A Tim Nicholls-led Liberal National Government will provide a $15 million boost to community-based and elite women’s sports in Queensland.
Mr Nicholls said the LNP would provide a $15 million boost for women’s sport to build on the success of the Brisbane Lions AFLW team in the inaugural competition.
"The LNP will grant a Christmas wish for a new ground by 2020 when the Gold Coast Suns team enters the national women’s competition," Mr Nicholls said.
"We were all so proud of our Brisbane Lions women’s team last year, finishing a close second in the inaugural national competition.
"We realised the need for increased investment to provide better facilities for our elite female players, as well as providing more support for grass roots teams as well.
"The Lions Reserve project provides a home ground to our elite female AFL team – which is what they deserve.
"This is not only a fair go for our women athletes, but it will create 242 jobs in construction and 760 once operational.
"Our Get in the Game policy from 2012 has helped to boost grass roots sport, with more than 100,000 Queensland girls playing AFL in 2017."
LNP Shadow Treasurer and Maiwar candidate Scott Emerson said the $15 million investment was about encouraging more women and girls to enjoy an active and healthy lifestyle.
"We know that women’s sport is growing at rapid levels across Australia and we need to do more to encourage grass roots participation and elite competition at the highest levels," Mr Emerson said.
"We also see a huge potential in sports tourism and opportunities to attract major international and domestic sporting events to Queensland.
"With our great weather and lifestyle, Queensland is uniquely placed to claim the title as the women’s sporting capital of Australia.
"To do that, we need to put our money where our mouth is, which is why we are making this important announcement.
"This is part of our plan to provide safe and liveable communities and Build a Better Queensland."
"Once again we wake up to another explosive report where Annastacia Palaszczuk has put self-interest ahead of the interests of Queenslanders.
"She has once again been caught red-handed hiding another report - this time showing the Rookwood Weir project would create thousands of jobs.
"The is just the latest in a conga line of secret reports that have exposed Annastacia Palaszczuk as not fit to govern our state.
"First it was the report that highlighted a high-efficiency, low emissions coal-fired power station in North Queensland would lower electricity prices, increase energy security and generate jobs.
"Now it is the Rookwood Weir.
"The report clearly showed that Rockhampton could run out of water and electricity costs will increase – this is what will happen if you vote for Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor.
"This time Annastacia Palaszczuk has placed Central Queensland water security, local jobs and the region’s future prosperity in jeopardy because she is so addicted to inner-city Green preferences.
"When is this Premier going to stop trying to con Queenslanders? Who will she blame or how will she spin this latest failure?
"The Liberal National Party understands that if you have water, you create jobs and economic prosperity. It’s as simple as that.
"A vote for anyone other than the LNP means no Rookwood Weir.
"Queenslanders can’t afford another three years of Annastacia Palaszczuk and her ministers who moonlight as Green activists.
"Make no mistake about it - the LNP will build the Rookwood Weir."
A Tim Nicholls-led LNP Government will upgrade key sections of the Bruce Highway as part of its plan to build the infrastructure the state needs.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls said in 2012 the LNP inherited a Bruce Highway that was run down and unsafe after more than a decade of neglect under successive Labor Governments.
The RACQ labelled the Bruce Highway as the most deadly road in the nation.
“We needed a plan to make the Bruce Highway safe, flood resilient and able to cope with the state’s growth,” Mr Nicholls said.
“We’re now starting to see the benefits of the $8.5 billion Bruce Highway Action Plan the Liberal National Party funded with the Federal Coalition.
“From Cairns to Brisbane, projects along the Bruce Highway worth millions of dollars have been delivered or are under construction thanks to the former LNP government.
“Only the LNP will deliver these extra Bruce Highway upgrades on top of the existing plan for the Bruce.”
LNP Deputy Leader and Shadow Infrastructure Minister Deb Frecklington said Annastacia Palaszczuk had done nothing but cut road spending over the past three years.
She said the LNP’s renewed 10-year Bruce Highway Action Plan would ensure the projects that Annastacia Palaszczuk had neglected would be delivered.
“Unlike Annastacia Palaszczuk, the LNP will work with the Federal Government, not against them, to deliver the infrastructure our state needs,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Instead of sitting around talking about it, the LNP has put its money where its mouth is and will actually deliver these vital projects for our state that will create local jobs.
“Labor are certainly not interested in delivering these projects for communities across Queensland – they are more interested in building a $15 billion tunnel in Brisbane.”
Projects to be delivered under the LNP’s renewed Bruce Highway Action Plan:
A Tim Nicholls-led LNP Government will invest $20.25 million in helping mature-age job seekers find meaningful employment.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls said the investment would provide greater support for our “forgotten men and women” and help them re-train, learn a new skill and gain employment.
“Recent ABS figures confirm Queenslanders are earning less under Annastacia Palaszczuk and it is getting harder and harder to get more working hours and hold on to a job,” Mr Nicholls said.
“We will invest $9 million towards supporting the establishment of a dedicated job and skills match co-ordination service to help mature-age job seekers upskill and find a training course or program that will lead to a job.
“We will also invest $5.25 million towards providing greater initiatives that address skill shortages on the Queensland Skills Shortage List.
“The greatest risk Queenslanders face today is job insecurity, especially under Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor.”
LNP Shadow Skills and Training Minister Jarrod Bleijie said mature-age job seekers were just another number in the long jobless queue under Annastacia Palaszczuk.
“We have record unemployment across the state under Annastacia Palaszczuk who was elected on a jobs promise but it became apparent very quickly that the only job she was interested in was her own,” Mr Bleijie said.
“As part of our comprehensive plan to get mature-age job seekers into work we will also invest $1 million towards establishing an Industry Training Best Practice Council.
“The council will work with the Commonwealth Government to improve training standards and ensure course development is in line with modern industry needs and expectations.
“We will also invest $5 million towards a training co-investment fund and partner with industry to improve training completion rates through proven trade training programs.”
Economic growth in Queensland falls to 1.8 per cent – below the national averageGrowth has been revised down three times on Labor’s watchThis is the cost of a do-nothing Labor Government
Economic growth in Queensland has fallen yet again under Annastacia Palaszczuk, down to just 1.8 per cent last year.
Shadow Treasurer Scott Emerson said the figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics today, show Queensland’s growth lagging behind the national average of two per cent.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk and her under-fire Treasurer originally forecast economic growth at 4.5 per cent, but have delivered just 1.8 per cent,” Mr Emerson said.
“At the time of the last budget Labor estimated economic growth at 2.75 per cent and in the space of less than six months it’s been slashed by almost one per cent.
“Today’s poor economic news comes a day after yesterday’s unemployment figures, which showed Queensland had the worst unemployment rate on mainland Australia at 6.0 per cent.
“This is the real cost of a do-nothing Palaszczuk Government and a bumbling Treasurer. Our faltering economy means less jobs for Queenslanders and a tougher environment for local businesses.”
Mr Emerson said the ABS figures were the result of savage cuts to infrastructure spending under Annastacia Palaszczuk last year.
“Labor is stalling growth by slashing infrastructure spending, over the last two years,” he said. “In just two years under Labor, business investment has fallen by $13 billion. Queenslanders can’t afford another two years of Annastacia Palaszczuk’s economic management.
“Only the LNP has the positive plans to build a better Queensland, deliver cheaper electricity and reduce business taxes to deliver 500,000 new jobs over the next decade.”
A Tim Nicholls-led Government will invest an additional $8 million as part of the LNP’s comprehensive plan to reduce re-offending rates among juveniles and adults who are released from jail.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls said the LNP would prevent crime with targeted programs for juveniles and adults that delivered real outcomes.
He said the extra funding would be distributed as grants to non-government organisations under two key themes: Enforcing the Importance of Bail and Prisoner Re-entry and Re-integration.
“The LNP will invest $5 million in prisoner re-entry programs with a specific focus on reducing re-offending rates and to stop the revolving door of justice seen under Annastacia Palaszczuk,” Mr Nicholls said.
“We will also provide certainty to the Youth Advocacy Centre and for the important programs they offer by extending their funding for a further three years.
“The Youth Advocacy Centre provides bail support initiatives for young people across the state to help them find safe and appropriate accommodation and to prevent them spending time behind bars pending their court matters.
“This funding will also enforce the importance of bail, particularly for young offenders awaiting court, as part of our plan to provide safe and liveable communities.”
LNP Shadow Corrective Services Minister Tim Mander said the LNP’s plan to reduce re-offending would not only reduce crime but help alleviate the pressure on our overcrowded prison system.
He said the state’s prisons were at least 15 per cent over capacity under Labor who had no real plan to reduce the numbers except to build suburban bail houses for young offenders next to families.
“Crime rates have continually increased under Labor, our prisons are overflowing and our youth detention centres have been embroiled in controversy with continual riots and centre lockdowns,” Mr Mander said.
“We understand the impacts and cost of crime on Queensland families, either indirectly or by having their lives directly put at risk.
“The safety of staff in both adult prisons and youth detention centres has been severely compromised because of the continual mismanagement of both systems by the Palaszczuk Labor Government.
“The LNP has a comprehensive plan to provide safe and liveable communities in Queensland.”
A Tim Nicholls-led LNP Government will invest $40 million building two new dedicated reintegration facilities for young offenders in North Queensland and South-East Queensland.
Mr Nicholls said the LNP’s $40 million plan would put community safety first but with a focus on reducing crime and rehabilitating young offenders.
He said the LNP would also would scrap Labor’s plan to build suburban youth bail houses at locations across the state including Townsville, Gold Coast and Logan.
“The LNP’s plan will include two new facilities that will provide an additional 90 beds and hold 17 to 25-year-olds in medium security facilities,” Mr Nicholls said.
“The focus of our reintegration centres will be around vocational training and providing young prisoners with the support they need to reintegrate back into the community on release.
“This will go a long way to break the revolving door of crime we have seen occur under Annastacia Palaszczuk.”
LNP Corrective Services Minister Tim Mander said protecting the community was essential in contrast to Annastacia Palaszczuk who had decided to house violent young offenders in suburban bail houses.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk’s policy is a disgrace. Queensland families should feel safe in their suburbs and not be forced to live next to these suburban detention centres,” Mr Mander said.
“We know crime is an issue, we have listened to the community and we won’t back suburban detention centres.
“We will put community safety first, unlike Annastacia Palaszczuk.
“The contrast between the soft-on-crime Palaszczuk Labor Government and the LNP could not be starker.
“Only the LNP will keep dangerous young offenders charged with a crime in a secure facility – not living in the house next door to your family.”
A Tim Nicholls-led LNP Government will employ 535 additional frontline police officers as part of its comprehensive plan to provide Queenslanders with safe and liveable communities.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls said the 535 extra frontline police would be deployed to towns and cities from Cairns to the Gold Coast in line with population growth.
“Crime is out of control in many parts of the state under Annastacia Palaszczuk and her soft-on-crime attitude that favours offenders over victims and families,” Mr Nicholls said.
“These additional frontline officers form part of the LNP’s commitment to provide police with the resources they need to keep Queenslanders safe.
“With drug and violent crime increasing, youth crime out of control in North Queensland and criminal gangs on the comeback, Annastacia Palaszczuk’s only solution has been to cut the number of frontline police officers in key regions.
“Queenslanders are less safe under Annastacia Palaszczuk because she has absolutely no plan to deal with skyrocketing crime rates, except to give criminals free passes.”
LNP Shadow Police Minister Tim Mander said the Queensland Police Service had been crying out for more resources to deal with skyrocketing crime rates and combat the ever-increasing threat of criminal gangs.
“Queenslanders want a government that will keep their streets and communities safe, not one that favours criminals over victims and families,” Mr Mander said.
“The LNP is proud of its record supporting our police – in government we employed an additional 900 officers across the state as part of our law and order commitment to make our communities safer.
“These extra resources, together with stronger laws, helped dramatically reduce crime rates across the state.
“Only the LNP can be trusted to ensure that police will again have the resources they need to do their job to keep Queensland families safe.”
See our Policy - Crime Fighting Equipment Fund
A Tim Nicholls-led LNP Government will introduce a dedicated $18 million program to provide free swimming lessons for up to 120,000 bubs and toddlers.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls said the Get Swimming Bubs and Toddlers program would provide $150 vouchers to parents who enrolled their kids aged 1 to 4 in swimming lessons with an accredited club.
“Given our climate and the need to cool off in summer, swimming is an important life skill for Queensland children,” Mr Nicholls said.
“Tragically, child drownings are still occurring in our backyard swimming pools, local waterways and dams.
“More needs to be done to help our youngest Queenslanders with water safety and education and to help parents with the cost of swimming lessons.
“This policy is part of the LNP’s comprehensive plan to provide safe and liveable communities.”
Mr Nicholls said the $150 swimming voucher would go a long way to helping Queensland families struggling under increased cost of living pressures.
“The LNP wants to Build a Better Queensland so you and your family can get ahead,” he said.
“We understand families are doing it tough because of increased cost of living pressures under Annastacia Palaszczuk.
“It is anticipated that the $150 voucher would provide between eight and 10 lessons.
“Water safety and education are just too important for kids to be denied because of the cost involved.
“Helping parents get their kids into swimming lessons is an important way to reduce child drownings and deliver benefits of an active lifestyle.”
A Tim Nicholls-led LNP Government will enhance green space across Queensland by planting 3 million trees.
LNP Shadow Environment Minister Dr Christian Rowan said the LNP was committed to improving and protecting the environment.
“We have a strong track record of helping to preserve the environment through our environmental grants, koala habitat program and litter prevention and this commitment will further help to enhance Queensland as a clean, green and sustainable state,” Dr Rowan said.
“An LNP Government will lead the way in delivering real solutions to future proofing Queensland’s environment by planting 3 million trees across six years.
“Planting trees is one of the best actions to sustain the environment and will have widespread positive impacts on Queensland’s biodiversity, as well as combating greenhouse effects and producing more oxygen.
“An LNP Government will undertake the planting in conjunction with local groups and Landcare organisations which can bid to undertake planting in their local area.”
LNP Member for Mount Ommaney Tarnya Smith said it was important for the State Government to lead by example, encouraging Queenslanders to plant more trees in their own backyards.
“Currently many bush care groups and local communities plant trees off their own bat but we want to give them a helping hand which is why an LNP Government will plant an additional 3 million trees across the state,” Ms Smith said.
“In addition to our commitment, we want local communities to get on board with this fantastic initiative and plant more trees in their local areas to help Queensland become a clean and green state.
“It is all a part of our plan to Build a Better Queensland by creating a clean, green and sustainable Queensland.”
A Tim Nicholls-led LNP Government will invest $100 million in improving M1 ramp exits as part of its plan to bust crippling congestion on the state’s busiest road.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls said the Better M1 Ramps Program would fund projects aimed at improving exit and entry ramps to relieve congestion and increase safety on the Pacific Motorway.
“The M1 is the state’s busiest road but all too often it is clogged with traffic reduced to a crawl, delaying motorists from getting to work and returning home to their families,” Mr Nicholls said.
“Traffic backs up on exit ramps, sometimes queueing onto the motorway, creating a safety and congestion issue.
“Our Better M1 Ramps program will look at ways we can make improvements to on-and off ramps around the growing northern Gold Coast region.
“This could be lengthening existing ramps, making intersection improvements or fixing local feeder roads to get traffic off the ramps faster.”
LNP Shadow Main Roads Minister Andrew Powell said the $100 million program showed the LNP’s commitment to busting congestion on the Gold Coast.
“The Better M1 Ramps program will complement our commitment to deliver the Second M1 which will provide an alternative route to the Pacific Motorway,” Mr Powell said.
“By contrast, Labor won’t deliver an alternative route and haven’t even approached the Federal Government to fund their half-baked M1 announcement.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk is more interested in picking fights with the Federal Government than actually delivering outcomes for the Gold Coast.
“Gold Coasters know that if they want real action on congestion, it’s only the LNP who will build the roads and bridges the Coast needs to create jobs and Build a Better Queensland.”
The LNP’s Better M1 Ramps Program will focus on improving:
A Tim Nicholls-led LNP Government will open up the arts to all Queenslanders with a $9 million creative arts boost.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls said an LNP Government would grow the arts and cultural community in Queensland.
“I will deliver a new plan for the arts in Queensland that improves pathways for the next generation of artists and content creators, boosts vital infrastructure and makes arts more accessible across the state,” Mr Nicholls said.
“The LNP will launch ArtsQ, which will bring Queensland’s art community together to develop a plan for the future of the arts community.
“We will also develop a $4 million fund to be available to regional arts and cultural organisations to improve facilities and boost cultural tourism offerings.
“An LNP Government will also set up a $1 million fund to animate and activate forgotten arts spaces around Queensland, helping to leave a lasting arts legacy.”
Mr Nicholls said investing in the arts spaces was about creating jobs across Queensland.
“The arts not only provides all Queenslanders with a way to share their experiences and thoughts but it is a major employer in our state,” Mr Nicholls said.
“This is why the LNP’s plan will encourage artists and content creators to be innovators and have a career here in Queensland.
“Under the LNP, a $1.5 million fund will be available to community-based arts and content creators looking to upskill and increase their professional development.
“We will also invest $1.5 million in the future of our next generation of performers who are looking to start a career in the arts, by giving them a pathway for professional development.”
Mr Nicholls said the LNP’s $9 million investment was in addition to money already allocated in the budget.
“Already Queensland is home to a number of creative and arts festivals such as the Brisbane Festival, Winton’s Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival, Crush Festival Bundaberg and Queensland Music Festival,” Mr Nicholls said.
“An LNP Government will build on the current arts and creative scene investing $700,000 to host a Globe Theatre in Brisbane
“Only the LNP will build a Better Queensland by creating jobs across Queensland.”
The Labor Party has admitted its promised investment in hospitals is completely unfunded and won’t be delivered for at least two elections, Shadow Health Minister John-Paul Langbroek said today.
“This do-nothing government has today promised to do nothing for at least five years about their ambulance ramping and chronic bed blockages,” Mr Langbroek said.
“As a result, Queenslanders in need of hospital care will continue to wait and suffer.
“Labor’s Cameron Dick has admitted today’s promised $679 million is completely unfunded, and won’t be delivered for five years.
“There is a whole other election between now and then.
“And where is the money coming from? It will be more spending on the taxpayer credit card with no proper planning.”
Mr Langbroek also pointed out that the hospitals Labor was promising to eventually upgrade were all located in seats it was at risk of losing to One Nation – Ipswich, Caboolture and Logan.
“It’s nothing more than a transparent attempt to secure votes in marginal seats. It has nothing to do with meeting the future needs of Queensland’s hospital system.
“Today’s announcements proves even more why we need an independent hospitals planning commission to take the politics out of hospitals planning.”
The Liberal National Party will offer a helping hand to farmers and irrigators facing high electricity costs by providing an electricity rebate on obsolete and transitional tariffs.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls says farmers cannot continue to battle soaring electricity costs on their own and that’s why the LNP will introduce a “Food and Fibre Transition Payment” to primary producers on tariffs 62, 65 and 66.
“Only the LNP understands the cost squeeze facing primary producers,” Mr Nicholls said.
“The LNP will back Queensland farmers any day of the week as they work hard to produce food and fibre for our state.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor have done nothing to help farmers and have instead blamed them for their energy use.
“Unlike Labor, the LNP’s energy policy has always been based on affordability and security, not greenie ideology.
“We know that from July 1, 2020, some of these producers will face price increases of between 50 to 100 per cent for electricity.
“The LNP promises to provide a $1,400 transition payment each year for up to three years to farmers and irrigators on obsolete and transitional tariffs 62, 65 and 66.”
LNP Shadow Agriculture Minister Dale Last said the Food and Fibre Transition Payment would recognise farmers needed power price relief.
“We estimate there are 17,400 connections to tariffs 62, 65 and 66 on Queensland farms with 98 per cent of them classified as small customers using less than 100MWh per year of electricity,” Mr Last said.
“These farmers and irrigators need a hand to invest in smart meters, energy audits, energy-efficient technology or to just pay their rising power bills.
“This transition payment is just part of the LNP’s plan to tackle rising electricity prices.
“We are also writing down the regulated asset base to reduce network charges by 11 per cent.
“The LNP will also increase competition in the wholesale electricity market by restructuring the government owned generators from two to three which will lower wholesale electricity prices by an average of 8.3 per cent.
“We’ll also re-establish the Agriculture Energy and Water Council which was scrapped by Labor.
“The LNP’s Agriculture Energy and Water Council has been welcomed by Queensland Farmers’ Federation and Canegrowers.
“This is about giving farmers a seat at the table of tariff reform to ensure their voices are heard.”
The LNP’s record in government on electricity reforms to support agriculture:
A Tim Nicholls-led LNP Government will tackle domestic violence and implement a five-point action plan to better protect victims and their families.
LNP Shadow Minister for Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Ros Bates said domestic violence victims had been failed by Annastacia Palaszczuk.
“Domestic violence victims have suffered for too long under Annastacia Palaszczuk,” Ms Bates said.
“Over the last three years we have seen cases of offenders finding out where their victims were because of a bungle by Annastacia Palaszczuk.
“Enough is enough. Only the LNP has a real plan to take action against domestic violence.
“A LNP Government will protect victims and their families, we will empower victims and force perpetrators to break the cycle of violence.
“We have listened to domestic violence victims and their families, planned in consultation and acted to develop this tough new domestic violence plan.
“This plan will better support Queensland families through greater protection of domestic and family violence victims.”
Ms Bates said victims needed to have confidence in the system, which is why the LNP had developed a five-point plan.
“Under our five-point plan we will introduce a new offence for domestic violence, similar to the amendments introduced to the British Parliament in 2015,” Ms Bates said.
“Currently there is no specific domestic violence offence in our laws by which to charge an offender.
“We will work with police and domestic violence advocates to develop a specific domestic violence offence, to better protect victims.
“An LNP Government will also amend the Evidence Act 1977 to prohibit a perpetrator from personally cross-examining a victim either in a civil or criminal matter.”
Ms Bates said a Tim Nicholls-led LNP Government would introduce a trial pro-disclosure scheme in line with Clare’s Law.
“The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, known as Clare’s Law, gives members of the public a formal means to enquire about the domestic violence convictions and crimes of any individual with whom they are in a relationship, or who is in a relationship with someone they know,” she said.
“By bringing in Clare’s Law, partners will take a major step forward in ensuring the safety of their families when entering into a new relationship.
“As part of our five-point plan to tackle domestic violence, magistrates also will be required to rotate through a specialist domestic violence court as a part of their professional development.
“Only the LNP will deliver safe and liveable communities through our five-point plan.”
Ms Bates said the LNP would ensure it was easier for victims and families escaping domestic violence to find information by setting up two, one-stop domestic violence shops in Queensland.
“In partnership with a NGO service, we will establish one-stop shops for domestic violence victims in Townsville and on the Gold Coast,” Ms Bates said.
“Existing domestic violence services would be brought in under the single centre umbrella and have to work collaboratively and in a coordinated manner to support victims of domestic and sexual violence.
“Our domestic violence one-stop support network will have a “no wrong door” policy to ensure victims don’t slip through the cracks.
“Only the LNP has shown it is serious about addressing domestic violence – introducing a series of tough new bail and parole laws for domestic violence offenders in 2017.
“This five-point plan is a part of our ongoing commitment to better supporting Queensland families.”
Our five-point plan to tackle domestic violence:
A Tim Nicholls-led LNP Government will tackle the cost of living by delivering cheaper electricity for businesses.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls said he would undertake major economic reforms to end Labor’s secret tax on electricity.
“Businesses can’t grow and employ more people if they are weighed down with higher costs and electricity is one of their largest costs,” Mr Nicholls said.
“We are taking action on every component of the electricity bill – something that Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor have failed to do.
“Labor’s gold plating has seen network costs spike by 257 per cent since 2004-05 – that’s unacceptable.”
Mr Nicholls said the LNP would write-off $2 billion of the regulated asset base so Queenslanders no longer had to pay for Labor’s gold plating.
“This will reduce network charges by 11 per cent from 1 July 2018, savings businesses hundreds of dollars,” he said.
“We are also increasing competition in the wholesale energy market by restructuring the government-owned generators.
“Labor consolidated Queenslander’s generators – that has reduced competition and led to higher prices.
“Under Annastacia Palaszczuk, wholesale electricity prices have skyrocketed 70 per cent and the government-owned generators have been gouging Queenslanders.
“The LNP will also scrap Labor’s 50 per cent renewable energy target and support the national energy guarantee that will save businesses hundreds of dollars a year.
“Businesses will also benefit from the LNP’s move to drop the non-reversion policy which stops small businesses returning to regulated tariffs if they aren’t happy with their market contract.
“It’s about giving small business options and listening to the recommendation of the Queensland Productivity Commission that Labor ignored for 18 months.
“The LNP is acting when Labor isn’t. Enough is enough - we will deliver cheaper electricity for small businesses.”
Liberal National Party Leader Tim Nicholls has announced a plan to end the traffic chaos on the M1 Pacific Motorway to get Gold Coasters home safer and sooner.
The LNP has committed $250 million towards building a Second M1 which will act as an alternative to the existing Pacific Motorway running between Nerang-Broadbeach Road and Stapylton-Jacobs Well Road.
Mr Nicholls said the M1 was regularly crippled by traffic and accidents and an alternative was needed.
“Gold Coasters are sick of sitting in traffic day in, day out. Our plan for a Second M1 will get people home from work sooner,” he said.
“Labor isn’t interested in fixing the M1, instead they have focused on political brawls with the Federal Government and have dismissed an alternative route out of hand.
“By contrast, we will work constructively with the Federal Government to build this new four-lane arterial.”
LNP Shadow Main Roads Minister Andrew Powell said the LNP had received overwhelming support for an alternative M1 through an online petition and feedback from Gold Coast LNP candidates talking to the community.
“It’s clear the Gold Coast wants the congestion on the M1 fixed,” Mr Powell said.
“Locals want a Second M1 to ensure they can get home in the case of an accident or traffic gridlock.”
LNP Deputy Leader and Shadow Infrastructure Minister Deb Frecklington said the $500 million project was a top priority for the SEQ Council of Mayors.
“Constructing the Second M1 will support more than 1500 local jobs and the LNP’s Buy Local policy will give local businesses more opportunities,” she said.
“The LNP will build the roads, bridges and dams we need to Build a Better Queensland.”
The LNP will build more than $1.3 billion worth of critical water infrastructure and dams across the state.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls said under the LNP the Urannah Dam, Nullinga Dam, Rookwood Weir and raising of the Burdekin Falls Dam will finally become a reality.
He said this project formed part of the LNP’s $1.3 billion plan to build critical water infrastructure and dams across the state.
“Labor hates dams and refuses to progress them. Our plan will see the first dams built in regional Queensland in more than a decade,” Mr Nicholls said.
“We will fund and complete the planning and Environmental Impact Studies for Urannah, Nullinga and the Burdekin Falls Dam projects to get them shovel-ready.
“We will also upgrade the Haughton Channel in Townsville and duplicate the Ross River Dam Pipeline.
“We will build the Rookwood Weir and once the EIS and feasibility study for Urannah is finished, we will build it too. This is our plan for water security in Queensland.
“These projects have stalled for too long under Annastacia Palaszczuk, who is captured by green groups.”
Deputy LNP Leader and Shadow Infrastructure Minister Deb Frecklington said the LNP would set up a Queensland Dam Company based in regional Queensland to ensure these projects got underway.
“The Dam Co will be Queensland’s version of the Snowy Hydro Authority, the company set up nearly 70 years ago to sort out and deliver the Snowy Hydro Scheme, a project which changed this country.
“It will allow for investment in our dams by the Federal Government, which has billions of dollars ready and available for dams and water infrastructure – we need to get our share.
“Only the LNP will build dams in regional Queensland because we understand that these projects create jobs, support industry and agriculture and guarantee water security.”
LNP Shadow Agriculture Minister and Burdekin MP Dale Last said the LNP’s dam plan would be a game-changer for central and north Queensland.
“Not only will these dams support thousands of jobs across the state, they will also bring a massive economic boost to towns and cities doing it tough like such as Proserpine, Bowen, Ayr and Mackay,” Mr Last said.
“The last dam built in regional Queensland was the Paradise Dam near Bundaberg more than 12 years ago.
“With growing water demand for food and fibre production and the development of the Galilee Basin, Labor have refused to entertain building new dams – the LNP will build the dams we need.”
FAST FACTS:
Urannah Dam
Nullinga Dam
Rookwood Weir
Burdekin Falls Dam
Haughton Channel Upgrade and Ross River Dam Pipeline Duplication
A Tim Nicholls-led LNP Government will introduce sweeping law changes and increased police powers to combat crime as part of a $25.9 million North Queensland Crime Action Plan.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls committed to putting community safety first by ending Annastacia Palaszczuk’s soft-on-crime approach.
“Over the last three years drug and violent crime has increased and youth crime is out of control in North Queensland,” Mr Nicholls said.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor have been doing nothing while the crime rates continue to soar.
“We have listened to the concerns of local residents who want strong action to protect them and their family.
“Our comprehensive plan focuses on more resources, early intervention, tougher laws and making parents more accountable.
“North Queensland deserves a dedicated police helicopter as an ‘eye in the sky’ to crackdown on local hoons and give police an advantage in the fightback against the crime epidemic,” Mr Nicholls said.
LNP Shadow Police Minister Tim Mander said the LNP would back the police and tackle the revolving door of youth justice.
“Our hard-working police need better resources and tougher laws to protect the community,” Mr Mander said.
“We have listened to the concerns of the police and we will trial a new pursuit policy in Townsville.
“The Townsville community have strongly backed a youth curfew that we will deliver.
“Only the LNP will provide safe and liveable communities as we Build a Better Queensland.”
Labor and Annastacia Palaszczuk have been caught out concealing a report that would deliver cheaper electricity to Queenslanders.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls has called on Annastacia Palaszczuk to back the finding of her own government and adopt the LNP policy for a high-efficiency, low emissions coal-fired power station in North Queensland.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor have been caught out trying to suppress a secret report,” Mr Nicholls said.
“Instead of acting to deliver cheaper electricity, Annastacia Palaszczuk did nothing.
“Instead of trying to lower electricity bills, Annastacia Palaszczuk has imposed a renewable energy target that will cost Queensland families around $200 more a year from 2020.
“Queensland families are paying record high electricity prices because of a do-nothing Labor government.”
The report for the Department of Energy and Water Supply shows an ultra-supercritical coal-fired power station in North Queensland would be “highly profitable” at electricity prices of between $50 MWh and $75MWh.
The Net Profit Before Tax would be $1.6 billion under the scenario of $75 MWh, and significantly more based on last year’s average spot market price of $103 MWh in Queensland.
An ultra-supercritical coal-fired power station in North Queensland would be economically viable and have a long run marginal cost lower than current wholesale electricity prices.
“The LNP will act on the cost of living and deliver cheaper electricity,” Mr Nicholls said. “Cheaper electricity makes it easier for families to get ahead and means more jobs for Queenslanders.”
Earlier this year the LNP released their policy to build with the private sector a high-efficiency, low emissions (HELE) power station in North Queensland.
Liberal National Party Leader Tim Nicholls has pledged to build the long-overdue Sunshine Coast rail duplication between Beerburrum and Nambour which will deliver more train services, reduce commuting times and ease congestion on the Bruce Highway.
Mr Nicholls said this once in a generation project would be a game-changer for locals with an extra 150 train services and a faster, more reliable rail trip to and from work.
“Sadly, Annastacia Palaszczuk has been more interested in picking fights with the Federal Government than delivering real outcomes for Queenslanders,” Mr Nicholls said.
“Our $300 million commitment means more frequent and reliable train services for Sunny Coast locals.”
LNP Shadow Transport Minister and Glass House MP Andrew Powell said this infrastructure priority had stalled under the do-nothing Palaszczuk Labor Government.
Mr Powell said the 40km line between Beerburrum and Nambour was currently a single rail track which limited train services to the Sunshine Coast.
“Our commitment will deliver a duplicate line from Beerburrum to Landsborough and restart planning to fix the line to Nambour,” he said.
“This will ease congestion on the Bruce Highway between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane by providing 150 extra train services and a more reliable rail alternative.”
LNP Deputy Leader and Shadow Infrastructure Minister Deb Frecklington said this project formed part of the LNP’s plan to deliver thousands of new jobs and to provide safe and liveable communities.
“The LNP’s Sunny Coast team have been fighting for the rail duplication and we are proud to be able to finally deliver it for them,” Ms Frecklington said.
“They know building this project means 1800 local jobs will be supported. They’re jobs not supported by Labor, who do not want to build this duplication.
“Unlike Annastacia Palaszczuk, we will work collaboratively with the Federal Government and seek a commitment from their $10 billion National Rail Program.”
Fast Facts - Sunshine Coast Rail Duplication:
www.betterqueensland.org.au/sunshine-coast-rail-duplication
“Labor's do-nothing Health Minister has again been exposed for not being on top of his portfolio.
“This isn't the first time critical health matters have been either ignored or missed by Labor's do-nothing Health Minister.
“Today's suspending of the Health Ombudsman is just another example of Labor blaming everyone but itself for the ongoing crisis in Queensland Health.
“It was only in February this year after months of a crisis unfolding at the Mental Health Review Tribunal that Labor's Cameron Dick finally acted at the eleventh hour, blaming and then sacking the president of the tribunal.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk and her Health Minister have ignored crisis after crisis in our health system and this latest revelation is more evidence of how damaging a do-nothing government can be.
“Whether it is the explosion in ambulance ramping, bed shortages at hospitals or failing to take action on serious health complaints, Queenslanders cannot trust Labor to manage our health system.
“Last week the LNP called for an overhaul of the way drugs were dispensed in the wake of the Mater case and Labor's blame and sack approach to the crisis confirms the system is broken.
“The real question is when did Cameron Dick first get briefed on this matter and why wasn't he asking the right questions sooner.
“Only the LNP will deliver a better health system for Queensland families.”
