LNP Shadow Treasurer Tim Mander has today called on the Palaszczuk Labor Government to stump up the money and build the Sunshine Coast Rail Duplication.
"We are less than two weeks away from the State Budget and there is no money in sight for the duplication of the Sunshine Coast rail," Mr Mander said.
"The LNP has been fighting for this rail duplication because we understand that Sunshine Coast commuters want to get home sooner.
"The Federal Government has already put $390 million on the table and has lead by example by investing in rail for the coast.
"There is no longer any excuse for Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor not to stump up their share. She needs to get on board and fund this rail line in the State Budget."
Mr Mander said the Sunshine Coast LNP team had worked hard to get federal funding for this project and the only remaining roadblock was the Palaszczuk Labor Government.
"This duplication will provide 150 extra weekly rail services between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, reduce train travel times and ease the daily traffic nightmares faced by drivers on the Bruce Highway," Mr Mander said.
"The 40km rail line between Beerburrum and Nambour is more than a century old which limits rail services and causes considerable delays for the Sunshine Coast’s 330,000 residents.
"The question Annastacia Palaszczuk needs to answer is when will she fund the Sunshine Coast Rail Duplication?
The duplication of the Beerburrum to Nambour line would:
The Liberal National Party today released another key part its plan to bust bottlenecks on Southeast Queensland roads.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said the LNP would work with local councils to create a list of SEQ’s worst congestion hotspots, prioritise them and then invest the funds to fix them.
"The LNP understands everyday congestion on local roads is a major issue for people and that if nothing’s done the problem gets worse," Ms Frecklington said.
"It’s taking Queenslanders longer to get to work, drop the kids at school or drive to the local shops.
"While upgrading our major highways is important, fixing local roads and nightmare intersections is just as important to get people home sooner and safer.
"So I’m calling on councils to nominate their worst traffic bottlenecks and the LNP will build a plan to bust them."
Ms Frecklington said the Palaszczuk Labor Government simply isn’t planning for the two million extra people set to call Southeast Queensland home in the next two decades.
"With more people comes more pressure on existing infrastructure like local roads, schools and hospitals," she said.
"Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor have underspent the capital infrastructure budget by $3 billion a year, and cut the road budget by over $400 million in the last year alone.
"That means more crippling congestion and a reduction in our standard of living.
"Planning and investing now in local infrastructure across Southeast Queensland will ensure that infrastructure keeps up with demand.
"The LNP is determined to bust congestion so that we can all get home sooner and safer."
Queensland toll collection company GoVia has been the subject of more than 48 per cent of all complaints made to the national Tolling Customer Ombudsman since 2015, the LNP said today.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington is calling for a Parliamentary inquiry into Queensland’s toll-roads to identify failures in the network and how these can be solved to cut congestion.
"It’s a big concern that almost half of all complaints to the ombudsman have come from drivers in Southeast Queensland," Ms Frecklington said.
"And I’m very concerned that Labor has so far refused to back my call for an inquiry.
"Do Labor support a better deal for drivers or not? If they do they must back the inquiry.
"Labor has been silent – but angry drivers are speaking out.
"I have been appalled by the stories drivers have told talk-back radio.
"Michael Fraser of Toll Redress has also raised serious questions about the numbers of people Transurban is taking legal action against.
"On top of the consumer issues is the question of whether the tolls are working for our cities.
"None of our toll-roads have been used to the expected levels and they’re not reducing congestion as much as they could.
"The system isn’t working for anyone but Transurban. Drivers deserve a better deal.
"I want to look at the problems and fix them – but Labor must get on board first."
NB
Statement from LNP Shadow Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships: Dr Christian Rowan
"This week is National Reconciliation Week, a week where Australians from all walks of life are invited to learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories.
"During this week, the LNP would like to offer its support for National Reconciliation Week, as well as the State Government’s recent launch of its Reconciliation Action Plan 2018-2021.
"This plan signals a much needed commitment to the future of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and the LNP hopes that the State Government will follow through to meet its targets.
"Genuine efforts to Close the Gap are needed to ensure that all Queenslanders enjoy a healthy future and the opportunities that health and education can afford. The Queensland Government has an important role to play in this effort.
"The 10th Closing the Gap Report, released by the Prime Minister in February, showed that as a nation we are on track to reach three of the seven original Closing the Gap targets.
"We are making progress, particularly in halving child mortality and in getting more young indigenous kids into early education. But more needs to be done.
"Closing the gap on indigenous disadvantage should be a bi-partisan issue that is above politics.
"The LNP encourages the State Government to follow through on its targets in the new Reconciliation Action Plan, and to help support the strong future that all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Queensland deserve."
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is continuing to ignore a rail crisis threatening the state’s $30 billion coal export industry and thousands of Queensland jobs.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said Labor should immediately intervene in a coal rail maintenance dispute that could cost Queenslanders more than half a billion dollars in royalty revenue.
"This growing rail row is the single biggest issue facing the Queensland budget and the Premier is nowhere to be seen," Ms Frecklington said.
"Perhaps if she spent less time chasing Dora the Explorer and talking about statues she might be able to sort out this impending crisis.
"Retrospective regulatory charges from the Queensland Competition Authority mean 20 million fewer tonnes of coal will be exported every year for the next four years.
"That’s $500 million of royalty money directly out of the pockets of Queenslanders.
"A half billion dollar cut to royalties is a $100 cut for every man, woman and child living in Queensland in the next State Budget.
"That’s less money for our local schools, health services and our roads.
"We cannot have a situation with the upcoming budget where there is a $500 million black hole in royalty revenue because of a state government regulatory dispute."
The LNP is stepping up its fight for drivers by calling for a full parliamentary inquiry into Queensland’s toll roads.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said the under-use of toll roads was one reason for Southeast Queensland’s growing congestion nightmare.
"Our toll roads are underused and our toll company tops the table for consumer complaints," Ms Frecklington said.
"We should be busting congestion by making the best use of all our roads, tunnels and bridges.
"The system isn’t working and if I were Premier I’d make fixing it a priority."
The LNP will move a motion demanding an inquiry when Parliament sits again in June.
The inquiry would give MPs the chance to scrutinise the record of Transurban, the company which operates all of the Southeast’s toll roads.
Transurban’s Queensland toll collection arm, GoVia, receives 51 per cent of all complaints lodged with the Tolling Customer Ombudsman – more than the rest of Australia combined.
"I want to look at how toll road operators work and how they treat their customers," Ms Frecklington said
"Drivers aren’t using toll roads because they feel they’re being taken for a ride. We’ve got to make toll roads more affordable by looking at discounts, bundling and other incentives.
The LNP-backed inquiry would look at consumer issues and complaints, as well as examining
pricing and incentive options with the aim of cutting congestion.
Already this month the LNP has pledged to invest $1.4 billion in congestion-busting infrastructure, pressured Labor to trial real-time fuel price monitoring and launched an online driver survey to identify the Southeast’s congestion hot-spots.
"Whether it’s fuel prices, tolls or my $1.4 billion plan for congestion-busting roads, I’m fighting for a fairer deal for drivers," Ms Frecklington said.
LNP Shadow Minister for Sport John-Paul Langbroek said Labor had failed women’s sport again and again.
"Annastacia Palaszczuk and her arrogant Sport’s Minister Mick de Brenni kept Queensland sporting clubs in the dark for months about the future of funding for building female facilities," Mr Langbroek said.
"It is only on the eve of the budget and after months of uncertainty that clubs are now being drip feed information about if they will receive funding to build these much needed facilities.
"The Government’s own factsheet for the Female Facilities Program state that applications for the program closed in December 2017 and by February the successful projects should be announced.
"In fact, by their own measure, the projects should have commenced in April 2018, but Labor are four months late to even telling clubs about if they were successful in applying for the program.
"While our clubs were kept in the dark about the funding for four months, women’s sport across the State was suffering.
"We shouldn't be surprised by this latest blunder because Mick de Brenni has failed to back women's sport time and time again."
"Women’s sport should be a priority for Labor, not an after-thought."
LNP Shadow Minister for Agriculture Tony Perrett has given the Palaszczuk Labor Government a spray over endless delays in releasing a Parliamentary Report into the impact of invasive weeds.
"It’s been more than 18 months since the Labor Government promised to deliver this report and Queenslanders are still waiting," Mr Perrett said.
"Landholders and farmers are battling invasive weeds every day and urgently need strategic support from the State Government.
"Whether its giant rat’s tail, fireweed, prickly acacia or any of the other countless invasive weeds, Queensland landholders and farmers have had enough.
"As a landholder and someone passionate about tackling weeds in rural and regional communities, I spearheaded the ‘war on weeds’ which led to the Labor Government commissioning this inquiry.
"To see the result of that campaign stall is frustrating."
Mr Perrett was the Deputy Chair of the committee tasked with delivering the report during the last term of Parliament. The committee was disbanded following the State Government election in November.
A new committee has been established, but Mr Perrett said it was yet to progress the work done by the previous group.
"It’s so disappointing that we have yet another example of Agriculture Minister Mark Furner and this Labor Government being asleep at the wheel on issues affecting rural and regional communities," he said.
"We saw with the devastating vegetation management laws that Labor just doesn’t understand the issues affecting our regions and is focused on snapping up green votes in Brisbane to the detriment of Queensland’s farming communities.
"The LNP is committed to helping out landholders and farmers to regain control of invasive weeds in Queensland."
Liberal National Party Leader Deb Frecklington has today outlined a plan to build water infrastructure across North and Central Queensland – delivering jobs and water security for the state’s neglected regions.
"Labor hasn’t built a single dam in the regions for 13 years, even though demand for water is growing," Ms Frecklington said.
"The next election is more than two years away, but this issue is so important that I’m committing a future LNP Government to three major dam projects now.
"Dams mean more jobs, greater job security and reliable water supplies for decades to come.
"Regional Queenslanders understand the value of water and so does the LNP, but Annastacia Palaszczuk has no idea.
"But she does understand that inner-city Greens keep Labor in power, so the Greens get what they want under Labor and the regions don’t get a look-in."
The LNP’s water plan includes the proposed Rookwood Weir, Nullinga and Urannah dams, as well as the proposed raising of the existing Burdekin Falls Dam (more details below).
Shadow Infrastructure Minister Andrew Powell said the LNP wanted Queensland to address water security concerns now rather than wait for a future crisis.
"The LNP’s plan is an investment in water security and job creation," Mr Powell said.
"Labor has missed out on $580 million available through the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund to fund dams – with the program now fully committed.
"It’s incredible that Labor has missed this opportunity and it shows how little Annastacia Palaszczuk cares about the future of regional Queensland.
"The good news is that there is still $2 billion in concessional loans on the table from Canberra."
Shadow Minister for North Queensland Dale Last said regional communities wanted the projects.
"The only people who don’t support these projects are Labor," Mr Last said.
"Annastacia Palaszczuk is selling out North Queensland because she needs Green votes in Brisbane – that shows how little the regions matter to her.
"A Deb Frecklington LNP Government would invest in dams as a priority and deliver a better future for regional Queenslanders."
Shadow Employment Minister Jarrod Bleijie has slammed the Palaszczuk Government’s ‘wage theft’ inquiry as a sham after Labor rejected moves to include public employees, including nurses, in its scope.
The Palaszczuk Government tonight voted down LNP amendments that would have compelled the inquiry to investigate Labor’s on-going health payroll debacle, as well as the underpayment of security guards and other contractors at the Commonwealth Games and the use of contractors in the public service.
"The LNP put forward sensible amendments to address the problems faced by thousands of Queensland workers – but Labor can’t stand scrutiny of its own record," Mr Bleijie said.
"This inquiry is a total sham because it ignores the plight of current and former nurses who are still suffering from Labor’s health payroll disaster.
"Bizarrely, the inquiry will instead focus on federal employment issues over which the Labor State Government ceded jurisdiction to Canberra in 2009.
"This is nothing more than an attack on the Federal Government and has nothing to do with standing up for workers.
"Labor should clean up its own employment record before it looks at every other employer."
Shadow Local Government Minister Ann Leahy has accused Labor of ignoring sensible safeguards and railroading its local government reforms through State Parliament.
"The LNP supports tough laws but checks and balances are missing," Ms Leahy said tonight.
"Labor actually voted against a two-year review clause that they announced.
"The ability for a Minister to sack a duly elected official shouldn’t be unfettered.
"Annastacia Palaszczuk has recklessly rejected the sensible safeguards proposed by the LNP.
"Labor has arrogantly gagged debate on this bill, including myself in mid-sentence, and these unprecedented amendments haven’t been subject the normal committee process."
Liberal National Party Deputy Leader Tim Mander said today's unemployment figures were a sad indictment on Annastacia Palaszczuk's "fluff before substance" government.
"On Labor's preferred measure, unemployment in Queensland has risen from 6.1% to a whopping 6.5% - the equal worst in the nation," Mr Mander said.
"Quite frankly, all we have seen from Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk since the election is fluffy photo ops.
"Annastacia Palaszczuk has no economic plan for our state except new taxes.
"Stagnant wages growth, high unemployment, a youth jobs crisis in regional Queensland and flat-lining business confidence are all symptoms of Labor’s economic mismanagement.
"In stark contrast, Deb Frecklington's plan is all about creating jobs and moving Queensland from last to first in the employment state of origin."
Seasonally Adjusted unemployment rate:
The disrespect Annastacia Palaszczuk’s Labor Government has for genuine consultation has been laid bare by holding a forum on vegetation management laws already rammed through Parliament.
Liberal National Party (LNP) Shadow Agriculture Minister Tony Perrett used a question without notice in Parliament today to ask about the Mansfield Electorate Environment Forum on May 10.
A letter from Labor Mansfield MP Corinne McMillan invited local residents to "make suggestions" on vegetation management laws (letter attached).
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said the forum was another slap in the face for farmers.
"This arrogant Labor Government won’t sit down and talk with Queensland farmers on the vegetation management laws that directly affect them, but they are willing to talk to inner-city Brisbane residents," Ms Frecklington said.
"Any suggestions made at the community forum fell on deaf ears because the Palaszczuk Labor Government had already rammed their devastating vegetation management laws through Parliament a week earlier on May 3.
"The divide between city and country is only getting wider with a Labor Government focused on snapping up green votes in Brisbane to the detriment of Queensland’s farming communities."
Mr Perrett said farmers in regional Queensland deserved to be heard about laws that would directly affect them.
"It’s a disgrace that the laws were passed without listening to farmers and despite thousands of submissions," Mr Perrett said.
"This just shows the Labor Government puts its own interests first and asks the community later."
Mr Perrett said Labor Agriculture Minister Mark Furner did not comment on the forum or letter but unleashed an irrational attack on farmers over Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s reception at Beef Week.
Seven months after first raising the issue, Queensland cattle producers are continuing to pay the price for the mismanagement of livestock crates by the Palaszczuk Labor Government.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said the LNP first raised the issue in October last year and yet seven months later, Annastacia Palaszczuk has done nothing about it.
"Crates gates and doors have fallen off, bolts and pins are missing – making the crates unsafe and not able to be used to transport livestock they were intended for," Ms Frecklington said.
"These are not only unsafe, but our cattle producers are now incurring extra costs because they are having to use road transport to get their cattle to sale.
"It’s clear that Labor doesn’t get the bush."
LNP Member for Gregory Lachlan Millar said Labor’s failure in fixing this important issue was a kick in the guts for Queensland cattle producers.
"Today I asked the Transport Minister to explain why Queensland farmers are still having to live through the bush rail fail after seven months and yet we are still to get a clear answer," Mr Millar said.
"Just like Labor’s unfair vegetation management laws, the Labor Party is once again missing in action on yet another issue critical to our agricultural industries.
"To add further insult to injury, Central Queensland businesses offered to fix this mess months ago but the city-centric Labor Government only sent the crates to Townsville and Brisbane for repairs."
At Beef Week, Liberal National Party Leader Deb Frecklington said Annastacia Palaszczuk’s taxpayer-funded advertising campaign on vegetation management is adding insult to injury for farmers.
"Farmers are no fools – they know these laws will damage their futures and their communities," Ms Frecklington said.
"These laws are intended to hurt farming because that’s what Green activists want.
"We don’t need a slick propaganda campaign, we need common sense and compromise.
"Labor needs to go back to the drawing board instead of wasting taxpayers’ money on propaganda.
"There is no justifying these vindictive vegetation laws."
The Federal Government’s commitment to providing for seniors through the More Choices For a Longer Life package is welcome news for Queenslanders, LNP Shadow Minister for Seniors Dr Christian Rowan said today.
"The measures included in the package will boost living standards and give retirees peace of mind regarding their finances," Dr Rowan said.
"$1.6 billion will go towards providing an extra 14,000 high-level home care packages for seniors, which is great news for those who want to stay in their own homes," Dr Rowan said.
"The $40 million committed to supporting aged care providers in regional, rural and remote Australia is will help Queenslanders outside our major cities get the world-class care they deserve.
"And I’m really excited to see the Turnbull Government’s Stronger Rural Health Strategy that will mean better access to doctors, nurses and other health services in rural and regional areas, plus an additional $84 million for the Royal Flying Doctor Service which is so important in a state the size of Queensland.
Dr Rowan said given recent issues in Queensland aged care facilities it was also re-assuring to see the Turnbull Government’s establishment of an Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
"This Commission is designed to ensure older Australians receive the best possible care, and there is an additional $50 million to assist providers implement these new standards," he said.
"The Federal Government will continue to address elder abuse with the creation of new support services including a national online register for enduring powers of attorney."
A massive infrastructure spend for the state, tax cuts and long-term tax reform, an aged care boost and hundreds of millions to protect the Great Barrier Reef form the centrepiece of a Federal Budget that really delivers for Queensland, LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said today.
Ms Frecklington said state Labor’s reaction was sad but not surprising given the only thing Annastacia Palaszczuk cares about is getting Bill Shorten into the Lodge – not helping Queenslanders.
"Labor’s reaction to the Budget has, to be frank, been unhinged," said Ms Frecklington.
"It shows Annastacia Palaszczuk’s only mission is to serve Bill Shorten and not Queensland.
"For months, Annastacia Palaszczuk has dared me to get Queensland’s fair share out of Canberra and last night this was delivered in spades.
"$5.2 billion in infrastructure projects for Queensland is second only to Victoria and three times more than what New South Wales is receiving.
"Today I am calling on Annastacia Palaszczuk and Jackie Trad to put their toys back in the cot and work with the Federal Government to jointly fund projects such as the M1 upgrade, the Sunshine Coast rail duplication and the Bruce Highway upgrades.
"All Jackie Trad can talk about is Cross River Rail, a project that Labor said was fully funded.
"In fact Labor gave back the $10 million the Federal Government gave them for the business case.
"The other big infrastructure announcement which will be most welcomed is the $3.5 billion Roads of Strategic Importance initiative, including $1.5 billion for Northern Australia to upgrade key freight corridors in regional Queensland and increase productivity by connecting our major agricultural and resource areas with our cities and ports.
"Busting congestion will be a focus of a Government I lead so the $1 billion program to fund projects that get people home sooner will mean businesses can increase productivity and people have more time to spend with their families."
Ms Frecklington said it wasn’t just major infrastructure projects set to benefit Queensland.
"As a regional MP, I know how important the funding commitments for mental health services and more doctors in regional Queensland is," she said.
"Tax relief of up to $530 a year for middle and lower income earning individuals is of course welcome but it is the long-term seven-year restructure of the tax system which will have long term benefits for the majority of working Australians.
"Aged care has also received a timely boost. The $1.6 billion to go to providing an extra 14,000 high-level home care packages for seniors who want to remain in their homes is a great initiative.
"Protecting the reef has also been a priority of mine and that’s why the $500 million is such a good announcement for Queensland’s future."
After last week’s spineless betrayal of Queensland farmers, Labor Agriculture Minister Mark Furner and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk are expected to swan into Beef Week grinning as if nothing is wrong and they haven’t sold out Queensland’s beef industry.
Shadow Minister for Agriculture Tony Perrett called out Labor’s phantom Agriculture Minister for cowering in the corner as the debate raged on whether Labor’s unfair vegetation laws should pass.
"Mark ‘Phantom’ Furner lacked the courage to stand up for the farmers he was happy to sell out in favour of green votes in inner-city Brisbane, and now he and his anti-farmer boss have the hide to head to Rocky to rub producers noses in it," said Mr Perrett.
"But should it really be any surprise? Furner is the same man who, when he was a Federal Labor Senator, was callously complicit in Labor’s disastrous 2011 live export ban.
"As a Senator for Queensland he stayed mute as our graziers were on their knees from this rushed and devastating kick in the guts.
"Minister Furner has been all too happy to don an Akubra and a shiny, new pair of RMs on trips to the regions to give lip service to our hard working farmers and graziers.
"Yet, despite their famous hospitality, farmers and graziers have long memories and can spot an imposter from a mile away.
"They won’t forget the man who signed the green group Wilderness Society’s 100-day pledge to change vegetation laws before the last state election.
"They won’t forget how he hid in Brisbane as the hearings and debate on Labor’s devastating laws raged around the state.
"They won’t forget how their supposed representative in Cabinet failed to fight for farmer’s futures and livelihoods.
"Mark Furner’s silence has been deafening even as his party rolled out its campaign to demonise our farmers and the rural and regional communities they support.
"Only the Liberal National Party has consistently stood up for hard-working families, farmers and our regions.
"Only the Liberal National Party understands graziers and consistently fights for their property rights and interests."
"The Palaszczuk Government’s wages inquiry is nothing more than a waste of time and money given the State has absolutely no control over federal wages legislation.
"Clearly Annastacia Palaszczuk’s spin doctors were desperate to come up with a ‘Clayton’s inquiry’ to ‘announce’ to their union comrades at Labour Day marches and this was the best they could come up with.
"The only wages the Queensland Government controls are those paid to state public servants and local government workers.
"I wonder how Queensland taxpayers feel about paying for Queensland MP’s to traipse around the State inquiring into laws they don’t even control – what a farce.
"What Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced will essentially be an examination of Labor PM Julia Gillard’s Federal Fair Work Act.
"Unless of course the Premier would like to re-examine the Bligh Labor government’s $1.2 billion Health Payroll debacle where Queensland’s doctors and nurses were drastically underpaid - a sorry saga that is still costing Queenslanders almost a decade later?"
Liberal National Party Leader Deb Frecklington has welcomed news this week’s Federal Budget will fund billions of dollars of urgently-needed infrastructure across Queensland.
"This week’s Federal Budget will put to bed the Palaszczuk Government’s lie that Queensland doesn’t get its fair share from Canberra," Ms Frecklington said.
"From the details released so far this will be a Federal Budget that focuses on the whole state, unlike Labor who are fixated on just one pet project in SEQ in Cross River Rail.
"This state Labor government has slashed infrastructure spending by $3 billion a year costing Queenslanders 30,000 jobs over three years.
"The infrastructure cuts in regional Queensland have been the most savage with $2 billion cut per year and the state’s roads budget cut by more than $400 million.
"I look forward to seeing the full details of the Turnbull Government’s healthy mix of roads and public transport funding for all of Queensland when the Budget’s handed down tomorrow."
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington has today slammed the Palaszczuk Labor Government for continuing to use electricity as a secret tax.
"Today’s announcement by the QCA that they will investigate Ergon Energy for overcharging regional business customers is further proof Annastacia Palaszczuk has been using electricity as a secret tax," Ms Frecklington said.
"This is nothing more than a blatant rip-off.
"Annastacia Palaszczuk needs to step in, pull Ergon into line and stop using Queenslanders as cash cows.
"Enough is enough."
LNP Shadow Energy Minister Michael Hart said Annastacia Palaszczuk must immediately investigate why Ergon was ripping off Queensland businesses.
"Ergon needs to stop illegally charging Queensland businesses for metering costs," Mr Hart said.
"The LNP will fight for a full investigation and ensure any illegal charges are returned to Queenslanders."
LNP Shadow Minister for North Queensland Dale Last said today’s revelation showed Labor is only focused on backing large energy companies, not Queenslanders.
"Regional Queensland is already paying through the nose for electricity and this is just another kick in the guts," Mr Last said.
"The LNP will make sure this Labor rip off stops."
"The staggering revenue totals we are seeing from speed cameras clearly shows Annastacia Palaszczuk’s Labor Government is treating Queensland motorists as cash cows.
"A single speed camera costing Queenslanders almost $5000 an hour is not about road safety - it’s blatant revenue raising for Labor Government coffers.
"The Labor Government got rid of the requirement for mobile speed camera units to display ‘speed camera in use’ signs to alert motorists to the camera.
"The LNP would bring back the signs and stop leeching from the wallets of everyday motorists.
"The Palaszczuk Labor Government is planning a windfall 46 per cent increase in speed camera fines with revenue to reach $194 million by 2020/2021.
"Fines are skyrocketing because of a greedy Labor Government.
"Research shows overt police presence and enforcement has a major impact on driver behaviour and the RACQ and Police Union support bringing back the signs.
"The LNP want to save lives and for motorists to be safe on the road, but we don’t want to rip Queenslanders off.
"That is why the LNP would reintroduce the ‘speed camera in use’ policy to return the focus to saving lives, not revenue raising."
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk must immediately explain why she ignored repeated warnings about the Labor corruption crisis in Ipswich, LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said today.
Ms Frecklington said the Premier was directly responsible for the implosion of the Labor-run council and owed the people of Ipswich an explanation – and an apology.
"I’m pleased that Stirling Hinchliffe has backed my call to sack Ipswich’s rotten council," Ms Frecklington said.
"But the Palaszczuk Government must do much more to restore public confidence.
"The Labor Member for Bundamba and former Labor Member for Cairns both raised the alarm about Ipswich City Council, but the Premier ignored and shunned them.
"The Premier closed her eyes and ears to allegations of systemic Labor corruption.
"Why did Annastacia Palaszczuk ignore the scandal brewing in her own backyard?
"This scandal is engulfing some of the highest-profile politicians in Labor and people the Premier calls friends.
"Twelve people at Ipswich City Council have been charged, including two high profile Labor mayors.
"We haven’t seen a crisis like this in Queensland since the Fitzgerald Inquiry.
"The reputation of Ipswich is being dragged through the mud – thanks to Labor.
"The Premier must tackle Labor corruption everywhere it exists."
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington has welcomed the Federal Coalition putting money on the table for the Sunshine Coast Rail Duplication and says it’s time for Annastacia Palaszczuk to match the offer.
"I have fought hard for the duplication of the Sunshine Coast rail line and I welcome today’s commitment from the Federal Government that they will provide half the funds to build this project," Ms Frecklington said.
"There is no longer any excuse for Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor not to stump up their share.
She needs to get on board and fund this rail line in next month’s state budget.
"The people of the Sunshine Coast shouldn’t have to wait for the next election in 2020 for their transport nightmares to end.
"The Federal LNP has led by example and is investing in rail for the coast, why won’t the Palaszczuk Labor Government do the same?
"If I were Premier, this rail line would be funded in this year’s budget."
Shadow Infrastructure Minister and Glass House MP Andrew Powell said the Sunshine Coast LNP team had worked hard to get federal funding for this project and the only remaining roadblock was the Palaszczuk Labor Government.
"This duplication will provide 150 extra weekly rail services between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, reduce train travel times and ease the daily traffic nightmares faced by drivers on the Bruce Highway," Mr Powell said.
"The 40km rail line between Beerburrum and Nambour is more than a century old which limits rail services and causes considerable delays for the Sunshine Coast’s 330,000 residents.
"Labor now has no more excuses – they need to just get on with it and build a second Sunshine Coast rail line."
The duplication of the Beerburrum to Nambour line would:
Tonight in Queensland Parliament Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor refused to be open with Queenslanders and release crucial reports and documents.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said a motion moved by the LNP called on the Labor Government to "end its culture of secrecy and be honest with the people of Queensland".
"The Labor Government has in its possession thousands of pages of documents Queenslanders deserve to see, but they are being kept under lock and key," Ms Frecklington said.
"Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s promise to the people of Queensland to govern with integrity and accountability has been broken time and time again.
"These reports deal with everything from private email accounts and youth detention to child safety and mental health.
"If there’s nothing to hide, why doesn’t Labor release these documents?"
Ms Frecklington said the motion sought to compel the Palaszczuk Labor Government to immediately publish the reports.
"My message to Annastacia Palaszczuk is clear: Queenslanders deserve to see these documents," she said.
"While these reports and documents remain hidden, Queenslander’s don’t know the true nature of how this Labor Government operates.
"It was a shame to see the Greens MP for Maiwar endorse Labor’s secrecy by voting against the motion.
"I will continue to hold Labor to account and fight for transparent government."
The motion moved by LNP Leader Deb Frecklington:
I give notice that I will move:
This house
- All Ministerial Records in the Mangocub6@yahoo.co.uk account
- The State Archivist’s report into Minister Bailey’s deletion of Ministerial Records
- The Ethical Standards Unit report into Fraud at Cavendish Road State High School under the Member for Mansfield
- The Youth Detention report;
- The report into systemic failings in the Queensland Mental Health system
- The list of proposed Youth Bail Houses addresses;
- The ‘unwashed’ Department of Child Safety performance data under former Minister Fentiman;
- The Cross River Rail, Nullinga Dam and Sunshine Coast Rail business cases;
- All Child Death Case Review Panel’s reports under the Palaszczuk Government;
- The $165,000 KPMG report into Public Service efficiency;
- Details of the deferred Royalty framework offered to Adani for the Carmichael coal mine;
- The cost and details of the inducement provided to the producers of Thor: Ragnarok and Dora the Explorer; and
- Every other report the Palaszczuk Labor Government has relied on Cabinet privilege to hide from Queenslanders
Calls on the Palaszczuk Labor Government to end its culture of secrecy and be honest with the people of Queensland.
The Palaszczuk Government has refused to crack down on a public housing scam on the Gold Coast that has allowed a public housing tenant to sub-let their house via Airbnb.*
Mudgeeraba LNP MP Ros Bates said it was clear Labor had lost control of the public housing system in Queensland.
"Public housing should be a privilege not a right," Ms Bates said.
"The system is there to ensure our most disadvantaged Queenslanders have a roof over their heads, not to make cash on the side.
"I’ve door knocked this neighbourhood before and I know the neighbours are rightfully appalled by this.
"In Government, the LNP came down like a tonne of bricks on these tenants for breaching their agreements, now it’s up to Labor to do the same."
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said law-abiding public housing tenants and all Queensland taxpayers deserve action on this scam from this lazy Labor government
"Clearly there is something very wrong in the system if a public housing tenant can offer space for up to four paying guests, including a gym and a spa," Ms Frecklington said.
"To take advantage of public housing for personal gain is shocking and we need to make sure this isn’t allowed to happen in Queensland."
The Labor Government is ignoring recommendations by the Queensland Productivity Commission and threatening the future of manufacturing, Liberal National Party Shadow Manufacturing Minister Andrew Powell warned.
Mr Powell said Labor had waited until the last possible moment to release the final report by the Queensland Productivity Commission from its inquiry into manufacturing.
"The Labor Government has ignored the Queensland Productivity Commission’s advice to enhance manufacturing in our state and protect jobs," Mr Powell said.
"The Productivity Commission has highlighted the importance of gas supply to our economy and to the manufacturing industry, but Labor is yet to deliver the Gas Supply and Demand Action plan promised by Labor in 2015, 2016, and again in 2017.
"The Productivity Commission has raised concerns about Labor’s government-owned electricity generators price-gouging the wholesale electricity market.
"Queensland has also suffered some of the largest increases in wholesale electricity prices.
"In direct defiance of the Commission, Labor won’t release how much taxpayer-funded assistance it is providing to interstate and foreign companies at the expense of our local businesses.
"Annastacia Palaszczuk has also refused to undertake any tax reform to support the manufacturing sector and instead is ripping over $500 million out of the Queensland economy with five new taxes.
"This report is the latest example of wasted taxpayers’ money. Labor commissions these reports but they don’t follow the recommendations. What’s the point?
"It’s no wonder Cameron Dick is embarrassed by Labor’s failure to back manufacturing jobs."
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington has welcomed the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s climb-down on fuel price monitoring after months of campaigning by the Opposition and motoring groups.
The adoption of real-time fuel price monitoring was the very first policy approved by the LNP’s new Shadow Cabinet.
"I have backed real-time fuel price monitoring since I became LNP Leader because I understand the financial pressures Queenslanders are facing," Ms Frecklington said.
"Fuel prices have rocketed in 2018 but the only action the Palaszczuk Labor Government has taken has been to rubbish real-time fuel price monitoring.
"The Palaszczuk Government has finally and grudgingly admitted it was totally wrong.
"If I were Premier, this decision would have been taken months ago.
"This decision has only been taken because of the pressure the LNP and motoring groups have applied to this Government.
"I promise drivers who have been failed by Labor that I will keep the pressure on the Palaszczuk Government to ensure they finally deliver lower fuel prices."
