• 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
The Opposition has delivered on its promise to give Queenslanders affected by the Queensland Health Crisis a voice on the floor of Parliament.
The Opposition has ramped up pressure on the state government in Question Time after more harrowing stories about substandard healthcare at Caboolture Hospital came to light.
More than 50 locals attended the LNP’s Queensland Health Crisis Town Hall in Caboolture last week.
Opposition Leader David Crisafulli and Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates heard first-hand accounts by patients of alleged botched surgeries, malpractice and substandard care.
Mr Crisafulli promised to take their stories directly to the government on the floor of Parliament.
“I made a promise to those brave people that their stories would be told on the floor of Parliament, and we did just that,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“Their stories were distressing.
“They deserve answers.
“We won’t stop demanding the state government to fix Caboolture Hospital.
“Caboolture locals want a hospital they can be proud of.
“Concerns have also been raised about Moranbah Hospital, in Central Queensland.
“Regional Queenslanders no matter where they live, deserve a world class health system and we won’t stop highlighting these problems until they’re fixed.”
Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates said problems plagued Caboolture Hospital before COVID.
“Ambulance ramping has soared to 38% at Caboolture Hospital,” Ms Bates said.
“When the LNP left government it was 24%.
“Currently, 528 patients are waiting for elective surgery.
“As a nurse and former hospital administrator, I know how frustrating it is for hard working frontline staff who are over-worked and under-resourced.
“Labor is losing control of the health system.”
A Health Crisis Town Hall in Caboolture has heard harrowing stories from locals desperate for the State Government to fix the ailing health system.
Residents packed into the Caboolture Showgrounds to share their stories following alarming allegations of malpractice and botched surgeries at Caboolture Hospital.
The room also heard about the impacts of worsening ambulance ramping and lengthening surgery waitlists.
The meeting was chaired by Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli.
Mr Crisafulli thanked the brave locals who spoke up and shared their distressing stories in the name of fixing the Health Crisis.
“What is clear, is a desire for change,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“Labor is losing control of the health system.
“The LNP has put solutions on the table for the State Government to adopt including real-time data monitoring, better resources for triaging and more funding on the front line.
“The allegations about botched surgeries at the Caboolture Hospital are very concerning.
“The investigation into the horrific claims of alleged botched surgeries and abuse at Caboolture Hospital must be open and transparent.”
Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates said patient care must be the top priority.
“We are here to listen and find solutions,” Ms Bates said.
“Together we can fix health care in Queensland.
“The Opposition will continue to host these Town Halls across the state, because all Queenslanders deserve an opportunity to be heard.
“As a nurse and former hospital administrator, I know how stressful it can be when our frontline staff are over-worked and under-resourced.
“All Queenslanders deserve a world-class health system no matter where they live.”
The LNP has so far this year hosted Queensland Health Crisis Town Halls in Cairns, Rockhampton, Caloundra, Redcliffe, Caboolture, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast.
