Queensland's primary production sectors have shown remarkable resilience in the face of severe drought and little in the way of genuine support from Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor, the LNP said today.
Shadow Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Dale Last said Queensland primary producers and processors generated goods worth a remarkable $19.9 billion in 2016/17, with livestock ($6.15bn), horticulture ($4.16bn) and sugar and cotton ($2.45bn).
"This is a stand-out performance in the face of severe drought and with virtually no support from this lazy, do-nothing Labor government," Mr Last said.
Mr Last warned farmers they faced an uphill battle if Annastacia Palaszczuk was re-elected given she was hellbent on scrapping the LNP's common sense vegetation management laws which allowed farmers and landholders to manage their farms while protecting sensitive, high-conservation value flora.
"Labor's done nothing to address skyrocketing electricity and water charges for farmers and processors, nothing to progress expansion of sustainable timber and forest industries, but it has seen fit to dramatically restrict Category H firearm licence renewals and applications,” he said.
Mr Last said Queensland's 4,000 cane farmers - the backbone of an export industry worth $2.1 billion in 2016/17 - had been sold down the river by Labor which shamefully sided with foreign-owned, multi-national milling companies and attempted to deny farmers the option to sell through industry-owned QSL.
"Labor's treatment of cane farmers has been disgraceful," he said.
“The Palaszczuk Government’s attempt to claim credit for primary production growth is particularly distasteful given its scrapping of the dedicated department in the Beattie-Bligh years and the slashing of staff numbers under current Minister Bill Byrne.”
Mr Last said the Labor Minister was caught out during Budget estimates hearings on funding and staff numbers when his own budget documents proved he'd cut funding by more than $14 million this year and staff by 79 FTEs when compared to the department under the LNP government.
“Is it any wonder key stakeholder groups AgForce and Queensland Farmers' Federation called his efforts ‘underwhelming’ and ‘lacking any vision’?” he said.
“Only the LNP has a comprehensive plan to create jobs across Queensland, better manage our finances and build the roads, bridges and dams we need.”
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls has called on Annastacia Palaszczuk to immediately release Labor’s secret policy to block gas exploration and production in south west Queensland, which will drive up gas and electricity prices.
As Labor’s own Minister Anthony Lynham said yesterday “… any plan to shut down gas production across Queensland would drive up electricity prices and cost jobs across industry, particularly manufacturing.”
“Amid nationwide gas shortages, the Palaszczuk Labor Government needs to come clean on its secret deal with the Greens to stop any expansion of gas exploration and production in southwest Queensland,” Mr Nicholls said.
“The unhealthy alliance between Labor and the Greens is killing the Queensland economy, driving up energy prices, jobs and threatening thousands more.
“Labor’s putting loopy ideology first – and Queensland families, businesses and workers last.
“Shockingly, youth unemployment in Outback Queensland is now over 50 per cent, meaning more than half of all kids looking for a job in the outback towns and shires can’t find one.
“Appallingly Annastacia Palaszczuk and her Deputy are prepared to hang those kids, their families and communities out to dry by doing grubby green deals to win the next election.
“This Premier and her Labor mates will always put their own jobs and futures ahead of the future of Queenslanders.
“Queenslanders know the LNP has steadfastly supported the responsible development of the gas industry in Queensland and will continue to do so.
“Labor needs to come clean and release the secret pristine rivers policy that will cost Queensland jobs, royalties and reduce gas supply.”
Former Queensland Rail Chief Operating Officer Kevin Wright has pointed the finger squarely at the Palaszczuk Labor Government and the influence of the rail unions as the cause of Labor’s ongoing rail fail.
Mr Wright told 612 ABC Brisbane that the Labor Government should have been responsible for taking action to fix the rail crisis but didn’t.
Mr Wright proposed to get the trains running again by not moving to the new enterprise agreement. Former Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe rejected this – which gave the unions more power.
Shadow Transport Minister Andrew Powell said these revelations came with a service-cut timetable to run over the long weekend, which would see passengers waiting up to two hours for trains from the Sunshine Coast.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk is squarely responsible for Labor’s continuing rail fail where trains run late – if at all,” Mr Powell said.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk had the unenviable record of the worst Transport Minister ever under Anna Bligh and now she’s stuffed up the trains as Premier.
“Kevin Wright’s admission today that the Palaszczuk Government could have fixed the timetabling problems ‘straight away’ if the unions weren’t calling the shots is an indictment on the Labor Party and their union masters.
“Why didn’t Annastacia Palaszczuk accept Mr Wright’s solution and stand up for passengers instead of the RTBU?
“Why do commuters have to accept a cut of 1,800 services each month because the Premier is spineless?
“Labor’s Rail Fail is disgraceful and commuters know who’s to blame.”
Quotes from 612 ABC Brisbane interview
WRIGHT: “It wasn’t a good way to retire and I certainly…I think it could’ve been fixed. Had they wanted to and had the unions worked with us we could’ve fixed the problem virtually … straight away when the new timetable came in.”
…
“I think I was … a scapegoat for something that could’ve been fixed had the right people taken the action to… listen to … how it could’ve back on track again”
AUSTIN: “Who were the right people who should’ve taken action?”
WRIGHT: “Well … I see it… as the Government.”
Annastacia Palaszczuk believes it is more important to kick up her feet on holidays instead of working around the clock to address soaring power prices witnessed under her watch.
LNP Deputy Leader Deb Frecklington said Townsville families continued to pay the price of Annastacia Palaszczuk’s incompetence with soaring electricity bills and increased cost of living.
“I am sure there are countless Townsville families who would love to go on holidays but can’t afford to because of record power prices and increased cost of living pressures,” Ms Frecklington said.
“What a slap in the face for Townsville families. If Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor had their way, electricity would be a luxury afforded only to a select few.”
Ms Frecklington said it was little wonder Annastacia Palaszczuk flew the coop after ACCC boss Rod Sims’ scathing assessment of her actions.
“Mr Sims confirmed last week that under Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor, government-owned electricity generators have been manipulating the market and gouging families and businesses,” she said.
“For state-owned utilities to be driving up power bills for the sake of this financially-inept government’s budget black hole is disgraceful.
“Queensland electricity prices are at record highs and families and businesses are hurting because of one reason only – Annastacia Palaszczuk.”
Ms Frecklington said it was high time Annastacia Palaszczuk came clean with Townsville families and started telling the truth.
“She needs to have an honest conversation with Queenslanders and tell them why she is ripping them off through their electricity bills,” she said.
“She also needs to explain why Townsville families are currently paying $95 per year to fund renewable energy through their electricity bills – whether they like it or not.
“Imagine what the eventual cost will be if Labor is allowed to ramp up to its reckless 50 per cent renewable target?”
Ms Frecklington said only the LNP could be trusted to put downward pressure on North Queensland electricity prices.
“The LNP remains 100 per cent committed to ensuring a new high-efficiency, low-emissions coal-fired power station becomes a reality so we can have affordable electricity for families and businesses in the North,” she said.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk has flatly ruled out a new coal-fired power station because her government has been hijacked by left-wing activists and their loony agendas.
“She will continue to slug Queenslanders more and more through their power bills to fund her renewable energy schemes.
“The LNP will not apologise for putting downward pressure on electricity prices – our policies are based on ensuring affordability and reliably.”
A Tim Nicholls-led LNP Government will deliver a Cross-Border Commissioner to help resolve issues and anomalies along the Queensland border.
On a visit to Southern Downs today, LNP Leader Tim Nicholls made the announcement alongside LNP Candidate for Southern Downs James Lister.
“To many communities, the Queensland border is a line on a map which does not reflect their daily lives or habits,” Mr Nicholls said.
“Whether you live in Currumbin, Stanthorpe, Goondiwindi, Quilpie or Birdsville, you interact with people in other States on a daily basis, and often your closest major service centre is located in another State.
“The daily realities of life such as property matters, tourism marketing, transport, licensing, departmental services and the sharing of information don’t stop simply because there is a line on the map.
“A LNP Government I lead will create the position of Cross-Border Commissioner to assist communities across Queensland in dealing with issues as they arise.
“The Commissioner will be tasked with solving problems across the Queensland Government and will have a roving brief to coordinate across all government departments.
“The Commissioner will also enhance intergovernmental co-operation and work with local Governments and other non-government organisations to consider, analyse and resolve issues.”
Mr Nicholls said the Commissioner will be responsible for delivering common-sense outcomes for communities and businesses.
“Many Queensland businesses and communities who are on the border are interacting and doing business with people in other States,” Mr Nicholls said.
“While travelling around Queensland, I have heard the concerns of many residents and businesses about cross border dealings, which is why my team and I have listened, planned and acted with this policy.
“The Commissioner will develop and implement plans to prevent further cross-border issues and work with different Ministers and Departments to brief them on cross-border issues.
“Only the LNP has been a constant supporter of border communities and understands the issues faced by these communities.
“Only the LNP will Build a Better Queensland by delivering better government, not more government.”
“Diehard North Queensland Cowboys fans looking at travelling to the Grand Final in Sydney should absolutely not be used as cash cows by airlines looking to make a quick buck.
“It is totally unacceptable and un-Australian for airlines to start price gouging North Queensland Cowboys fans simply because their team made the grand final.
“Return flights from Townsville to Sydney are already costing more than $1100 with Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar and I suspect these prices will only increase dramatically over the coming days.
“I urge Qantas CEO Alan Joyce, Virgin CEO John Borghetti and Jetstar CEO Dean Salter to keep a close eye on prices to ensure mums, dads and kids can afford to watch their beloved North Queensland Cowboys.
“All airlines have the opportunity to prove they are good corporate citizens and cut North Queenslanders a break.
“North Queenslanders have been doing it tough over the past three years, with families struggling with rising power prices, record unemployment and increasing cost of living.
“They deserve to be given a break and a fair go and hopefully airline bosses don’t simply look at them as an easy cash grab.
“North Queenslanders are a resilient bunch but one thing they won’t cop is being treated like mugs.”
A Queensland Resources Council report has cast serious doubts over the Palaszczuk Government’s energy policies, saying a 60 per cent increase in the wholesale electricity price under Labor is threatening jobs and growth in the sector.
Shadow Energy Minister Michael Hart said the report showed Annastacia Palaszczuk’s high electricity prices had already cost Queensland workers and their families, with jobs at Boyne Island aluminium lost because of soaring power costs.
“High electricity prices will cost Queensland more projects and jobs, as we become uncompetitive,” Mr Hart said.
“The QRC report sends a clear warning that Annastacia Palaszczuk should ditch her crazy 50 per cent renewable energy policy and support a sensible national renewable energy target like the LNP.
“Labor’s ripped out 100 per cent dividends from the government’s energy businesses as well as loaded them with almost $5 billion of debt – and allowed government-owned generators Stanwell Corporation and CS Energy to price gouge and drive up electricity prices.
“Under the Palaszczuk Labor Government, we are paying more for power than ever before as Queensland electricity prices hit record highs. Annastacia Palaszczuk continues to use electricity as a secret tax on Queenslanders.”
Mr Hart said the LNP’s policies to take action on power prices included a private sector-built High Efficiency Low Emission coal-fired power station, a sensible role for renewable energy establishing an Agriculture Energy and Water Council and a plan to freeze bonuses for energy executives.
“The QRC report says a High Efficiency Low Emissions coal-fired power station is the cheapest source of power – something we have committed to see built in North Queensland to create more jobs, more competition, more supply, improve energy security and improve certainty,” Mr Hart said.
“The LNP’s renewable energy policy is sensible and will not threaten Queensland’s energy security, while putting downward pressure on power prices for families.
“The LNP will scrap Labor’s extreme 50 per cent renewable energy target which will cost jobs, shrink the economy, increase prices, increase taxpayer-funded subsidies and cause energy insecurity.
“We will freeze bonuses for energy executives until electricity prices decrease. Labor has rewarded executives for record high electricity prices, which is not fair for Queensland families or businesses.
“Only the LNP has the policies to take action on cost of living pressures, so that we can create jobs, better support families and provide safe and liveable communities for all Queenslanders.”
On the eve of an election and in the midst of Mark Bailey’s email scandal, Labor’s embattled child safety Minister Shannon Fentiman has quietly dropped the latest child safety performance data.
LNP Shadow Minister for Child Safety Ros Bates said this sneaky act by Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor was another example of the lack of transparency from the government.
“Labor’s Shannon Fentiman this week refused to answer questions as to how kids in foster care were allegedly sexually molested by an approved blue card holder, raising more clouds over integrity,” Ms Bates said.
“The latest child safety data shows over 60 per cent or 12,829 investigations into suspect abuse did not start within the required timeframes.
“A record 10,533 child abuse investigations started in the last 12 months dragged on for more than 2 months despite the requirement to be completed within 60 days.
“In the last year we saw 165 children in care being further abused while under the protection of the Department, including 15 cases of sexual abuse.
“Even more staggering, the data shows that 45 per cent of parents who abuse their children were abused when they were younger.
“Under Labor we now see a record 1,509 carers walking away from the child safety system in just 12 months.
“It’s an indictment on the system when more and more carers of our most vulnerable are walking away.”
Ms Bates said the latest data showed that despite more than a $1 billion being spent on the system, abused children were still at further risk of harm.
“Queenslanders deserve better than a sneaky, do-nothing Labor Government that can’t be trusted to protect our most vulnerable children,” Ms Bates said.
“How much longer is Annastacia Palaszczuk going to protect this incompetent Minister while children are put at further risk of harm?
“In a speech to the National Press Club today, chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Rod Sims has confirmed that government-owned generators in Queensland have driven up electricity prices for consumers.
‘Generator market power was clearly seen in Queensland with two generators having two-thirds of capacity and prices spiking. When the Queensland Government directed its generators to tone down their bidding, prices immediately reduced significantly.’ (Rod Sims, ACCC chair, National Press Club address 20/9/17)
“Mr Sims comments prove that Annastacia Palaszczuk is using electricity prices as a secret tax on Queenslanders.
“Under Labor, Queensland electricity prices are at record highs and families and businesses are hurting.
“Queenslanders remember that Annastacia Palaszczuk was part of the Cabinet that locked in 70 per cent increases to network prices in 2010-11.
“As Premier, she’s ripped out 100 per cent dividends from the government’s energy businesses, loaded them up with $5 billion of debt and allowed government-owned generator Stanwell Corporation to price gouge and drive up electricity prices.
“It’s clear that Queensland Government-owned network businesses took advantage of relaxed controls on network expenditure – and all of this on Labor’s watch.
‘41 per cent of the increase in electricity prices over the last 10 years has been due to network costs and as I say we keep forgetting that. Those poles and wires that run down the street are the main reason you’re paying too much for electricity.
‘It was state governments, when they owned these poles and wires that deliberately loosened the rules which made it very hard for the AER (Australian Energy Regulator) to make sure that consumers were only paying efficient costs.
‘I have to say that, when those rules were loosened, the two states that took most advantage, or the two network businesses, were the government-owned ones in New South Wales and Queensland.’ (Rod Sims, ACCC chair, National Press Club address 20/9/17)
“The LNP has a plan to reduce power prices by scrapping Labor’s crazy 50 per cent renewable target and fast-tracking approvals for a privately-owned, low-emissions, coal-fired power plant for North Queensland.”
The Palaszczuk Labor Government today trumpeted China flights into Brisbane but continues to ignore Queensland’s regional tourism industry.
LNP Shadow Tourism Minister Jon Krause said news that one airline would direct a few extra flights into the south-east corner hid the disturbing trend of Queensland’s tourism industry falling behind southern states.
“While this do-nothing Premier prances around the south-east of the state chasing votes, Queenslanders whose livelihoods depend on tourism are being ignored by this Brisbane-obsessed Labor Government,” Mr Krause said.
“In the past year international visitor expenditure in Central Queensland fell by over $20 million, by $4 million in Cairns and by $2 million on the Fraser Coast - even the Gold Coast suffered a $56 million drop in visitor spending in the past year.
“Cairns is still trying to recover from the loss of direct flights from China in January this year and just last week Jetstar cancelled flights from Bali into Townsville.
“With youth unemployment at more than 20 per cent in many regional areas of the state, Queenslanders deserve better than another four years of Labor’s neglect of our regions.
“As Queenslanders we have the greatest State in the world to sell to tourists – but we need a government with a clear plan for our tourism sector.
“This shows yet another industry falling behind under a do-nothing Palaszczuk Labor Government with no plan for Queensland.
“Queensland is stagnating, the community is crying out for leadership and Annastacia Palaszczuk and her government are stuck in neutral.”
A series of accidents on the M1 this morning have again highlighted the urgent need for an alternative route between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
LNP Shadow Transport Minister Andrew Powell said today’s serious crash at Springwood not only threatened lives but created hours-long traffic chaos for southeast Queensland commuters.
“First and foremost our thoughts are with the families and friends of those injured in today’s incident and we pray for their recovery,” Mr Powell said.
“Today’s accident yet again highlights how quickly the M1 and surrounding road networks become instant carparks when incidents occur and frustrated Queenslanders are stuck for hours in their cars.
“That’s why the LNP this week strongly prosecuted the case for a second M1 and other alternative routes for southeast Queensland’s major roads.
“We all know the M1 is reaching capacity and that we need to build more road infrastructure in the next term of government to cope.
“How disappointing to hear our plan immediately dismissed by a Labor government more interested in political point-scoring than they are in solving the serious congestion issues facing Queensland families trying to get their kids to school and themselves off to work.
“Serious congestion acts as an economic handbrake on all of us with every minute and hour stuck in traffic snarls adding more to the cost of doing business.”
Mr Powell said with the Commonwealth Games just around the corner chaos looks set to reign on our rail network as well.
“Reports today reveal the Palaszczuk Government in full damage control as they try to keep rail services on track in the lead-up to the Games,” he said.
“Unable to manage their ongoing rail fail in-house, Labor’s had to call in crisis consultants Deloitte in a desperate bid to get new trains on track in time for the Games.
“Just months out from the Games Labor can’t guarantee athletes or visitors will get to events on time – let alone the bedlam that will face everyday commuters during the event.
“If Annastacia Palaszczuk’s succession of incompetent transport ministers had got their act together sooner, new trains would be on track by now and Queensland’s international reputation wouldn’t be on the line.
“Instead, taxpayers are being forced to pay for crisis consultants to do Labor’s job for them – what a mess.”
Annastacia Palaszczuk and her part-time Transport Minister Jackie Trad have continued their campaign of outright lies about new passenger trains for Brisbane.
LNP Shadow Transport Minister Andrew Powell said Labor’s attack ad claiming New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) delivered by Canadian company Bombardier were sub-standard was a blatant lie.
“Just as they always do, Labor gets down in the gutter because they have no record to run on and no positive polices to offer Queenslanders,” Mr Powell said.
“The ad proves that Annastacia Palaszczuk will say and do anything to cling to power.
“Not only that, she will try to blame everyone but herself for the massive rail fail that’s crippled southeast Queensland train services under Labor’s watch.
“Quite frankly, Queenslanders deserve better than a blatantly untrue scare campaign.
“For the record, Australian manufacturing company Downer pulled out of the tender process for the NGR under the Anna Bligh Government when Annastacia Palasczuk was Transport Minister (see Hansard excerpt below).
“The Premier well knows that there was NO Australian company bidding for the NGR contract when, through an independent tender process, the Department of Transport awarded the contract to Bombardier.
“She knows this and yet still lies to Queenslanders to protect her own job – it’s disgusting.
“For the record, Jackie Trad then changed the design of the trains in response to demands from the unions who wanted a little cubbyhole added so that guards could sit down on their shift instead of doing their job of patrolling trains and looking after Queenslanders.
“This retro-fitting of what were perfectly operational trains delayed their delivery and caused new problems relating to disabled access to carriages which then had to be fixed, further delaying their rollout.
“Ten of the 15 trains that have been delivered have had zero on-track testing because Labor are dragging their feet.
“For the record, Labor’s Director-General of Transport Neil Scales publicly said last November 2 that there were no design problems with the NGR trains. Further, Neil Scales said that the right trains were ordered.
“For the record, Labor awarded contracts to the same company, Bombardier, to deliver trams for the Gold Coast Light Rail, begging the question – why, all of a sudden, is Bombardier not appropriate to deliver other train infrastructure in Queensland?
“This is a Labor mess that they’re trying to blame everyone else for.”
FACT: Australian company Downer pulled out of the running to build new trains under the Bligh Labor Government, leaving no Australian company bidding for the contract.
FACT: Labor Transport Minister Jackie Trad changed the new train designs, causing lengthy delays to the order and further design issues that caused further delays. Ten of the 15 trains delivered have had ZERO on-track testing.
FACT: Director-General of Transport Neil Scales – on Steve Austin’s 612 ABC morning program on November 2, 2016 – said: “All I can say is that, as far as the New Generation Rollingstock trains are concerned, all the issues in the cab have been ironed out.”
Later, in the same interview:
NS: We got five trains delivered. We dismantled the first one in Wulkaraka which is what we intended to do all the time to make sure it all works – and because the trains are manufactured and then delivered – once you actually get them out on a particular track, we’ve got different track geometry, we’ve got different stations, different inclines – so you’ve got to test it dynamically – and that starts again today. So this is just a normal process Steve.
SA: So this is all normal?
NS: This is all normal process. In my previous life I used to be a manufacturer – this is a normal process.
SA: Alright so when the trains were ordered, did we order the right trains?
NS: Yes, we did.
SA: You have no doubt about that?
NS: No doubt about it at all.
FACT: Labor awarded the contract to deliver Gold Coast Light Rail trams to the same company that they are now attacking – Bombardier.
The Liberal-National Party is launching a campaign for the duplication of the Beerburrum to Nambour rail line – Two Tracks.
LNP Deputy Leader and Shadow Infrastructure Minister Deb Frecklington said Sunshine Coast residents had suffered heavily congested roads and unreliable train services for too long.
“Enough is enough. Sunshine Coast locals deserve to be spending less time waiting for trains or stuck in traffic gridlock and more time with their family and friends,” Ms Frecklington said.
“The 40km line between Beerburrum and Nambour is currently a single rail track with poor alignment which results in limited rail services and considerable delays for Sunshine Coast commuters.
“The duplication would mean more frequent and reliable train services for the people of the Sunshine Coast.
“This is a key infrastructure priority that has stalled and been delayed under a do-nothing Labor Government.
“The Federal Government has put $10 billion on the table to fund urban rail projects and the opportunity is there for Sunshine Coast commuters to finally get Two Tracks.
“Today I’m launching a campaign to get Two Tracks to the Sunshine Coast and I want to hear from locals.
“If people want more and better rail services they should sign the LNP’s Two Tracks petition at twotracks.com.au”
LNP Shadow Transport Minister and Glass House MP Andrew Powell said Two Tracks between Beerburrum and Nambour would increase the number of train services available for passengers and reduce competition between passenger and freight trains.
“This duplication would provide more than 150 extra weekly rail services and improve transport reliability for more than 330,000 Sunshine Coast residents,” Mr Powell said.
“It will also ease congestion on the Bruce Highway between the Sunshine Coast and Caboolture.
“The project will increase the peak capacity of the rail line by 25 per cent from Nambour and 100 per cent between Landsborough and Elimbah.
“The LNP’s Sunshine Coast MPs and candidates are fighting for this issue – build the duplication, starting with the Beerburrum to Landsborough section.
“I urge Sunshine Coast locals to get behind our campaign by signing the online petition, it’s time for Two Tracks.”
The duplication of the Beerburrum to Nambour line would:
To sign the LNP’s Two Tracks petition visit www.twotracks.com.au
A Tim Nicholls-led LNP Government will scrap the “Safe Schools” program because it is based on ideology, not on protecting kids and building stronger families.
LNP Shadow Education Minister Tracy Davis announced today in Bundaberg that the LNP would deliver a new anti-bullying program designed by experts – not wannabe social engineers.
“Parents and schools have had “Safe Schools” forced on them by Labor’s left-wing agenda and that is not acceptable,” Ms Davis said.
“Under Annastasia Palaszczuk, parents have been kept in the dark over the controversial program used in our schools.
“Labor is unwilling to even reveal if the “Safe Schools” program has been formally audited in the past two years and there has been no disclosure of which schools are using the resources.
“Our schools are places for learning and nurturing, they are not places for social engineering or politicking.”
Ms Davis said Queensland kids needed to be able to learn in a safe and accepting environment without being subjected to political and ideological agendas.
She said New South Wales and Tasmania had already withdrawn the “Safe Schools” from their schools.
“Only recently we saw Queensland Labor political correctness gone made with the push to ban students giving each other Christmas cards as it was deemed too religious,” she said.
“The LNP will develop a new anti-bullying resource for Queensland schools in consultation with teachers, parents, educational experts and child psychologists and that is age-appropriate.
“The LNP is committed to stamping out any form of bullying or anti-social behaviour from our schools. This behaviour will not be tolerated.”
For more information go to http://www.betterqueensland.org.au/withdrawing-from-safe-schools
Queensland’s energy security remains under a cloud because of the Palaszczuk Government’s reckless green energy policies, which could see us suffer the same fate as South Australia’s brownouts earlier this year.
Shadow Energy Minister Michael Hart said Annastacia Palaszczuk needed to give an iron-clad guarantee to Queenslanders that their lights would not go out because of Labor's headlong rush to renewables.
“The South Australian government's over-reliance on renewable energy has caused shutdowns leaving households, hospitals and businesses without power – and Labor’s policies in Queensland are no less extreme,” Mr Hart said.
“Labor’s obsessive green ideology and outright rejection of a low-emissions, coal-fired power station in North Queensland will do nothing except raise power prices, or worse, put the lights out completely.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk should listen to the warnings and ditch her crazy 50 per cent renewable energy policy and support a sensible national renewable energy target like the LNP.
“Labor shouldn’t be gambling with Queensland’s energy future to appease the Greens in a bid to keep themselves in government.”
Mr Hart said not only could the lights go out under the Palaszczuk Labor Government, but we were paying more for power than ever before as Queensland electricity prices hit record highs.
“Labor’s only legacy after almost three years in office is to deliberately slug Queenslanders on their power bills to pay for this Government's financial incompetence,” Mr Hart said.
“It’s no wonder people are angry with Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor when the wholesale electricity price in Queensland has increased by 70 per cent since Labor came to office.
“Labor’s ripped out 100 per cent dividends from the government’s energy businesses as well as loaded them with almost $5 billion of debt – and allowed government-owned generators Stanwell Corporation and CS Energy to price gouge and drive up electricity prices.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk continues to use electricity as a secret tax on Queenslanders.”
Mr Hart said the LNP’s renewable energy policy was sensible and would not threaten Queensland’s energy security, while putting downward pressure on power prices for families.
“The LNP understands renewables have a role to play in Queensland’s future energy landscape and that’s why we’ll be setting up a one-stop shop to facilitate approvals for renewable energy projects,” Mr Hart said.
“We will maintain energy security by constantly monitoring intermittent generation for any threat to reliability of supply for Queenslanders.
“The LNP’s renewable energy policy will encourage renewable energy supply without expecting all Queenslanders to subsidise new technologies.
“Only the LNP will ease cost of living pressures for Queenslanders so that we can create jobs, build stronger families and provide safe and liveable communities.”
A southeast Queensland woman has been endangered after her personal details were sent to her violent ex-partner, in more evidence of the Palaszczuk Government failing to protect vulnerable Queenslanders.
Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Ros Bates said these situations had sadly become the norm because of the Palaszczuk Government’s bungling.
"Another day and another domestic violence victim put in danger by this incompetent Labor Government,” Ms Bates said.
“Let’s not mince words – this is a serious breach which could have led to the death of another Queensland woman at the hands of a violent ex-partner.
"This is the third time this year a terrified woman fleeing domestic violence has been forced to flee again because Labor’s domestic violence system has failed to protect her.
"It's beyond belief a victim's address would be handed over to the man accused of viciously assaulting her.
“Does another woman have to die before the Palaszczuk Government fixes this broken system?
“This latest incident needs to be fully investigated by Police Minister Mark Ryan to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”
LNP Shadow Police Minister Tim Mander said there had been major increases in protection order breaches in just two years.
"Offenders are thumbing their noses at the law and protection orders aren’t worth the paper they’re written on,” Mr Mander said.
“Why would victims have any confidence in a system that sends their details to their attackers?
“These are life and death issues for terrified women and their children and Labor is failing them.
“How can the Premier continue to have confidence in Minister Ryan when he can’t even properly implement new DV parole alert laws, six months after they were passed by Parliament?
“Not to mention the Minister’s appalling recent manipulation of the Pullen family at a media conference, where he knew one of their son’s killers was set to be released from jail.
“The buck stops with this incompetent Labor Minister and the Premier who refuses to remove him. Shame on this do-nothing Labor government.”
Annastacia Palaszczuk has rewarded her union paymasters ahead of the looming state election with a dirty deal targeting family businesses and vulnerable workers.
Shadow Employment Minister Jarrod Bleijie said the Labour Hire Licensing Bill, passed in State Parliament today, was farcical and was solely aimed at boosting union membership – it was time for Labor to pay back the piper.
“This was nothing but union-serving legislation. What better way to boost declining union membership than under the guise of important legislation,” Mr Bleijie said.
“This legislation was not about catching dodgy labour hire operators. It was all about Labor’s union mates, such as the CFMEU and the ETU, and giving them access to a new revenue stream that will directly benefit the Palaszczuk Labor Government.
“The bullying that we see by the CFMEU in the building industry is about to be unleashed onto the agriculture sector and labour hire industry.”
Mr Bleijie said it was amazing that the only organisations that supported this legislation were the unions that bankrolled the Palaszczuk Labor Government to the tune of millions.
“The CCIQ in their submission* stated ‘this Bill will add to an already significant compliance burden for businesses, undermine job growth, and create an unnecessary layer of legal requirements to which a sufficient safety net for temporary forms of employment already exists.’
“Sunshine Coast-based non-government disability organisation, Steps Group, in their submission+ stated ‘this is bad law that will be bad news for jobs in Queensland and, bad for Queensland employers.”
Mr Bleijie said the legislation would allow unions unprecedented access to workers’ details and a register that outlined where workers were and who they worked for.
“Let’s be very clear what this is all about. It’s not about ensuring that workers are paid for the work that they do,” he said.
“It’s not about standing up for workers’ rights or the actual objectives that Labor would have Queenslanders believe.
“This Bill was all about keeping the greedy union bosses happy and ticking off another promise which is in their interest, not in the interest of Queenslanders.
“This is a perfect example of unnecessary red tape and regulation which we know is in Labor’s DNA.
“It just adds cost and more bureaucracy, bloating the public service to solve a problem that already has a solution.
“It means Queensland families will pay even higher taxes, fees and charges at a time when the cost of living is out of control and we have record high electricity prices under Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor.”
Annastacia Palaszczuk has today finally publicly released the findings of three reviews into life and death matters for Queensland children in care.
LNP Shadow Minister for Child Safety Ros Bates said the release of the reports months after their completion showed a disgraceful disregard for the critical issues facing children in care in Queensland.
“Following the tragic deaths of Mason Jett Lee, Tialeigh Palmer, Maddilyn-Rose Stokes and other Queensland children in care, Queenslanders deserve to know what’s going wrong in our child safety system,” Ms Bates said.
“Instead, Labor sits on these reports for months and then releases three in one day to avoid proper scrutiny of the life and death issues they have investigated.
“This from a Labor Government that consistently and falsely trades on its openness and transparency.
“Why weren’t these crucial reports released for public scrutiny as soon as they were completed so that the glaring problems in our child safety, foster care and blue card systems could be fixed as soon as possible?
“Clearly this Premier cares more about clinging to power than she does about protecting Queensland children.
“Not to mention our concerns that the author of the Child Safety report was Annastacia Palaszczuk’s Director-General of Communities in 2011, when the rot set in on Queensland’s child safety system and 1288 employees were let go – prompting a full Royal Commission into Child Safety.”
LNP Shadow Attorney-General Ian Walker said disturbingly these three Labor reviews recommended at least another 21 reviews take place.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk has had to be dragged kicking and screaming into releasing any reports on child safety and foster care since she’s been Premier and when she finally does, she orders dozens more reviews,” Mr Walker said.
“Every second counts when kids in abusive homes or foster care are in danger and this government just keeps on reviewing rather than doing.
“Queenslanders deserve better than Labor’s cover-ups and crises in child safety.”
The Palaszczuk Government's policies to deliver gas to the domestic market has been exposed as hot air, with none of the initiatives currently delivering any additional gas to domestic consumers.
Despite today announcing a preferred tenderer for one lease in the Surat Basin, LNP Shadow Mines Minister Andrew Cripps said Labor was unable to guarantee this development or other tenements will, in any way, lower gas prices in Queensland.
"Labor’s Minister Anthony Lynham has admitted that no modelling has been done to determine if their policies will have any impact whatsoever on domestic gas prices or supply," Mr Cripps said.
"Despite all the hype and spin, the Minister has no idea if the tenure reservation policy will have any impact on the domestic supply or price of gas - Labor is effectively flying blind.
"I asked him a straight question during Estimates in July – ‘when will those gas tenures released under Labor's policy first produce gas for consumers in the domestic market?’
"Labor’s Anthony Lynham admitted that the market would determine when the gas would ultimately be produced.
"He can't even deliver a Gas Supply and Demand 'Action' Plan on time - it's already 18 months late having been originally promised by Labor in early 2016."
Mr Cripps said the Palaszczuk Government was grandstanding on the issue of domestic gas supply by criticising the New South Wales Government for failing to develop its gas reserves, despite being unable to ensure Queensland domestic consumers will access a secure and affordable supply of gas.
Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor have capitulated to LNP demands to give certainty to hard-working coal workers and their families.
The LNP moved a motion in State Parliament this evening to force the government to provide a response by the end of the week to the 68 recommendations contained in the interim “Black Lung, White Lies, Inquiry” into coal workers Pneumoconiosis.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls said he would always stand up for hard-working coal miners, their families and their loved ones.
“Make no mistake about this – Labor have only acted because of the pressure applied from the LNP,” Mr Nicholls said.
“They were once again dragged kicking and screaming to actually govern and do the right thing.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk had every intention to let the government’s response to this issue sit on her desk for another three months.
“Thanks to the LNP - the government must now provide coal workers and their families its response to the recommendations contained in the report by the end of the week.”
LNP Deputy Leader Deb Frecklington said the LNP is the only political party in the state to back hard-working coal workers and their families.
“It was the LNP that brought this issue to a head and demanded the government establish a Commission of Inquiry into the re-emergence of Black Lung in Queensland,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Let’s not forget, Labor MPs, including Mirani MP Jim Pearce, voted against that motion.
“Only last week, Minister Lynham said there would be another three month delay to the government’s response, so the question beggars, what has changed?
Two families at risk of domestic violence have been further endangered by the Palaszczuk Government’s bungling.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls said today’s revelations of serious protocol breaches in the two cases were more shocking evidence of Labor failing to protect vulnerable Queenslanders.
“Yet again today we saw Annastacia Palaszczuk and two of her ministers stand in Queensland Parliament and blame everyone else but themselves for mistakes that put the lives of two women and children at risk,” Mr Nicholls said.
“The buck stops with the Ministers and the Premier.
“One of these women had her whereabouts and children’s personal details sent to her alleged violent attacker in prison, and the second woman only discovered her attacker had been released on parole through Facebook.
“Let’s not mince words – both of these breaches could have led to the death of another Queensland woman at the hands of a violent partner or the abduction of vulnerable children.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk’s response was to commission yet another review that will most likely be kept secret from Queenslanders.
“Once more, this weak Premier failed the test of leadership by taking no action against Ministers who’ve lost control of their portfolios and neglected their primary duty of keeping Queenslanders safe.
“How can the Premier continue to have confidence in Corrective Services Minister Mark Ryan when he can’t even properly implement for DV victims new parole alert laws, six months after they were passed by Parliament?
“Not to mention Minister Ryan’s appalling recent manipulation of the Pullen family at a media conference, where he knew one of their son’s killers was set to be released from jail.
“How can the Premier stand by Child Safety Minister Shannon Fentiman when at least nine children in care have died in suspicious circumstances on her watch – and today we learn of an outrageous privacy breach which has left a woman and her children desperately fleeing danger after promises they would be protected?”
LNP Shadow Minister for Child Safety Ros Bates said she would continue to pressure the State Government to ensure frontline child safety and domestic violence workers received the resources they needed.
“Earlier this year the LNP stood shoulder to shoulder with grieving mothers including Bonnie Mobbs, Dale Shales and Sonia Anderson, who all lost daughters to DV-related killings,” Ms Bates said.
“Their personal tragedies motivated these mums to call for tougher laws – and we pushed Labor from Opposition to get new laws into place.
“But six months later, victims have been left in the dark about new parole alert laws because Mark Ryan’s department is dragging the chain on informing victims groups.
“The Department’s own website hasn’t even been updated to let victims know their notification rights when an offender is set to be released.
“These are life and death issues for terrified women and their children and Labor spends a day in Parliament scaremongering on asset sales and discussing a new fence for a rail track.
“Shame on Annastacia Palaszczuk and this do-nothing government.”
A Tim Nicholls-led LNP Government will freeze executive bonuses at Queensland government energy businesses until electricity prices decrease to give families a fair go.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls said under the Palaszczuk Labor Government wholesale power prices in Queensland had increased by 70 per cent and household electricity prices had hit record highs.
“Today I’m announcing that an LNP Government I lead will restructure the pay of power company executives,” Mr Nicholls said.
“The message is blunt: your bonus will be frozen.
“That means these executives will not receive their bonus until power prices fall.
“Our policy will apply to around 30 top executives at Powerlink, CS Energy, Stanwell, Energy Queensland, Energex and Ergon who will be set performance targets aimed at reducing the cost of electricity.
“The LNP understands families can’t continue to face the pain of skyrocketing electricity prices. Enough is enough. It’s time Queenslanders are given a fair go.
“Under the LNP, power company executives will have to earn their money – and that means freezing their bonus payments for as long as everyday Queenslanders continue to suffer from soaring power bills.”
Mr Nicholls said Annastacia Palaszczuk continued to use electricity as a secret tax on Queenslanders.
“Labor’s ripped out 100 per cent dividends from the government’s energy businesses as well as loaded them with $5 billion of debt – and allowed government-owned generator Stanwell Corporation to price gouge and drive up electricity prices,” he said.
“Meanwhile, the bonuses and remuneration of executives at the government-owned energy businesses have kept on climbing with the total remuneration of some executives doubling in the past 10 years.
“Under Annastacia Palaszczuk’s watch, some government energy company executives now earn over $900,000 a year and receive bonuses of more than $100,000.”
LNP Shadow Energy Minister Michael Hart said the LNP had successfully used a similar policy when in government.
“In 2012, the LNP froze executive bonuses at Queensland Rail until train service reliability improved,” Mr Hart said.
“This saw Queensland Rail go from the worst to the best on-time running in Australia – a record now sadly destroyed by Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor.”
The LNP is the only party in Queensland that has a real plan to fight soaring electricity prices.”
The LNP will put downward pressure on electricity prices by:
“Labor’s only legacy after almost three years in office is to deliberately slug Queenslanders to pay for their financial incompetence,” Mr Hart said.
“Both the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Australian Energy Regulator are investigating allegations that government-owned electricity generators have been price gouging under the Palaszczuk Government.
“Only the LNP will ease cost of living pressures for Queenslanders so that we can create jobs, build stronger families and provide safe and liveable communities.”
