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."
