With Queensland enduring devastating back to back bushfire seasons, serious concerns have been raised over the rollout of new rural fire trucks promised by the Palaszczuk Labor Government.
According to the Rural Fire Brigade Association Queensland, none of the 25 trucks scheduled to be delivered to rural fire brigades in 2019/20 have been handed over.
Liberal National Party Shadow Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Lachlan Millar said rural firefighters and the communities they serve deserved to know when the fire trucks would be ready or if the Palaszczuk Labor Government was set to break its promise.
“Firefighters deserve to do their job with the best resources, equipment and appliances possible,” Mr Millar said.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government is well behind schedule on issuing P3 masks to personnel and now it seems Labor will fail to deliver new fire trucks on time.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government has a culture of not hitting targets.
“By the Rural Fire Service’s own calculations, 60 new fire trucks would need be purchased per year to replace the existing fleet in a 15-year window.
“It was bad enough when Labor cut $13 million in Rural Fire funding, but to now discover none of the urgently-needed fire trucks have been delivered is a disgrace.
“Labor needs to come clean on whether it will break its promise to rural firefighters.”
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington has today announced a range of important new measures to strengthen Queensland’s domestic violence strategy.
Ms Frecklington said she was determined to keep Queenslanders safe and secure by preventing violence, supporting survivors and holding offenders to account.
A future LNP Government will introduce the toughest strangulation laws in the country, immediately review the current criminal justice framework to implement new laws such as coercive control, roll-out personal safety devices to people at high-risk and provide grants up to $2000 for emergency accommodation assistance.
“I share in the community’s grief over the tragic death of Hannah Clarke and her three young children Aaliyah, Laianah, and Trey,” Ms Frecklington said.
“We owe it to Hannah, her three children, and the countless other victims and survivors of domestic violence to do whatever it takes to make Queensland safer.
“It’s time for Queenslanders to come together to deal with this issue because everyone deserves to live safely and free from violence.
“One of the reasons I became an MP was I saw the system fail domestic violence victims when I worked as a lawyer in Kingaroy.
“I helped families escape violence as a lawyer and I’m determined to keep helping them as a politician.
“I believe the government can do more to both prevent domestic violence and to help survivors, and it’s an issue that should be above politics.
“Queensland’s laws are clearly failing to protect victims and every aspect must be looked at to fix the system.
“Under the LNP’s plan, frontline Police will be given tougher laws and new powers to issue domestic violence orders on the spot. The LNP will provide high risk domestic violence victims with personal safety devices so they will know if someone issued with a DVO is getting closer to them.”
Ms Frecklington said the new measures built on the landmark Not Now, Not Ever report commissioned by the previous LNP Government and had four key pillars:
1. Better laws and stronger penalties – fixing the strangulation offence
Immediately fix the definition and double the current maximum penalty for strangulation from 7 years to 14 years. This will re-classify the offence as a Serious Violent Offence and align the penalties with grievous bodily harm, ensuring Queensland has the toughest strangulation laws in the nation.
2. New laws
Immediately review the entire domestic violence criminal justice legal framework to implement new laws such as coercive control and a specific domestic violence summary offence. Laws will also empower police to issue domestic violence orders on the spot, providing a more immediate response to help families, while taking pressure off our overburdened police and courts.
3. Protecting domestic violence survivors - Smart Technology
The LNP will commit $500,000 to rollout 200 personal safety devices to people vulnerable to domestic violence. This will include greater integration with GPS trackers and protect vulnerable survivors and their families when they need it most.
4. Extra support for domestic violence survivors and their families ($2.4 million)
An LNP Government will provide $1 million in extra funding to Women’s Legal Service and an additional $1 million in contestable funding to other frontline legal and support providers of domestic violence or sexual violence support. The LNP will also establish one-off emergency assistance grants of up to $2000, to help families flee, in recognition of the shortage of crisis accommodation.
LNP Shadow Attorney-General David Janetzki said the proposed changes to the laws aimed to give police a stronger framework to curb domestic violence on the frontline.
“Community safety should always come first,” Mr Janetzki said.
"The LNP will immediately review the entire domestic criminal justice legal framework to fix any failures in the system.
“We will also implement new laws aimed at helping our police do their jobs and improve community safety.
“Our police and courts are overwhelmed under the current system, which isn’t working to protect families or hold perpetrators accountable.”
LNP Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Stephen Bennett said while Not Now, Not Ever was an important reform, the government had a responsibility to be proactive in responding to the changing nature of domestic violence.
“An LNP Government would be relentless in ensuring domestic violence policies are up to date and working as they should be,” Mr Bennett said.
“Underlying causes of domestic violence are complex, but that doesn’t mean stopping it is without hope.
“Domestic violence must be prevented because the harm it causes reaches every corner of our society across Queensland.
“We want Queensland to be the safest place to live, work and raise a family.
“Domestic violence is above politics and I’m happy to work with Annastacia Palaszczuk to implement an immediate response to community concerns.”
The report from Fraser Institute Annual Survey of Mining Companies has sounded the alarm around the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s failure to support Queensland’s vital resources sector.
According to the report Queensland has lost ground in the latest global survey of mining companies and investors, falling two places to number 15 in the world for investment attractiveness*.
The state’s peak resources industry body, the Queensland Resources Council (QRC), responded to the report’s findings by pointing out the Labor Government’s failings in providing clear, consistent and transparent regulations and timeframes for project applications and assessments, environmental approvals as well as royalty certainty.
Liberal National Party Shadow Minster for Natural Resources Mines Dale Last echoed the concerns outlined by the report and QRC while pointing to Labor’s record in failing to create a culture that supported resource projects and jobs in Queensland.
“Queenslanders will never forget how this Labor Government used the Carmichael Mine as a political football and how Jackie Trad told resource communities to reskill,” Mr Last said.
“Labor’s anti-resources, anti-regions and anti-jobs agenda is hurting regional Queensland like never before.
“In contrast, the LNP supports mining and the thousands of local jobs provided by Queensland’s resources industry, which ensures the survival of many regional communities.
“A Deb Frecklington LNP Government will encourage more investment and provide royalty certainty with a 10-year freeze on royalty rates to secure more local jobs and provide better job security.
“The LNP has committed to introducing a streamlined approvals process for major projects, with key performance indicators tracked and published to restore industry confidence.
“The LNP will supercharge the North West Minerals Province and open up the region’s potential for the entire state to benefit.
“The LNP will also open up the Galilee Basin and develop $50 billion worth of projects supporting 15,000 new local jobs in Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton and throughout regional Queensland.
“Every dollar of the royalties collected from the Galilee Basin will go into a new Queensland Infrastructure Fund to build the new hospitals, schools and roads a growing state needs.
“Only the LNP will restore confidence and bring back the investment and jobs that the regions are crying out for.”
* Fraser Institute Annual Survey of Mining Companies report: https://www.fraserinstitute.org/studies/annual-survey-of-mining-companies-2019
With Queensland already suffering the worst unemployment rate in Australia, new ABS data has revealed the construction sector is shrinking under the Palaszczuk Labor Government.
Figures released today show the value of construction work completed fell in the last three months of 2019 – the seventh straight quarter of decline.
The completed construction work value of $9.47bn was the lowest figure recorded in Queensland since 2006.
LNP Deputy Leader and Shadow Treasurer Tim Mander said Labor Treasurer Jackie Trad was driving construction into the ground with tax raids on the LNG and property industries and cuts to infrastructure spending.
“These shocking figures show that Jackie Trad’s new taxes and cuts to infrastructure are crippling the construction industry,” Mr Mander said.
“After five years of Labor, Queensland now has the highest unemployment and most bankruptcies in the nation.
“Jackie Trad might be growing her property portfolio, but the construction sector is shrinking.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk and Jackie Trad’s economic mismanagement is costing jobs and holding Queensland back.”
Mr Mander said the LNP’s economic plan would deliver a strong economy and create new jobs for Queenslanders.
“The LNP will create jobs by building the New Bradfield Scheme, new roads and dams, delivering cheaper electricity, cutting red-tape and guaranteeing no new taxes,” Mr Mander said.
“Labor cannot manage taxpayers’ money and it cannot manage the economy.
“It’s time get Queensland working again and only an LNP Government can do it.”
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington has today announced a range of important new measures to strengthen Queensland’s domestic violence strategy.
Ms Frecklington said she was determined to keep Queenslanders safe and secure by preventing violence, supporting survivors and holding offenders to account.
A future LNP Government will introduce the toughest strangulation laws in the country, immediately review the current criminal justice framework to implement new laws such as coercive control, roll-out personal safety devices to people at high-risk and provide grants up to $2000 for emergency accommodation assistance.
“I share in the community’s grief over the tragic death of Hannah Clarke and her three young children Aaliyah, Laianah, and Trey,” Ms Frecklington said.
“We owe it to Hannah, her three children, and the countless other victims and survivors of domestic violence to do whatever it takes to make Queensland safer.
“It’s time for Queenslanders to come together to deal with this issue because everyone deserves to live safely and free from violence.
“One of the reasons I became an MP was I saw the system fail domestic violence victims when I worked as a lawyer in Kingaroy.
“I helped families escape violence as a lawyer and I’m determined to keep helping them as a politician.
“I believe the government can do more to both prevent domestic violence and to help survivors, and it’s an issue that should be above politics.
“Queensland’s laws are clearly failing to protect victims and every aspect must be looked at to fix the system.
“Under the LNP’s plan, frontline Police will be given tougher laws and new powers to issue domestic violence orders on the spot. The LNP will provide high risk domestic violence victims with personal safety devices so they will know if someone issued with a DVO is getting closer to them.”
Ms Frecklington said the new measures built on the landmark Not Now, Not Ever report commissioned by the previous LNP Government and had four key pillars:
1. Better laws and stronger penalties – fixing the strangulation offence
Immediately fix the definition and double the current maximum penalty for strangulation from 7 years to 14 years. This will re-classify the offence as a Serious Violent Offence and align the penalties with grievous bodily harm, ensuring Queensland has the toughest strangulation laws in the nation.
2. New laws
Immediately review the entire domestic violence criminal justice legal framework to implement new laws such as coercive control and a specific domestic violence summary offence. Laws will also empower police to issue domestic violence orders on the spot, providing a more immediate response to help families, while taking pressure off our overburdened police and courts.
3. Protecting domestic violence survivors - Smart Technology
The LNP will commit $500,000 to rollout 200 personal safety devices to people vulnerable to domestic violence. This will include greater integration with GPS trackers and protect vulnerable survivors and their families when they need it most.
4. Extra support for domestic violence survivors and their families ($2.4 million)
An LNP Government will provide $1 million in extra funding to Women’s Legal Service and an additional $1 million in contestable funding to other frontline legal and support providers of domestic violence or sexual violence support. The LNP will also establish one-off emergency assistance grants of up to $2000, to help families flee, in recognition of the shortage of crisis accommodation.
LNP Shadow Attorney-General David Janetzki said the proposed changes to the laws aimed to give police a stronger framework to curb domestic violence on the frontline.
“Community safety should always come first,” Mr Janetzki said.
"The LNP will immediately review the entire domestic criminal justice legal framework to fix any failures in the system.
“We will also implement new laws aimed at helping our police do their jobs and improve community safety.
“Our police and courts are overwhelmed under the current system, which isn’t working to protect families or hold perpetrators accountable.”
LNP Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Stephen Bennett said while Not Now, Not Ever was an important reform, the government had a responsibility to be proactive in responding to the changing nature of domestic violence.
“An LNP Government would be relentless in ensuring domestic violence policies are up to date and working as they should be,” Mr Bennett said.
“Underlying causes of domestic violence are complex, but that doesn’t mean stopping it is without hope.
“Domestic violence must be prevented because the harm it causes reaches every corner of our society across Queensland.
“We want Queensland to be the safest place to live, work and raise a family.
“Domestic violence is above politics and I’m happy to work with Annastacia Palaszczuk to implement an immediate response to community concerns.”
The LNP will guarantee that mining jobs stay in mining communities if it wins the next state election – despite moves by the industry to increase mine automation and remote-working in Queensland.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said she would not accept mining companies stripping jobs from regional communities and replacing them with remote-controlled operation centres in a capital city, interstate or overseas.
“Every industry has to innovate and make use of technology, but the obligation to support local jobs is non-negotiable,” Ms Frecklington said.
“The LNP backs the resources industry and mining workers – and we always will.
“Whole communities in regional Queensland depend on mining and the LNP will never turn our backs on those towns.
“The LNP will make sure that mining jobs stay in mining communities.
“Mines in Queensland are approved on the basis of the jobs they will create, so if mines no longer offer those same jobs, their approvals should be reviewed.
“Resource companies must stand by the communities that have supported them for generations.
“Only the LNP has a plan to protect resources jobs and build a strong economy.”
Ms Frecklington pledged that a future LNP Government would:
The LNP’s pro-jobs resources policy follows BMA Australia’s decision to introduce 86 driverless trucks at its Goonyella Riverside mine, near Moranbah.
Shadow Mines Minister Dale Last said only the LNP would stand up for mineworkers.
“Labor introduced 100% per cent FIFO mines in Queensland and stayed quiet about job losses in Moranbah,” Mr Last said.
“Labor’s Jackie Trad told regional communities and miners to ‘re-skill’ and look for new jobs.
“The LNP will not stab miners in the back like Labor has.
“The LNP will always stand up for jobs in regional Queensland.
“Unlike Labor, the LNP will protect mining jobs in mining communities and build a stronger economy for Queensland.”
The LNP is warning new laws proposed by the Palaszczuk Labor Government will put community safety at risk by drastically weakening penalties for criminals who steal cars and property.
Buried in Labor’s Justice and other Legislation Amendment Bill is a clause that raises the threshold for offenders of property crime to go before the powerful District Court.
Currently, offences of theft where the value of property is less than $30,000 are determined by the Magistrates Court, which can only sentence offenders to up to three years in jail.
Offences of theft where the value of property is more than $30,000 can be determined by the District Court, which can impose longer sentences and more severe penalties.
Labor’s new laws will raise the threshold to $80,000, meaning many criminals guilty of stealing property won’t have to face the District Court’s severe penalties.
LNP Shadow Attorney-General said the government should be strengthening laws to deter crime, not watering them down.
“Communities like Townsville, Cairns and the Gold Coast are suffering badly from a wave of car theft and property crime,” Mr Janetzki said.
“The last thing communities need is softer penalties for criminals stealing people’s cars and property.
“One way to prevent theft is to have strong laws in place to act as a deterrent, but Labor is watering them down.
“Labor’s new laws send the message that stealing from someone else in the community shouldn’t be dealt with as harshly anymore, and that’s the wrong message to be sending.
“This proves Labor is soft on crime and Annastacia Palaszczuk is deaf to the concerns about crime in communities across Queensland.
“In stark contrast to Labor, an LNP Government will get tough on criminals and invest more resources in frontline police and community safety to reduce crime rates.
“It’s clear that the only way to stop the crimewave is to change the government.”
New ABS data released today shows Queensland has the worst unemployment rate in the country, after 17,000 people were added to the unemployment queue last month.
LNP Deputy Leader and Shadow Treasurer Tim Mander said while Labor are more concerned about their own jobs, Queensland is the jobless capital of Australia.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk’s higher taxes and job-destroying policies are hurting Queenslanders,” Mr Mander said.
“At 6.3% Queensland has the worst unemployment rate in the nation and is the only state above 6%.
“171,500 Queenslanders are on the unemployment queue.
“Integrity issues have embroiled the Palaszczuk Labor Government and they can’t be trusted to create new jobs.
“Only the LNP has a plan to build a strong economy to create more local jobs and get Queensland working again.
“Queenslanders can’t afford another four years of Labor.”
Queensland’s escalating crime crisis will only end when Labor loses power, LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said tonight.
Parliament this evening debated a motion condemning the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s shocking crime record, which has seen an explosion in youth crime across Queensland and a resurgence of bikie violence on the Gold Coast.
“No one in Queensland should have to live in fear,” Ms Frecklington said.
“But crime has spiralled out of control in communities across our state.
“Gangs are causing chaos in Cairns, Townsville, the Gold Coast and on Brisbane’s northside and southside.
“This crimewave must be stopped and the only way to stop it is to change the government.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government is softer on crime than any government in Queensland’s history.
“The LNP knows how to cut crime and keep Queenslanders safe.
“It’s what the LNP has always done and it’s what we will do again.”
Since Labor came to power in 2015:
LNP Shadow Police Minister Trevor Watts said a Deb Frecklington LNP Government would back the police with more resources and strong laws.
Mr Watts said the LNP would make breach of bail an offence for juveniles, to end the revolving door in the youth justice system, while also introducing tougher laws for child killers, armed criminals and road rage offenders.
“The LNP will bring back breach of bail as an offence for juveniles because there must be consequences for crime,” Mr Watts said.
“Labor’s ‘catch and release’ approach to youth crime is causing chaos in Townsville and other communities.
“The LNP will give North Queensland its own Polair police helicopter to ensure criminals have no place to hide.
“The LNP will take strong action to prevent crime too.
“Our plan for a strong economy and for better skills training will give young people jobs and purpose, and our ICE strategy will rehabilitate more addicts.
The LNP motion condemning the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s appalling crime record was defeated 48-41, with Parliament’s only Greens MP voting with Labor.
“Unlike Labor, an LNP Government will make cutting crime and keeping Queenslanders safe its top priority,” Mr Watts said.
Newly released ABS statistics have revealed Queensland workers are being left behind under the anti-worker, job-destroying policies of the Palaszczuk Labor Government.
Queensland public and private sector workers received the lowest and second lowest annual increases in pay respectively out of the whole nation, both well below the national average.
LNP Deputy Leader and Shadow Treasurer Tim Mander slammed Labor’s job-destroying agenda which has led to lower pay increases while cost of living pressures continue to skyrocket.
“For Queensland workers to be at the bottom of the pay rise ladder in the whole nation is unacceptable,” Mr Mander said.
“Essential fees like rego continue to be hiked well beyond inflation and private sector wage growth slamming families who are already struggling with high cost of living expenses like skyrocketing electricity bills.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk is treating Queenslanders like cash cows with tax rises year after year as wage growth stagnates.
“Labor’s high taxing agenda is costing workers and hurting families.
“Only the LNP will build a stronger economy and create more high paying local jobs.”
Public Sector Wage Growth
|
State |
Dec-19 |
|
VIC |
3.5 |
|
NT |
2.9 |
|
NSW |
2.3 |
|
Australia |
2.2 |
|
TAS |
2.2 |
|
ACT |
1.9 |
|
SA |
1.7 |
|
WA |
1.2 |
|
QLD |
1.2 |
Private Sector Wage Growth
|
State |
Dec-19 |
|
ACT |
2.7 |
|
TAS |
2.7 |
|
SA |
2.4 |
|
VIC |
2.4 |
|
NT |
2.3 |
|
Australia |
2.2 |
|
NSW |
2.1 |
|
QLD |
2 |
|
WA |
1.8 |
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington has welcomed the selection of journalist Lauren Day as her party’s candidate for Maiwar.
The former news reporter covered natural disasters, court cases and crime for Network 10.
Lauren Day is a driver for Meals on Wheels, a member of Red Cross and volunteers for the Cubberla-Witton Catchments Network in Maiwar.
Her husband Matthew is a police officer and together they are raising a boy and girl in the western suburbs of Brisbane.
Ms Day said building a stronger economy, busting congestion, delivering better schools and improving health services were her priorities for Maiwar.
“As a mum of two kids, I am passionate about health and raising education standards,” Ms Day said.
“Congestion is another major issue in the western suburbs and traffic on our major roads is grinding to a standstill.
“Queensland also has one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation under Labor.
“I’m passionate about building a stronger economy to not only create more jobs, but higher-paid local jobs here in Maiwar.
“The people of Maiwar need a representative who will preserve what we love about our westside lifestyle while tackling the problems holding it back.
“Maiwar can’t afford to waste another four more years with the Palaszczuk Labor Government and weak local representation.”
Ms Frecklington said Lauren Day would make an outstanding Member of Parliament.
“Lauren’s priorities are the same priorities of the people of Maiwar, which is why she will be a strong voice for them in Parliament,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Only an LNP Government can cut hospital waiting times, deliver congestion-busting transport projects and improve education results, because only an LNP Government can build the strong economy that Queensland needs.
“The LNP’s plan to declutter the curriculum will ensure teachers and kids can concentrate on the basics – reading, writing and maths.
“The LNP will slash hospital waiting times by working with private healthcare providers to ease the pressure on hard-working nurses and doctors.
“The congestion crisis is costing southeast Queensland billions and it costs westside residents time away from their family or work.
“Building a stronger economy will allow an LNP Government to invest in new roads and transport projects and we’ll work with Brisbane City Council to bust traffic bottlenecks and cut congestion across the city’s west.
“Maiwar needs a representative who actually delivers for the electorate and only Lauren and an LNP Government can do it.”
LNP Party President David Hutchinson welcomed Lauren Day to the LNP team.
“Lauren is an outstanding candidate who is determined to work hard for Maiwar and Queensland,” Mr Hutchinson said.
“Lauren joins a growing list of quality LNP candidates ahead of the state election on October 31.
“Only the LNP has the team and the plan to get Queensland working again.”
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington has welcomed the endorsement of veteran police officer Glenn Doyle as the LNP’s candidate for Mundingburra.
Mr Doyle, a father of four, said his priorities include fixing Labor’s crime crisis, new dams, improving education results, cutting hospital waiting lists and building a strong economy.
“Mundingburra needs a passionate local member who is tough on crime and I’m certain Glenn will deliver,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Glenn is a well-respected and highly-decorated police officer who successfully worked his way up the ranks since joining the Queensland Police Service in 1981.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government has allowed crime to spiral out of control and they don’t have a plan to fix it.
“Since Annastacia Palaszczuk became Premier, robberies in Townsville have increased by a staggering 191%.
“Assault, serious assault, unlawful entry and unlawful use of a motor vehicle have also skyrocketed in Townsville.
“Only the LNP has a plan to cut crime in Townsville by investing in a dedicated police helicopter to ensure police have the resources they need and bring back tough breach of bail laws.
“Glenn will be a strong voice for the people of Mundingburra.”
Mr Doyle and his family have called Townsville home since 2003.
He’s currently the Inspector, Eastern Patrol Group, Townsville District and manages general police activities in areas including Townsville, Mundingburra, Palm Island and Garbutt.
Mr Doyle was selected as the inaugural Government Coordinator for the Townsville Stronger Communities Action Group, which was established in 2016 to combat youth offending.
“Crime is among the biggest issues facing people in Mundingburra,” Mr Doyle said.
“I want to stand-up for the people of Mundingburra and use my decades of experience as police officer in the Queensland Parliament.
“I believe Deb Frecklington and her LNP team have the right priorities and that’s why I’m excited to be endorsed as the local candidate.
“A vote for the LNP on October 31 is also a vote for jobs, better roads like the Bruce Highway, no new taxes, improved health care and the New Bradfield Scheme to help combat the drought.”
LNP President David Hutchinson said Mr Doyle is another high-calibre candidate to be endorsed by the party.
“Mundingburra is desperate for a strong candidate who’s passionate about jobs, health, schools, policing and water security,” Mr Hutchinson said.
“Crime is spiralling out of control in Townsville and I couldn’t think of a better LNP candidate than Glenn Doyle.
“Mundingburra residents fed up with crime can’t waste another four years of Labor.”
The LNP has called on the Labor Government to adopt its Queensland seafood labeling policy as part of a promotional campaign to support the coronavirus-affected industry.
Shadow Minister for Fisheries Tony Perrett said the LNP’s seafood labelling policy would encourage more Queenslanders to buy seafood caught by Queensland’s fishing fleet.
“Labor should immediately adopt the LNP’s seafood labelling policy to support the industry and increase local demand,” Mr Perrett said.
“Labor needs to put politics aside and work constructively with industry and the LNP to deliver this policy that will assist in restoring market demand.
“Simple changes to labelling can empower consumers to make informed choice to support local catches, which will grow local demand.
“It’s a simple policy that makes it easier for Queenslanders to support other Queenslanders by buying high quality and local seafood.
“More than 3000 people work in Queensland’s commercial fishing industry and it’s part of the fabric of many regional communities and economies.
“We are hearing hundreds of boats are no longer going out and fishing because there simply just isn’t the demand – labeling will help return demand.
“Queensland has some of the best seafood in the world and commercial fishers and local businesses desperately need the support of the community.
“I want to encourage Queenslanders to get behind the industry by heading to their local fish shop and buying Queensland seafood today.”
Crucial mine safety laws currently before the Parliament must be passed this sitting week.
LNP Shadow Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last called on the Palaszczuk Labor Government to get on with the job and pass these important mine safety amendments within the Resources Safety and Health Queensland Bill 2019.
“Last week the parliament began debating these laws but all of the sudden the Bill was delayed without explanation,” Mr Last said.
“It was extraordinary that on a week where the government released the long-awaited reports into mining fatalities and accidents, that laws to improve mine safety were put on ice.
“The reports highlighted the Palaszczuk Labor Government and the mining industry both need to lift their game when it comes to safety.
“It was made very clear that without a full inquiry into mine safety, Queenslanders will continue to die and be injured in our mines and quarries.
“The LNP will continue its call for a full Parliamentary inquiry.
“If these mine safety laws fail to pass this week, it’s further proof that Labor has its priorities all wrong.
“While resource workers and their families are concerned about the safety regime, Labor are only focused on themselves.”
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington today called on the Palaszczuk Government to backdown on its proposal to lock up a large part of Queensland from new dams and irrigation projects.
“There is no bigger issue in Queensland than water security and it is shameful that Labor are trying to stop water projects such as the LNP’s New Bradfield Scheme across a large part of the state,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Labor’s proposals will prevent new dams and irrigation projects in what could be one of the most fertile regions of the country.
“Queensland needs a stronger economy and the only way to deliver that is to back our regions and build job-creating infrastructure like the New Bradfield Scheme.
“The New Bradfield Scheme will create tens of thousands of jobs, generate 2,000 megawatts of hydroelectricity and irrigate an area of land larger than Tasmania.
“An investment in water is an investment in jobs but under Labor, new jobs are being destroyed by Jackie Trad’s and Annastacia Palaszczuk’s anti-dams agenda.
“The LNP will unlock the potential of the outback, but all Labor wants to do is lock it up and throw away the key.”
The below map from the Palaszczuk Government shows the large area labor want to declare an S.E.A. which heavily regulates the building of water security projects.
FYI: Outback Qld unemployment rate is 11.8, youth unemployment rate is 24.9
The LNP has called on the Labor Government to deliver an assistance package for Queensland’s commercial fishing industry as the coronavirus threatens to deal a major economic blow.
LNP Shadow Minister for Fisheries Tony Perrett said Queensland jobs were at risk after demand and prices for mud crabs, coral trout and other species crashed.
“First of all, I want to encourage Queenslanders to get behind the industry by heading to their local fish shop and buying Queensland seafood,” Mr Perrett said.
“Queensland has some of the best seafood in the world and commercial fishers and local businesses desperately need the support of the community.
“The commercial seafood industry also needs action from the Palaszczuk Labor Government.
“Commercial fishers have been called for assistance in the form of temporary relief from Labor State Government fees and taxes on fishers, and I fully support the calls.
“Labor should also immediately adopt the LNP’s seafood labelling policy to support the industry and increase local demand.
“Labor needs to put politics aside and work constructively with industry and the LNP to deliver a package that will assist in restoring market demand and offer financial support.”
Mr Perrett said the fishing industry was already feeling the financial impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
“More than 3000 people work in Queensland’s commercial fishing industry and it’s part of the fabric of many regional communities and economies.
“We are hearing hundreds of boats are no longer going out and fishing because there simply just isn’t the demand.
“This has huge flow on effects throughout the entire seafood supply chain.
“One simple and easy way the Labor State Government can provide instant relief is to forgo its licence and quota fees revenue or provide assistance with mooring or commercial boat trailer fees.
“Waiving state fees will give our fishers one less bill to worry about in this very stressful and critical time.
“Fishers in this Queensland were already hurting before this latest unexpected virus wiped out any profitability that was left in parts of the industry”.
“The LNP’s seafood labelling policy would also encourage more Queenslanders to buy seafood caught by Queensland’s fishing fleet.
“Simple changes to labelling can empower consumers to make informed choice to support local catches, which will grow local demand.
“It’s a simple policy that makes it easier for Queenslanders to support other Queenslanders by buying high quality and local Queensland seafood.”
The Palaszczuk Labor Government has blocked an LNP amendment backed by the RSPCA that would have increased the penalties for pet owners who leave animals trapped in hot vehicles.
The LNP amendment to the Agriculture Bill 2019 would have made leaving an animal in a hot vehicle a cruelty offence, with a maximum penalty of three years’ prison or a $266,900 fine.
A second LNP amendment would have imposed the same increased penalty on people convicted of dog-baiting.
LNP Shadow Agriculture Minister Tony Perrett said he was frustrated that Labor had refused to back practical measures to prevent animal cruelty.
“Labor has put petty politics before animal protection,” Mr Perrett said.
“The LNP is ready to work with Labor to protect animals, but Annastacia Palaszczuk would rather argue about animal cruelty than stop it.
“The RSPCA receives around a thousand reports of animals trapped in sweltering cars each year and the charity itself requested the amendment the LNP put forward.
“The LNP believes it’s time we got tough with people who callously let dogs suffer in horrific conditions. It’s a shame Labor doesn’t feel the same.
“Labor should also have backed our plan for tougher sentences for criminal dog-baiting.
“Animals have rights too and the LNP will fight to protect them.”
Background on LNP amendments to the Agriculture and Other Legislation Bill 2019:
Amendments:
1. Increases the penalties from 300 penalty units or 1 year’s imprisonment to a maximum penalty—2,000 penalty units ($266,900) or 3 years imprisonment for confining an animal, for example a dog, in a vehicle that causes heat stress or other pain to the animal is treated as a cruelty offence, not just a duty of care offence.
2. Increases the penalties from 300 penalty units or 1 year’s imprisonment to a maximum penalty—2,000 penalty units ($266,900) or 3 years imprisonment for the penalty for baiting an animal with the intention of injuring or killing the animal using a substance the person knows is harmful or poisonous to the animal - in line with the penalties for a cruelty offence.
The LNP has called for a full Parliamentary inquiry into safety in the Queensland resources industry following the release of Dr Sean Brady’s report today.
Shadow Mines Minister Dale Last said the report highlighted major failures in the industry and the Palaszczuk Labor Government.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government and the mining industry both need to lift their game when it comes to safety,” Mr Last said.
“The report damns Labor for overseeing a mine safety regulator that made it hard for miners and industry to report issues.
“A failure to take incidents seriously, or even report them, is the root cause of the problem.
“The report is very clear that without a full inquiry into mine safety Queenslanders will continue to die and be injured in our mines.
“As was the case with the Black Dust, White Lies inquiry, only a full Parliamentary inquiry into mine safety will tell us what is wrong and provide a way forward.
“A full Parliamentary inquiry will allow us to hold those responsible to account.
“It is absolutely essential that Labor listen and act on these findings.”
The Palaszczuk Labor Government has voted to allow a multinational corporation to keep a Queensland Health supply contract – just hours after it axed 47 Queensland workers.
The LNP moved a motion in Parliament today calling on Labor to review its decision to award the Metro North hospitals contract to Lactalis instead of accepting a rival bid from the Queensland-owned Maleny Dairies.
Hours after the motion was tabled, Lactalis announced that it was closing its Rockhampton factory, with the loss of 47 jobs.
The company is also scaling back production at its South Brisbane factory.
LNP member for Glass House Andrew Powell said the company’s decision made a mockery of the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s Buy Queensland policy.
“Labor overlooked a Sunshine Coast dairy to back a foreign-owned company that is now cutting and running from regional Queensland,” Mr Powell said.
“Labor should rebrand its Buy Queensland policy Bye Bye Queensland.”
Labor voted 47-43 against the LNP motion, which also called for part of the Lactalis contract to be awarded to Maleny Dairies.
“Even with Lactalis sacking Queensland workers, the Palaszczuk Labor Government is still arrogantly standing by its decision to shun Maleny Dairies,” Mr Powell said.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk should be putting Queensland jobs before overseas shareholders.”
LNP Shadow Agriculture Minister Tony Perrett said Labor was failing the dairy industry.
“Labor’s Buy Queensland policy is just a marketing stunt,” Mr Perrett said.
“The only government that will protect farming and dairy jobs in Queensland is an LNP government.”
LNP Shadow Agriculture Minister Tony Perrett has condemned the decision of the French-owned food giant Lactalis to close down its Rockhampton factory and scale back production at its South Brisbane site.
“Lactalis is the foreign-owned company that was awarded a contract to supply Queensland Health hospitals over Maleny Dairies,” Mr Perrett said.
“The foreign company that the Palaszczuk Labor Government backed over a Queensland-owned business is now cutting and running from this state.
“Lactalis is putting the profits of its foreign owners ahead of the jobs of Queensland workers and dairy farmers.
“This is massive blow to Queensland’s dairy industry and means more milk and dairy products from other states and overseas will be sold in our state.
“It’s a massive blow to the credibility of Labor’s Buy Queensland policy too.
“This morning the LNP tabled a motion in Parliament demanding that Labor review its decision to snub Maleny Dairies over Lactalis and award at least part of the contract to a Queensland-owned business.
“It is now more important than ever than Labor reviews this flawed contract decision and back a Queensland-owned business that backs local jobs.”
“On September 23rd last year I announced a plan to put smart drumlines into the marine park area after Labor sold out community safety by pulling shark drumlines out of Queensland waters without any plan B.
“For 134 days, Annastacia Palaszczuk and her ministers attacked the LNP’s plan, playing politics with swimmer safety and putting tourism jobs at risk.
“Today’s massive backflip by Labor is welcomed.
“Queensland’s tourism industry needs to be safeguarded and smart drumlines are a way to protect humans and protect local tourism jobs.”
The latest ABS data released today has shown that home-building is slumping in Queensland – but increasing across the rest of nation.
While the overall number of Australian dwelling units approved increased by 2.1% in December, Queensland’s approvals fell by 1.3%.
Shadow Treasurer Tim Mander said that since Annastacia Palaszczuk became Premier, Queensland building approvals have fallen by a huge 40 per cent.
“This is more evidence that Annastacia Palaszczuk and Jackie Trad have broken Queensland’s economy,” Mr Mander said.
“After five years of Labor, home construction has slumped, business confidence is at rock-bottom and we have the second-highest unemployment rate in the nation.
“Only the LNP will deliver the strong economy that Queensland needs to deliver better schools, improve health services and create well-paid local jobs.
“The LNP will create a strong economy jobs by building the New Bradfield Scheme, building new roads and dams, cutting electricity prices and guaranteeing no new taxes.”
Source – Number of Dwelling Units Approved, by Sector, all series – Queensland. https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/8731.0Dec%202019?OpenDocument
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington has called on the Palaszczuk Labor Government to urgently deliver an emergency assistance package for the Gold Coast, Far North Queensland and other tourist centres, as the coronavirus crisis threatens to wipe out thousands of jobs.
Ms Frecklington said many tourism regions, such as the Far North, were already suffering low international visitor numbers before restrictions on air travel from China to Australia were introduced yesterday.
“Coronavirus is an economic crisis as well as a health emergency,” Ms Frecklington said.
“While every effort must be made to contain the disease, the Palaszczuk Government also needs to immediately develop a plan to save Queensland jobs.
“China is Queensland’s most important overseas tourism market. Last year we welcomed almost 500,000 Chinese visitors and they injected more than $1.5bn into our economy.
“There’s no question that the loss of this market will have a major impact on this state.
“Businesses and jobs are at risk from the Cape to Currumbin and Labor needs to focus on getting our tourist sector through this challenge.”
Ms Frecklington said the assistance package could include:
LNP candidate for Currumbin Laura Gerber urged the Palaszczuk Labor Government to take immediate steps to protect tourism jobs in the Gold Coast electorate.
“The Gold Coast is the number one destination in Queensland for Chinese tourists, so we need action to save local jobs ¬– starting now,” Ms Gerber said.
“One in seven local jobs depend on tourism. The LNP will fight to save every single one.”
