State News - July 2021

The Queensland LNP has welcomed the Federal Government’s commitment of $12.65 million to further progress the planning of Urannah Dam.

Shadow Minister for Water and the Construction of Dams Deb Frecklington says this commitment was encouraging for North Queenslanders in desperate need of water security.

“Water means jobs and this announcement is a sign of confidence in the future for not only growers and farmers but also our regional communities in the North,” Mrs Frecklington said.

“It is disappointing the State Government repeatedly refuses to back water projects in our state and is leaving all of the heavy lifting to the Federal Government.”

Member for Burdekin Dale Last said he had visited the site and understands the benefits the dam will bring for job creation, agriculture and communities.

“I have supported the Urannah Dam project since the first time I took it to a Bowen Collinsville Enterprise meeting,” Mr Last said.

Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm said this announcement was being embraced by residents in her electorate.

“This project will deliver significant economic outcomes for the Whitsundays including renewable energy generation and water security,” Ms Camm said.

The proposed Urannah Dam project includes a new 970-gigalitre dam to be built approximately 50km from Collinsville, as well as a 200km pipeline network south to the Moranbah area.

• 162,000 Queenslanders desperate for an appointment
• 73,929 patients in Brisbane and Ipswich

The shocking state of Queensland’s dental wait list has been exposed, with new statistics revealing a disturbing number of people aren’t getting treated.

Queensland Health says 162,133 patients were on the dental wait list last month, with 73,929 in Brisbane and Ipswich.

Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates says the Labor government is losing control of Queensland’s dental wait list.

“Honest Queenslanders have nothing to smile about,” Ms Bates said.

“More people are waiting and more teeth are rotting.

“Every Queenslander deserves to see a dentist without having to wait years to secure an appointment.

“There is a long and sad history of the state government’s inability to deliver basic services, in Brisbane but across the entire state.

“When the LNP was last in government, the dental wait list was slashed from 60,000 to zero, thanks largely to a dental voucher system.

“The current wait list is jam-packed and I have zero confidence that the embattled Health Minister has what it takes to bring it under control.

“Under Labor, ambulance ramping is out of control, more patients are left waiting in emergency departments, elective surgery wait lists are growing rapidly and now thousands of Queenslanders can’t see a dentist.

“Queenslanders deserve a world class health system, but under Labor it’s a rotten failure.”

The Queensland health crisis is getting worse, with the latest statistics showing a blow out in surgery wait times with more than 55,000 Queenslanders left languishing.

Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates says Labor is losing control of the health system.

“These aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet, these are honest Queenslanders desperate for surgery.

“The embattled health minister can’t fix ambulance ramping, surgery wait times are getting worse and the culture within Queensland Health has hit rock bottom.

“I will not stop fighting for the honest Queenslanders who are experiencing delays and cancellations to their elective surgery.

“As a nurse and former hospital administrator, I know how frustrating it is for our frontline staff who are under-resourced and under-appreciated by the state government.

“The LNP has put solutions on the table including more beds, better triaging and real time data monitoring.

“Across Queensland more than 55,000 patients are waiting for surgery and more than 13% aren’t seen on time.

“The numbers in areas including Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Townsville and Cairns are extremely concerning.

“The LNP is on a crusade to heal the health system.

“We won’t stop fighting for a world class health system for all Queenslanders.”