Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk must explain how Labor’s “Buy Queensland” first policy applies to her government’s decision to dump Atherton Tableland produced-milk for Cairns and other FNQ hospitals and hand contracts to a factory more than 1600km away.
LNP Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Shadow Minster Dale Last said Labor’s “buy local” policy clearly wasn’t worth the paper it was written on.
“Labor’s left hand doesn’t know what its right hand is doing,” Mr Last said.
“Last week it was revealed Labor had awarded contracts for the supply of milk to the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service to Parmalat over the local Malanda milk factory.
“Over the weekend the Premier announced her government will give local suppliers, within a 125 kilometre radius of where goods and workers are needed, a 30 per cent weighting in awarding contracts.
“Does that mean the Malanda milk factory and its local dairy farmers will get the supply contract, because Parmalat’s main factory is more than 1600km away in Brisbane.
“It’s a simple question the Premier and the Health Minster need to answer.”
Mr Last said the LNP raised the issue during budget Estimates last week when Health Minister Cameron Dick started squirming and mumbling about value for money.
LNP candidate for Hill Mario Quagliata said Labor was leaving the 40 farmers who supplied the Malanda factory in limbo.
“Labor’s decision to dump the Malanda factory and award the contract to a factory in Brisbane, more than 1600 km away, is a disaster for local farmers and must be over-turned,” Mr Quagliata said.
Despite a 25 per cent increase in breaches of domestic violence orders in just 12 months, the Palaszczuk Government has increased funding for DV services in south-east Queensland by less than 3 per cent.
LNP Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Ros Bates and LNP Shadow Attorney-General Ian Walker joined domestic violence victim Michelle Beattie at Southport today to highlight Labor’s failure to properly resource domestic violence services.
“Sadly under this do-nothing Labor Government abused women and families have seen a measly 2.3 per cent growth in funding to support services in the south-east region,” Ms Bates said.
“This is a slap in the face to victims and those groups on the Gold Coast who support them.
“Both Annastacia Palaszczuk and her Minister Shannon Fentiman need to take a long hard look in the mirror and ask themselves if they’re up to the job of protecting vulnerable women and their families.
“These are women and children fleeing violent homes with nowhere to go.
“Every day across the Gold Coast police are responding to more than six breaches of domestic violence orders.
“We’re in the midst of a domestic violence crisis with a record number of perpetrators thumbing their noses at protection orders and terrorising victims, yet Labor does nothing.”
Shadow Attorney-General Ian Walker said the LNP had led the way with its Protecting Victims of Domestic Violence policy and pushed Labor to make Queensland’s DV laws tougher.
“Queensland accounted for a quarter of all domestic violence-related deaths in Australia last year,” Mr Walker said.
“That’s why the LNP appointed former Governor-General Dame Quentin Bryce to lead a taskforce that produced the Not Now, Not Ever report.
“It’s why we pushed Labor to include reforms in the Bail (Domestic Violence) and Another Act Amendment Bill 2017.
“Even then Annastacia Palaszczuk’s Government refused to support LNP amendments for a DV Alert system to ensure victims and families were notified when someone charged with domestic violence crimes is being considered for or has been granted bail.
“The LNP has a strong record of standing up for victims of crime and ensuring that the scales of justice are balanced in favour of victims, not perpetrators.”
Key reforms in the Bail (Domestic Violence) and Another Act Amendment Bill 2017:
Reversing the presumption for bail in domestic violence-related crimes such as assault, grievous bodily harm, deprivation of liberty, strangulation and kidnapping.
The DV Alert system will also notify victims and families when someone with a DVO is being considered for parole, even if the reason they are in prison is not related to domestic violence.
Introducing urgent appeal rights to the bail application process, meaning bail decisions will be stayed for up to three business days and referred to a higher court for urgent review.
Allowing GPS trackers to be fitted to an alleged offender as a bail condition by the court to ensure that victims of crime are better protected throughout the trial process, which can be lengthy.
Jackie Trad’s latest comments about Cross River Rail show just how desperate she is to save her own seat.
The Deputy Premier’s decision to exclude the Commonwealth Government from the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority board – while keeping the $10 million the Commonwealth committed – is yet another epic dummy-spit from her.
We already know that the project doesn’t stack up – Infrastructure Australia (IA) and independent economists have shown this.
Infrastructure Australia is doing what the Palaszczuk Labor Government has failed to do – act in the best interests of Queenslanders.
We agree with IA’s assessment that Jackie Trad’s business case uses dud figures.
If the business case is as robust as the Deputy Premier claims, why hasn’t Labor released it in full for all Queenslanders to see?
After 12 months of spin, Labor has publicly-released only a five-page “summary” of the business case for this project.
Labor somehow expects Queenslanders to accept more than $15 billion of their money being spent without proof that Cross River Rail stacks up.
Enough is enough, Jackie Trad should release the business case and stop playing politics.
LNP Housing and Public Works Shadow Minister Stephen Bennett said today he is shocked by reports revealing a number of Queensland buildings are clad with potentially dangerous material.
“I can't believe Labor have been keeping this list secret, why the cover-up? People deserve to know,” Mr Bennett said.
“This Labor Minister joins a long list of his cabinet colleagues more interested in keeping Queenslanders in the dark than being open and accountable.
“This is information that I'm sure anyone living or working in buildings clad with dodgy and potential dangerous material would want to know about.
“Labor needs to answer exactly what's being done to fully assess public safety and deal with any fire risks.
“Labor's Mick de Brenni needs to release the full list of 44 buildings today with the potentially dangerous cladding, including all locations, and stop hiding behind bureaucratic process and taskforce findings.
“Queenslanders who are living and working in these buildings deserve to know the risks and what's being done to redress those risks.”
Queensland families are set to face even higher power bills as Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor fail dismally to take any action to bring downward pressure on sky-rocketing electricity prices.
Today in Budget Estimates LNP Shadow Energy Minister Michael Hart tabled a power bill from a distressed Queensland family facing a 400 per cent increase in their instalments on future electricity bills as retailers predict an electricity price spike.
“Today we submitted clear evidence that power retailers are expecting wholesale electricity prices to keep climbing and they will push those costs straight onto long-suffering Queenslanders,” Mr Hart said.
“The customer’s latest bill notifies them that, as of September, their power bill will rise from $50 to $176 dollars per week – or from around $2400 per year to an extraordinary $9000 per year.
“No householder should have to bear that kind of price rise and yet the Palaszczuk Labor Government continues to deny their power policies are hurting each and every Queenslander.
“I hate to think what would happen to a pensioner who didn’t read the fine print on their bill from this retailer and suddenly is thousands and thousands of dollars in debt with no way of paying what’s owed.
“And all we heard from the Acting Energy Minister Curtis Pitt today was more denials that state-owned power generators are price gouging and more excuses about how Labor’s mad green energy policies weren’t to blame.
“This is proof that retailers are locking in higher power prices because Labor’s energy generators have been gouging.
“Only the LNP will Build a Better Queensland.”
Labor’s Housing and Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni today dodged straight questions during Estimates hearings about the 50 positons slashed in Procurement Services in his Department under his watch.
Presented with Budget papers from 2014-15* and 2015-16* clearly showing staff numbers down from 111 to 59, the Minister squirmed and wormed and refused to answer.
LNP Housing and Public Works Minister Steve Bennett said Minister de Brenni was an expert at not answering.
“If ever anyone was looking for a prime example of a non-answer this was it,” Mr Bennett said.
“Minister de Brenni has gutted Procurement Services – a key section in the Department that’s supposed to be responsible for co-ordinating purchases and supplies across departments and government and delivering value-for-money.
“The Minister proved he is not interested, and it’s hardly a wonder the Auditor-General found the Department was not delivering in terms of any benefits to taxpayers.
“The trouble with the Palaszczuk Labor government and Minister de Brenni is there’s no focus on delivering better outcomes in terms of value-for-money for taxpayers.
“The number of positions cut in Procurement Services by the Minister is a disgrace and it’s a real shame that we can’t get a bit of honesty on what’s been happening.”
Business confidence in Queensland has fallen nine points under the do-nothing Palaszczuk Labor Government, according to today’s latest Sensis Business Index.
The Sensis Business Index shows the state’s business confidence is lagging behind other states and territories.
LNP Shadow Treasurer Scott Emerson said the report was an indictment on the Labor Government’s bad budget and failure to invest in regional Queensland.
“Queensland’s business confidence fell by nine points – the second-worst result behind a 12-point fall in ACT, showing how Labor’s policies are hurting Queenslanders’ chance of getting a job,” Mr Emerson said.
“What is worse, confidence among small and medium business owners in regional Queensland has fallen 16 points, second only to the Northern Territory.
“Queensland small businesses are less confident than those in Tasmania – further evidence that Labor can’t manage the economy and don’t have a plan.
“Queensland is now below the national net business confidence average that’s hurting jobs and families.”
Mr Emerson said the drop in regional business confidence was a reflection on the Palaszczuk Government’s inaction in regional Queensland.
“In their latest budget, the Palaszczuk Labor Government continued to starve Regional Queensland of infrastructure investment, instead funneling money earmarked for the regions to their flawed Cross River Rail project in inner-city Brisbane,” Mr Emerson said.
“Regional Queensland will always play second fiddle to Brisbane under the Palaszczuk Labor Government.”
Mr Emerson said the report also highlighted the Palaszczuk Labor Government as the second-most unpopular state according to businesses.
“Queensland businesses cite union control and bureaucracy as problems with the Palaszczuk Labor Government” Mr Emerson said.
“That's why we have seen the jobless rate jump in the latest ABS figures, leaving the State with the second-worst unemployment rate in the nation as anti-jobs, anti-investment and anti-business policies of Labor hurt the Queensland economy.
“Instead of leading the way we are falling behind other states under this do-nothing government.
“Only the LNP has the plans to deliver jobs and kick-start the economy by building a better Queensland.”
Department of Natural Resources and Mines employees are losing confidence in the leadership of their organisation, according to the results of a recent public sector survey.
The 2016 Working for Queensland* survey, released last week, revealed key indicators associated with responsibility, engagement, effectiveness and innovation had declined at the DNRM.
LNP Shadow Natural Resources and Mines Minister Andrew Cripps said it was a concern that staff in the key economic development agency had expressed declining confidence in its leadership.
He said the DNRM played an important role in driving outcomes for the agriculture, natural resource, mining, energy and property sectors, which were pillars of the Queensland economy.
“Confidence in the leadership of the DNRM has taken a dive under the Palaszczuk Labor Government, with the 2016 survey results well down on the previous year,” Mr Cripps said.
“This shouldn’t be a surprise when the department and its Minister, Anthony Lynham, have been sidelined from key policy debates by Labor’s radical left wing, led by Jackie Trad.
“Imagine being stripped of responsibility for key legislation, excluded from decision making and benched from making public comment, in favour of a political handbag like Steven Miles?
“Anthony Lynham is little more than a time-server in the Natural Resources and Mines portfolio and his embarrassing political emasculation is clearly being felt in this once proud department”.
Mr Cripps said Minister Lynham had no answers when confronted with a question about the Working for Queensland survey results during recent estimates hearings.
“Minister Lynham couldn’t explain why his own departmental officers were losing faith in him and his senior executives and couldn’t tell the committee what he planned to do to ‘rally the troops’, he said.
“This portfolio should be a powerhouse for new projects and job creation, particularly in regional Queensland, but under Labor, reform has stalled and red tape is making a come-back.”
Mr Cripps said the Palaszczuk Labor Government had achieved no positive reforms in the Natural Resources and Mines portfolio since coming to office in February 2015.
Labor’s Health Minister Cameron Dick has been left red-faced at Budget Estimates hearings today after an embarrassing error was exposed in the official 2017-18 Budget papers.
LNP Shadow Minister for Health John-Paul Langbroek said Labor had clearly failed to properly examine the budget papers after it was revealed entire pages were factually wrong.
“Minister Dick was given a chance to correct the record, but instead said the budget was correct,” Mr Langbroek said.
“What we exposed is the performance measures for one hospital and health service had been left out and budget pages for another hospital cut and pasted in.
“This was a glaring error that was missed by thousands of health bureaucrats and signed off by the Minister.
“The Health portfolio has a budget of more than $16.5 billion and this raises serious questions about the veracity of all budget numbers.
“This incompetent Labor Government can’t be trusted to manage Queensland’s finances. How many other errors are in official budget documents?
“HHSs like Cairns are still staring down almost $30 million deficit this coming year – and this is clearly symptomatic of a bigger issue.
“Only the LNP will better manage our finances and deliver better government, not more government.”
Labor's Small Business Minister Leeanne Enoch has admitted business confidence is lower under the Palaszczuk Labor Government than the former LNP Government in an embarrassing own-goal in Budget Estimates hearings.
In a bumbling performance, Ms Enoch championed the March 2017 CCIQ Pulse survey which showed that Queensland's business confidence was now at 49.4 points – its highest level since December 2014.
When was it was pointed out that this meant that business confidence had been consistently lower under Labor than when the LNP left office in early 2015, the floundering Small Business Minister tried to point to the Sensis Business Index.
However the Sensis Index found the Palaszczuk Government was the least popular state or territory government in the nation among small and medium businesses.
Shadow Treasurer and Small Business spokesman Scott Emerson said he welcomed Ms Enoch's admission that Queensland businesses were less confident under the Palaszczuk Labor Government than under the LNP.
“The reality is that business confidence in Queensland has been at negative levels every single quarter since the Labor government was elected in 2015 – it’s in the survey cited by the Minister herself,” Mr Emerson said.
“Leeanne Enoch knows businesses are less confident under Labor than the LNP because of the Palaszczuk Government's anti-jobs, anti-investment and anti-business policies.
“The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland survey also showed that 20 per cent of businesses may have to cut staff in the wake of rising electricity costs, which is now the number one issue for small businesses.
“Eighty-five per cent of businesses surveyed by CCIQ indicated bills have gone up by 50 per cent in the last two years - this is on Labor's watch and isn't good enough.”
“Infrastructure Australia (IA) is doing what the Palaszczuk Labor Government has failed to do – and that is act in the best interests of Queenslanders.
“We agree with IA’s assessment that Jackie Trad’s business case uses dud figures and the costs of Cross River Rail are likely to exceed its benefits.
“Independent economists have also described the business case as weak.
“If the business case for the project stacks up why hasn’t Labor released it in full for all Queenslanders to see?
“After 12 months of spin, Labor has only publicly released a 5-page ‘summary’ of the business case for this project.
“Insultingly, Labor expects Queenslanders to allow them to spend over $15 billion of their money without proof Cross River Rail stacks up.
“It’s already been revealed there are significant doubts about the patronage projections being used to support the need for Cross River Rail.
“The actual patronage data shows there were 10 million fewer people on trains last year compared to 2008.
“Further, the estimated passenger load on the Merivale Bridge is only 65 per cent of the seated capacity and 41 per cent of the design capacity.
“Labor’s alleged cost of $5.4 billion doesn’t include the cost of trains, the operating costs or the other upgrade works needed across the South East Queensland network.
“The real cost of the project is over $15 billion.
“This project is too expensive to get wrong.
“The LNP supports another heavy rail crossing across the Brisbane River, but we need to the get the infrastructure solution right.”
LNP Shadow Minister for Education Tracy Davis said she was very concerned at the rise in drug use in schools across Queensland.
“Almost 600 drug incidents a month are plaguing our schools right across Queensland,” Ms Davis said.
“More concerning is the number of drug related suspensions have jumped to more than 1,000 in 2016.
“Sadly, despite Labor making much noise about the ‘ice corridor’ the Education Minister could not answer if schools in this corridor were being targeted.
“Thousands of drug matters happening in our schools says we have a serious problem.
“During the estimates hearing the Minister revealed 34 primary school students, these are children under 12 years of age, had been caught with drugs at schools.
“We need more action by this Government and the part-time Education Minister to tackle this growing scourge in our school communities.
“Only the LNP will deliver safe and liveable communities.”
LNP Shadow Minister for Child Safety Ros Bates said it is sad indictment on Labor’s broken child safety system that Police are now expected to be called in and pick up the slack.
“More than 13,000 suspect abuse cases are not being investigated in the required timeframes and a further 10,000 are taking months to finalise,” Ms Bates said.
“Today’s announcement is more policy on the run from a Labor Minister looking for any distraction from her complete failure on the eve of estimates.
“This do nothing Minister was warned in October 2015 of the impending crisis in child safety and she did nothing.
“Under this Labor Government the relationship between child safety and Police has broken down and this announcement is not going to mend that rift.
“Labor obviously don’t trust child safety officers to be able to manage the tough cases.
“If this sort of joint team is to work we need to have health and education at the table to ensure we get the best outcome for children.
“We have no solution to the $200 million being thrown at group homes at a cost of $300,000 a child.
“Queenslanders can’t trust Labor to protect vulnerable children.
“Only the LNP will build a better Queensland and stronger families.”
Today’s CommSec State of the States report shows Queensland is again trailing our southern counterparts under a do-nothing Labor Government.
LNP Shadow Treasurer Scott Emerson said Queensland was now equal to Tasmania in terms of economic growth, while NSW continues to thrash the Sunshine State in the economic State of Origin.
“Queensland construction work was 19.3 per cent below decade averages – continuing its slide under Annastacia Palaszczuk,” Mr Emerson said.
“While NSW had business spending in the March quarter above decade-average levels, Queensland business spending was down 15.2 per cent in just the March quarter.
“If it wasn’t for exporting coal, our domestic economy would have completely stagnated under the Palaszczuk Labor Government.”
Mr Emerson said the only response from Captain Risky Curtis Pitt was to attack CommSec rather than realising Queenslanders were suffering under a do-nothing Labor Government and Labor policies that are increasing the cost of living.
“Queensland is stagnating, the community is crying out for leadership and we have a government stuck in neutral,” Mr Emerson said.
“Queenslanders, particularly the Queensland construction industry, can’t afford another three years of this do-nothing government.
“Only the LNP can build a better Queensland.”
“Another day another LNP policy copied by a desperate Labor Government.
“A week after findings showed child safety continues to be plagued by crisis, Labor have announced yet more LNP policy.
“Professional foster carers is something recommended by the Carmody inquiry – nearly four years ago.
“A recent petition sponsored by LNP Shadow Minister Ros Bates calling for permanency gained more than 1000 signatures of support from carers and supporters.
“With more than 13,000 abuse investigations caught in lengthy backlogs, Labor are looking for anything to distract from their failures.
“Today's announcement will not change the fact Labor are now spending more than $200 million on expensive group homes at a price of $300,000 per child.
“What about the thousands of kids coming into care with significant trauma, where is the support for those children and their carers?
“Why has it taken Labor almost two and half years and the eve of an election and the week of estimates to act?
“Only the LNP has a plan to build stronger families.”
Environment Minister Steven Miles has confirmed funding for pest and weed control in national parks has been slashed by the Palaszczuk Labor Government.
During questioning at Budget Estimates, Steven Miles was forced to admit a paltry $5.9 million will be spent across more than 13.5 million hectares of protected estate in 2017-18 - amounting to just 44 cents a hectare.
Last year, $8.4 million was provided, including $2.6 million for the joint Commonwealth-State ‘Nest-to-Ocean’ turtle program, now disbanded.
LNP Shadow Environment and Heritage Protection Minister Dr Christian Rowan said the funding was pitiful.
“This amounts to a funding cut of more than 30 per cent,” Dr Rowan said.
“Is it any wonder our national parks are becoming havens for wild dogs, cats and other feral animals, and overtaken by weeds? Labor’s pitiful contribution for pest and weed control threatens the very reason we have national parks – to protect our native flora and fauna.
“This budget cut doesn’t only harm pristine park environments, it will have a major impact on neighbouring landholders and farmers who face an ongoing battle to keep pests from national parks from ravaging their properties.
“The net amount of just 44 cents a hectare across national parks this year comes at a time when the Department has received substantial funding increases in the past two budgets amounting to 30 per cent.
“The funding being provided by the Minister is simply pathetic and underlines the total lack of commitment of this Labor Government to critical pest and weed control.”
Labor’s Environment Committee chair today refused to allow a top bureaucrat to answer questions about private email use in the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection.
Committee chair Joe Kelly today ruled questions on emails out-of-order, effectively denying Queenslanders any details of private emails between Environment Minister Steven Miles and senior bureaucrats.
Despite Environment and Heritage Director-General Jim Reeves agreeing to check on use and to provide answers, Minister Miles sneakily pleaded for protection from the chair, who complied and ruled questions out of order.
LNP Shadow Environment and Heritage Protection Minister Dr Christian Rowan said the actions of the Minister and the chair amounted to a cover-up.
"Two days after Minister Bailey was stood down pending investigation of potential corrupt use of his private email account, the action by Minister Miles today raises further serious questions," Dr Rowan said.
"The Minister, is conveniently using Standing Order 183 as a smoke screen for his own potentially corrupt and illegal behaviour.
"With this Minister the parliament and the Queensland public are left Miles from the truth.
"I fully intend to pursue this important matter."
Labor’s Agriculture Minister Bill Byrne made a goat of himself in Estimates Hearings today by claiming staff numbers in his Department had been maintained when budget papers clearly show they have not.
Minister Byrne made a boastful opening statement claiming Labor had not cut funding for the Department of Agriculture and that staff numbers had been fully maintained.
But budget papers from 2014-15 prove otherwise clearly showing staff numbers at his Department have fallen by 79 FTEs (full-time equivalents).
LNP Shadow Agriculture Minister Dale Last said Mr Byrne was either deliberately misleading Queenslanders or the budget papers were wrong.
“He can’t have it both ways,” Mr Last said.
“I tried to get a straight answer out of Bill Byrne, but none was forthcoming,” Mr Last said.
“Initially he refused to answer, pleading for protection from the Committee chair.
“He then rambled on about flexible numbers and ‘reconciling’ FTEs.
“But he can’t have it both ways, and his own papers* prove staff numbers at DAF are lower than they were under the last year of the LNP government.
“Compared with the last LNP budget, there are 69 fewer FTES for Agriculture and 37 less FTEs for Biosecurity Queensland - so overall that’s 79 fewer FTEs.
“Likewise, funding for the Department is well down, and again the Minister is in denial. Budget papers show Labor has cut the Agriculture budget by almost $15 million from $438.954 million in 2016/17 to $424.742 million in 2017, but yet again the Minister refused to admit reality.
“It’s hardly a wonder that key stakeholder groups AgForce and Queensland Farmers’ Federation have labelled this budget underwhelming and lacking any vision.
“Under Bill Byrne, it’s always someone else’s fault and his figures are so incredibly flexible - including those apparently pledged to fishing reforms.
“Bill Byrne’s figures for increased funding to fishing reforms remain totally at odds with those of the Treasurer - somewhere along the track between the Treasurer’s speech and Bill Byrne’s budget, around $9 million has gone missing.
“The Treasurer’s speech (Budget Paper 1, page 16) states $30 million over three years, but get to Bill Byrne’s budget (SDS, page 3) and it’s $20.9 million.
“It’s all very confusing and Queensland primary producers will be no clearer after today’s Estimates hearing and the ramblings from the Minister.”
Labor’s Training and Skills Minister Yvette D’Ath has been caught out over the Palaszczuk Government’s secret plan to sell TAFE assets across the state.
Ms D’Ath revealed the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s secret plan today during Estimates hearings but refused to release the full details of the planned sell-off until after the next state election.
LNP Shadow Training and Skills Minister Jarrod Bleijie said Queenslanders deserved to know what TAFE assets Labor plan on selling as part of its so-called Strategic Asset Management Plan.
“It has become abundantly clear Labor plan on selling-off TAFE assets across the state as part of their 10 year strategic plan,” Mr Bleijie said.
“The scoping studies into the sell-off have already cost Queensland taxpayers’ $1 million.
“Ms D’Ath flatly refused to say when the government will release their plan, saying it would be “sometime” over the next year.
“This Labor Government has a history of cover ups and selling assets.
“Labor need to come clean with Queenslanders. Are they going to sell-off TAFE assets or aren’t they?”
Mr Bleijie said Estimates hearings today also revealed Labor had cut 26 full-time jobs from the TAFE system despite record unemployment rates in large swaths of the state.
He said the latest National Centre for Vocational Education and Research figures also indicate training commencements declined by 1100 over the past year.
“These figures show the Palaszczuk Labor Government isn’t providing the training opportunities our young people need to get their first job,” he said.
“When it comes to training and vocational education, Labor’s all talk and no action.
“Youth unemployment is at crisis levels in regional Queensland - more than 20 per cent in the Cairns region and over 50 per cent in Outback Queensland – yet Labor’s still more interested in keeping their own jobs than they are in creating jobs for Queenslanders.
“Labor’s good at glossy brochures and glib slogans but they can’t hide the fact that apprenticeship and traineeship commencements and completions have gone backwards on their watch.
“A Tim Nicholls-led LNP government would create new jobs, support small business and invest in education to raise standards.”
The Palaszczuk Labor Government has been caught out wasting more than $1 million on a Drug Court that is yet to hear a case.
LNP Shadow Attorney-General Ian Walker said a Question on Notice had revealed that despite spending almost $1.2 million on reinstating a Queensland Drug Court, no cases had yet been heard.
He said most of the money appeared to have been frittered away on consultancy expenses.
It beggars belief that Labor would consider a $1.2 million court that has never heard a case to be an achievement.
It would be almost comical, if this issue weren't so serious.
With drug and violent crime increasing and the spread of ICE at epidemic levels, Annastacia Palaszczuk's chief law officer has been caught out bungling another program implementation.
This is not only a massive waste of taxpayers' money but epitomises Labor's do-nothing approach to government.
The contrast at the next election could not be clearer between the LNP's plan to build a better Queensland and a Labor government stuck in neutral.
Budget Estimates hearings into the Transport portfolio have revealed Labor’s rail fail is here to stay – even affecting the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Shadow Transport Minster Andrew Powell said the Palaszczuk Labor Government had trained only 28 of the 200 drivers needed to fix Queensland Rail.
“This is a clear signal to commuters that the 1,800 train services cut each week are here to stay,” Mr Powell said.
“They have been shamed into opening recruitment up to any qualified person, something we’ve been calling for since the Strachan Report was released.
“Until now they’ve been running a closed shop, letting a union heavy walk back into the driver’s seat after 10 years away from trains while other qualified drivers are turned away.
“This Palaszczuk Labor Government belongs on the set of the ABC’s Utopia – in their latest update report they list ‘updated and refined briefing note templates and writing style guides’ as an achievement in fixing the trains.
“Their priorities are completely skewed if they think PR and spin gets the trains running.”
Mr Powell said the CEO of Queensland Rail has admitted there was no planned timetable for the Commonwealth Games – the largest sporting event in Queensland for decades.
“There is no timetable ready, so amid a driver shortage crisis, the Palaszczuk Labor Government has no idea how many drivers it needs,” he said.
“Jackie Trad and her hand-picked CEO could not rule out significantly reducing services on other rail lines around south-east Queensland to ensure there are trains available to the Gold Coast for spectators and fans.
“At an event that is supposed to showcase the best of south-east Queensland, Labor has no idea how many of our new trains will be in service to carry our interstate and international visitors.
“Labor’s Rail Fail isn’t budging and it’s not only affecting commuters, but tourists and visitors too.”
Labor Deputy Premier Jackie Trad today refused to answer questions in Parliamentary Estimates hearings about how many real jobs had been created by the Palaszczuk Government’s Works for Queensland program.
LNP Deputy Leader and Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Deb Frecklington, said Jackie Trad’s feeble and, at times, obstructionist Estimates responses revealed the program as nothing more than a cruel hoax on Queenslanders.
“Jackie Trad today refused to answer how it was possible for Labor to have claimed its Works for Queensland program had created two jobs from the installation of three rubbish bins in Townsville at a cost of $5,000,” Ms Frecklington.
“Further Ms Trad refused to explain how $20,000 worth of signage at a dog park would support three jobs.
“It’s clear Labor’s jobs ‘spin’ is a cruel hoax on Queenslanders, especially regional Queenslanders who are desperate to find a job.
“These positions clearly aren’t full-time jobs and these are just cheap headlines from a do-nothing Labor Government.
“Labor’s own member for Bundamba Jo-Ann Miller stated at estimates ‘there is only one truthful answer, and that is the number of full-time-equivalent jobs’.
“Today Jackie Trad refused to say whether she agreed with Ms Miller, proving yet again Labor is hopelessly divided on creating real jobs for Queenslanders.”
Other Labor job hoaxes revealed today:*
Shadow Treasurer Scott Emerson said the Palaszczuk Labor Government had today been caught out once again as being all talk and no action when it comes to driving projects that would create jobs for Queenslanders.
“After months of the LNP pointing out the problems with Labor's Market Led Proposal framework, Labor Treasurer Curtis Pitt has finally admitted it isn't up to scratch,” Mr Emerson said.
“To have delivered only one project in three years is a sad indictment on this do-nothing Labor Government – and that one project was a toll road that Queenslanders will clearly have to pay to use.
“Now on Day One of Budget Estimates, and in a clear bid to divert attention from its superannuation raids and a ballooning public service, we see Labor reveal a copycat plan of the LNPs policy. *
“Only the LNP has a real plan to deliver Market Led Proposals and create the jobs Queensland needs.”
Queensland’s child safety system continues to buckle under Labor’s watch, as reports of suspected abuse rose by more than 9,000 cases over the past 12 months.
Shadow Minister for Child Safety Ros Bates said child safety investigators were still struggling with 13,035 investigations not starting on time - up 11 per cent compared to the same time last year.
“More than 6,000 children were found to have been abused in the past 12 months, which is up 3 per cent on the previous year,” Ms Bates said.
“In the past 12 months, around 10,000 cases dragged on for months before they were finalised, a jump of 23 per cent on the previous 12 months.
“There has been a 12 per cent jump in the number of carers who walked away from the system in the last 12 months – we have lost 1,467 carers from the system under Labor’s watch in just the last year.
“More than 400 children were kicked out of the system as teenagers with no planning or support, while there were 161 reports of harm to children while under the care of the Department.”
Ms Bates said these figures proved the child safety system was continuing to deteriorate under a do-nothing Labor government, with cases taking longer and longer to come to a conclusion while children remained vulnerable.
“Labor can try and spin this however they want, but the fact is things have not improved in child safety under their watch, and the situation continues to get worse,” she said.
“More investigations into suspected abuse were not started on time in the past 12 months compared to the previous 12 months.
“Most concerning is that we have seen a record number of cases taking longer than two months to finalise, which just shows that Shannon Fentiman is unable to protect Queensland children.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk needs to step in and fix this mess once and for all.”
A future Liberal National Government will introduce a wide-ranging counter-terrorism strategy to ensure no stone is left unturned in reducing the risk of and safeguarding against a terrorist incident in Queensland.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls will announce the state’s first dedicated terrorism policy this Sunday at the State Convention in Brisbane.
Mr Nicholls said the LNP, if elected, would introduce stronger laws and appoint a dedicated Counter-Terrorism Minister to protect the community and to re-double our efforts in the fight against terrorism.
He said terrorism, both domestically and internationally, was something at the back of all Queenslanders’ minds, irrespective of where they lived.
“Thankfully, Queensland has never experienced an identified terrorism incident, but we must remain vigilant in guarding against possible threats against Queenslanders and our way of life,” Mr Nicholls said.
“We can’t take for granted the freedoms we all enjoy.
“According to our national security advice, credible intelligence, assessed by our security agencies, indicates that individuals or groups continue to possess the intent and capability to conduct a terrorist attack in Australia.
“International terrorist groups have proven adept at using their extremist ideology to motivate ‘lone wolves’ or small groups to use violence in their home countries.”
Mr Nicholls said the LNP’s policy was designed to give state-based authorities all the tools necessary to ensure the evil scenes witnessed in Manchester and London did not occur in our state.
“A future LNP government will strengthen bail laws to include a presumption against bail for someone charged with a terrorism-related offence, or who is known to have terrorist links,” he said.
“We will also strengthen parole to remove the presumption against parole for an offender charged with a terrorist offence, convicted of a terrorist offence or subject to a terrorist notification.
“As well, we will also give police more powers to prevent an attack by increasing the maximum time allowed under a preventative detention order from 14 days to 28 days.”
Mr Nicholls said Queenslanders were shocked, horrified and sickened by recent terror attacks overseas.
“Unfortunately, the threat of terrorism is something we all have to live with but something we will not let consume us,” he said.
“This policy is about ensuring we are well equipped, but not alarmed.
“The LNP, when in government, demonstrated our strong commitment to keeping Queenslanders safe with record investment in law enforcement agencies and tougher laws that put community safety first.
“This is part of our plan to provide safe and liveable communities as we Build a Better Queensland.”
Key Points - Safeguarding Against the Terrorism Threat:
A future Liberal National Party government will provide improved services, more opportunities and stronger representation for our retired servicemen and servicewomen as part of our plan to Build a Better Queensland.
LNP Deputy Leader Deb Frecklington said the comprehensive plan to assist ex-ADF personnel transitioning back into civilian life was a Queensland first.
“Queensland is home to almost 45,000 veterans and I believe they deserve a state-based policy that provides better services and more opportunities for them,” Ms Frecklington said.
“If an LNP Government is elected at the next state election, Queensland will lead Australia in the recognition of, and the help we provide to, former ADF Members.”
Ms Frecklington said the LNP’s comprehensive plan would build better services and better communities by helping veterans in four key ways.
“We will appoint a Minister for Veterans’ Affairs responsible for leading strategies aimed at ensuring that State Government services are better targeted to this group,” she said.
“We will commit to a target of increasing the number of ex-ADF personnel working in the public service - providing proper recognition of their military training and how that fits into roles within the Queensland Government.
“This will see more veterans working in the public service, with their extensive skills, training and experience ensuring we deliver better government.”
LNP Bundaberg candidate David Batt said the region was home to a number of ADF personnel, some who had struggled to transition back into civilian life and another career after leaving the Defence Force.
“There is no question the transition from military to civilian life can be challenging especially when it comes to employment,” Mr Batt said.
“A state-based policy is important as Queensland is home to 22 per cent of serving Australian Defence Force personnel.
“We will make sure Queensland Government job websites are updated to provide more information to ex-ADF personnel about the jobs that best link to their skill set.
“Veterans work well in a team, have a sense of duty, they are organised and disciplined, adaptable, problem solvers and have a strong work ethic and that is why the LNP developed this policy to help veterans transition from military to civilian life.”
The LNP would support a rematch between home-grown hero Jeff Horn and boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao in Brisbane.
Like all Queenslanders, and indeed all Australians, I was immensely proud of Jeff and the way he handled himself both in and out of the boxing ring.
The LNP will always back major events that showcase what Queensland has to offer to the world.
We did it in government and we will do it again if we are fortunate enough to be successful at the upcoming state election.
It is why the LNP has announced, if elected, we would work with the private sector to deliver the Brisbane Entertainment and Education Precinct to ensure our state continues to deliver world-class events.
There has also been nearly as much dodging and weaving by Annastacia Palaszczuk about the election date as there was at the Battle of Brisbane on Sunday.
The fact a boxing promoter knows the date and Queenslanders don't just shows how secretive and out of touch this Labor Government is.
The Premier needs to come out today, name the date, end the unhelpful speculation and give business certainty.
An independent report released today has confirmed that an ultra-supercritical coal-fired power station produces cheaper electricity than renewables.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls said the Minerals Council of Australia commissioned report revealed it would cost $2.2 billion to build a 1000MWh ultra-supercritical coal-fired power plant that would deliver the cheapest electricity on the market.
He said Australian consumers would pay $3 billion towards renewable energy subsidies this financial year alone.
“If Labor had their way, electricity would be a luxury only afforded a select few,” Mr Nicholls said.
“The report confirms a state-of-the-art, high-efficiency, low-emissions coal-fired power station would produce cheaper electricity than renewable energy.
“The LNP fully supports the construction of a financially viable ultra-supercritical coal-fired power station to ensure North Queenslanders have access to secure and affordable baseload power.
“Labor has flatly ruled out supporting this project and providing North Queenslanders with reliable baseload power.
“North Queensland residents, manufacturers and businesses shouldn’t miss out on affordable and reliable electricity because Annastacia Palaszczuk is trying to win inner-city Green preferences.”
Mr Nicholls said Labor was elected on a promise to lower electricity prices but that promise was broken days after it was made.
“Under Labor, power costs are soaring and will continue to go through the roof under Labor’s ideologically-driven, headlong rush to a 50 per cent renewable energy target,” he said.
“North Queensland families and businesses will be paying the price in taxpayer subsidies and higher power bills for decades to come to prop up this rush towards renewables.”
LNP Shadow Energy Minister Michael Hart said today’s report showed coal was still far cheaper than renewables – a fact also confirmed by the Finkel report.
“The report clearly states an ultra-supercritical coal-fired power station would produce electricity at $40-$78 per megawatt hour, compared with gas at $69-$115/MWh and solar at $90-$171,” Mr Hart said.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk would rather North Queenslanders use candles than ensuring they had access to low-cost, reliable baseload power.
“North Queenslanders are sick to death of Annastacia Palaszczuk and her embattled Energy Minister Mark Bailey treating them like cash cows and second-class citizens.”
Mr Hart said the LNP realised reliable and affordable baseload power would provide North Queensland, and cities such as Townsville and Cairns, economic and energy security.
“That is why the LNP would declare a North Queensland power station as a priority project if we were successful at the upcoming state election,” he said.
“We fully support the development of a new coal-fired power station in North Queensland to ensure residents have access to affordable electricity for generations to come.”
