Annastacia Palaszczuk has delivered a hammer-blow to drought-stricken farmers, with plans to cut the size of Rookwood Weir in Central Queensland.
LNP Shadow Minister for Natural Resources Dale Last said Labor clearly doesn’t support the project or the jobs it will create.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government doesn’t want to build any new dams,” Mr Last said.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk is anti-dams, anti-regions and anti-farmers.
“More than 65% of Queensland is drought declared including Livingstone, Rockhampton, Gladstone and key local government areas across Central Queensland.
“Despite this devastating drought, Labor is reducing Rookwood Weir by almost one third, with the amount of water for agriculture almost halved.
“Rookwood Weir was first promised by Labor in 2006 and there still isn’t a shovel in the ground.
“Labor has already delayed Rookwood Weir by almost two years and this latest setback will only cause more delays and increased costs.
“The decision-makers in Brisbane have absolutely no idea what this project means to supporting agriculture as a lifeline for jobs in Central Queensland.
“I will not stop fighting for every farming family who are being pushed to the brink.
“Only the LNP is committed to building dams and supporting our farmers by delivering water security for our regions.
“LNP Leader Deb Frecklington has already announced her plan to establish the Queensland Dam Company, based in Townsville.
“Its sole purpose will be to build dams, upgrade existing ones, create new jobs and unlock the potential of the regions.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk hasn’t planned for the future.
“Not only is Labor failing to build new dams they’re actively reducing the size of existing dams such as the Paradise Dam.
“There’s nothing more vital than water security in Queensland and Labor’s policies are literally bleeding our regions dry.”
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington today pledged $15 million over three years to put smart drum lines in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and called on the Palaszczuk Labor Government to match the commitment immediately to protect the community.
“Labor have sold out community safety by pulling shark drum lines out of Queensland waters without any plan B,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Public safety must come first. Our position couldn’t be more clear – people before sharks.
“I won’t just roll over and say it is all too hard like the Palaszczuk government has done.
“There is nothing in the decision* that compelled Annastacia Palaszczuk to pull drum lines out of the water.
“The permit requires the Government to use drum lines in a “non-lethal” way, which will protect the Great Barrier Reef while prioritising the safety of swimmers.
“The court didn’t tell Labor to take out the drumlines – Labor chose to do it.
“The drum lines are legal if they are regularly monitored and sharks are removed quickly. Smart drum lines can do just that.
“When it comes to life and death, nothing should be put in the too hard basket.
“People don’t want to see political blame-shifting, they want real action that respects the law but protects community safety.
“That’s why if elected, the LNP will pledge $15 million over three years for smart drum lines to protect Queenslanders and tourists swimming in these waters. I hope Labor do the right thing and match our pledge so Queenslanders don’t have to wait 14 months for this sensible action to happen.
“For four years, New South Wales** has safely trialed a catch and release program with the use of smart drum lines. This should be the minimum response by the Palaszczuk Government.
“To simply pull the drum lines out without a backup plan shows Labor is more interested in playing politics than protecting the community, protecting the environment and protecting Queensland’s $25 billion tourism industry.
“Queensland’s tourism industry needs to be safeguarded and smart drumlines are a way to protect humans and protect local tourism jobs.”
*Administrative Appeals Tribunal decision: https://www.judgments.fedcourt.gov.au/judgments/Judgments/fca/full/2019/2019fcafc0163
The Palaszczuk Labor Government has completely lost control of the health system following more disturbing reports of the fallout from yet another Labor IT Health fail, involving a $135 million medical supplies ordering system that broke down on the first day.
LNP Shadow Minister for Health Ros Bates said Annastacia Palaszczuk needed to show some leadership and sack the embattled Health Minister Steven Miles.
“Queenslanders deserve a world class health system that focuses on better patient care, but they’re not getting it from Labor,” Ms Bates said.
“Nurses having to put band aids on the corporate bankcard is a complete joke.
“This latest IT stuff-up is further evidence Labor and IT don’t mix.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government has wasted millions of dollars on failed IT systems and Queenslanders are sick and tired of the dog ate my homework excuses.
“That money should have been spent on reducing hospital waiting lists and improving patient care.
“Under Labor, waiting lists have blown out, emergency departments are at breaking point, ambulance ramping has skyrocketed and regional maternity services closed down.
“As a nurse, I know how stressful these types of failures can have on patient care and staff morale.
“Health Minister Steven Miles doesn’t deserve another chance, but Annastacia Palaszczuk won’t act because she is the weakest Premier in Queensland’s history.”
The LNP has tried to use the power of Parliament to pressure Annastacia Palaszczuk to do what she should have done two months ago – sack Jackie Trad.
LNP Deputy Leader Tim Mander moved a motion for the Queensland Parliament to express no confidence in the Labor Treasurer following a series of integrity failures over her Woolloongabba investment house purchase.
“Jackie Trad clearly broke the Cabinet Handbook and the Ministerial Handbook and is not fit to be the Treasurer of this state,” Mr Mander said.
“These rules exist to prevent corruption – but they’re optional according to Annastacia Palaszczuk.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk should have sacked Jackie Trad long ago, but she is the weakest Premier in living memory.
“It’s now unrealistic to expect even the bare minimum from Annastacia Palaszczuk.
“Jackie Trad holds the purse strings to Queensland’s treasury and her decisions are unbecoming for someone in such high public office.
“Queensland cannot trust Jackie Trad, who has shown she doesn’t know right from wrong.
“The LNP’s motion called on Annastacia Palaszczuk to immediately sack Jackie Trad from Cabinet.
“Every Labor Member of Parliament and the Greens MP voted to keep dodgy Jackie in the job, which shows integrity means nothing to Annastacia Palaszczuk’s government.”
LNP Deputy Leader Tim Mander’s Private Member’s Motion:
This House:
The LNP has moved to block new regulations that will destroy the livelihoods of commercial fishers and increase the cost of seafood for Queensland consumers.
Shadow Fisheries Minister Tony Perrett is calling on the Palaszczuk Labor Government to work with recreational and commercial fishers to get the balance right.
“Labor’s consultation was a sham and I’m calling on Annastacia Palaszczuk to intervene,” Mr Perrett said today.
“No one disputes that we need a sustainable fishing industry but these new regulations will cost jobs and increase the cost of seafood for consumers.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government needs to work with industry, not sell them out chasing Greens preferences.
“Recreational fishers have also been hit and will face a reduction in the total take of mud crabs, new limits for blue swimmer crabs and a decrease in the possession limit for pippis.
“Labor’s Fisheries Minister needs to release the science he is using to justify these draconian changes.”
The LNP’s disallowance motion calling on Labor to strike down the changes must be debated by State Parliament by the end of October.
The LNP has also moved to disallow the fast-tracking of the Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) rollout to 1 January 2020.
“Only a few weeks ago the State Coroner slammed the Agriculture Minister’s department over the VMS rollout,” Mr Perrett said.
“The coroner said that the policy of not sharing data with police was unacceptable following the deaths of eight fishermen on the trawlers Dianne and Cassandra.”
More transparency is needed to ensure elderly Queenslanders are looked after in world-class aged care facilities, LNP Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates said today.
Ms Bates said the appalling events at the Earle Haven retirement home should be fully investigated – along with the allegations of serious abuse in homes run by the Palaszczuk Labor Government.
“The events at Earle Haven were a tragedy that should never happen again,” Ms Bates said.
“The LNP supports the Federal Aged Care Royal Commission and we support the Carnell Inquiry into Earle Haven.
“There have been disturbing failures in the system that will only be fixed by more transparency and less political grand-standing.
“We need to take the politics out of this issue and focus on better care and improving the system.
“I would hope that all levels of government can work together in the interest elderly Queenslanders, without the blame game that we have seen from the Palaszczuk Labor Government.”
Ms Bates said Health Minister Steven Miles had jumped on the Earle Haven disaster to score cheap political points, despite a raft of complaints about abuse and neglect at state-run facilities.
Only last month, the ABC reported that police had been called to a state-run care home to investigate a complaint of excessive force being used against an elderly resident with a cognitive impairment.
Another resident made a complaint about allegations of sexual assault.
“The details of these issues were obtained by the media under RTI, showing 16 serious complaints raised with Queensland Health in 2018,” Ms Bates said.
“Yet despite that, Steven Miles has refused to say where these complaints were made.
“No one knows if it was one complaint at 16 state-run care homes or 16 complaints at one home.
“I wrote to the Health Committee almost a month ago asking that state-run aged care facilities be included in the Earle Haven inquiry and the silence in response has been deafening.
“We agree with the Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union that there needs to be greater transparency, but that should also include state-run aged care facilities, otherwise it’s just another Labor cover-up.
“I’ve also written to Health Minister Steven Miles asking for permission to visit 14 of the 16 state-run aged care facilities that I haven’t managed to visit yet and there has been no response to that either.
“We want a world-class aged care system, but my concern is this Health Minister is more interested in political games than patient care.”
Annastacia Palaszczuk showed appalling judgement by flying to Europe in the middle of a bushfire emergency, LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said today.
“Her decision to fly to Switzerland and Paris shows her priorities were all wrong,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk should never have left Queensland in the middle of the bushfire crisis.
“The Premier’s first priority should always be keeping Queenslanders safe – she could easily have sent another Minister.
“Homes have been lost, lives threatened and our firies and police have been working round-the-clock in dangerous conditions.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk is chair of Queensland’s disaster management committee and she should have been here throughout this emergency.
“Queensland needs a Premier who will act and lead in a crisis – not head overseas.
“She should never have trusted Jackie Trad to manage the crisis.
“Flying back proves Annastacia Palaszczuk made the wrong decision in leaving Queensland.”
LNP Shadow Racing Minister John-Paul Langbroek has slammed the Palaszczuk Labor Government for cutting the once thriving Queensland racing industry off at the knees, leading to nearly 200 jobs lost and services transferred to New South Wales.
Mr Langbroek said Labor was warned that its greedy tax on the industry, coupled with lack of action on betting agency inducements and allowing excessive gambling advertising would push jobs out of Queensland.
“TABCORP‘s move to New South Wales speaks volumes about how Labor is driving racing out of Queensland,” Mr Langbroek said.
“Whilst racing in NSW and Victoria is booming, with the Everest meeting and Spring Carnival respectively, Labor’s extra taxes are causing a brake on wagering.
“Under Annastacia Palaszczuk and Jackie Trad, Labor has saddled the Queensland racing industry with a Point of Consumption tax that is the highest in Australia.
“This $400 million tax has added to a challenging business environment which can’t improve because Labor is suffocating the Queensland economy - now it’s costing hundreds of wagering staff their jobs.
“Under Labor, we have seen integrity issues unresolved, and racing participants, particularly in my home city of the Gold Coast, are jumping over the border to New South Wales where prizemoney is more lucrative.”
LNP Member for Clayfield Tim Nicholls, which encompasses Eagle Farm and Doomben racecourses, as well as the Albion site being vacated, also expressed concern for those affected by the uncertainty and loss of local jobs.
“There is no doubt that Labor’s mismanagement has had a significant impact on those within our community who work in the racing industry,” Mr Nicholls said.
“First, we had the Eagle Farm debacle which meant that Queensland’s premier race track was out of business for years for race meetings, and now we hear that people within the wagering business will be losing their jobs.
“Only the LNP is a sure bet to ensure our racing industry thrives again.”
“Annastacia Palaszczuk needed to sack Jackie Trad today and she failed.
“Jackie Trad has clearly broken both the Cabinet Handbook and the Ministerial Handbook and weak Annastacia Palaszczuk did absolutely nothing about it.
“Jackie Trad had already lost the Cross River Rail portfolio and is now set to be promoted to acting Premier when Annastacia Palaszczuk jets off overseas.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk is the weakest Premier in Queensland history.
“It was up to Annastacia Palaszczuk to enforce the Cabinet Handbook and the Ministerial Handbook and she failed to do either.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk should have also sacked her Chief of Staff two months ago.
“The internal Ernst & Young audit must be publicly released today.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk needs to come clean on what she knew, when she knew it and ensure all $267500 of taxpayer money is paid back.”
A Parliamentary motion passed today was an important signal to supermarkets and milk processors that dairy farmers should be paid more for their milk.
The LNP was proud to support and vote for the motion that called on supermarket giants to pay their farmers more for their milk.
LNP Shadow Minister for Agriculture Tony Perrett called out the major supermarkets of Coles, Woolworths and Aldi for deceiving customers and damaging the local dairy industry.
“It is simply unacceptable that supermarkets have failed to pass on to processors and farmers the extra 10c a litre they started collecting at the checkout,” Mr Perrett said.
“Clearly, supermarket giants are milking our dairy farmers by refusing to pass on the extra revenue.”
The motion called on the supermarkets to pass on the additional 10c a litre price increase imposed earlier this year, which is estimated to be delivering an extra $100 million profit straight to the supermarkets, while giving little to farmers.
“It’s time for these supermarket bosses to stop hiding behind their spin doctors and start paying our farmers properly for their milk,” Mr Perrett said.
“If we want to save our Queensland dairy industry, supermarkets must pass on the extra money.
“Customers have made their voice heard – they want Queensland milk and they want the supermarkets to start paying farmers what they deserve.”
The Palaszczuk Labor Government’s economic agenda is failing, as new data released today shows Queensland’s growth rate flat lined in the June quarter.
LNP Deputy Leader and Shadow Treasurer Tim Mander said it’s more evidence Labor isn’t working.
“Queensland’s economy did not grow at all over the June quarter,” Mr Mander said.
“Under the Palaszczuk Labor Government Queensland’s economy has stagnated, below the Australian average growth.
“This once again proves that you can’t tax your way to growth.
“Labors ten new or higher taxes have been slugged on Queenslanders since the last election and its hit the economy like a sledge hammer.
“What’s also concerning is both private and public capital investment decreased substantially over the past quarter - costing jobs.
“Queensland had the largest fall in private capital formation in the whole nation, of 5.5%.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk is the weakest Premier in Queensland’s history and these alarming figures show she doesn’t have a plan for economic growth or creating new jobs.
“Queensland has the highest unemployment rate in mainland Australia.
“We are the only state in the nation where weekly earnings have gone backwards and Queensland has also become the bankruptcy capital of the country.
“The economy has ground to halt and Annastacia Palaszczuk and her dodgy Treasurer Jackie Trad have absolutely no idea how to fix it.
“Only the LNP has an economic and job-creating plan to grow the economy and create jobs.”
The LNP has called on Labor’s Fisheries Minister to formally apologise for Fisheries Queensland’s conduct during the investigation into the loss of the trawlers Diane and Cassandra.
The coroner investigating the loss eight fisherman’s lives has accused the Palaszczuk Labor Government of ‘bureaucratic obstruction’ during the investigation*.
LNP Shadow Fisheries Minister Tony Perrett said Minister Mark Furner must now apologise to everyone affected by the tragedy.
“It became clear that during the investigation that Fisheries Queensland was being deliberately obstructionist in relation to its operation of vessel monitoring systems (VMS) on commercial fishing boats,” Mr Perrett said.
“Fisheries Queensland was caught red-handed in claiming that VMS would be used for safety on commercial fishing boats, but it never activated the feature.
“It is a disgrace that Fisheries Queensland ‘sold’ VMS to the industry under the pretence that the devices would be used to monitor their vessels and alert authorities in case of emergencies.
“The distrust and animosity between Queensland’s commercial fishing industry and the Palaszczuk Labor Government is no secret.
“Minister Furner needs to publicly apologise to the families and to Queensland’s commercial fishing industry for this deception and his department’s actions during the coroner’s investigation.
“Commercial fishers are now questioning whether this culture of cover-up and obstruction is the reason for the recent botched rollout of the latest VMS trackers.
“Queensland’s Fisherman’s Portal has even declared ‘no-confidence in DAF whatsoever in its ability to function as a responsible resource management agency’**.
“Given too the context of recent unscientific regulatory changes that will force hundreds of commercial fishers out of businesses, it is hard to think of a worse time in the relationship between the Queensland Government and the fishing community***.
“The Labor Palaszczuk Government’s anti-fishers, anti-regions and anti-jobs agenda is hurting Queensland and needs to be thrown in the bin where it belongs.
“The LNP wants to make it easier for consumers to identify and purchase Queensland seafood through clearer labelling laws, while Labor is in the process of destroying our once proud commercial fishing fleet.”
The Palaszczuk Labor Government’s Personalised Transport Ombudsman Bill 2019 is just another thought-bubble that will achieve absolutely nothing.
LNP Shadow Minister for Transport Steve Minnikin said the proposed Bill has received a groundswell of criticism and a complete lack of support from within the industry.
“The Ride Share Drivers Association, the Limousine Action Group and even the Transport Workers Union are all against it,” Mr Minnikin said.
“You know things are going bad for Annastacia Palaszczuk and her embattled Transport Minister Mark Bailey when even the union is laughing at this pathetic idea.
“The Taxi Council of Australia also wrote to the Palaszczuk Labor Government and described the idea of a Public Transport Ombudsman as a ‘toothless tiger.’
“This is just typical behaviour by Labor.
“The consultation has been poor and they’re not listening to the industry.
“It’s a waste of time, it’s a waste of money and it’s a waste of public resources.
“Only the LNP will put this ‘toothless tiger’ back in its cage.
“A Deb Frecklington LNP Government will establish a statutory Personalised Transport Commissioner with real powers to investigate issues.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk is the weakest Premier in Queensland’s history and this is yet another example of that.
“This is poorly thought-out proposal which will only add to the frustrations of commuters who are already forced to endure a substandard transport network.
“You just can’t trust Labor to get it right.”
LNP Shadow Minister for Natural Resources Dale Last has hit out at the Palaszczuk Labor Government for scrapping funds for the Burdekin Falls Dam hydro project promised at the last state election.
Mr Last said Labor had pledged $100 million for the hydro project back in 2017*, but the promised funds have been redirected to CleanCo instead**.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk has broken her promise to invest in the dam and create jobs,” Mr Last said.
“The Labor Government’s own Building Queensland report confirms the $100 million earmarked and the Burdekin hydro project is going elsewhere.
“The fake announcement from Annastacia Palaszczuk about a business case for raising the dam wall is more about the next election than upgrading dams and creating jobs in North Queensland.
“Talk about a slow-moving government - the LNP announced we would raise the Burdekin Falls Dam in June last year.
“Today Labor said they would finally fund a business case for the dam wall, but it wouldn’t be until 2024. They are treating North Queenslanders with contempt and this community will see through her spin.
“I know Labor moves slow but that is seriously glacial.
“The lack of investment in water infrastructure is yet another example of Labor ignoring the regions.
“You can’t believe a word Labor says when it comes to upgrading this dam.
“While Labor is destroying jobs in North Queensland, the LNP has a plan to create them.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government is anti-dams, anti-regions and anti-jobs.”
A future Deb Frecklington LNP Government will create a new government-owned corporation, the Queensland Dam Company, based in Townsville to construct new dams.
The LNP has already committed to progressing the Nullinga Dam project on the Atherton Tablelands, the Urannah Dam project north-west of Mackay and raising the Burdekin Falls Dam south of Townsville.
*2017 Labor election promise:
$100 million reinvestment of Stanwell dividends to help fund the proposed hydro-electric power station at Burdekin Falls Dam. Subject to feasibility investigations and other dam construction works, project construction will be targeted to commence from 2020, and support up to 200 jobs;
http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2017/6/28/kidston-hydro-and-solar-project-granted-critical-infrastructure
**Building Queensland Report:
Published last month, the report confirms the $100 million reallocation and broken election promise:
https://buildingqueensland.qld.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Infrastructure-Pipeline-Report-2019.pdf
Queensland’s all important and essential Rural fireies have been celebrated today on Yellow Ribbon Day.
LNP Shadow Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Lachlan Millar took the opportunity today on behalf of rural and regional Queensland to say thank you.
Mr Millar said Queensland’s 1,400 Rural Fire Brigades cover more than 93% of the State, and combined, make up the largest response and recovery organisation in Queensland.
“Whether it's fire, flood, cyclone or any other type of natural or man-made disaster, the sheer size of Rural Fire enables communities to defend themselves and then to undertake the first step in the recovery cycle,” Mr Millar said.
“Without volunteers like those within our rural fire brigades, we would not have many of the essential services we take for granted.
“We saw these volunteers in action last year in the vast floods, fires and cyclones that ravaged our state.
“The LNP understands the value of volunteering in Queensland, which is why they have given me in my shadow ministerial responsibilities to work and foster the volunteers that make up rural fire brigades.
“However, celebrating yellow ribbon day is bittersweet when you consider that Labor has been was sprung, after cutting funding to rural fire services.
“Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford claimed there was nearly $13 million (or 25%) more in the 2019-20 budget for Rural Fire- problem is, that’s not true.
“Instead it was still $39 million in 2019-20 – the same as in 2015. With no increase to even cover CPI, this is effectively a cut.
“The LNP respects and supports each and every Queensland rural fire volunteer.
“They are selfless and modest and don’t do it for gratitude, but they deserve our thanks, nevertheless.
“Rural fireies are a big part in making Queensland the great state we know and love, and for that, we thank you.”
Hundreds of family-owned commercial fishers will be forced out of the industry, due to the Labor Palaszczuk Government’s unfair fishing regulations that come into effect this month.
Recreational fishers have also been left reeling, as they question the rationale and logic behind bans on fishing certain species and the limitations to take numbers.
LNP Shadow Minister for Fisheries Tony Perrett echoed the calls of peak industry groups in having ‘no confidence’ in the Queensland Labor Government and Minister Mark Furner’s role in the fisheries reform process.
“Labor’s anti-jobs, anti-regions and anti-fishing regulation changes are a disgrace and have been slammed by both commercial and recreational fishers throughout the state,” Mr Perrett said.
“The Queensland Seafood Industry Association (QSIA) put it simply and accurately when it stated that multi-generational fishing families are being torn apart by the political agenda of this Labor Government.
“We all support a sustainable and healthy industry, but the reforms being peddled and rammed through by Labor are not based on science but petty politics.
“We have seen mud crab quota numbers restricted throughout the state despite the Queensland Fisheries website listing them as ‘sustainable’.
“Generational fishing businesses and jobs are being whipped away due to Labor arbitrarily squeezing them out, by reducing their quota to unsustainable levels.
“All these changes are being imposed on fishers without a cent of compensation.
“If Labor want to see commercial fishing jobs lost to regulation changes then the least it could do is to provide these hard-working Queenslanders a dignified exit with a suitable buyout or compensation.
“The fact that the Palaszczuk Labor Government hasn’t completed any modelling on the impact the reduction in available Queensland fisheries will have on local and domestic seafood supply shows the lack of respect it has for the industry and the Queenslanders it supports.
“It doesn’t take a genius to realise if there is less available local seafood to meet demand then imports from overseas will increase.
“The LNP want to make it easier for consumers to identify and purchase Queensland seafood through clearer labelling laws, while Labor is in the process of destroying our once proud commercial fishing fleet”.
Queensland’s sugar industry has again been left reeling after India again approved the dumping of millions of tonnes of subsidised sugar onto the world market.
It will mean the price paid for Australian sugar will continue to crash.
India will dump a further 6 million tonnes over the next year, in addition to the 5 million it dumped last year*.
LNP Shadow Agriculture Minister Tony Perrett has called on Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to ramp up pressure on the Indian Government to reverse the decision.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk and Trade and Investment Queensland have been missing in action,” Mr Perrett said.
“This is a crisis.
“Our Premier is more than happy to jet off overseas, but when it comes to standing up to India for our hard-working cane growers, she has nothing to say.
“Is the Premier happy to see our cane growers suffer? If that’s not true, then it’s time to see some action from the Palaszczuk Labor Government.
“Inaction is not an option when communities and their 22,600 direct and indirect jobs across the state are on the line.
“The price being paid to our farmers for their cane is already below the cost of production.
“Add this to the anti-farmer, anti-jobs and anti-regions Reef Laws currently before parliament and it paints a dark picture for Queensland’s $4 billion cane and industry.
“Coastal communities being put under threat by Labor’s proposed unfair Reef Laws will drive down production and cost local jobs.
“These pressures are already having damaging impacts on cane communities right along the coast.
“It’s time to back our sugar industry. It’s time to send India a message that it is not OK to do this to our fellow Queenslanders.”
* CANEGROWERS & Australian Sugar Millers Council joint statement: http://www.canegrowers.com.au/page/media/media-releases/2019/industry-stunned-as-india-approvas-mega-package-to-support-sugar-exports
Queensland’s sugar industry has again been left reeling after India again approved the dumping of millions of tonnes of subsidised sugar onto the world market.
It will mean the price paid for Australian sugar will continue to crash.
India will dump a further 6 million tonnes over the next year, in addition to the 5 million it dumped last year*.
LNP Shadow Agriculture Minister Tony Perrett has called on Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to ramp up pressure on the Indian Government to reverse the decision.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk and Trade and Investment Queensland have been missing in action,” Mr Perrett said.
“This is a crisis.
“Our Premier is more than happy to jet off overseas, but when it comes to standing up to India for our hard-working cane growers, she has nothing to say.
“Is the Premier happy to see our cane growers suffer? If that’s not true, then it’s time to see some action from the Palaszczuk Labor Government.
“Inaction is not an option when communities and their 22,600 direct and indirect jobs across the state are on the line.
“The price being paid to our farmers for their cane is already below the cost of production.
“Add this to the anti-farmer, anti-jobs and anti-regions Reef Laws currently before parliament and it paints a dark picture for Queensland’s $4 billion cane and industry.
“Coastal communities being put under threat by Labor’s proposed unfair Reef Laws will drive down production and cost local jobs.
“These pressures are already having damaging impacts on cane communities right along the coast.
“It’s time to back our sugar industry. It’s time to send India a message that it is not OK to do this to our fellow Queenslanders.”
* CANEGROWERS & Australian Sugar Millers Council joint statement: http://www.canegrowers.com.au/page/media/media-releases/2019/industry-stunned-as-india-approvas-mega-package-to-support-sugar-exports
An economic disaster is unfolding on the Darling Downs today because of the anti-resources, anti-regions and anti-jobs Palaszczuk Labor Government.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said she was appalled at Labor’s failure to approve the extension of the New Acland coal mine by today’s deadline.
The mine’s owners have this morning begun redundancy talks with 150 workers because the mine’s existing coal reserves are almost exhausted.
“I feel desperately sorry for the 150 people whose lives are up in the air today because Annastacia Palaszczuk is anti-resources, anti-regions and anti-jobs,” Ms Frecklington said.
“The town of Oakey is staring at economic ruin just because Annastacia Palaszczuk can’t make a decision.”
New Acland Coal Mine’s application to expand the mine (Stage 3) was approved by the Co-ordinator General in 2014.
The Environmental Authority (EA) was approved in March this year, but the Palaszczuk Labor Government has so far refused to grant the final Mining Lease Applications (MLAs) and Associated Water Licence (AWL).
“Labor now claims to support coal mining, but the people of Oakey know that is a complete lie,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Labor is trying to destroy New Acland Stage 3 just like it tried to destroy the Carmichael mine.”
The LNP has today announced tougher penalties for dog baiting following the cruel deaths and injuries to several dogs at local Brisbane parks in recent weeks.
Currently, penalties for baiting an animal has a maximum penalty of one year’s imprisonment or $40,035.
This does not align with the offence of animal cruelty which has a maximum penalty of three years imprisonment or $266,900.
If elected, the LNP will close this legal loophole and align the penalties with cruelty offences under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001.
This would be in-line the LNP’s previous new offences for animals trapped in hot cars.
“Like many Queenslanders I am horrified by the alleged dog baiting incidents around Brisbane,” Ms Frecklington said.
“The penalties for dog baiting should be the same as penalties for animal cruelty.
“It is beyond the pale that some lowlife thinks it is ok to do this to our pets.
“It is also deeply troubling that even if we catch the grubs poisoning our dogs that they may only get a slap on the wrist.
“I won’t allow that to happen on my watch and it is why if elected the LNP will triple the penalty for dog baiting.
“The LNP will send a clear message, you mess with man’s best friend then we will throw the book at you.”
Shadow Minister for Agriculture Tony Perrett says baiting our pets is a heartless act.
“This is about the treatment of animals that have been illegally killed, Mr Perrett said.
“No pet should have to endure a deliberate, long and painful death because of criminal activity.”
Present Law:
Section 36 of the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 provides that a person must not, with the intention of injuring or killing any animal, lay a bait or substance that is harmful or poisonous to any animal. The same section also provides that a person must not with the intention of injuring or killing an animal, administer to, or feed the animal a substance the person knows is harmful or poisonous to the animal.
The maximum penalty for this offence is 300 penalty units ($40,035) or 1 year’s imprisonment.
This does not align with the offence of animal cruelty which has a maximum penalty of 2000 penalty units or 3 years imprisonment.
Elements of the existing cruelty offence (s.18) include –
• Causing pain in the circumstances that is unjustifiable, unnecessary or unreasonable
• Beating it so as to cause pain
• Abusing, terrifying or tormenting
• Transporting it without appropriate food, rest, shelter or water
