LNP Campaign spokesperson and Shadow Treasurer Scott Emerson says Labor has run out of ideas on day three of election campaign.
“Again today we see Labor and Annastacia Palaszczuk caught out simply trying to con young Queenslanders with a failing jobs program,” Mr Emerson said.
“The numbers show Labor’s Back to Work program isn’t working and Annastacia Palaszczuk has run out of ideas when it comes to tackling regional and youth unemployment.
“More than 15,000 young Queenslanders have lost their jobs since Labor and Annastacia Palaszczuk formed government. Thousands more have simply given up looking for work.
“In Townsville, where the Premier re-announced her failed program today, 5600 young people have lost their jobs.
“The youth unemployment rate in Outback Queensland is 57 per cent, in Wide Bay it’s 26 per cent and in Townsville it’s 22.4 per cent.
“Labor has run out of ideas and are simply clinging to a failed program while the youth jobs crisis in regional Queensland grows worse by the day.
“Queenslanders won’t be conned by Labor’s spin.
“Young jobseekers who have lost their job under Labor, deserve better.”
Background
Youth job losses since the last state election:
Liberal National Party Leader Tim Nicholls pledged today to cut payroll tax for small businesses across the state every year for the next 10 years to create more jobs.
Mr Nicholls said the LNP’s plan to increase the payroll tax exemption threshold to $1.35 million would mean more than 14,000 businesses could grow without being slugged with a substantially bigger tax bill.
“Labor has shown it can’t be trusted to lower taxes on families and businesses,” Mr Nicholls said.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk was elected promising no new or increased taxes, but broke that promise in the past two state budgets.
“Queensland families are now paying more than $200 per family in taxes under Annastacia Palaszczuk.”
Mr Nicholls said many small to medium business owners weren’t hiring more Queenslanders to sit under the current exemption threshold of $1.1 million to avoid paying payroll tax.
“Businesses should not be discouraged from employing more Queenslanders because of the threat of payroll tax – a tax on jobs,” Mr Nicholls said.
“The LNP’s policy will allow these businesses to grow and employ more local people without fear of being whacked with a tax bill they didn’t previously have to pay.
“It will also mean employers can give workers a well-earned wages increase without worrying about a big payroll tax slug.
“This is especially important because wages growth under Labor has been the worst in the nation.”
LNP Shadow Treasurer Scott Emerson said this was a vital policy to boost confidence to create jobs across the state.
“Queensland has become a harder place to do business and get a job under Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor,” Mr Emerson said.
“Despite all the crowing by Annastacia Palaszczuk, the cold hard facts show 30,000 jobs were lost last year under her watch - our worst year on record.
“We are worst in the country when it comes to business bankruptcies and business investment has declined by more than $20 billion since Annastacia Palaszczuk was elected three years ago.
“We need positive policies like the one the LNP has outlined today to boost confidence, make it easier to do business and create jobs.
“This is just one part of the LNP’s positive plan to build a better Queensland by giving our small businesses a hand up, not a hand out.
“Our plan to lower business taxes will allow businesses to grow – meaning more Queenslanders in work.”
https://www.betterqueensland.org.au/gettingqueenslandbackinbusiness
Queensland is at a crossroads. Together, we can Build a Better Queensland or we can stand still for another three years under Labor.
Queenslanders aren’t getting ahead and the community is crying out for leadership – only the LNP can and will deliver that leadership.
This Labor Government is stuck – stuck doing nothing and everyone is paying the price.
Be it the 30,000 jobs lost last year and record high youth unemployment,
the 70% increase in wholesale electricity costs,
the $3 billion cut from infrastructure spending or
the ever-increasing personal and financial cost of this Government’s soft on crime approach …
Doing nothing is clearly not working.
Annastacia Palaszczuk’s softly softly approach is failing Queenslanders.
I simply ask: How can you afford another three years of Labor?
This election is about who is best placed to help you and your family get ahead.
Who is best placed to take action on the cost of living?
Who is best placed to create jobs across Queensland?
and
Who is best placed to build the roads, bridges and dams we need?
The answer to all these questions is the Liberal National Party that I lead.
In the days and weeks ahead, I will unveil our real plans to tackle each of these issues head-on. Our solutions will be affordable, practical and based on common sense.
I don’t pretend to be someone I am not.
I believe in delivering opportunity and hope.
I like to get things done.
I believe in personal responsibility – in a hand up not a hand out.
And I believe in better government not more government – because I’m no fan of the nanny state or political correctness.
I am the father of three teenagers and a husband to Mary – responsibilities I take seriously.
I face the same challenges that many of you face each and every day, as we raise our children in a challenging world.
I present myself and my team as a common-sense alternative to the crises, scandals and failures of Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor.
A future LNP Government, having learnt from our mistakes in the past, will govern for all Queenslanders and get on with Building a Better Queensland.
The Liberal National Party brings together two strong traditions. Traditions based on the belief that it’s you who determines your destiny, not Government.
Belief in a job as the best way to advance your circumstances, belief in taking a risk in business and being rewarded, belief that you should never be forgotten no matter who you are or where you live.
Our plans will create new jobs, support small business, invest in education to raise standards and we will provide better services for families and retirees.
An LNP Government has five key priorities to create positive change for you and your family. We want you to get ahead, and to help you, we will:
Create jobs across Queensland and better manage our financesTake action on the cost of livingBetter support Qld familiesProvide safe and liveable communities andBuild the roads, bridges and dams we need.
We’ve promised and we will deliver a New Deal for Regional Queensland focused on solving local problems with local solutions.
Our plans and priorities stand in stark contrast to this do-nothing Labor Government with a Premier who can’t make a decision.
There will be a lot said and written about minor parties.
Let me say this …
I understand that people are frustrated with the major parties and are looking to shake things up.
I say to people thinking of voting for a minor party … I respect your desire to get a better go. I am listening and acting on your concerns.
Change is possible, the change you want is possible.
But it comes only from voting for your local LNP candidate.
We’ll deliver change that will make a real difference to the lives of Queenslanders. Change that will help Queenslanders get ahead, by working with them to Build a Better Queensland.
I lead a united team, an experienced team, a team dedicated to listening, planning and acting.
Serving Queensland is an incredible privilege and an honour. I am very lucky to have met so many wonderful Queenslanders as my team and I have been travelling throughout Queensland.
Queenslanders tell me that they don't expect governments to solve all their problems. But they do want us to get our priorities right.
They want us to help them get ahead, they want us to create opportunity, they want us to take action on cost of living and they want us to make sure that all Queenslanders have the opportunity to get a job.
And that’s what we’ll deliver.
You’ll hear a lot of lies from Labor over the next four weeks.
They’ll run the mother of all scare campaigns – it will be personal, dishonest and frankly it will highlight that this is a Government that has no record to run on.
So let me be clear, we will not sell assets; we have said there will be no forced redundancies in the public service and, in fact, we have a plan to make the public service work better for all Queenslanders.
I have ruled out, on countless occasions, any deal with One Nation – there will be no deal, no coalition and no shared ministry. Put simply, a vote for One Nation is a vote for Labor.
Under my leadership, I’ll deliver a campaign of optimism, hope and one with lots of opportunities for Queenslanders.
We’ll be a common-sense Government which listens, plans and acts.
Together, Let’s Build a Better Queensland – for you and your family.
Business confidence has stalled in Queensland over the last quarter according to an independent survey of Queensland small businesses.
The Suncorp Group CCIQ Pulse Survey showed confidence in the Queensland economy remained firmly planted in negative territory, right where it has been ever since the election of Annastacia Palaszczuk as Premier.
Shadow Treasurer Scott Emerson said this was another vote of no confidence by Queensland businesses
in this do-nothing Labor Government.
“Small business is the backbone of our economy, employing the vast majority of Queenslanders and these businesses are hurting under Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor,” Mr Emerson said.
“Not once since the election of this Labor Government has confidence in Queensland been at a positive level and that’s not good enough.
“Profitability and business conditions are down again, but Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor are desperately ignoring these facts.
“Labor’s record electricity prices are crippling businesses with energy costs being one of the major constraints on business growth.
“What’s more, businesses are saying the uncertainty caused by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s election guessing game is impacting confidence.
“This is just the latest in a series of independent reports this week showing Queensland’s economy is hurting under a Labor Government that is afraid of making decisions.
“Queensland cannot afford another three years of Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor.
“An LNP Government will build a better Queensland – so families and businesses can get ahead.”
The Queensland Public Service Commission today confirmed Labor’s out-going Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Bill Byrne misled parliament over staff numbers at his Department.
The release of official staff numbers from the Commission more than supports the staff figures put to the Minister during budget estimates which he vehemently denied.
LNP Shadow Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Dale Last said the Queensland Public Sector quarterly profile* (attached) proved Labor could not be trusted.
“Labor and its Ministers will say and do anything except tell the truth when it comes to departmental staff numbers,” Mr Last said.
“Before he leaves Parliament Bill Byrne owes Queensland agriculture an apology.
“Labor and Bill Byrne have made claim after claim of staff cuts to agriculture under the LNP when today’s official public sector figures prove that under Labor and Bill Byrne there are now 200 fewer staff than under the LNP.
“At the end of June, the Agriculture Department had 1968.7 FTEs (full-time equivalent) staff and this compares with 2168 under the LNP.
“The LNP worked hard to re-establish a dedicated Department of Agriculture and all we’ve seen under Labor is a revolving door of Ministers and gross misleading of the Budget Estimates process about staff employed under this do-nothing, say anything government.”
See Deb's speech during the debate at http://tv.parliament.qld.gov.au/?reference=0Mba20171024_182140
The Queensland Parliament slapped down the Palaszczuk Government tonight for refusing to abandon its ideologically driven 50 per cent renewable energy target, despite warnings it would lead to higher power prices.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls said despite Labor trying to block the move, the Parliament passed a motion calling for them to ditch their reckless renewable energy target, which Federal modelling shows will increase household power bills by $200 a year.
“Today’s damning analysis of energy policy prepared for the Climate Change Authority (CCA) proves Bill Shorten and Annastacia Palaszczuk’s crazy 50 per cent Renewable Energy Target (RET) will kill thousands of jobs in regional Queensland and send power bills soaring even higher,” Mr Nicholls said.
“Analysis of modelling prepared for the CCA exposing that a 50 per cent RET would add $200 a year to the average Aussie power bill was a total embarrassment for the Palaszczuk Labor Government.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk wants to give people back $50, but then add $200 extra onto their power bills. It’s a dumb deal, and the Queensland Parliament has rejected it wholeheartedly.
“The analysis of this modelling also clearly shows consumers will be $300 a year better off under the Coalition’s National Energy Guarantee, than they will be under Labor’s mad rush to renewables.
“Not to mention the forecasts that a 50 per cent RET will shut down most of Queensland’s power stations, killing thousands of jobs in regional Queensland – something regional Labor MP’s failed to defend tonight in Parliament.”
LNP Shadow Energy Minister Michael Hart said today’s revelations prove under Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor Queensland families and businesses will continue to pay record high prices for electricity.
“This week’s power sham from Labor was nothing more than an election eve con job from a government desperate to cling to power,” Mr Hart said.
“The same money they say will fund their measly rebates has already been spent, and the real kicker is that under Labor’s plan your power bill will still go up.
“The choice at the next election could not be clearer – vote for the LNP’s real plan to bring power prices down or vote for Labor’s electricity con job where they take with one hand and give you back crumbs with the other.”
The latest CommSec State of the States report shows Queensland’s economy has slipped to sixth place, behind South Australia and even Tasmania.
LNP Shadow Treasurer Scott Emerson said Queensland’s economy is stagnating and families are falling behind because Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor are doing nothing.
“Under this do-nothing Labor Government we are losing the economic State of Origin and fighting for the wooden spoon. It’s just not good enough,” Mr Emerson said.
“CommSec assesses eight economic indicators. The best Queensland ranks on any of those is fourth, and on most others we are fighting for last.
“We’re fifth on economic growth and unemployment, we’ve slipped to sixth on retail spending and we’re seventh on construction work.
“It’s a different story south of the border - with New South Wales going gangbusters and leading on four out of eight indicators.
“Our unemployment rate is the second worst in the nation, with almost 5,000 jobs disappearing last month.
“Our domestic economy has shrunk by $3.7 billion.
“This is just the latest report to highlight the consequences of Annastacia Palaszczuk’s softly, softly approach that is clearly failing Queenslanders.
“Queenslanders deserve better and cannot afford another three years of Labor.
“A Tim Nicholls Liberal National Government will build a better Queensland – so you and your family can get ahead.”
Queensland’s credit rating could deteriorate further if expenses continue to blow out of control, a credit ratings update from Standard and Poors has confirmed.
Shadow Treasurer Scott Emerson said Labor had already broken its fiscal principles, which was a worrying sign for the future.
“According to S&P downwards ratings pressure could occur if expenses growth outpaces revenue growth,” Mr Emerson said.
“Worryingly, all we’ve seen under Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor is expenses blow out of control, as the public service wages bill has ballooned by almost $4 billion a year.
“Labor couldn’t even keep its own fiscal principle to link growth in the public service to population growth. In fact, they broke this promise in the very first year they introduced it.
“When Labor came to office expenses growth in 2016-17 was forecast at 3.6 per cent but what they actually delivered was double that at 7.2 per cent – which was more than four times higher than inflation.
“Labor’s future budget forecasts rely on heroic assumptions they can keep a lid on expenses growth, but when looking at their record it’s clear there is no chance of this happening.”
Mr Emerson said Labor’s only budget strategy was one of raids on public servants superannuation and long service leave and using government-owned utilities companies like ATMs.
“Sadly Labor has wasted the temporary spike in coal royalties and debt is heading to more than $81 billion,” he said.
“Worse still, they’ve run out of hollow logs to raid.
“The latest public service statistics are now overdue and it will be interesting to see if there was another surge like last quarter.
“Any increase above what has been budgeted will put the budget further into deficit and risks putting further pressure on Queensland’s credit rating, as highlighted by S&P today.”
Today’s monthly unemployment statistics from the ABS again show Queenslanders aren’t getting ahead because Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor are doing nothing, says LNP Shadow Treasurer Scott Emerson.
“Today’s ABS labour force figures show that, under Labor, Queensland has the second-worst unemployment rate in the country,” Mr Emerson said.
“The unemployment gap between Queensland and the rest of Australia has become worse on Labor’s watch because they are stuck in neutral and Queenslanders are falling behind.
“We’ve seen 4,400 jobs disappear from Queensland last month.
“The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate jumped from 5.7 per cent to 5.9 per cent despite a decreasing participation rate and people giving up their search for work.
“At 13.4 per cent, Queensland’s youth unemployment rate remains one of the worst in the country.
“Our young people are struggling to find full-time work, with more than 15,000 full-time youth jobs disappearing on Annastacia Palaszczuk’s watch.
“Meanwhile the underemployment rate has spiked. The number of underemployed Queenslanders has spiked by more than 30,000 in just 12 months.
“We have tens of thousands more Queenslanders who are being underemployed and aren’t getting the working hours they want.
“This is all contributing to stagnant wages growth and weekly earnings growth in Queensland is the weakest in the nation.
“The sad reality is that Queenslanders are falling behind under a Labor Government that isn’t prepared to take action to create the jobs Queensland families need.”
LNP Shadow Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Dale Last has welcomed the defeat of NSW Senator David Leyonhjelm’s attempt to disallow the Sugar Industry Code of Conduct.
Mr Last, who represents the cane-growing heartland of Burdekin, said the Code of Conduct was needed to bring fairness to negotiations between growers and sugar milling companies holding regional milling monopolies.
“The defeat of David Leyonhjelm’s cheap stunt in the Federal Senate is good news for Queensland cane farmers, their families and their communities,” Mr Last said.
“The Code of Conduct is the direct result of the LNP working hard with our Federal Coalition colleagues to protect Queensland cane farmers.
“The LNP, with Tim Nicholls leading the way, worked with the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister to introduce the Sugar Code of Conduct to stop the nonsense from the foreign-controlled millers.
“I also led a delegation to Canberra to lobby hard for the interests of Queensland canegrowers to be protected and for this Code to pass the Senate – it’s very gratifying to see that’s happened.
“The Federal Coalition and the Queensland LNP will continue to stand up for family farmers against any unjust practices in the milling industry – a sector dominated by foreign-owned, multi-nationals holding overwhelming regional monopoly powers.
“In stark contrast, Labor and the Greens have done their best to sell Queensland farmers and their families down the river by siding with Senator Leyonhjelm.
“None of them understand the industry, or what the Code really does in terms of requiring cane supply contracts to be negotiated in good faith and with all parties - growers and millers and marketers - acting reasonably, fairly and honestly, without intimidation.
“Importantly, the Code also provides a mechanism for arbitration should negotiations break down – something Labor’s union supporters wouldn’t leave home without.”
The ACCC confirmed today what Queenslanders have always known – Annastacia Palaszczuk’s failed power policies have driven up prices and resulted in them paying for some of the most expensive electricity prices in the nation.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls said the ACCC report* made for sober reading and laid bare Annastacia Palaszczuk’s complete and utter failure when it came to electricity prices.
“The cat is well and truly out of the bag now. No amount of Labor spin or lies can gloss over the cold, hard fact that Queenslanders are being ripped off blind by through their electricity bills,” Mr Nicholls said.
“The ACCC report is simply scathing.
“It is a tale of two Annas – Bligh who gold-plated the network and Palaszczuk who has gone even further with her extreme green schemes, her secret power tax and union-friendly pay deal for electricity workers, all of which have resulted in record high electricity prices.”
Mr Nicholls said all Annastacia Palaszczuk had done for Queenslanders was deliver them record high electricity prices.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk doesn’t have a power plan, all she has is a power sham,” he said.
“Labor have used a lot of lies and smear about electricity, especially from their resident Twitter troll Mark Bailey, to cover up that they have absolutely no idea.
“South Australia can’t even keep the lights on and according to the independent ACCC report, their power is cheaper than ours – that is how bad it is.
“I am urging Queenslanders to take their power bills to the ballot box and vote this incompetent mob out.”
Mr Nicholls said the ACCC report also confirmed that Queenslanders were paying more for green schemes than other states yet we had the lowest amount of renewable energy.
“Queenslanders would be shocked to learn they are paying for Labor’s ideologically-driven green schemes put in place to win inner-city votes whether they like it or not,” he said.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor have put ideology and idiocy first rather than reliability and affordability and Queensland families and businesses are paying for it.
“All of Labor’s policies are increasing electricity prices, whether it’s the 3 per cent wage increase for electricity workers - more than teachers, nurses and ambulance officers - the headlong rush to a 50 per cent renewable energy target, or allowing energy executives to rip-off Queenslanders.”
Mr Nicholls said it was time for Annastacia Palaszczuk to come clean with Queenslanders and put her so-called record to the vote.
“If Annastacia Palaszczuk is so confident her so-called electricity plan is working then she should call an election and let Queenslanders decide,” he said.
“If she is so confident that her power plans have driven down electricity prices for families, businesses and industry, call an election and let the people decide.
“If she is so confident her extreme green schemes are popular in places like North and Central Queensland as she constantly claims, call an election and let voters decide.
“Anything less from her just shows how utterly incompetent she has become – why is she running scared?”
* https://www.accc.gov.au/publications/accc-retail-electricity-pricing-inquiry-preliminary-report
New Queensland police statistics confirm that crime is out of control under the Palaszczuk Labor Government.
The 2016-17 QPS Annual Statistical Review shows that compared to the previous financial year:
Shadow Police Minister Tim Mander said more and more Queenslanders were fearful of walking the streets – while at the same time feeling less safe in their own homes.
“It’s a diabolical catch-22 that can be laid firmly at the feet of this soft-on-crime Annastacia Palaszczuk-led Labor Government,” Mr Mander said.
“As a result of the strong laws and additional resources provided by the LNP Government in late 2013, crime rates across the state dramatically dropped.
“Across Queensland in 2014, this meant that assaults reduced by 3.7%, robbery was down by 24.8%, unlawful entry plummeted by 17.4% and car theft dived by 19.4%.
“In all, 696 fewer Queenslanders were assaulted, 434 fewer Queenslanders were robbed, 6960 fewer homes were broken into and 2244 fewer cars were stolen.
“Yet in a little under three years, Labor’s softly, softly, slap-on-the-wrist policies have trashed this record and sent crime through the roof.
“Resourcing has also been slashed and police are at their wits’ end. Last year, only three additional police were added across the state – 11,877 officers became 11,880.
“It’s astonishing the Government is actually trying to defend these figures – just ask all those Queenslanders now living with a daily threat level to their personal safety and property security that simply wasn’t there three years ago.
“Only the LNP will bring back tougher laws and the resources our police need to keep families safe.”
An LNP Government will give electricity customers a fair go by putting consumer representatives on the boards of electricity companies.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls said Queenslanders were sick of paying record high electricity prices because Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor continued to use electricity costs as a secret tax on families and businesses.
“The LNP understands consumers cannot continue to face soaring electricity costs alone,” Mr Nicholls said.
“We’ve already committed to freezing the bonuses of electricity company executives if prices don’t come down, and now we’re committing to give consumers a seat on the boards of these powerful government-owned companies.
“Under this do-nothing Labor Government, Queensland power prices have hit record highs and families and businesses are hurting.
“Instead of doing something to ease the pain, Annastacia Palaszczuk has refused to give ordinary Queenslanders a seat at the table and instead appointed union puppets and former Labor politicians to board positions.”
Mr Nicholls said the LNP’s Fair Go for Electricity Customers plan recognised the enormous impact that decisions made by energy boards could have on Queenslanders.
“Just a few weeks back, Rod Sims, chair of national competition watchdog the ACCC, made it clear that network costs are the real reason Queenslanders are paying too much for power,” he said.
‘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)
“Mr Sims comments prove that Annastacia Palaszczuk has been happy to use electricity prices as a secret tax on Queenslanders and only acted when she was caught out,” Mr Nicholls said.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk has turned a blind eye to Queensland Government-owned network businesses taking advantage of relaxed controls on network expenditure.
“As Premier, she’s ripped out 100 per cent dividends from the Government’s energy businesses, loaded them up with $5 billion of state debt and allowed Stanwell Corporation to price gouge and drive up electricity prices.
“The LNP has a plan to reduce power prices by scrapping Labor’s crazy 50 per cent renewable target, build with the private sector a low-emissions, coal-fired power plant for North Queensland and freeze power executive bonuses until electricity prices come down.”
The Liberal National Party today slammed Labor’s incompetent Member for Springwood Mick de Brenni – saying that just like the rollout of ID scanners, Labor’s so-called Building Industry Fairness Bill was a disaster waiting to happen.
Liberal National Party leader Tim Nicholls said the party would support subbie payment legislation but, unlike Labor, the LNP would work with stakeholders to ensure the rollout was not botched.
“Everyone deserves to be paid and on time but only the LNP will work with stakeholders to make sure the legislation is implemented properly and doesn’t have unintended consequences,” Mr Nicholls said.
“An LNP Government will put in place an implementation panel for subcontractor payments which has been called for by stakeholders but Labor isn’t listening.”
Mr Nicholls said the Implementation Panel would consist of stakeholders such as Master Builders, the Queensland Law Society, subcontractors, builders and local governments to identify and resolve issues with the project bank accounts before they were rolled out to private sector projects.
“If we don’t get this right, not only will subbies not be paid but building costs will increase, meaning fewer jobs and opportunities for Queenslanders,” he said.
LNP Shadow Minister for Housing Stephen Bennett said Master Builders had estimated Labor’s Bill would increase construction costs by around 3 per cent.
“The LNP is committed to getting the balance right to ensure subbies get paid what they are owed without increasing construction costs,” Mr Bennett said.
“The LNP will listen and act where Labor has failed.”
The Palaszczuk Labor Government has tonight doubled-down in its support for a summer power-rationing plan that would see Queenslanders urged to set their air-conditioners to 26 degrees or above to avoid blackouts.
All Labor MP’s voted against a motion by the LNP to condemn power rationing and air conditioning controls on Queenslanders.
LNP motion: This House condemns the Palaszczuk Government for its Summer Preparedness Plan asking Queenslanders to put their air-conditioners to 26 degrees or above to avoid blackouts.
LNP Shadow Energy Minister Michael Hart said Labor has hit a new low by asking Queenslanders to ration their energy use and keep their air-conditioning at 26 degrees – simply to prop up their headlong rush to renewable energy.
“What have we come to when Annastacia Palaszczuk is telling Queenslanders to ration their electricity use and set their air conditioning to 26 degrees?” Mr Hart said.
“Government frontbencher Glenn Butcher confirmed summer blackouts under Labor were certain and justified their power rationing plan, saying in Parliament it prepared for:
“…these possible emergencies that are coming.”
“Instead of making sure there’s enough power to go around, Labor’s pointed the finger at Queenslanders and telling them they need to do more.
“There’s not a struggling family or small business in Queensland who isn’t already doing everything they can to conserve power because of the Palaszczuk Government’s record high power prices and secret energy tax.
“Queenslanders work hard all year to take a Christmas break, enjoy a few cold prawns, a dip in the pool, check out the cricket on the TV and maybe take a nap in the air conditioning.
“All that’s under threat from a State Labor Government that can’t even ensure that when you flick the switch the lights are going to come on this summer – it’s appalling.
“Queenslanders are paying the highest power prices ever, but are still being told to expect summer blackouts. They deserve better.”
Annastacia Palaszczuk’s appalling lack of leadership has been exposed on two fronts.
This inexperienced Premier has failed to break ties with vile CFMEU thugs who fund the Labor Party while threatening to rape children. Two days after news of this sickening behaviour surfaced, Annastacia Palaszczuk remains silent in an affront to all Queenslanders, an insult to common decency and a tearing down of community standards.
The Premier refuses to condemn the CFMEU, will not return the union’s $180,000 of donations to the Labor Party and plans to keep taking their grubby money.
Meanwhile, Annastacia Palaszczuk’s Labor MPs have made a mockery of the Premier’s public position on Pauline Hanson by hatching secret preference deals with One Nation across Queensland. One Nation chief spin doctor James Ashby is reported today as confirming approaches by “regional Labor people” over One Nation preferences.
The Australian newspaper reported: Mr Ashby said he had contacted Labor state secretary Evan Moorhead “some weeks ago now” asking if Labor’s plan to place One Nation last had changed, because Mr Ashby had received “requests by regional Labor people for One Nation preferences”.
Eariler in the week, Mr Ashby was also reported as confirming he had received no such approaches from the LNP.
My position is clear: There will be no deals with One Nation; no shared ministry and no coalition. The LNP is the only conservative party that can fix Labor’s mess.
A vote for One Nation is now clearly a vote for Labor. A vote for One Nation will go straight to Labor and result in another three years of a do-nothing Government, like it did in 1998, 2001 and in Western Australia earlier this year.
It’s now clear that desperate Labor MPs are undermining the Premier’s weak leadership and making her a liar. Labor MPs believe they cannot get elected under the Labor brand.
Queensland deserves so much better than a puppet Premier of the unions who wants to party with Pauline.
And so I call on Annastacia Palaszczuk to just name the election date, so Queenslanders can have their say.
The Palaszczuk Government’s Buy Queensland procurement policy has been exposed as a farce after a New South Wales company was awarded a tender for work in Central Queensland ahead of a local company.
LNP Shadow Public Works Minister Stephen Bennett said Annastacia Palaszczuk was left red-faced after a Tamworth-based company received a $2 million contract over a Gladstone-based company.
“We understand this contract to fence state land in the Connor River region between Mackay and Rockhampton would have created 12 local jobs, which will now go interstate,” Mr Bennett said.
“Labor say their
policy looks after Queensland companies and their workers by ensuring tenders for government work go to local companies - but this has been exposed as nothing more than a sham.
“Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Minister Mick de Brenni have been shamefully caught out as being all talk and no action, just weeks after announcing their Buy Queensland policy.
“The Gladstone-based company that tendered for the work is at least 1000 kilometres closer than the Tamworth-based company that won the contract, and that’s just not good enough.
“If Annastacia Palaszczuk checked a map, she would see Tamworth was not in Queensland.”
Mr Bennett said Labor’s decision to award the fencing contract interstate was even more disappointing because the contract was to replace and repair fencing that had been destroyed by Tropical Cyclone Debbie.
“The people of Central Queensland were told local companies and their workers would be favoured in all the clean-up and repair work following Cyclone Debbie –this was clearly another Labor lie,” he said.
“The LNP won’t stand by and watch Queenslanders jobs be put in danger by an inexperienced Premier.
“Unlike Annastacia Palaszczuk’s inexperienced and unworkable policy, we won’t allow blow-ins from interstate and overseas to take advantage by simply having a workforce in Queensland.
“The LNP’s Buy Local procurement policy will put Queensland first by prioritising local businesses that are headquartered in Queensland and have a workforce in the project area, so long as they match the lowest bid.
“That’s the LNP’s Buy Local attitude - putting Queensland jobs, businesses and taxpayers first.”
The Palaszczuk Government has hit a new low by asking Queenslanders to ration their energy use and keep their air-conditioning at 26 degrees – simply to prop up Labor’s headlong rush to renewable energy.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls said Queenslanders simply wanted a reliable, accessible energy source when they needed it most.
“The lights are clearly off at Queensland Labor when it comes to energy,” Mr Nicholls said.
“What has it come to when the Palaszczuk Government is telling Queenslanders to ration their electricity use and set their air conditioning to 26 degrees?
“Instead of making sure there is sufficient power supply, Labor have started pointing the finger at Queenslanders and telling them they need to do more.
“There is not a family or business in Queensland who isn’t already doing what they can to conserve power because of the Palaszczuk Government’s record high power prices and secret energy tax.
“Can you imagine Christmas morning with the family gathered around the dinner table praying someone doesn’t flick the switch off to ration power?
“Raw turkeys, a green pool and sheets soaked with sweat isn’t an energy plan.”
Mr Nicholls said it was all pain and no gain every time Labor talked about electricity.
“The facts speak for themselves when it comes to the exorbitant power price legacy of this Labor government,” Mr Nicholls said.
“Queenslanders are paying the highest power prices ever, and being secretly taxed by stealth under this do-nothing Labor government.
“This uncertainty is all because of their reckless rush to renewable energy.
“Labor has now admitted we could face similar blackouts to South Australia because of their reckless rush to renewables – while they abandon stable power sources.
“When it comes to energy at the upcoming state election, all we’re going to hear from Labor is fear and smear … because they have no idea.
“If Labor are re-elected, we will have another term of soaring power prices, unreliable power and reckless policies which will leave Queenslanders in the dark.”
The Palaszczuk Government has today shamefully ruled out a new high-efficiency, low-emissions, coal-fired power station in North Queensland while at the same time threatening to ration Queenslanders’ energy use.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls said Labor had hit a new low by asking Queenslanders to ration their energy use and keep their air-conditioning at 26 degrees – simply to prop up its headlong rush to renewable energy.
“Queenslanders want a reliable, accessible energy source when they need it most, which is why the LNP will work with the private sector to build a new high-efficiency, low-emissions, coal-fired power station,” Mr Nicholls said.
“What has it come to when the Palaszczuk Government is telling Queenslanders to ration their electricity use and set their air conditioning to 26 degrees?
“Instead of making sure there is sufficient power supply, Labor have started pointing the finger at Queenslanders and telling them they need to do more.
“There is not a family or business in Queensland who isn’t already doing what they can to conserve power because of the Palaszczuk Government’s record high power prices and secret energy tax.
“Can you imagine Christmas morning with the family gathered around the dinner table praying someone doesn’t flick the switch off to ration power?
“Raw turkeys, a green pool and sheets soaked with sweat isn’t an energy plan.”
LNP Member for Burdekin Dale Last said it was all pain and no gain every time Labor talked about electricity.
“The facts speak for themselves when it comes to the exorbitant power price legacy of this Labor government,” Mr Last said.
“Queenslanders are paying the highest power prices ever, and being secretly taxed by stealth under this do-nothing Labor government.
“This uncertainty is all because of their reckless rush to renewable energy.
“Labor has now admitted we could face similar blackouts to South Australia because of their reckless rush to renewables – while they abandon stable power sources.
“When it comes to energy at the upcoming state election, all we’re going to hear from Labor is fear and smear … because they have no idea.
“If Labor are re-elected, we will have another term of soaring power prices, unreliable power and reckless policies which will leave Queenslanders in the dark.”
Liberal National Party Leader Tim Nicholls has today rejected calls for changes to the way GST is distributed that have the potential to hurt Queensland.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk should stop the fake electioneering and actually stand up for Queensland on this important issue,” Mr Nicholls said.
“How can this Premier be trusted to fight for our fair share of GST revenue when in 2015 she couldn’t even answer what the GST rate was?
“The Productivity Commission has today put forward a number of draft recommendations looking at the way GST is distributed across the states and territories.
“Any changes to the way each state’s GST share is calculated must not come at the expense of Queenslanders.
“This is an important issue, with GST payments making up more than a quarter of total revenue in Queensland.
“Under Labor debt in Queensland is heading past $80 billion and we have fiscal deficits totalling $11.5 billion over the forward years.
“Queenslanders are already paying the price of Labor’s budget mismanagement – the last thing they need is a weak-kneed response from a do-nothing Premier that starves our state of the funds it deserves.”
Mr Nicholls said only the LNP Opposition had actually written to the Prime Minister proposing those states that don’t develop their gas reserves should be made to pay when it comes to GST distribution.
“Those states are effectively sucking like leeches on Queensland’s gas reserves and should be penalised for lacking the political courage to develop their gas industry,” he said.
“We already know where Pauline Hanson and One Nation stand on this issue – they want to give Queensland’s GST revenue to Western Australia.
“Only the LNP will put Queensland jobs, businesses and taxpayers first.”
The LNP today announced it would close a farcical loophole in the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s botched ID scanner laws following consultation with local communities across Queensland.
LNP Shadow Employment and Fair Trading Minister Jarrod Bleijie said an LNP government would push back the time licensed venues must start scanning from 10pm to midnight.
“This common sense change closes a two-hour loophole where one venue could close at midnight and not need ID scanners at all, yet one across the road might open until 1am and have to start scanning at 10pm,” Mr Bleijie said.
“We know of situations under Labor’s farcical legislation, where a patron turned away after 10pm at a venue that must use scanners because they trade beyond midnight can simply walk across the road and gain entry to another venue that doesn’t have to scan at all because it closes at midnight.
“Presumably if this patron has been refused entry from one club for posing a safety risk, he or she shouldn’t be allowed to simply stroll across the road and drink there.
“The implementation of ID laws has been a complete and utter stuff up under Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor - the LNP will fix this mess up.”
Mr Bleijie said Labor’s petulant decision to scrap the LNP’s Safe Night Out Implementation Panel had inflicted long-term damage on Brisbane’s vibrant entertainment sector.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk has consistently failed to listen to local stakeholders in implementing their failed one-size-fits-all approach to liquor licensing,” he said.
“Queenslanders would remember that Labor only embraced ID scanners after their backflip on lockouts in February this year.
“They then totally ignored advice and warnings from stakeholder groups that their ID scanning laws were a disaster and arrogantly pushed ahead regardless – making Queensland an international laughing stock.
“Queenslanders’ safety shouldn’t be compromised by a policy with holes so big you can drive a truck through.
“What’s needed is a common sense approach that’s fair and balanced and importantly, one that works.
“A safe night out is a great night out and that’s the LNP priority.”
A Tim Nicholls-led government will support and facilitate the Brisbane Metro project to relieve public transport congestion in south-east Queensland.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls said he would work with Brisbane City Council, not against it, to ensure the congestion busting Brisbane Metro project becomes a reality.
“An LNP government will contribute $20 million worth of State Government land at Eight Mile Plains and South Brisbane to ensure the Brisbane Metro is delivered,” Mr Nicholls said.
“The LNP will also invest $10 million to explore extensions to the Brisbane Metro – a project which addresses the bus congestion crippling Brisbane’s roads and public transport system.
“Future stages of the project could see extension of the Metro lines to Springwood, Coorparoo and Chermside.
“Brisbane Metro solves a transport bottleneck that has been at capacity since 2008 and would significantly reduce congestion currently choking Brisbane streets.”
LNP Deputy Leader and Shadow Infrastructure Minister Deb Frecklington said Labor had offered no solution to tackle bus congestion except to tell Brisbane City Council to ‘drop’ its Metro proposal.
“The LNP’s commitment plans for the future and allows for more commuters to benefit from more frequent public transport services,” Ms Frecklington said.
“The LNP will also expand bus services across the south-east so that everyone benefits from the Brisbane Metro – not just a select few living in South Brisbane.
“Brisbane Metro is a city-changing project that will benefit thousands of commuters and bust congestion on our roads.
“An LNP government will ensure appropriate approvals are in place to start construction and we will invest in more bus services to complement Brisbane Metro once it is operational.
“The Metro will also replace millions of kilometres of bus services and these services can be reallocated across the south-east to further bust congestion.
“The project also upgrades 18 existing busway stations, converts the Victoria Bridge into a pedestrian and public transport bridge and builds a new underground Cultural Centre station.”
LNP Shadow Transport Minister Andrew Powell said Annastacia Palaszczuk’s legacy on public transport would be cuts, confusion, buck-passing and packed services.
“The last time our buses and trains were this bad, Annastacia Palaszczuk was the Transport Minister under Anna Bligh,” Mr Powell said.
“South-east Queensland commuters are facing another two years of public transport pain because of this inexperienced do-nothing Labor Government.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk’s solution has been to cut and slash more than 1800 train services each month from the timetable which has caused deep-seated damage to commuter confidence.”
“Annastacia Palaszczuk’s comments today where she told journalists to “chill out” when asked about election timing just shows how out-of-touch she has become.
“For nearly three years, this Premier has failed to make decision after decision and now setting the election date also seems beyond her.
“She had the chance today to show leadership but in true Annastacia Palaszczuk form, she squibbed it - this do-nothing Premier can’t even set an election date, it is no wonder Queensland is stagnating.
“The Premier’s excuse today that she “has a lot of work to do” is almost laughable given she has done nothing for nearly three years.
“We have heard constant rumours about the CFMEU muscling up to the Premier.
“The Premier has essentially admitted she needs to go back to parliament next week to ensure laws her union-backers want are passed – or risk losing millions of dollars in election funding.
“It just goes to show who is running our state.”
In Mackay this morning, LNP Deputy Leader Deb Frecklington and Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Dale Last confirmed the LNP would retain existing net-free zones at Cairns, Mackay and Rockhampton.*
Ms Frecklington and Mr Last said the LNP remained committed to fisheries management reform and would continue to work with all stakeholders in government, including recreational fishers, commercial fishers, wholesalers and consumers.
“The zones have been in place for more than two years, compensation has been paid to affected commercial fishers, so it would be unrealistic to overturn the decision which established these Net Free Zones in the first place,” Mr Last said.
“The LNP is committed to completing the reform process outlined by the independent MRAG review of fisheries management in Queensland – as funding and resources allowed.
“What we won’t do in government is pit one sector against another and use fisheries management as a political football.”
Mr Last said Palaszczuk Labor and Fisheries Minister Bill Byrne had cruelly pitted recreational fishers against commercial fishers and happily sat back and watched.
“The LNP recognises both sectors deserve a fair go. That’s why in government, the LNP initiated the wide-ranging MRAG review with an unprecedented level of stakeholder engagement and input aimed at establishing a long term sustainable fishing industry that met the requirements of both commercial and recreational fishers,” he said.
“Only the LNP respects and supports all sectors and the contributions they make - not just to our lifestyle, but also the fresh, local seafood supplied by our fishing industry and the regional jobs the industry underpins.”
Member for Whitsunday Jason Costigan welcomed the decision saying he understood the passion of local recreational fishers and the drawcard the local St Helens-Cape Hillsborough zone was for tourism.
*Net Free Zones – Trinity Bay (Cairns), St Helens-Cape Hillsborough (Mackay) and Capricorn Coast-Fitzroy (Rockhampton)
