A new survey reveals Queensland has the highest proportion of small and medium sized businesses concerned their State Government is working against them.
The latest Sensis Business Index survey showed 28 per cent of small and medium businesses believed the Palaszczuk Labor Government was running counter to them – the worst state in the nation.
LNP Deputy Leader and Shadow Treasurer Tim Mander said the vote of no confidence in Labor from the business sector was on top of Queensland having the highest unemployment rate and the most bankruptcies in the nation.
“Queensland needs a State Government that will work with them, not against them, and that’s what the LNP will deliver,” Mr Mander said.
“The opinion of small business owners matter because they are the people who create jobs in this state.
“They want a government that’s pro-business and pro-jobs.
“Labor’s not working for small and medium businesses.
“Businesses have had the life squeezed out them by the Palaszczuk Labor Government for the last five years.
“Labor’s high-taxing, anti-jobs agenda is putting Queensland small businesses at risk and destroying jobs.”
Mr Mander said Labor’s red tape and new taxes was making it harder and harder for small businesses to keep their doors open.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk has driven Queensland’s economy into the ground with nine new or increased taxes ripping $3.5 billion from the economy,” Mr Mander said.
“All Annastacia Palaszczuk has delivered Queensland are higher taxes, more debt, less jobs and less infrastructure.
“The LNP will manage the economy for everyday Queenslanders so businesses can grow and create more jobs.
“The LNP will create jobs by building new roads and dams, cutting electricity bills and giving Queenslanders a no-new-taxes guarantee.”
Townsville will be the epicentre of a local jobs bonanza brought on by the LNP’s commitment to the New Bradfield Scheme.
During a visit to Townsville today, LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said the economic benefits for the region will be enormous.
“The New Bradfield Scheme is an incredible opportunity for Queensland,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Thousands of jobs will be created by construction of the enlarged Hells Gates Dam, its hydro-electric plant and tunnels through the range.
“The larger Hells Gate Dam would provide water for North Queensland producers.
“Townsville plays a crucial role in the LNP’s plans to drought-proof this state.
“A new government-owned corporation The Queensland Dam Company will be created in Townsville to support the project’s implementation and it will bring new public service roles to the city.
“The New Bradfield Scheme will help water flow through Queensland’s outback and the jobs will come with it.
“This will be North Queensland’s version of the Snowy Mountains Scheme.
“Queenslanders are crying out for leadership but they’re not getting it from Annastacia Palaszczuk.
“Labor is anti-regions, anti-dams, and anti-jobs.
“Only the LNP has a plan to get Queensland working.
“A vote for the LNP is a vote for jobs, infrastructure and water security.
“I want to get things done, we can’t waste another four years.”
For more information on the LNP’s New Bradfield Scheme visit https://www.deb2020.com.au/newbradfield/
A new report has found investors are ditching Queensland in droves.
Infrastructure Partnerships Australia (attached) found the preference to invest in Queensland infrastructure is half that of New South Wales and Victoria.
LNP Shadow Infrastructure Minister Andrew Powell said the report highlighted Queensland’s low infrastructure investment attractiveness, compared to the two other east coast states.
“Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has cut $9 billion from Queensland’s infrastructure budget in a move that has all but destroyed the project pipeline,” Mr Powell said.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government is spending less of the state’s revenue on infrastructure than any other state in the nation.
“With Queensland having the highest unemployment rate in the country, Annastacia Palaszczuk chooses to have fake fights with Canberra instead of getting on with the job.
“Currently, there are $3.3 billion worth of projects that are not being built or on the backburner because Annastacia Palaszczuk refuses to work with the Federal Government.
“Only a Deb Frecklington LNP Government will put politics aside and work with the Federal Government to deliver a better Bruce Highway, build the Second M1, duplicate the Sunshine Coast rail line and build Mackay Ring Road Stage 2.
“Busting congestion and creating jobs is a key part of the LNP’s economic plan to get Queensland working.”
Preference to invest in infrastructure
Queensland has retained the title of the jobless capital of Australia, according to ABS figures released today.
The state’s unemployment rate remained the same at 6.5 per cent (seasonally adjusted) in October – with more than 14,000 jobs lost in the last month. (see ABS October table below).
LNP Deputy Leader and Shadow Treasurer Tim Mander said the jobs crisis in Queensland was a direct result of five years of economic failure by the Palaszczuk Labor Government.
“Queensland is bogged down by the Palaszczuk Labor Government and people are paying the price with their jobs,” Mr Mander said.
“Labor has smashed Queenslanders with nine new and increased taxes in the last two years – taxes which are toxic for jobs and growth.
“There are 177,400 Queenslanders out of work while the only jobs Labor MPs care about are their own.
“Today’s result could have been even worse, with the participation rate falling in a sign that people are giving up looking for work under Labor.
“The gap between Queensland and the rest of the pack is also widening with South Australia pulling away at 6.2 per cent unemployment.
“The worst unemployment rate in the nation, higher taxes, more debt and less infrastructure will be Annastacia Palaszczuk’s legacy.
“Only a Deb Frecklington LNP Government will get Queensland working again and create the jobs the state is crying out for.
“The LNP will create jobs and improve job security by building better roads and new dams, delivering cheaper electricity prices and guaranteeing no new taxes.”
Palaszczuk Labor Government savaged in latest CCIQ member survey
A new survey has claimed Queensland’s business conditions are now worse than they were in the Global Financial Crisis – and business leaders say Annastacia Palaszczuk is to blame.
The CCIQ business conditions index slumped by 6.4 points in the September quarter to 39.9 points, the lowest score ever recorded since the index began in 2007.
Confidence in the state’s economic outlook also tumbled by 7.2 points to just 36.4 points – the lowest score since Queensland’s economy was rocked by the GFC in March 2009.
Responses to the survey were scathing over the impact of Labor’s infrastructure cuts, new taxes and red-tape, as well as its campaigns against the Adani and New Hope resource companies.
LNP Deputy Leader and Shadow Treasurer Tim Mander said the survey was further proof that the Palaszczuk Labor Government is destroying jobs across the state.
“Queensland’s business people have delivered a devastating verdict on the Palaszczuk Labor Government,” Mr Mander said.
“They have had enough of Labor’s nine new taxes, red-tape and cuts to infrastructure.
“Queensland already has the highest unemployment rate in the nation and business fears the economy will only get worse under Annastacia Palaszczuk.”
The report also found:
The report states that the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s dire performance was ‘a key thematic that emerged in the September quarter survey’.
“The views of business people matter because they are the ones who create jobs,” Mr Mander said.
“Businesses know Labor is only working for itself instead of working for Queensland.
“Unlike Labor, the LNP has a plan to create jobs and we’re taking that plan to the next election.
“The LNP will create jobs by building new roads and dams, cutting electricity bills and giving Queenslanders a no-new-taxes guarantee.”
The LNP has called on Labor to begin the review of the state’s fly-in fly-out (FIFO) regulations that it promised in Parliament more than two years ago.
Labor’s Minister for Mining told Parliament a review would be conducted during the debate on the Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities Bill in August 2017*.
Liberal National Party Leader Deb Frecklington said the delayed review was yet another example of the Palaszczuk Labor Government failing mining communities and the regions.
“I recently visited Queensland’s North-West and in communities like Mount Isa the impact of FIFO workforces on communities and jobs is the number one issue,” Ms Frecklington said.
“This issue is being buried by Labor because they put the interests of big mining companies before mining communities.
“A promise from Labor is worthless.
“Labor is the only the party that has ever approved a 100 per cent FIFO project, when Anna Bligh signed off BMA’s Caval Ridge and Daunia mines in 2011.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk was part of Anna Bligh’s Cabinet then and she is still failing Queensland’s mining communities today.”
LNP Shadow Minister for Mining Dale Last said it was time for Labor to deliver the FIFO review and implement the common-sense LNP amendments that Annastacia Palaszczuk rejected in 2017**.
“The LNP wants to end 100 per cent FIFO workforces in the construction stage of large resource projects and instead provide jobs for local communities,” Mr Last said.
“The LNP is listening to communities and will guarantee they have a voice in social impact statements for large projects.
“Only the LNP understands the importance of building genuine partnerships between regional communities and the resources industry – partnerships that ensure the growth and jobs that flow from mining benefit local people.”
* Hansard, page 2524: www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2017/2017_08_24_WEEKLY.pdf
** Hansard, page 2499: www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2017/2017_08_24_WEEKLY.pdf
Hi-tech eyes in the sky will help protect swimmers in the Whitsundays from shark attacks as part of an aerial surveillance program under a future LNP Government.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington announced the program on a visit to Airlie Beach today and said her government would partner with James Cook University to deliver the safety initiative.
“The LNP will deliver a modern shark control program to protect swimmers and the thousands of jobs that depend on a strong local tourism industry,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Tourism experts are united on the need for a shark control program and the LNP will deliver solutions to protect both swimmers and tourism jobs.
“The Whitsundays will be a priority-area for the aerial surveillance program, which is on top of the LNP’s commitment to trial SMART drumlines.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk’s plan of doing nothing is not an option and calls for legislative change could endanger the Great Barrier Reef’s World Heritage status.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk should back the LNP’s plan and stop the fake fights with Canberra, which are endangering lives and jobs.”
The LNP has committed $1 million over three years from the existing Shark Control Program.
This is on top of the LNP’s $15 million commitment for SMART drumlines.
Background:
What is a SMART drumline?: ‘SMART’ is an acronym for Shark-Management-Alert-in-Real-Time. A SMART drumline is non-lethal, and designed to send an alert when a shark has been captured on the line. Anchored to the sea floor, SMART drumlines comprise of two buoys and a satellite-linked GPS communications unit attached to a baited hook.
Vision of drones monitoring sharks:
A Parliamentary Committee stacked with Labor MP’s has voted against supporting the LNP’s tough trespass laws despite overwhelming support from the community and industry for the Bill.
LNP Shadow Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last moved the Criminal Code (Trespass Offences) Amendment Bill in response to a surge in law-breaking actions by protesters threatening Queensland jobs.
“The LNP’s laws would have come down like a tonne of bricks on these selfish protestors who have shut down rail lines, targeted businesses just trying to make a living, and raided farming operations,” Mr Last said.
“Protestors who trespass and disrupt lawful work in the resources industry makes Queensland a less attractive place to invest, costing jobs for Queenslanders.
“Labor’s slap-on-the-wrist approach just wasn’t working and the LNP’s tough stance needed to be supported by the Committee.
“The Labor MPs completely disregarded the feedback from industry and community representatives about the need for tougher measures to deter the protestors from breaking the law and trespassing on our farms, businesses, ports and railways.
“The LNP is the only party determined to protect jobs in the resources and farming industries by delivering tough consequences.
“The last thing our farmers need to deal with is animal extremists breaking the law when they are suffering through severe drought.
“Trespassing protestors faced jail time and heavy fines under the LNP’s laws because we’re serious about protecting Queensland jobs.”
The LNP’s Statement of Reservation to the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee can be viewed on Page 38 of the Report: https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Documents/TableOffice/TabledPapers/2019/5619T1976.pdf
Background:
The LNP has announced a plan to build Queensland’s biggest-ever drought-busting infrastructure project – creating tens of thousands of jobs and irrigating an area of land larger than Tasmania.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said the New Bradfield Scheme would use water from the largest dam ever built in Queensland to create a new foodbowl on the western side of the Great Dividing Range.
The scheme has been developed by two of Queensland’s most respected knights of industry – Sir Leo Hielscher and Sir Frank Moore – and was inspired by the drought-relief scheme proposed by Queensland engineer John Bradfield in 1938.
“The New Bradfield Scheme is an entirely new drought-busting infrastructure project that will deliver massive benefits to Queensland,” Ms Frecklington.
“I’m backing the New Bradfield Scheme because it will create new jobs, provide water for our farmers, generate green hydro-electric power and reduce nutrient run-off onto the Reef.
“The drought is costing Australia $12 billion a year and it is devastating regional communities.
“The New Bradfield Scheme will help to drought-proof Queensland while generating new jobs for decades to come.
“This project will change the face of Queensland, but it will only be delivered by an LNP Government.”
The project complements the LNP’s plans to improve water security on the eastern side of the Great Dividing Range by starting work on the Nullinga Dam, Urannah Dam, Rookwood Weir and raising the Burdekin Falls Dam.
“During the February floods in North Queensland, the volume of water spilling over Burdekin Falls Dam would have filled Sydney Harbour in just five hours,” Ms Frecklington said.
“That water all went out to the sea – but the New Bradfield Scheme would capture North Queensland’s water and use it to create new jobs and secure the future of rural communities.”
If elected in 2020, a Deb Frecklington LNP Government will commission the CSIRO to begin advanced planning through a $20 million commitment to the New Bradfield Scheme.
The project would require billions of dollars and take over a decade to construct, but Ms Frecklington said the time had come for Queensland and Canberra to work together to tackle the huge financial and human costs of the drought.
“I will work in partnership with the Federal Government to deliver this water project, because beating drought makes economic sense for everyone,” Ms Frecklington said.
“While the Palaszczuk Labor Government has fake fights with Canberra to hide its own failures, I will work with the Federal Government to build a better Queensland.
“The upside for Queensland is huge. We can deliver tens of thousands of new jobs and give farmers the water they need to thrive.
“The New Bradfield Scheme is an incredible opportunity for Queensland. Let’s seize it.”
