The LNP has a vision for an energy supply that is affordable, reliable and sustainable.
We support a balance in the mix of generation sources to achieve that. Secure baseload supply like coal and natural gas is critical for the reliability for our network, and will underpin any shift to renewables.
Our first step towards this is the LNP’s commitment to institute a Maintenance Guarantee on our state-owned coal-fired power plants.
A major driver in higher power prices has been the failure of the power plant at Callide. Last year, Queenslanders’ bills increased by 19.9%, three times the national average, and while other States’ energy costs have been going down, ours continue to rise.
Now we know this is all because Labor failed to maintain the power plant properly.
Instead of investing money into maintenance of the Callide power plant, Labor was ripping money out to plug its budget blowouts in other projects.
The LNP’s Maintenance Guarantee will ensure the necessary work required to keep our power plant up and running will be carried out to ensure long term cost-of- living relief as well as improving reliability.
Where we differ with this Government is a focus on driving real reform to lower the underlying costs of government services – like electricity.
The LNP’s Maintenance Guarantees will ensure all our power assets are maintained, including our local Tarong Power Station. This will also ensure a focus on worker safety and longer-term employment certainty.
Labor records biggest elective surgery waitlist in Queensland history
The Queensland Health Crisis has reached a shocking new low under Labor with more Queenslanders than ever before waiting for surgery.
New data shows the Elective Surgery Waitlist has risen by 1,383 to 61,421 Queenslanders between the end of March to the end of June this year.
The figure of 61,421 is the biggest number ever recorded and double the number it was in 2015 when the Palaszczuk-Miles Government came to power.
At Toowoomba Hospital the elective surgery waitlist soared by 664 to 2,833 since 2015 - a 31% increase.
The dire new data comes after Queensland recorded the worst six-month period in Queensland history for ambulance ramping.
Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli said he was determined to drive down these shocking numbers.
“We now have seen the worst ambulance ramping figure ever recorded and the worst elective surgery number in Queensland history in the first half of this year," Mr Crisafulli said.
“These numbers represent a health system in crisis, frontline staff not being properly resourced and patients not getting the care they need.
“They represent our hardworking health workers being stretched to the limit and not getting the support they need.
“Time is up for Labor’s approach.
“I want Queenslanders to know if Government changes in October these are the figures we will drive down and be held accountable for.
“Only the LNP has the Right Plan to heal the Health Crisis and that starts with better resources, better triaging, releasing data in real-time and putting doctors and nurses back in charge to improve patient care.”
Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates said the Health Minister has broken her promises to Queenslanders.
“Queenslanders have heard every excuse under the sun from Shannon Fentiman but these numbers don’t lie," Ms Bates said.
“She promised to get the surgery waitlist down and promised to fix ambulance ramping but she now holds the unwanted mantle of delivering Queensland the worst ambulance ramping and longest surgery waitlist in Queensland history.
“We now know why she wouldn’t release the elective surgery data to us in Estimates.
“These are Queenslanders waiting for life-changing surgery like hip replacements or cataract operations.
“How many of these patients have gone from treatable to untreatable due to Labor’s failures?
“The truth is, Labor will say and do anything to cling to power, but they can’t be trusted to heal the Queensland Health Crisis.
“They promised to heal the Queensland Health Crisis, yet more Queenslanders than ever before are waiting for critical surgeries and waiting on ambulance ramps.
“The Palaszczuk-Miles Government is in chaos and crisis and Queensland patients have suffered as a result.
“Nothing will change until the government changes in October.”
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington has interrogated the SeqWater CEO during the Parliamentary Budget Estimates process about the future of Cormorant Bay Café at Wivenhoe Dam.
Deb said she questioned Seqwater Interim CEO, Mr Will Harpham to try and finally get answers on behalf of the community about whether the Café will be redeveloped.
“We have waited for five years since the Café was ‘temporarily closed by SeqWater to get a real answer from SeqWater about their plans for the building,” Deb said.
“This has been a much-loved and iconic asset I share the community’s concerns, especially about the café’s deteriorating condition.
“When it comes down to it, Cormorant Bay Café is a State Government-owned asset, and the State Government must acknowledge the poor way this issue has been handled.
“In response to my question, SeqWater has now admitted that an investment in redeveloping Cormorant Bay Café is not viable.
“This is extremely disappointing, and I emphasised to SeqWater that they must communicate the reasons for their decision with the community, given we have waited so long for this answer.
“During my questioning, SeqWater did offer a compromise however, noting they will be reinvesting funding that would have been spent on the Café into other recreational facilities at Wivenhoe including a new nature-based playground and the expansion of the public boat ramps at Billies Bay and Hamon Cove.
“I hope this is not another shallow promise and I will closely follow SeqWater’s progress to ensure these projects come to fruition,” Deb said.
Photo: Cormorant Bay Café at Wivenhoe Dam.
Transcript from Budget Estimates 2024-
Mrs FRECKLINGTON: To the interim CEO of Seqwater, my question is in relation to Cormorant Bay Cafe. I asked this question last year and, with respect, Mr Harpham, I appreciate you were not here, so that is why I thought I should ask it again this year. It has now been five years since Seqwater closed Cormorant Bay Cafe at Wivenhoe Dam. In 2019, Seqwater announced they would spend $500,000 to renovate the building, and that was much welcomed by our community. These works have never occurred and the building has become decrepit. What has happened to the half-million dollars promised for that refurbishment and what are Seqwater’s plans for the building?
Mr Harpham: Thank you for the question, member. Seqwater had previously committed funding to undertake significant and remediate action works to the deteriorating Cormorant Bay Cafe to meet current Building Code compliance and subject to a tenant being secured. Following an engineering investigation showing the extent of the repairs required and multiple unsuccessful attempts to secure a tenant over the past five years, investment in Cormorant Bay Cafe is unfortunately no longer viable.
Seqwater will reinvest funding that would otherwise have been spent on the structural repairs into other improvements for the area for local community and visitor benefit. In 2024-25, Seqwater will commence planning for a new nature-based playground for Lake Wivenhoe to replace the old infrastructure. The new nature-based playground will immerse visitors in the journey of the region’s drinking water from catchment to tap, providing the perfect daytrip adventure for families.
In 2024-25, Seqwater will also commence the extension of the public boat ramp at Billies Bay and undertake repairs and extension of the boat ramp at Hamon Cove to improve access for boaties. Seqwater is committed to working closely with Somerset Regional Council to explore other opportunities to reinvest in the site to enhance visitor experience and tourism. As you said, in mid-June I met with you on this subject and I also met with council representatives and provided a briefing about it. Seqwater and council have agreed that a workshop would be held at officer level regarding further options to reinvest in the site and to explore opportunities to leverage this natural asset for tourism and economic growth.
Mrs FRECKLINGTON: In relation to that, I have a further question. I note that you met with the council at officer level. What are Seqwater’s plans in relation to community consultation outside of council? Will there be any? As you can imagine, the people in that area will need convincing that it is a good idea not to have that cafe reopened.
Mr Harpham: Thank you for the question, member. Seqwater will be meeting with council in August. I am sure council will have views as to how best to engage with their community and we will take them on board.
