sub-contractors have been left empty-handed to the tune of half-a-billion dollars and more developers risk closing their doors for good.
“Hard-working Queenslanders aren’t being paid what they’re owed.
“The commission of inquiry will have the same powers as Royal Commission.
“It will also investigate how developers are gaming the system with the support of banks to protect both their self-interests and the role of senior government figures who were warned of major collapses and failed to act.
“The system is broken.
“There is no easy fix, but this inquiry will allow people to tell their story, with the key focus on sub-contract payments.
Shadow Minister for Housing and Public Works Michael Hart said businesses have gone bust, sub-contractors are out of pocket and dream homes have turned into nightmares for families.
“The LNP has also given in principal support for the establishment of a dedicated police taskforce to fully investigate and prosecute under existing laws,” Mr Hart said.
“Industry experts have been demanding greater enforcement and compliance.
“A Royal Commission is the best way to clean up the industry to safeguard the future of sub-contractors who only want what they’re owed.”
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington said the Queensland Assistant Treasurer, Glenn Butcher’s attendance at the Harlin Solar Farm sod turning pre-empts a final decision on the project.
Mrs Frecklington said an appeal has been lodged with the Planning and Environment Court regarding the development of the Harlin Solar Farm and the project is far from definite.
“This is an arrogant and reckless move by the Labor Government,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“The project is currently the subject of an appeal with the Planning and Environment Court, with the first directions hearing to be held on the 27th February.
“We also know that Sunshine Energy don’t even own the land on which the project is planned.
“By attending the sod-turning on this proposed development, Labor are pre-empting the Court’s decision and she may even be creating a bias towards the outcome.
“It seems unbelievable that the Premier and her team would be making such a move.
“There are still many questions about this project, and some in the community are against the solar farm proceeding.
“It’s obvious that in Labor’s rush towards a 50 per cent renewables target in Queensland, they are keen to put their name to any renewable project, but in this instance, Labor should have done her homework a bit better,” Deb said.
New revelations today have uncovered that Labor’s waste tax strategy will force up the price of hardwood timber, as mills pay millions of dollars for the dumping of sawdust, that would have otherwise been recycled.
LNP Environment spokesman David Crisafulli joined LNP Member for Gympie Tony Perrett today, to expose the devastating effect Labor’s new waste tax will have on consumers and industry.
Mr Crisafulli said because of Labor’s addiction to tax, the price of Queensland timber products will rise across the board.
“Whether you’re using Queensland timber to build a deck, a cubby house or a kitchen table – because of Labor it will now cost more,’ Mr Crisafulli said.
“This government is that incompetent their waste strategy will reduce recycling and increase the cost for Queensland timber.
“Labor doesn’t care about reducing waste, for them it’s all about increasing revenue.
“It’s a triple-whammy punishing the environment, timber workers and families buying wood from their local hardware store.”
Shadow Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Forestry Tony Perrett hit out at the Premier, as locals are forced to weigh up their future.
“Hundreds of jobs are under threat all because of Labor.
“Jobs will now be lost and sawdust that would have been recycling will instead be dumped, solely because Labor is addicted to spending.”
“Annastacia Palaszczuk sat around the Bligh Labor government table when they sold off our plantations,” Mr Perrett said.
“And now she’s attacking the industry again with the waste tax and refusal to sign the regional forest agreement.
“There are 10,000 unemployed workers in this region and Labor is hell bent on shutting down its timber industry.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington says it is fantastic to see Toogoolawah State High School ranked as the fourth best school in the State by OP results.
Mrs Frecklington said it’s a great result for the school and students, and also shows just what can be achieved in regional areas.
“I have always advocated strongly for regional schools and the amazing results our students and their teachers achieve, often without the resources of the inner-city high schools,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“So it was a proud moment to see Toogoolawah State High School listed as the fourth best school in Queensland for OP results.
“I’d like to congratulate the students and their teachers for this great result and for reminding our city cousins that great things are being achieved in our country high schools.
“And we also have Kilcoy State High School student, Alec Walsh, who was recognised at the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) Achievement Awards for being in the top 30 Academic Achievers from the class of 2018.
“Well done to Alec and Kilcoy State High School. We truly do have some remarkable young people in our region,” Deb said.
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, has been following the progress of the Toogoolawah SHS Class of 2018 since their Leadership Induction ceremony in early 2018.
Liberal National Party Shadow Minister for Agriculture Tony Perrett has commended Woolworths for effectively ending the milk wars.
Mr Perrett also acknowledged the continued advocacy of the Queensland Dairy Industry and the Queensland Dairyfarmers’ Organisation.
“The announcement that Woolworths will end the milk wars is great news for the entire Queensland dairy industry,” Mr Perrett said.
“For too long, our hard-working dairy farmers have been sacrificed just so our supermarkets can increase their margins.
“This announcement will finally allow farmers to start getting paid what it actually costs to produce their product.
“Woolworths will continue to use its dairy processor to distribute the extra money to dairy farmers.
“I welcome the decision by Woolworths and urge Coles and Aldi to also get onboard.
“The sale of milk for $1 per litre will undoubtably go down as a text book example of corporate greed at the expense of the little guys.”
Mr Perrett said the recent drought had put enormous pressure on Queensland dairy farmers with many choosing to walk away for good.
“Farmers’ struggles have been highlighted through a series of industry-wide investigations initiated by the LNP and the Banking Royal commission,” Mr Perrett said.
“Credit should go to Federal Coalition Agriculture Minister David Littleproud and Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien for their tireless support of the dairy industry.
“Extra money in the pockets of our farmers for every litre of milk they produce is always a good thing.”
Photo: Bill Roughan is a vet from Toogoolawah who has come to North West simply to help where he can. What a true Queenslander!
Even before I flew to Julia Creek, the tragedy faced by North-West Queensland was brought home to me by a frightened young girl.
The 12-year-old had been home-schooled at a station 1700km from Brisbane before starting school in the city two weeks ago.
With tears in her eyes, she told me her horse was dead and her parents didn’t know if they had any cattle left.
My heart broke for her. I was once a kid like her, growing up on a cattle property in the heart of Taroom Shire.
My family struggled through drought and the 1970s beef slump, but I’d never experienced anything like the destruction I saw in Julia Creek.
I took a chopper flight with grazier Marcus Kerr and saw dead cattle everywhere across his station.
Around the feed-lots the carcasses were two to three deep.
Marcus reckoned 4000 had perished from exhaustion and exposure.
It was painful for him to see how they had suffered and then calculate the cost to his family.
He lost a third of his cattle, but others lost entire herds.
There’s no insurance for livestock. Stations must replace expensive breeding stock and have no income for years as they rebuild herds.
Soon after I met Prime Minister Scott Morrison and was reassured he had grasped the seriousness of the situation.
We spoke to locals in the Julia Creek community hall and he promised to help them rebuild – no matter how long it takes.
His support was welcome, but we must do more here in Queensland.
Major-General Stuart Smith was appointed Disaster Recovery Co-ordinator after Townsville flooded, but the challenge in the North-West is vastly different.
The Palaszczuk Labor Government must appoint a separate disaster co-ordinator for the North-West.
Bushies are brave and won’t be beaten by floods.
They’ve given so much to Queensland and now they need us to lend a hand.
We can’t let them down and I guarantee they won’t be forgotten in the Queensland Parliament.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington has welcomed South Burnett local Courtney Sippel to Parliament in celebration of Brisbane Heat’s Women’s Big Bash cricket title.
Mrs Frecklington said it was wonderful to congratulate the women’s team on their first WBBL title.
“I am a proud patron of the Women’s Brisbane Heat team and it certainly has been a fantastic season for women’s cricket in Queensland,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“It was a proud moment to welcome Courtney Sippel to Parliament and congratulate her on her amazing cricket season and the Heat’s win.
“The South Burnett really does punch above its weight when it comes to cricketing representatives and it is great to know that our female players like Courtney are continuing this tradition and participating at such high levels.
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, with the South Burnett’s Courtney Sippel.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington says the Linville community has finally been heard with a new Water Treatment Plant to be built in the town.
Mrs Frecklington said the Linville community have been extremely patient since the previous plant was shut down following the 2013 floods.
“I have been asking SeqWater for years when the new Plant would be constructed, and all we have seen is delay after delay,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“Originally, I was told it would be re-constructed in 2016. Instead, the Labor Government have been trucking water into the township every day and people rightly want to know what this has cost taxpayers.
“It’s great to finally have this win for Linville, but I’ll be asking the Labor Government more questions when Parliament returns on 12th February, including the cost-to-date of water cartage and why Linville has had to wait so long for a secure water supply.
“The community of Linville deserve a medal for the patience they have shown in waiting seven years for this new plant,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“It’s typical though for this city-centric Labor Government to always put regional projects to the bottom of the list. They certainly wouldn’t have left people in Brisbane wait seven years for a proper supply water,” Deb said.
The most recent quarterly business survey published by the Queensland Electricity Users Network (QUEN) confirmed regional businesses have faced major increases in their power bills over the past two years.
In the first quarter of 2018-19, disconnections for regional businesses jumped from 95 to 202 in just 12 weeks.
LNP Shadow Minister for Energy Michael Hart has warned many regional businesses are being forced to shut down due to Labor's skyrocketing electricity prices.
"Regional Queensland now represents 42% of disconnections for non-payment of power bills and the numbers are rising," Mr Hart said.
"These businesses underpin regional economies, but they're paying too much for their electricity under the Palaszczuk Labor Government."
Mr Hart said Annastacia Palaszczuk's incompetent economic management was revealed in surveys this week as business confidence in Queensland hit rock bottom.
"Queenslanders are crying out for leadership, but Labor has no plan to support regional businesses," Mr Hart said.
"Labor's electricity rip-off is costing regional jobs.
"Southeast Queenslanders have up to 20 retailers to choose from while regional Queenslanders have just one.
"If elected in 2020, an LNP Government will introduce retail competition into the regional electricity market to drive down prices.
"This initiative would enable regional businesses to shop around for the best electricity price."
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, has congratulated two Kingaroy JP’s who together have provided more than 100 years of service to the community.
Mrs Frecklington presented special certificates to Mr Errol Young and Mr Nelson Dimond thanking them for their dedication to their volunteer roles.
“It is so important that we recognise local Justices of the Peace, who dedicate so much of their time to supporting members of the community when they need help with documents, at often very important moments of their life,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“When you add up the years of service these two gentlemen have provided, you can see how important their role is in regional areas like this. It’s obvious they have built a level of trust in the community and people rely on them for guidance and assistance when they need it.
“Mr Young has been a JP for 50 years, and Mr Dimond has hit the 57 year mark. They are certainly the quiet achievers,” Deb said.
For more information on how to become a Justice of the Peace (Qualified) or a Cdec (Commission for Declarations) head to www.qld.gov.au/law/legal-mediation-and-justice-of-the-peace
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, congratulated Mr Nelson Dimond (left) and Mr Errol Young on their more than 100 years of service as JP’s.
Member for Glass House, Andrew Powell MP, and Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington are thrilled to announce that as the result of a petition tabled in Parliament last year, the D’Aguilar Highway at Stony Creek will be receiving nearly four kilometres worth of repaving.
The pavement rehabilitation work will begin just east of Eaton Lane and end slightly east of Mary Smokes Creek in Stony Creek.
“This is a project that Deb and I have been fighting for alongside you, the community. Last year, when we tabled our ‘stop patching the D’Ag, start resurfacing now’ petition in Parliament, it had received hundreds of signatures from concerned residents and road users alike. You asked for it and we’ve delivered!” commented Mr Powell.
“This section of the Highway between Woodford and Kilcoy deteriorates every single time it rains, making the road unsafe for motorists.
The announcement that resurfacing works are due to begin in a couple of weeks (mid-February) could not have come at a better time,” Mrs Frecklington stated.
The roadworks will largely be carried out in daylight hours, Monday to Friday between 7am and 5pm. Drivers may encounter minor delays whilst travelling through the works, however the Department of Transport and Main Roads will be working with contractors to ensure that there are minimal disturbances to your commute.
“This is truly a great outcome for the Glass House and Nanango electorates and we look forward to bringing you similar achievements in the years to come” stated Mrs Frecklington.
“Deb and I are both aware that more needs to be done to improve road safety between Woodford and Kilcoy, so this is just the beginning for us,” concluded Mr Powell.
The imminent closure of the Crime Stoppers call centre is a massive blow for Queensland’s over-stretched police officers, LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said today.
Police Minister Mark Ryan has refused to cover the centre’s $250,000 funding shortfall and said tip-offs from the public will now be directed straight to the police.
“At the last election the LNP promised an extra $1 million for Crime Stoppers because we know how important its work is in fighting crime,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Labor’s refusal to help will pile more pressure on police who are already struggling to cope with a rise in assaults, break-ins and car thefts.
“Many callers to Crime Stoppers only give information because they can do so anonymously.
“They call Crime Stoppers because they don’t want to call the police and provide their details.
“Labor must act immediately to save this service and keep crime-fighting information flowing to our police officers.”
Shadow Police Minister Trevor Watts said Police Minister Mark Ryan’s insistence that police could cope with the closure of the call centre lacked credibility.
“According to Mark Ryan, the Police Commissioner says QPS can cope with the extra calls,” Mr Watts said.
“He needs to stop hiding behind the Police Commissioner and take responsibility for fighting crime in Queensland. That’s what he’s paid to do.
“The Queensland Police Union says staffing levels are critically low and at least 100 extra officers are needed in every police district.
“Our police should be on the beat preventing and detecting crime, not taking calls to Crime Stoppers.
“This news is also a savage blow to Crime Stoppers’ 20 paid call-centre staff and its selfless team of 45 volunteers.”
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington has congratulated Kingaroy Police Officer in Charge, Snr Sgt Dave Tierney on the launch of the Community Camera Alliance for the township.
Mrs Frecklington said the initiative had been successfully introduced in many other towns around Queensland and it was great to see it starting in Kingaroy.
“The Community Camera Alliance aims to create community confidence and a stronger relationship between the police and residents,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“I would really like to congratulate and thank Snr Sgt Tierney and his team for taking this positive step in helping to tackle crime in our region.
“Our local Police Officers do an amazing job and this register of local CCTV cameras will definitely assist in crime detection and prevention.
“The Police Minister has to realise however that while our community welcomes this initiative, we still need more Police permanently assigned to the South Burnett.
“Crime rates in our region continue to be a very concerning issue for our residents and I will continue to fight for more Police for our region,” Deb said.
The LNP is calling for urgent action from the Palaszczuk Labor Government, following distressing new figures relating to domestic violence in Queensland.
Data released by Queensland Police revealed breaches to domestic violence orders have reached a record high.
In the past 12 months there have been 27,698 breaches across the state.
That’s an increase of 7.4% or 1,918 cases.
Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Stephen Bennett MP was on the Gold Coast today to visit ‘Friends with Dignity’ – a national not-for-profit organisation that aids domestic and family violence victims.
Mr Bennett said these figures are remarkably sad.
“It’s tragic, absolutely tragic,” he added.
“Something has clearly gone terribly wrong when breaches of DV protection orders continue to rise this fast.
“I am calling on Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to finally take action on domestic, family and sexual violence.
“Delaying action is making the situation worse, while child safety and sexual violence continues to plague Queenslanders every day.
“The LNP has a strong track-record in addressing family and domestic violence.
“Labor’s plan clearly isn’t working properly.
“They need to lift their game and fast – Queenslanders desperately need some leadership.”
Region breakdown (January 2018-January 2019)
LNP background
