Thousands of jobs will be secured and consumers will be empowered to choose fresh seafood caught in Queensland waters through the LNP’s plan for a strong and sustainable fishing industry.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington today announced $8.5 million in funding for new initiatives to future-proof the commercial industry, boost recreational fishing and market Queensland seafood.
An LNP Government will introduce a voluntary fishing license buyback scheme, implement a ReefSafe labelling policy for seafood sustainably sourced from the Great Barrier Reef and deliver three new artificial reefs to support recreational fishers.
“Creating a stronger, more sustainable fishing industry is part of the LNP’s plan to stimulate the economy and create a decade of secure jobs,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Queensland is renowned for its world-class seafood, but we’ve only scratched the surface of the industry’s full potential.
“The LNP’s plan will reshape and re-energise our fishing industry.
“Our plan to introduce a voluntary license buyback scheme will protect local marine life while creating more secure jobs for commercial fishers.
“The voluntary buyback scheme will target licenses in the Cape and provide an important structural adjustment to the industry, while protecting dugongs, marine turtles and other local marine life.”
“Less nets in the water means less pressure on fish stocks, but it also means more long-term jobs and more profits for fishing businesses.
“The ReefSafe labelling initiative will mean Queenslanders can back businesses sustainably sourcing produce from the Great Barrier Reef.
“Buying more Queensland seafood means more jobs for Queenslanders and a stronger economy.
“The seafood industry employs 3000 people in Queensland and the LNP’s plan will secure those jobs well into the future.
“The new artificial reefs will create more tourism opportunities for coastal towns and boost local economies though an increase spend from visiting anglers.
“Whether its Moreton Bay bugs, Mooloolaba king prawns or Whitsunday wild snapper - we know seafood is a popular choice for many Queensland households and supports local businesses up and down the Queensland coast.
“These new fishing initiatives are part of the LNP’s Food and Job Security Plan to secure Queensland’s future for the next generation.”
Shadow Minister for Fisheries Tony Perrett said the ReefSafe initiative built on the LNP’s previously announced seafood labelling policy
“A staggering 70 per cent of seafood consumed by Aussies is imported, which means profits and jobs go overseas,” Mr Perrett said.
“Queensland seafood is the best in the world and that’s why the LNP will partner with the fishing industry to trial labels for wild seafood caught in Wide Bay and the Whitsundays.
“The LNP knows Queenslanders will support local seafood – they just need to be empowered with the information.
“As well as knowing where their seafood comes from, the LNP will empower consumers to support businesses operating sustainably in the Great Barrier Reef.
“The LNP will work with the commercial fishing industry, environmental groups and consumers to develop the ReefSafe labelling to promote seafood caught sustainably off the Reef.”
Mr Perrett said commercial fishing operators ready to leave the industry would be incentivised through the LNP’s voluntary license buyback scheme.
“The buyback scheme will make the fishing industry more economically and environmentally sustainable,” Mr Perrett said.
“It will secure long-term jobs for existing businesses and provide a dignified pathway for those in the industry that want out.”
Mr Perrett said artificial reefs were a great way to boost local economies and their location will be determined through community consultation.
“Better fishing experiences mean more visiting anglers spending time and money in the community,” Mr Perrett said.
”Queenslanders love to get out on the water and our plan to deliver three new artificial reefs will give recreational anglers more opportunities to reel in more and bigger fish.
“This is evidence-based policy supporting more eco-tourism opportunities in the Cape through recreational and guided fishing ventures that supports local tourism operators.
“The LNP plan to get Queensland fishing again is good for consumers, a win for local jobs and help protect the Reef.”
The LNP’s $8.5 million fishing plan highlights:
Queensland’s peak industry body representing the state’s miners, mineral processors, explorers, contractors, oil and gas producers and electricity generators has endorsed the Liberal National Party’s plan to freeze royalties for a full ten years.
In its submission to the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s Royalty Legislation Amendment Bill 2020 the Queensland Resource Council (QRC) called on the Labor government to follow the LNP’s lead on resources policy*.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said QRC’s endorsement of the LNP’s stance on royalties was further proof of its ambitious plan to stimulate the economy, create a decade of secure jobs and drag Queensland out of this recession.
“Our vision is to make Queensland the economic powerhouse of Australia once again, the best place to get a job, get ahead and raise a family,” Ms Frecklington said.
“One of the major foundations of the LNP’s plan to plan for a stronger economy and secure jobs is based upon supercharging our regions and growing and supporting the state’s all-important resources sector is central to that.
“A centrepiece of the LNP’s economic plan for Queensland is a 10-year freeze on resource royalties – a proposal that the industry says will unlock investment for the job creating sector.”
LNP Shadow Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last said that voters face a simple choice on October 31 between a Deb Frecklington led LNP government that backed our resources industry or Annastacia Palaszczuk’s dithering job destroying agenda under Labor.
“While the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s agenda for resources in Queensland is to delay projects and increase royalties, the LNP has committed to no new taxes and a 10-year royalty freeze,” Mr Last said.
“The LNP has also announced its comprehensive plan to ‘Boost the Basin’ and bolster existing resources projects and to kick start new mining to secure jobs for Queensland.
“The LNP is the only party that has a plan to create a stronger economy and more secure jobs.
“The LNP’s economic plan will create a decade of secure jobs to get Queensland working again.”
The key elements of the LNP’s plan to ‘Boost the Basin’ and secure resource jobs are:
* QRC submission to the Royalty Legislation Amendment Bill 2020 https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/committees/EGC/2020/RLAB2020/submissions/015.pdf
Annastacia Palaszczuk’s Treasurer has today confirmed that Queensland’s debt bill will break through the $100 billion barrier in less than 12 months.
That’s a $17 billion blowout since December last year, increasing the interest bill for Queensland taxpayers and putting additional pressure on our credit rating.
It’s even more reason why we need to invest for growth and rein in wasteful spending.
The Labor government needs to stick to its fiscal principles, which it has all but abandoned, to secure our economic future.
The LNP’s fiscal principles ensure that Queensland builds a stronger economy to secure more jobs and improve services like health, education and policing.
With today’s update by the Commonwealth, Annastacia Palaszczuk needs to deliver a full state budget before the next election.
Anything less is keeping Queenslanders in the dark about the state’s finances and how their taxes are being spent.
While the Palaszczuk Labor Government is the only state to cancel its budget this year the LNP has committed to deliver a full budget within the first 100 days of government.
No budget means no economic plan to lead Queensland out of recession.
The LNP will stabilise Labor’s debt and deliver our economic plan to get Queensland working again.
We have already released the LNP’s fiscal principles:
1. Strive to be the lowest taxing government in the nation by guaranteeing no new taxes and a 10-year royalty freeze.
- Boosting business confidence
- Attracting more investment
- Creating more jobs
2. Target fiscal balances across the economic cycle by limiting general government expenditure to less than revenue.
- Improving government efficiency
- Ending Labor’s wasteful spending
- Investing in quality service delivery
3. Stabilise and begin repaying Labor’s debt with the target of regaining the state’s AAA credit rating.
- Implementing a budget repair strategy
- Strengthening the balance sheet by building new assets
- Expanding economic activity
4. Set improved standards in public service delivery and accountability across the whole of Queensland.
- No forced redundancies
- Improving frontline services
- Enhancing services with technology
5. Build the job-creating infrastructure Queensland needs to boost state growth and improve productivity.
- Establishing the Queensland Infrastructure Fund
- Building new roads and dams
- Delivering the New Bradfield Scheme
An LNP Government will build Queensland out of recession and bust congestion across the South-East with a $1billion program of new infrastructure.
The SEQ Congestion Program will be fully-funded and fast-tracked by a future LNP Government to create a pipeline of new construction projects and thousands of new jobs.
The first project in the program – announced today by LNP Leader Deb Frecklington – will be a new $245m bridge over the Brisbane River on the Centenary Motorway.
“The LNP will use infrastructure to stimulate the economy and drag Queensland out of recession by investing an extra $1 billion in South-East Queensland roads,” Ms Frecklington said.
“There are more than 200,000 Queenslanders out of work, so the LNP wants shovels in the ground as soon as possible.
“Our congestion-busting projects will directly employ 3100 Queenslanders, but the flow-on economic effects will help to create a decade of secure jobs across the South-East.
“The Morrison Federal Government provided Queensland with the JobKeeper and JobSeeker safety nets, but now it’s time for state governments to step up.
“The LNP will invest for growth and deliver ‘JobMaker’ infrastructure for Queensland workers.”
LNP Shadow Treasurer Tim Mander said the $1billion fund would be new spending, in addition to the $550m the LNP has committed to deliver the Second M1.
“This funding is guaranteed by the LNP, so there will be none of the petty fights with the Federal Government that have stopped infrastructure under Labor,” Mr Mander said.
“The procurement will be fast-tracked and preference will be given to Queensland contractors. Now is the time to help our own first.”
The duplicate Centenary Bridge will increase the number of lanes over the Brisbane River to six, with scope to add an additional two extra lanes when required.
More than 100,000 vehicles squeeze through the existing bridge’s four lanes each weekday and an estimated 157,000 vehicles will be using it by 2036.
LNP Member for Moggill Dr Christian Rowan said residents of Kenmore, Fig Tree Pocket and other suburbs had waited too long for action to bust congestion on the Centenary Motorway and Western Freeway.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government ripped almost $9billion from the infrastructure budget, even though our local roads need huge investment,” Dr Rowan said.
“Only the LNP will invest in the new infrastructure the western suburbs need to bust congestion and create secure jobs.
“It’s time to get the western suburbs moving and working again – but only an LNP Government can do it.”
LNP candidate for Maiwar Lauren Day said congestion was a huge problem locally.
“Peak-hour congestion is bringing the western suburbs to a standstill,” Ms Day said.
“The LNP’s plan will bust the Centenary Motorway’s biggest bottleneck and make it easier for locals to get to work and get home every day.”
LNP candidate for Mount Ommaney Roger Hooper said the Centenary Motorway had been starved of investment by Labor and was now officially Queensland’s slowest motorway.
“Traffic is down to just 28kmh in peak hour at Jindalee,” Mr Hooper said.
“Only an LNP Government will duplicate the Centenary Bridge and get the Centenary Motorway moving again.
“This $245million investment for a new Centenary Bridge will increase active transport connections and unlock future upgrades along the Centenary Motorway.”
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington has vowed to give Queensland police new powers to prosecute pedophiles who use the internet to groom children for sexual abuse.
Ms Frecklington said the laws would be based on South Australia’s Carly’s Law – introduced after 15-year-old Carly Ryan was raped and murdered by a 50-year-old pedophile who had posed online as a teenage student.
The LNP’s proposed laws follow growing frustration among QPS detectives over the difficulty of prosecuting offenders caught in the early stages of online grooming.
“There’ll be no hiding place for vile online predators under a government I lead,” Ms Frecklington said.
“These laws will ensure police have the tools they need to protect kids from online predators.
“As a mother of three young girls, I fully understand the dangers involved with social media and I will do whatever it takes to keep kids safe.
“I want Queensland to be the safest place for families and children.”
The LNP’s first proposed law will make it an offence for an adult to communicate with a child while claiming to be younger than they are, or another person altogether, in order to meet with a child.
The second law will make it an offence for an adult to communicate with a child while claiming to be younger than they are, or another person altogether, with intent to commit an offence against the child.
The first offence will have a maximum penalty of five years’ prison and the second 10 years.
LNP Shadow Attorney-General David Janetzki said Queensland’s version of Carly’s Law would give police more powers to intercept predators sooner.
“The LNP will give police more powers to protect children from harm,” Mr Janetzki said.
“Our criminal laws need to keep pace with technology, especially as more children than ever before are engaging with others online through social media.”
The Australian Bureau of Statistics have today revealed that a record number of Queenslanders are unemployed.
LNP Deputy Leader and Shadow Treasurer Tim Mander said that 201,700 Queenslander were currently looking for work, with a further 1400 added to the unemployment queue in the last month.
Queensland has the highest youth unemployment rate in the country at 15.2%
“This is a damning indictment of Annastacia Palaszczuk’s economic credibility,” Mr Mander said.
“We know Labor has no budget and no plan to support workers and provide economic security for Queensland families.
“Today’s damning unemployment figures confirms that the Palaszczuk Labor Government has no plan to recover and drag Queensland out of recession.
“Well before Coronavirus hit, Queensland had some of the worst unemployment numbers in the country, business confidence was in freefall and we had the most bankruptcies nationwide.
“The LNP has the best plan to stimulate the economy and create a decade of secure jobs to drag Queensland out of this recession.
“Our vision is to make Queensland Australia’s economic powerhouse again; the best place to get a job and get ahead and raise a family.
“The foundations of the LNP’s plan for a stronger economy and secure jobs are investing for growth, unleashing Queensland industry, supercharging the regions and securing our children’s future.
“Our bold plans to build the drought-busting New Bradfield Scheme, the congestion-busting second M1, slash elective surgery wait times and improve education results will secure Queensland’s future for the next generation.”
Source: 6202.0 Labour Force, Australia, June 2020. https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/6202.0Main+Features1Jun%202020?OpenDocument
The LNP will continue to highlight concerns about the Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) and other Legislation Amendment Bill 2020, which passed Parliament today.
LNP Shadow Minister for Housing and Public Works Michael Hart said the party did not oppose the Bill because the LNP strongly believes Queensland builders and sub-contractors deserved to be paid on time, every time.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government hasn’t taken this issue seriously and have been dragging their feet since 2015,” Mr Hart said.
“Labor has only rolled out a fraction of what they said they would.
“It will be 8 years from what was a Labor election promise to overcome non-payments of subbies until the full implementation of the Project Bank Accounts are completed.
“Late payments and non-payments of Queensland tradies remains an on-going concern in the building and construction industry, under Labor.
“Only the LNP will support our hard-working sub-contractors.
“We have already committed to a Royal Commission into the industry, if the LNP wins government on October 31.
“It will investigate non-payment issues, fraudulent practices, false statutory declarations, illegal phoenixing activity, and company collapses.
“More than 245,000 Queenslanders are employed in this multi-billion dollar industry.
“It is crucial subbies are paid on time, every time because local economies and communities depend on it.”
A new ANZ and Property Council survey released today has revealed the Palaszczuk Labor Government continues to be worst government in the country for planning and managing growth.
LNP Deputy Leader and Shadow Treasurer Tim Mander said that Annastacia Palaszczuk’s failure to manage Queensland’s economy has turned a health crisis into a jobs crisis.
“Since 2018, the Palaszczuk Labor Government has been ranked the worst in the nation for planning and managing growth,” Mr Mander said.
“Labor’s reckless mismanagement of the economy has driven industry’s confidence in the state‘s growth to the lowest out of any other state or territory in Australia.
“Labor’s nine new or increased taxes have ripped nearly $4 billion from the economy costing jobs and decimating confidence.
“Well before Coronavirus hit, Queensland had some of the worst unemployment figures in the country, business confidence was in freefall and had the most bankruptcies nationwide.
“Only an LNP government will implement our economic plan for a decade of secure jobs, to get Queenslanders working again and drag Queensland out of the recession by stimulating the economy.
“The LNP will build a stronger economy to secure more local jobs by guaranteeing no new taxes, unlocking private sector construction investment, fast-tracking major project approvals and establishing the Queensland Infrastructure Fund.
“Our bold vision is to make this state Australia’s economic powerhouse again.
“Under the LNP, Queensland will be the best place to get a job and get ahead.”
ANZ / Property Council Survey Findings:
The Palaszczuk Labor Government has proven once again it’s soft on crime by failing to back the LNP’s tough measures to tackle juvenile crime in Queensland.
Shadow Minister for Police Dan Purdie moved a motion in Parliament today calling on Labor to immediately implement the LNP’s youth crime plan, but every single Labor MP opposed it.
“Labor hasn’t got the guts to tackle the youth crime crisis in Queensland,” Mr Purdie said.
“Crime is causing havoc in communities like Townsville and Cairns, but Labor MPs have failed to stand up for safety in their own communities.
“Tonight in Parliament Labor opposed introducing tougher laws and increased penalties to hold offenders to account.
“Labor opposed scrapping the failed youth bail houses that will cost taxpayers $70 million and have an 84% re-offending rate.
“The LNP is advocating for more early intervention through a justice reinvestment program to prevent youth crime, but Labor opposed that as well.
“Our plan to rehabilitate repeat offenders to break the cycle of offending was opposed.
“Labor also supported keeping their half-baked catch and release laws that let juvenile offenders get away with crime time and time again.
“It’s clear that the only way to solve the youth crime crisis in Queensland is to change the government and vote for the LNP at the next state election.
“Only the LNP will make a make a stand against youth crime.”
LNP Motion:
The LNP has announced a plan to attract a wave of private investment in major economic projects in Queensland – creating thousands of new jobs.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington promised to declare Queensland ‘open for business’ after the Palaszczuk Labor Government wasted billions of dollars of potential investment through bureaucracy and ministerial bungling.
A future LNP Government will set up Queensland Investment Partnerships to work hand-in-hand with the private sector in delivering at least $1 billion of signed and sealed new public-private projects by 2024.
The LNP’s commitment follows the failure of Labor’s Market-Led Proposals initiative, which received 164 project proposals from the private sector but has only managed to deliver one – an upgrade of the Logan Motorway toll road.
“Queensland has enormous potential, but it is being thrown away by Labor,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Out of 164 proposals, the Palaszczuk Labor Government has only managed to deliver an upgraded toll road.
“The LNP will be focused on construction – not obstruction.
“I want to partner with industry to unleash the potential of private-sector investment and create jobs right across Queensland.
“It’s time to declare Queensland open for business again and encourage investors to back our great state once again.”
Labor’s market-led proposals initiative was wound up in 2018 after a scathing report by the Auditor-General, which focused on the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s botched handling of the aquarium proposed at Queensland Maritime Museum – a project that was repeatedly announced by Labor Ministers.
Other notable market-led proposal failures include the rejection of a privately-funded theatre as part of the new Queens’ Wharf precinct.
A string of other Palaszczuk Government public-private projects have also gone nowhere, including the Great Keppel Island Development and the Cairns Global Tourism Hub.
LNP Shadow Minister for State Development Andrew Powell said Labor’s anti-business agenda had seen private-sector investment in Queensland plunge from $207bn under the LNP to just $128bn in the last three years – a fall of 38%.
“Labor’s anti-business agenda has destroyed tens of thousands of jobs in Queensland,” Mr Powell said.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government has delivered a lot of hot air and fluffy media opportunities, but no results.
“The Auditor-General found that one market-led proposal was stuck on a Minister’s desk for 622 days. Labor only care about their own jobs and no-one else’s.
“Queensland needs a State Government that will work with investors, not against them, and that’s what the LNP will deliver.”
Ms Frecklington said Queensland Investment Partnerships was a major addition to the LNP’s economic plan, which includes a no-new-tax guarantee, cheaper electricity bills and the New Bradfield Scheme.
“Labor has no plan and no Budget to deliver an economic recovery,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Only the LNP has a plan to get Queensland working again.”
How the Queensland Investment Partnership (QIP) will work
Queensland is the only state to cancel its Budget, which means the Palaszczuk Labor Government has no plan for the state’s economic recovery.
No Budget means Labor is flying blind through the biggest economic crisis in almost a century.
Let’s remember Queensland had the highest unemployment rate, the highest number of bankruptcies and the lowest business confidence before coronavirus - because Labor can’t manage the economy.
The Labor Treasurer has refused to tell Queenslanders the current or projected debt level*.
Labor should be delivering a full state Budget so Queenslanders have transparency about how their taxes are being spent.
The Palaszczuk Government has broken its fiscal principle about public service growth every year with the number of public servants rising more than population growth.
On top of that, Labor has failed to release public service statistics since June 2019.
Labor has smashed the Queensland economy with nine new or increased taxes, ripping almost $4 billion out of the economy.
You can’t tax your way to growth and the LNP is calling on Annastacia Palaszczuk to rule out introducing any new taxes.
The LNP has committed to no new taxes, which will give businesses certainty to grow, invest and employ Queenslanders.
Queensland’s State Emergency Service (SES) and marine rescue volunteers have been disgracefully let down by the Palaszczuk Labor Government.
LNP Shadow Minister for Fire, Emergency Services and Volunteers Lachlan Millar said that our hard-working frontline volunteers deserved better and we can’t afford to lose any more.
“In Queensland we have seen more than 1000 SES volunteers quit as well as 19 branches close up since 2015,” said Mr Millar.
“The SES is in crisis and volunteers are choosing to walk in droves.
“Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford has a review into the service on his desk waiting to be signed off and made public.
“It’s time for Minister Crawford to come clean and release the SES review for the sake of the thousands of volunteers crying out for action.
“Queenslanders and our SES Volunteers deserve to know what’s gone wrong and who is responsible.
“It’s time the Palaszczuk Labor Government too came clean on its intentions on the future of marine rescue groups in Queensland.
“Nearly two years after the Blue Water Review into Queensland marine rescue operations our volunteers remain completely in the dark.
“Marine rescue groups and organisations engaged with the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s Blue Water Review in good faith, but unfortunately it’s gone sour.
“Queensland's volunteer marine rescuers are doing their best to protect the communities they serve, and they deserve to know what their future looks like.
“Marine rescue volunteers deserve rock solid assurances and answers on the essential service they provide, as do Queensland boaties and recreational fishers throughout the state.
“The LNP want to see marine rescue well-funded and trained so it can keep Queenslanders safe.
“These men and women are the lifeblood of many communities and we can’t afford to lose any more.”
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington has announced a bold plan to bust congestion across South-East Queensland by offering free travel to seniors and students.
If it wins power on October 31, the LNP will introduce free off-peak travel for all seniors across the Citytrain network, which stretches from Gympie to the Gold Coast and inland to Ipswich.
Students starting full-time university and TAFE courses across Queensland will also be given $500 vouchers to pay for bus or train fares – or petrol if they live in areas lacking public transport.
“Queensland needs big ideas to bust its congestion crisis,” Ms Frecklington said.
“An LNP Government will take swift action to get our cities moving again.
“My plan will get more Queenslanders off the roads and create more capacity on peak-hour trains by encouraging travel at less crowded times.
“The LNP’s plan is a big win for commuters and a big saving for seniors and students.”
Journey times have surged across South-East Queensland in the past decade and Brisbane drivers now spend an average of 67 minutes a day travelling to and from work – only just behind the Sydney average of 71 minutes*.
Infrastructure Australia predicts that road use in the South-East will rise by another 21 per cent in the next decade, costing the region’s economy $6 billion a year.
The LNP’s free off-peak rail travel plan for seniors follow’s Brisbane City Council’s 2019 decision to provide seniors with free off-peak travel on buses, ferries and CityCats.
“I want my plan to encourage more seniors to catch up with friends and family, as loneliness and social isolation is a serious issue for older people – especially after coronavirus,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Young Queenslanders are facing lots of challenges too, given the significant jobs losses in hospitality and tourism businesses.
“The LNP will help students because we know the costs of studying at uni or TAFE can deter some young people from gaining the skills they need to get a secure job and brighter future.”
LNP Shadow Transport Minister Steve Minnikin said only the LNP had a plan to bust congestion, following years of rail fail and cuts to road infrastructure under Labor.
“A Deb Frecklington LNP Government will cut congestion by building the Second M1, busting road bottlenecks and getting more people onto public transport,” Mr Minnikin said.
“The LNP wants Queenslanders to be able to spend more time with families instead of spending time stuck in traffic.
“Congestion is also a huge cost to business and a drag on job creation.
“Only a Deb Frecklington LNP Government will get Queensland working and moving again.”
Under the LNP travel plan, seniors would be offered free travel on the Citytrain network between 8.30am and 3.30pm and between 7pm and 6am, as well as all-day on weekends and public holidays. The scheme would cost an estimated $2.7m a year.
Student travel vouchers would be available to those starting new full-time courses to encourage them to defer car purchases and use public transport instead. The two-year trial scheme would cost $5m a year.
* Melbourne Institute, Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey: melbourneinstitute.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/2437426/HILDA-SR-med-res.pdf
The LNP is demanding more action to combat ICE after an Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission report found that addiction to the deadly drug is continuing to increase across Queensland.
Testing conducted by the University of Queensland on wastewater at 53 sites across the nation found that ICE is the most-consumed illicit drug in the nation.
The results also revealed that consumption in regional Queensland is higher than Brisbane.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington her party would open four new regional drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres in Townsville, Wide Bay, Toowoomba and the Sunshine Coast if it wins the October 31 state election.
“This report shows that regional Queensland is the epicentre of the ICE crisis,” Ms Frecklington said.
“ICE has infiltrated our small towns and cities, destroying families and attacking the fabric of our communities,” Ms Frecklington said.
“This drug doesn’t discriminate, it decimates. Cars get stolen, houses are robbed and businesses are broken into just so people can feed their habit.
“There is nothing more heartbreaking than when someone from my community reaches out to tell me how ICE has devastated their family.
“The LNP has a comprehensive ICE plan that provides more treatment, more education and awareness and four additional rehabilitation and detox centres across regional Queensland.
“Tackling the scourge of ICE has been a personal priority for me since I became Leader of the Opposition.
“Only an LNP Government will get to grips with ICE and protect regional communities.”
Link to report: acic.gov.au/sites/default/files/national_wastewater_drug_monitoring_program_report_10_2020.pdf?v=1593563829
A future Deb Frecklington LNP Government will introduce a raft of new measures to boost Queensland’s domestic violence response.
Speaking in Cairns today, Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Stephen Bennett said the LNP is committed to keeping all Queenslanders safe, while making sure there are consequences for domestic violence offenders.
“The LNP has already introduced the toughest strangulation laws in the country to fix a legal loophole in the legislation and we are urging the Palaszczuk Labor Government to back those laws.
“We will also 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,” Mr Bennett said.
“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.
“In the wake of more horrific domestic violence tragedies, more needs to be done to prevent domestic violence and help survivors.
“Only the LNP has a plan to fix it, because we want Queensland to be the safest place to live, work and raise a family.
“Our police and courts are overwhelmed under the current system, which isn’t working to protect families or hold perpetrators accountable.”
Construction projects are being delayed and jobs are put at risk every day Annastacia Palaszczuk dithers on signing up to the Federal Government’s HomeBuilder program.
LNP Deputy Leader Tim Mander said almost a month had passed since the $680 million HomeBuilder program was announced, but the Palaszczuk Labor Government still hadn’t committed to it.
“Queensland is the only jurisdiction besides the ACT not to sign up to this job-creating program,” Mr Mander said.
“Queensland must sign up to ensure we get our fair share of the $680 million program.
“Home builders across the state are relying on this funding to support projects and secure local jobs.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government is holding the construction industry back at a time when Queensland has the longest unemployment queue in our state’s history.
“More than 174,000 Queenslanders have lost their job in the last three months and more will go if Annastacia Palaszczuk continues to dither on committing to stimulus measures like HomeBuilder.
“Labor was the first government to cancel its Budget and it’s shaping as the last to sign up for HomeBuilder.
“This is just another example of how Annastacia Palaszczuk has turned a health crisis into an economic crisis.”
LNP Shadow Minister for Housing and Public Works Michael Hart said signing up for the HomeBuilder program should have been a no brainier.
“Once again the Palaszczuk Labor Government has been way too slow off the mark,” Mr Hart said.
“The construction industry needed certainty and decisiveness from Labor to sign up to this program and secure jobs.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government is more interested in politics than securing local jobs.
“It’s a terrible indictment on Annastacia Palaszczuk that almost every other state and territory has beaten Queensland to the punch and unlocked the economic stimulus from this program.”
The LNP will put the brakes on Queensland’s hooning problem with new cameras, new laws and new technology which will literally shred the tyres of dangerous drivers.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said hooning gangs were causing misery for communities and putting the lives of innocent Queenslanders at risk.
“It’s time to get tough on these hoons because right now they’re laughing at the law and the soft Palaszczuk Labor Government,” Ms Frecklington said.
“My plan will get hoons off our streets and make communities safe again.”
Ms Frecklington announced the three-pronged anti-hooning strategy on the Gold Coast, which is being plagued by gangs like the Mexican Hoon Cartel, whose members post burnout videos online and have attacked QPS officers.”
LNP candidate for Gaven Kirsten Jackson said the Gold Coast was a magnet for hooning gangs.
“The LNP has called on Labor to take action against local hoons, but nothing has been done,” Ms Jackson said.
“Labor is soft on hoons, just like they’re soft on young offenders, bikies and other thugs.
“Local residents don’t want to be afraid to use the roads or have hoons causing mayhem outside their homes.
“The LNP will crack down on these gangs because we all deserve safer roads and safer communities.”
The LNP’s plan includes
