The CommSec State of the States report released today again shows even Tasmania’s economy is outperforming Queensland – yet more proof the state is stagnating under the Palaszczuk Labor Government.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls said CommSec had delivered a damning report card on the do-nothing Palaszczuk Labor Government.
“For Queensland to be ranked behind Tasmania and almost on par with South Australia, which can’t even keep the lights on, is just further proof Labor’s softly, softly approach isn’t working,” Mr Nicholls said.
“Sadly, we’re ranked in the bottom half of the pack on the majority of economic indicators considered by CommSec, including fifth on economic growth.
“We’ve slipped to second last on unemployment, which is now listed as the state’s biggest economic weakness.
“We’re also in second last on construction work, which has also fallen over the year and is almost 20 per cent below the long-term average.”
Mr Nicholls said this was just the latest in a string of independent economic reports to show Queensland was falling behind other states and business confidence was on the decline.
“Last week’s ANZ-Property Council survey showed confidence in Queensland falling further than any other state in the last year,” he said.
“Queensland is stagnating, the community is crying out for leadership and we have a government stuck in neutral.
“A future LNP government will Build a Better Queensland.
“The LNP’s plan will create jobs, support small business, invest in education to raise standards and we will provide better services for families and retirees.
“We will restore business confidence and get investment flowing to create jobs throughout all of Queensland.”
Anzac Day services across the state featuring military hardware and memorabilia are in jeopardy following a monumental stuff-up by the Palaszczuk Labor Government.
LNP Shadow Police Minister Tim Mander said Annastacia Palaszczuk had presided over a bureaucratic bungle that had created mass confusion and concern for enthusiasts who organise historical re-enactments and commemoration ceremonies on Anzac Day.
He said the Labor Government has failed to provide clear advice and direction to thousands of historical collectors who are still in the dark if they can legally display their collections on Anzac Day because a longstanding weapons exemption that allowed them to do so for years expires on April 24.
“This monumental stuff-up by the Palaszczuk Labor Government simply beggars belief,” Mr Mander said.
“This is a perfect example of political correctness gone mad and a Labor Government that is completely out of touch with the people and communities they are supposed to represent.
“The LNP is calling on the Police Minister to sought this issue out and provide some clear advice ahead of Anzac Day so that our veterans and support groups can commemorate our Anzac heroes - as they have done for years.
“These people put their heart and soul and their money behind their annual commemorations for our ANZAC heroes because they don’t want the memories to fade away.
“To treat them with such disdain is not only disappointing but it is typical of a government that has no leadership and is driven by bureaucracy and process and not common sense.”
Mr Mander said the weapons exemptions had been in place for years and all people want is some clear advice so they know what they can and can’t do.
“These are law abiding citizens and shouldn’t be treated like criminals,” he said.
“Some of the so-called weapons we are talking about are pieces of timber with a curtain rod attached – to resemble a war relic as part of a re-enactment.
More than 80 jobs have gone from Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services according to the latest public sector workforce data. *
Shadow Minister for Communities Ros Bates said in just three months more than 80 roles had been slashed under the Palaszczuk Labor Government.
“As frontline Child Safety officers struggle with abuse investigation backlogs into the thousands and domestic violence continues to rise it is unbelievable that any cuts would be made,” Ms Bates said.
“To make matters worse as staff are being slashed from some Departments, over at the Queensland Family and Child Commission they have enjoyed a 24% staff increase.
“Labor needs to explain why they are slashing jobs on one front, yet building an empire in another area with no frontline role other than producing glossy reports that say they can’t tell us anything.
“We know from leaked October 2016 data that almost 4,000 cases of suspected child abuse across the state are stuck in processing backlogs and thousands of abuse reports aren’t being actioned in time.
“13,057 investigations or 62 per cent of all cases were not started in required timeframes.
“Why weren’t these 80 roles shifted across to help child safety?
“Queenslanders deserve an explanation of these staff cuts.
“A Liberal National Party government will build stronger families and provide safe and liveable communities.”
*https://www.forgov.qld.gov.au/queensland-public-service-workforce-statistics
The Palaszczuk Labor has taken a baseball bat to Outback Queensland slashing more than 500 full-time public service jobs across a vast region that’s been on its knees from five years of crippling drought.
The Palaszczuk Government’s own figures show 507.83 full-time equivalent public servant jobs were cut in the December 2016 quarter.
Rubbing salt into the wound, the Government hired a swag more spin doctors in head office to bolster its program of organised lying.
LNP Deputy Leader Deb Frecklington said the cuts proved the absolute heartlessness of Annastacia Palaszczuk and her city-centric team of doozy apparatchiks and Labor union hacks.
“This is a region that’s been in the grip of drought for five years, suffers the highest overall rate of employment in the state of 11.4 per cent and a staggering youth unemployment rate of 41 per cent,” Ms Frecklington said.
“The Premier continually states she is focused on jobs. But the truth is the only jobs that matter are hers and those of her heartless union mates.”
Gregory MP Lachlan Millar said communities like Weipa, Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Richmond, Hughenden, Longreach, Barcaldine, Charleville, Blackall and Bedourie and Quilpie are being guttered by Palaszczuk Labor.
“To cut overall public service jobs in the Outback by eight per cent in the last quarter is disgraceful and proves that Palaszczuk Labor is no friend of anyone who lives away from the coast,” Mr Millar said.
Warrego MP Ann Leahy said unlike Labor, the LNP was focussed on building a better Queensland with a common sense plan to create jobs across Queensland and better manage the state’s finances.
“The LNP believes every Queensland, irrespective of where they live deserves a fair go and access to decent government services,” Ms Leahy said.
“The LNP is committed to building stronger families, stronger communities, building the roads and dams we need to increase agricultural production.”
http://www.qgso.qld.gov.au/products/reports/reg-labour-force/qld-sa4-2011.pdf
An end to the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s rail fail is still nowhere in sight with media reports of overly stringent testing delaying the recruitment of much-needed drivers.
With 1,800 train services being cut each month, Queensland Rail can’t afford to turn away experienced and qualified drivers.
Why is Jackie Trad deliberately making it hard for QR to recruit drivers?
The longer Labor delays recruiting drivers, the longer the cuts and cancellations will continue and taxpayers will keep paying out $1 million in overtime each fortnight.
Labor’s Jackie Trad still hasn’t implemented a key Strachan recommendation to immediately open recruitment up to external applicants because to union said no.
It’s time for Labor to stand up for passengers not their union mates.
Recently released TransLink performance data for January 2017 shows the rail fail continues under the Palaszczuk Labor Government with significant decreases in customer satisfaction for reliability, frequency and comfort.
Overall satisfaction with our train network is lower than when the Annastacia Palaszczuk took office.
Customer satisfaction with reliability is again the lowest since Annastacia Palaszczuk was transport minister back in 2011.
This data shows over a third of passengers aren’t happy with Queensland Rail’s ability to meet departure times, the frequency of services and the availability of seats.
It’s unacceptable and commuters know that with a Tim Nicholls-led LNP Government, the trains will again run on time.
January 2017 TransLink Customer Satisfaction Monthly Snapshot:
New figures from the latest ANZ Property Council survey again confirm Queensland is falling behind the rest of Australia under a do-nothing Palaszczuk Government.
LNP Shadow Treasurer Scott Emerson said Queensland has experienced the worst fall in confidence of any state over the last year.
“Queensland was the only state to see confidence go backwards in the past 12 months, while other states power ahead,” Mr Emerson said.
“The Palaszczuk Government continues to be seen as the worst-performing government in Australia by the property and construction industry.
“Not once since the state election in 2015 has Labor been viewed positively by this industry, which employs hundreds of thousands of Queenslanders.
“Worryingly, expectations for the Queensland economy lag well behind the national average and major states like New South Wales and Victoria, which is who we should be competing with.
“This is just more compelling evidence that Queensland is stagnating under this do-nothing Labor Government.
“Building approvals have fallen for 13 straight months and investment has declined, all while we continue to lead the nation in job losses.
“Only the LNP will deliver for the construction and manufacturing industry, one of our six key drivers, so we can create jobs and build a better Queensland.”
Deputy LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said today’s announcement by Labor of a trade ‘strategy’ was farcical given it comes after two long years of lazy Labor government in Queensland.
“It’s taken this do-nothing Palaszczuk Government over two years and two trade ministers to release a trade strategy – and even then it consists of not much more than a glossy brochure that steals LNP ideas and claims credit for LNP decisions,” Ms Frecklington said.
“The supposed plan copies the LNP’s key priority areas of mining, agriculture, tourism and education but forgets about the Construction and Manufacturing Sector as well as the Services, Science and Technology sector.
“Labor Treasurer Curtis Pitt even tries to claim credit for the North American trade office established by the former LNP government – when we recognised the USA as the major source of direct foreign investment in Queensland.
“The trumped up plan lists a number of business-as-usual functions as ‘new’ activities and is yet another demonstration of all spin and no substance from Labor.”
Ms Frecklington said the document was an insult to all the all the hard working family businesses in Queensland who’ve carved out successful export markets and provided jobs for Queenslanders.
“At every turn this out of touch Labor government shows it not only has no idea what it takes to run a successful export business, but even less about running a State Government,” she said.
“Palaszczuk, Pitt and Trad are experts at bungling Queensland’s trade relationships rather than building them.”
Palaszczuk trade failures:
It has been revealed, Labor Environment Minister Steven Miles waited at least five days to warn commercial fishers of the risks from toxic fire-retardant chemicals spilled into the Brisbane River.
LNP Shadow Environment Minister Dr Christian Rowan said serious questions over the delay needed to be answered by the Minister.
“It’s now been revealed that in the days leading up to Easter, a fair amount of fish were caught in the Brisbane River and sold to consumers,” Dr Rowan said.
“The public, commercial operators and recreational fishers need to know the truth about the chemical spill and what the health implications are for anyone who’s eaten fish from the affected area,” Dr Rowan said.
“The Minister knew 4,000 litres of highly-toxic, carcinogenic fire retardant chemicals were spilled into the Brisbane River from the Brisbane Airport last Monday (April 10), but the public and commercial operators were not told until lunchtime Saturday (April 15).
“The excuses from the Minister of why he waited so long aren’t convincing, and if there are any potential risks to human health he needs to come clean.
“The public deserves some straight answers because I’m advised that commercial catches from the areas of the spill have been sold to the public.
“We need answers from Minister Steven Miles about why he and his government did nothing for days while there was a suspected chemical leak which could cause harm to Queenslanders.
“We don’t need blame-shifting to the Federal government and the Brisbane Airport, we need answers.”
Shadow Environment Minister Dr Christian Rowan said the Palaszczuk Labor Government's soft approach to crocodile management was putting Queenslanders lives at risk and ignoring calls from community leaders for action.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls announced the LNP's common sense approach to crocodile management last November in Port Douglas.
"The LNP would be more proactive in removing crocodiles from waters around major population centres such as Cairns, Townsville and tourist destinations such as Port Douglas," Dr Rowan said.
"Our plan would protect public safety and ensure the long-term sustainability of the species.
"Labor's approach is to wait and watch for crocodiles to display aggressive behaviour and then think about doing something.
"That's just not good enough. Locals, along with domestic and international visitors, need to have more confidence that their personal safety matters."
Dr Rowan said the LNP would work with wildlife rangers and residents to identify and deal with aggressive crocodiles.
"These crocs would be relocated to national parks, wildlife reserves or registered crocodile farms," he said.
"Local residents and visitors to Far North Queensland need management that's more responsive, focused on public safety and less bureaucratic.
"While no natural waterway can be 100 per cent risk-free, the LNP would listen to concerns of locals and be much more proactive in removing crocodiles.
"We understand the need to be more active in preventing crocodiles from entering popular freshwater swimming areas and not tolerating crocodiles at popular beaches and around boat ramps and marinas.
"Crocodiles are part of our natural heritage, of major cultural significance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and an attraction for domestic and international tourists.”
Key facts:
Labor Leader Bill Shorten has abandoned Central and North Queensland families and communities looking for jobs, after stepping up his opposition to Adani’s Carmichael coal project and embracing the position of the extreme green activists.
LNP Shadow Minister for Mines and Northern Development Andrew Cripps said Mr Shorten’s capitulation to the Greens and the looney left began last week during his visit to Townsville, when he flagged a series of anti-development policies.
Mr Cripps said North Queenslanders were shocked to hear Mr Shorten fail to support Adani’s Carmichael coal mine project, refuse to endorse the need for a baseload power station in the region and call for the reintroduction of a carbon tax.
“Now Labor’s Leader has come out opposing the application by Adani for a loan from the Northern Australia Infrastructure Fund to construct a multi-user rail line from the Galilee Basin to the port at Abbot Point – a critical infrastructure link” said Mr Cripps.
“What Bill Shorten obviously doesn’t understand is that the Carmichael project is the first mover in the Galilee Basin and the delivery of this rail link to the port could pave the way for other projects to be developed – it’s not just about Adani.
“In terms of jobs, royalties and regional development, the Galilee Basin has the potential to be to the Queensland coal industry over the next 30 years what the Bowen Basin has been to the Queensland coal industry over the last 30 years”.
“Labor is clearly out of touch, because in North and Central Queensland, local communities, civic leaders, business groups and industry representatives all clearly understand why Adani’s Carmichael coal mine is a key project”.
Mr Cripps warned North Queenslanders that Bill Shorten’s anti-mining, anti-base load power and pro-carbon tax policies meant a future Federal Labor Government led by him was a threat to job creation and economic development in the region.
“Clearly, Bill Shorten has made a choice to go with the fanatics in the looney left within his own party and rely on Get Up!, Greenpeace and other assorted ratbags and fear-mongers to prop up his leadership – he has abandoned North Queensland,” he said.
“In contrast, the Queensland LNP has strongly supported Adani’s Carmichael coal mine project, recognises the need for baseload power generation in North Queensland and remains strongly opposed to Labor’s job-destroying carbon tax.”
Mr Cripps said the Adani project had been assessed and scrutinised at length by independent agencies at all levels of government, had numerous approvals reviewed by independent courts of law and overcome numerous appeals and objections.
Two months after first promising to release the expert panel review, the Palaszczuk Labor Government has still failed to release the full independent report into Child Safety’s handling of Mason Lee prior to his death.
LNP Shadow Minister for Child Safety Ros Bates said this was a cynical move by Annastacia Palaszczuk and Shannon Fentiman and smelt like a cover up.
“What we have seen this afternoon is a Labor Government trying to censor the truth about child safety’s handling of a child before his death,” Ms Bates said.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government has been sitting on these reports trying to cook up their response and are still hiding the answers.
“Queenslanders deserve to know the truth and we should have been advised before now where the problems were and what was being done to ensure no other child faces the same fate.”
Ms Bates said the Minister’s previous scapegoating of frontline staff had been unfair.
“Labor had overseen some of the worst performance numbers in the last two years and morale in the Department was at rock bottom,” she said.
“Based on the most recent numbers, 11 per cent of the most critical cases requiring a 24-hour response aren’t being seen to on time.
“On top of that, 74 per cent of at-risk children who should be seen within the recommended 5-10 day period are also being missed – this just can’t go on.
“Queensland is the second worst performing state in Australia – we’re even behind South Australia where there was a Royal Commission into child safety.
“We know from the leaked October data that the story only gets worse, with almost 4,000 cases of suspected child abuse being stuck in backlogs across the state.
“After two years of inaction, Annastacia Palaszczuk and Shannon Fentiman must fulfil their promise and release the Mason Lee report immediately so we can identify failings within our child protection system and ultimately make it stronger.
“Only the LNP will deliver a child safety system that builds stronger families.”
The Liberal National Party will restore confidence to the personalised transport industry and ensure a level playing field for taxi and ridesharing operators.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls said Annastacia Palaszczuk’s Government had botched the introduction of ridesharing services leaving thousands of taxi owners and operators angry, frustrated and out of pocket.
Launching the LNP’s personalised transport policy for the next election, Mr Nicholls said an LNP Government would appoint an independent Commissioner to ensure Queensland had a safe and fair taxi and rideshare industry.
“We have listened to both the taxi industry and rideshare operators, we have come up with a workable plan and, if elected, we will act to level the playing field,” Mr Nicholls said.
“The LNP will treat drivers, owners and operators with respect as we try and repair the damage caused by this Labor Government.
“We have to ensure safe transport for passengers and drivers in all personalised transport while also sensibly removing red-tape for taxis to benefit passengers by easing the pressure on fares.
“The independent commissioner will be an industry voice in government and will restore certainty and stability.
“The commissioner will act as an ombudsman for the industry and a source of independent advice for the Minister and will be responsible for recommending safety requirements including CTP insurance, safety cameras, vehicle identification, licencing and registration.”
Mr Nicholls said the LNP promised the industry at a number of Community Forums last month that it would act swiftly, give passengers, drivers and owners a voice and fix up Labor’s mess.
“A disappointing hallmark of Labor’s changes has been the uncertainty and unfair treatment of taxi licence owners and operators,” she said.
“We experienced that anger first-hand at Community Forums last month and we gave those who attended a commitment that we would act.
“To ensure industry voices are always heard by the government, the LNP will also establish a Personalised Transport Ministerial Council, consisting of the Minister, commissioner and industry.
“This will give industry a real opportunity to raise issues with the Minister and contribute to the future direction of policy.”
LNP Shadow Transport Minister Andrew Powell said the LNP had listened and worked closely with Taxi Council Queensland and rideshare operators to ensure there was a level playing field for drivers and owners.
“Labor’s changes were kneejerk policy and weren’t well thought through,” she said.
“Without the LNP’s intervention we could have cars on the road pretending to be taxis – putting passengers at risk.
“The LNP also moved to remove Labor’s unfair compensation cap after shaming Labor into bringing forward the industry payments.
“The LNP is committed to leading a government that is better for Queensland. More government isn’t the answer to our problems – better government is.
“We will be a common sense government that listens, plans and acts to build a better Queensland.”
The independent Personalised Transport Commissioner will:
Queensland’s mental health system is lurching from crisis to crisis under the Palaszczuk Labor Government.
LNP Shadow Health Minister John-Paul Langbroek said the sacking of Mental Health Review Tribunal president Barry Thomas was the latest in a long line of issues.
“Since the start of this year, we have seen unlawful appointments, claims of nepotism and thousands of client cases under a cloud, which shows just how out of control the mental health system is under the incompetent Palaszczuk Labor Government,” Mr Langbroek said.
“This latest bungle comes only a week after it was revealed a mentally-ill killer was smuggling contraband into a mental health centre, which went unreported because of concerns it could jeopardise his discharge.
“This is simply unacceptable and is putting the lives of innocent Queenslanders at risk.”
Mr Langbroek said urgent steps were needed to get the mental health system back under control.
“There is a mental health crisis occurring on Cameron Dick’s watch but he is yet to take action and look after those most in need,” Mr Langbroek said.
“The Mental Health Review Tribunal needs more than a new president, it needs a complete overhaul to unravel its secrecy and restore confidence.
“Labor’s softly, softly approach is failing Queenslanders, doing nothing is not working.
“More government isn’t the answer to our problems – better government is.
“Only an LNP Government will Build a Better Queensland.”
Jackie Trad and Labor’s rail fail has effectively cut off the Sunshine Coast from tourists over Easter.
The Easter School holidays are a peak travel period, the Bruce Highway will be bumper to bumper and Labor’s genius idea is to cut train services back to one every two hours to the Sunshine Coast.
Labor’s rail fail is continuing to hurt South-East Queensland – one train service every two hours is simply unacceptable.
These cuts are on top of the 1,800 services a month that have already been slashed in this timetabling debacle.
During a time when families get together and enjoy school holiday activities, this doesn’t encourage public transport use and you have to question what Jackie Trad is thinking.
Jackie Trad has prioritised closed shop union-run Queensland Rail over families trying to spend time together.
And don’t forget, there’s still another two years of Labor’s rail cuts and cancellations to go.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls today called on insurers to give local companies and tradies “first crack” in the wake of Cyclone Debbie.
Mr Nicholls said it was vital insurers processed claims quickly and employed as many locals as possible.
“The stress from Cyclone Debbie will only be exacerbated if insurance companies sit on their hands, don’t process claims quickly and don’t employ local tradespeople,” Mr Nicholls said.
“By using local tradies to rebuild, insurers will provide a much-needed boost of money and jobs into economies where people are doing it tough.
“All Queenslanders stand shoulder to shoulder with those affected and we hope insurance companies will too.”
Mr Nicholls said with Cyclone Debbie swamping more than 2000 km of coastline, many Queenslanders faced a tough future.
“Cyclone Debbie has well and truly left her mark,” he said. “The south-east, Wide Bay, Central Queensland and of course North Queensland have all been impacted one way or another.
“We know Queenslanders are a tough, resilient bunch but recovery is never easy.
“This recovery will be helped along if insurance companies come to the party and award the rebuilding work to locals.”
