Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington says it is essential the current 24/7 security service, implemented since the serious incident in mid-August at Kingaroy Hospital, is made permanent.
Deb said it had been confirmed in an answer to her Question on Notice* to the Health Minister that there is now 24/7 security at the Hospital but it was not confirmed whether this service would continue.
“I have been calling for permanent security for the Emergency Department for several years on behalf of the Hospital staff and patients,” Deb said.
“While I am pleased security is now working 24/7 at the Hospital, it is disappointing that it took such a frightening and serious incident for the need to finally be addressed.
“The safety of our hardworking hospital staff and the patients must be a priority and we need to know that this service will continue on a full-time basis,” Deb said.
Delivering water security for Queenslanders
The LNP will rebuild Paradise Dam and deliver water security to growers and residents in the Wide Bay Burnett region, if elected next month.
Paradise Dam has been languishing in a damaged, unsafe condition after Labor tore down the wall against engineering advice, with no explanation about how and when the wall would be rebuilt.
Labor still has no credible plan to deliver water security for the farmers of the Wide Bay Burnett, leaving them unable to confidently plant crops.
Shadow Minister for Water, Deb Frecklington said rebuilding Paradise Dam was part of the LNP’s water security plan for Queensland.
“The LNP will deliver water security for the Wide Bay Burnett Region’s farms by rebuilding Paradise Dam as a priority,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Growers need certainty and the LNP will rebuild the dam if elected next month.
“We have been on the record for years about our commitment to rebuild the dam, this is a priority for Queenslanders and it remains a priority for the LNP.
“In the past decade, Labor has failed to build a single new dam and their failures have led to Paradise Dam being torn down.
“In contrast, the LNP will deliver water security for Queenslanders with more dams and weirs, as part of the Right Plan for Queensland’s Future.
“Labor’s failures have overseen $20 billion-plus in project cost blowouts that could have instead helped to deliver vital infrastructure like Rebuilding the Paradise Dam.”
LNP candidate for Bundaberg, Bree Watson said the commitment was part of the Right Plan for Queensland’s Future, while under Labor Queensland was heading in the wrong direction.
“Rebuilding Paradise Dam will ensure local families and businesses can keep growing the world class produce the Burnett is known for,” Ms Watson said.
“It means they can keep local fruit and vegetables in Queensland grocery stores with the water security needed to guarantee crops, helping to drive down cost of living pressures.
“Our community growers have been left frustrated and disgusted by Labor’s attitude to this vital community infrastructure project.”
Ms Watson said Queenslanders could vote for rebuilding Paradise Dam and a government which worked for them, by voting LNP at this election.
“Queenslanders must show Labor the door in 2024, to ensure the right focus on delivering the programs, services and communities for our state,” she said.
“Only the LNP stands ready to deliver a fresh start for Queensland.”
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington says she is extremely disappointed that access to Telestroke is still no closer for the South Burnett community.
Deb said she had been fighting for the service since May 2022, and despite assurances from the Labor Government it would be rolled out from June 2024, South Burnett patients will be waiting much longer.
“This week we have heard that the first trial site will be on the coast at Hervey Bay, with others to be rolled out in a phased approach beginning in 2025.
“How much longer will we have to wait? We all know that it is crucial for stroke victims to receive immediate specialist assessment and diagnosis and Telestroke would allow early diagnosis and certainly improve their chances for recovery,” Deb said
“I’ve written to the Health Minister twice, asked Questions on Notice and fought this issue on the floor of Parliament on several occasions.
“It’s just not good enough that our region keeps getting overlooked and delayed.
“I would also like to acknowledge the advocacy of Rishana and Graham Smith of Nanango, who started the South Burnett Stroke Group, and who I have been working alongside to highlight the need for this service in our region.
“There is so much work to do in ensuring our health services in the Nanango electorate are adequate for our growing population and I will keep fighting hard as the local voice for the Nanango electorate”.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington says persistence has paid off with Goomeri State School P-10 finally receiving funding* to install a new pedestrian crossing.
Deb said Goomeri SS, along with the P&C Committee had been trying to secure support for the important project for some time.
“The P&C wrote to me last year seeking support to install an improved pedestrian crossing at the Munro Street school entrance and I met with parents at the school to discuss this need,” Deb said.
“While there is a crossing on McTaggart Street, the Munro Street entrance is busier and desperately needed improvement.
“I am very pleased to see that the State Government has acknowledged the need at Goomeri State School to build a raised platform crossing (or ‘Wombat Crossing’) on Munro Street,” Deb said.
“This will improve safety dramatically for the students and families at Goomeri P-10 along with creating more certainty and awareness for road users at this location.
“I would like to congratulate Principal Leon Doorackers, his team and the Goomeri SS P&C for their ongoing efforts to achieve this great result for the Goomeri SS P-10 community.
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington during a recent visit to Goomeri State School P-10
*funding of $296,000 has been announced for Goomeri SS through the School Transport Infrastructure Program.
I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dafyd Martindale.
The South Burnett has lost a truly passionate man who dedicated so much of his time to the progress of our region.
His service and dedication to our community was unwavering and there is no doubt his contribution will continue to be felt for many, many years.
As a colleague and good friend, we will miss his smile, quick wit and support.
My sincerest condolences to Anne, his family and friends.
Rest in Peace Dafyd.
Deb Frecklington
Member for Nanango
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, has congratulated 20 Nanango Electorate community groups who were successful in the Super Round 121 of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund.
Mrs Frecklington said she was delighted to see so many local groups achieve funding success.
“Our groups have excelled themselves in this funding round, with more than $1.4 million in grants announced,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“In fact, ten of these groups received between $90,000 and $100,000 for their projects.”
The successful Nanango electorate groups are:
“Congratulations to these groups on their grant success and I look forward to hearing about the progress of their important projects.
“Without our community groups, sporting clubs, and all those who volunteer their time, most of the events and activities we love would just not happen,” Deb said.
“It is great to see so many of them get this funding boost and be able to get their important projects underway.
“Clubs are always welcome to call my office on 4190 7100 for advice and support on future Gambling Community Benefit Fund grant rounds,” she said.
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington with members of the Kingaroy Men’s Shed. The group was one of three South Burnett groups to receive the maximum $100,000 through Round 121 of the Community Benefit Fund Grant. They’ll be using the funds to help construct a shed and undertake the electrical fit-out.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington has congratulated three local community groups and two young students on receiving one of her ‘Local Hero Grants’ in Round 23 of the program.
Deb said the grants will go to groups ranging from rural firies and festivals, to helping young people attending sporting events.
“These are small but meaningful grants of $250 that are designed to provide modest donations to not-for-profit community groups and individuals from across the Nanango Electorate.”
The winners of the August 2024 Round 23 are:
“This is the ninth year since my Local Hero Grants began in 2016 and I would like to congratulate the groups and students who were successful and wish them all the best for their events,” Deb said.
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington with Tania Paul at the Yarraman Festival. The Festival was successful in receiving one of Deb’s Local Hero Grants.
A Crisafulli LNP Government would beef-up Queensland’s biosecurity frontline with an additional $50 million investment over the next four years, as part of the Right Plan for Queensland’s Future.
The funding boost, announced by LNP Leader David Crisafulli at the Rural Press Club today, is part of a plan to tackle emerging threats of foot and mouth disease, Japanese encephalitis, African swine fever, avian influenza, varroa mite and other pests and diseases that pose a significant risk to Queensland’s world-class agricultural production.
Strong biosecurity is critical to the ongoing success of Queensland’s $23.6 billion agricultural industry, with disease and pests able to decimate crops and herds within days of a major biosecurity breach.
The flow on effects of biosecurity outbreaks are significant, with ramifications across the supply chain, like increased cost of meat that Queenslanders pay at the butcher or supermarket.
In the past decade, Labor has overseen a long list of biosecurity failures including closing the State’s most northern biosecurity checkpoint and allowing fire ants to march past containment lines.
Concerningly, Labor has ignored key recommendations from three scathing independent reviews of the Government’s bungled fire ant eradication program.
LNP Leader David Crisafulli said the LNP would bolster Queensland’s biosecurity and safeguard our agricultural production as part of the Right Plan for Queensland’s Future.
“The LNP will beef-up our biosecurity frontline to protect crops and livestock from the threats facing the future of agriculture in Queensland,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“Our plan will bolster our frontline workforce with 100 additional staff within the Department to enforce and respond to biosecurity threats, including new stock inspectors, vets, agronomists, research and development and AgTech specialists.
“The LNP will put more biosecurity cops on the beat to protect our livestock and crops from biosecurity breaches.
“Our plan is a flag in the ground that the LNP is determined to restore Queenslanders’ trust in the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries as a trusted advisor and partner to industry, not an inhibitor.
“Queensland’s produce is world-class but we must close Labor’s widening biosecurity gap to ensure these critical industries are protected for decades to come.
“Labor has created vulnerability in our northern line of defence by closing the Cape York Biosecurity Centre and fire ants have broken containment lines, threatening a swathe of prime agricultural land across southern Queensland.”
Shadow Minister for Agriculture Tony Perrett said the chaos and crisis of the decade old Labor Party had seen biosecurity safeguards crumble across the state.
“Our biosecurity should not take a backseat because of Labor’s billions in budget blowouts in South East Queensland leaving nothing for rural and regional biosecurity,” Mr Perrett said.
“That’s why the LNP will review the closure of the Cape York Biosecurity Facility and move to reinstate our northern line of biosecurity defence.
“We will also strengthen the fire ant response after Labor’s alarming failure to properly resource and run the program has led to the spread of the ants beyond containment lines, into the Darling Downs and past the Queensland border.
“There are three scathing independent reviews of the Queensland Government’s bungled management of the Fire Ant Eradication Program. An LNP Government will act quickly to ensure this program is properly governed and key recommendations implemented.
“Only the LNP has the Right Plan for Queensland’s Future, which includes bolstering biosecurity to protect our agricultural, fisheries and forestry industries for decades to come.”
