Revelations that the Palaszczuk Labor Government has failed to do any economic modelling on its impending border closure proves it has no plan to support businesses and protect jobs.
Annastacia Palaszczuk followed up her stunning admission today that ‘we haven’t done any specific modelling’ by saying ‘we will see how things go’.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said Annastacia Palaszczuk had failed to grasp the serious economic impact the border closure would cause Queenslanders.
“Queenslanders must be kept safe to protect lives and livelihoods and the LNP supports stronger action on borders,” Ms Frecklington said.
“No modelling shows Labor are flying blind through the biggest economic crisis in almost a century.
“It is shocking that the Palaszczuk Labor Government has failed to carry out its own economic modelling on the cost of the new border closure.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk also admitted today there was no extra financial support in the works for Queensland businesses.
“Closing the border without modelling and without a plan to support Queensland businesses is economically reckless.
“Many businesses were already on their knees and these new restrictions will hit our tourism and hospitality businesses hard.
“Labor can’t just rely on the Federal LNP Government to do the heavy economic lifting through Job Keeper.
“Labor clearly has no plan to get Queensland out of recession.
“Only the LNP has a plan to stimulate the economy, create a decade of secure jobs and drag Queensland out of this recession.”
Annastacia Palaszczuk has a responsibility to keep Queenslanders safe by preventing thousands of activists from protesting on the Story Bridge.
Allowing the protest to go ahead on Saturday would be reckless and irresponsible.
People have a right to protest – but not like this and not in the middle of a pandemic.
Allowing the mass protest to take place on the same day Annastacia Palaszczuk is shutting the border would be completely hypocritical.
Annastacia Palaszczuk must intervene and stop the protest to keep the rest of Queensland safe.
Every legal option possible must be exhausted because we can’t risk a second wave of coronavirus in Queensland.
The New South Wales government took legal action recently to successfully stop a protest in Sydney and Annastacia Palaszczuk should look at all legal options available to do the same here in Queensland.
Annastacia Palaszczuk must put lives and livelihoods first and stop this mass protest.
LNP Deputy Leader Tim Mander has called on Annastacia Palaszczuk to ensure thousands of activists don’t hold a mass protest this weekend on the Story Bridge.
“It’s the height of hypocrisy to close the border and urge people to social distance while allowing a mass protest to go ahead at the same time,” Mr Mander said.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk needs to show some leadership and intervene to keep the rest of Queensland safe.
“The Premier must explore every legal option possible to ensure these protests do not take place.
“The mass protest is reckless and irresponsible and flies in the face of the health advice.
“If the protest goes ahead, it would be a failure of leadership from Annastacia Palaszczuk.
“Asking protestors nicely not to gather doesn’t cut it – Annastacia Palaszczuk needs to come down like a tonne of bricks on them.
“A second wave of coronavirus in Queensland can’t be risked.
“Queenslanders must be kept safe to protect lives and livelihoods.”
Queenslanders must be kept safe to protect lives and livelihoods.
The LNP has always said the border controls are not set and forget.
As the situation in other states changes so should our response in Queensland.
In recent weeks it has become clear that the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s honour system at the border was not working.
The gaps in enforcement have put Queenslanders’ lives and livelihoods at risk.
The LNP supports stronger action on borders because we can’t risk a second wave.
The Palaszczuk Labor government’s honour system at the border is clearly not working.
We need to keep Queenslanders safe to protect lives and livelihoods.
A third person has now allegedly entered the state with coronavirus through Labor’s border controls.
The LNP is calling for mandatory maximum penalties for those who break the rules.
There should be mandatory testing before anyone leaves quarantine and no exemptions from hotel quarantine requirements, including celebrities.
We believe a reverse onus of proof should now be put on people entering Queensland where they must prove they have not been to a hotspot.
We can’t risk the lives and livelihoods of Queenslanders because of lax border controls.
Thousands of jobs will be secured and consumers will be empowered to choose fresh seafood caught in Queensland waters through the LNP’s plan for a strong and sustainable fishing industry.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington today announced $8.5 million in funding for new initiatives to future-proof the commercial industry, boost recreational fishing and market Queensland seafood.
An LNP Government will introduce a voluntary fishing license buyback scheme, implement a ReefSafe labelling policy for seafood sustainably sourced from the Great Barrier Reef and deliver three new artificial reefs to support recreational fishers.
“Creating a stronger, more sustainable fishing industry is part of the LNP’s plan to stimulate the economy and create a decade of secure jobs,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Queensland is renowned for its world-class seafood, but we’ve only scratched the surface of the industry’s full potential.
“The LNP’s plan will reshape and re-energise our fishing industry.
“Our plan to introduce a voluntary license buyback scheme will protect local marine life while creating more secure jobs for commercial fishers.
“The voluntary buyback scheme will target licenses in the Cape and provide an important structural adjustment to the industry, while protecting dugongs, marine turtles and other local marine life.”
“Less nets in the water means less pressure on fish stocks, but it also means more long-term jobs and more profits for fishing businesses.
“The ReefSafe labelling initiative will mean Queenslanders can back businesses sustainably sourcing produce from the Great Barrier Reef.
“Buying more Queensland seafood means more jobs for Queenslanders and a stronger economy.
“The seafood industry employs 3000 people in Queensland and the LNP’s plan will secure those jobs well into the future.
“The new artificial reefs will create more tourism opportunities for coastal towns and boost local economies though an increase spend from visiting anglers.
“Whether its Moreton Bay bugs, Mooloolaba king prawns or Whitsunday wild snapper - we know seafood is a popular choice for many Queensland households and supports local businesses up and down the Queensland coast.
“These new fishing initiatives are part of the LNP’s Food and Job Security Plan to secure Queensland’s future for the next generation.”
Shadow Minister for Fisheries Tony Perrett said the ReefSafe initiative built on the LNP’s previously announced seafood labelling policy
“A staggering 70 per cent of seafood consumed by Aussies is imported, which means profits and jobs go overseas,” Mr Perrett said.
“Queensland seafood is the best in the world and that’s why the LNP will partner with the fishing industry to trial labels for wild seafood caught in Wide Bay and the Whitsundays.
“The LNP knows Queenslanders will support local seafood – they just need to be empowered with the information.
“As well as knowing where their seafood comes from, the LNP will empower consumers to support businesses operating sustainably in the Great Barrier Reef.
“The LNP will work with the commercial fishing industry, environmental groups and consumers to develop the ReefSafe labelling to promote seafood caught sustainably off the Reef.”
Mr Perrett said commercial fishing operators ready to leave the industry would be incentivised through the LNP’s voluntary license buyback scheme.
“The buyback scheme will make the fishing industry more economically and environmentally sustainable,” Mr Perrett said.
“It will secure long-term jobs for existing businesses and provide a dignified pathway for those in the industry that want out.”
Mr Perrett said artificial reefs were a great way to boost local economies and their location will be determined through community consultation.
“Better fishing experiences mean more visiting anglers spending time and money in the community,” Mr Perrett said.
”Queenslanders love to get out on the water and our plan to deliver three new artificial reefs will give recreational anglers more opportunities to reel in more and bigger fish.
“This is evidence-based policy supporting more eco-tourism opportunities in the Cape through recreational and guided fishing ventures that supports local tourism operators.
“The LNP plan to get Queensland fishing again is good for consumers, a win for local jobs and help protect the Reef.”
The LNP’s $8.5 million fishing plan highlights:
