An LNP Government will make a major investment to help flood proof Laidley if elected on Saturday.
LNP Member for Lockyer Jim McDonald said the devastation of the Australia Day floods in 2013, when floodwaters inundated the township of Laidley, would stay with him forever.
He was the Senior Sergeant and Officer in Charge at Laidley Police Station at the time and helped with the recovery efforts following the 2011 and then the 2013 floods.
"As a police officer, I was on the front line, witnessing firsthand the devastating impact this had on a community that was just beginning to rebuild after the 2011 floods. It was one of the reasons I decided to run for Parliament - to be part of the solution,” Mr McDonald said.
"That’s why today, I am so proud to announce that a Crisafulli LNP government will commit $15 million towards crucial flood mitigation measures in Laidley.
"The people of our region have faced enough uncertainty.
"This investment will give them confidence that their homes, livelihoods, and safety are a priority.
"Flood mitigation is about more than just infrastructure; it's about ensuring our communities can thrive without the fear of devastation every time it rains."
The flood mitigation project will be funded through an overhauled Queensland Betterment Fund, which will receive a permanent boost to $80 million per year, with a $40 million contribution from an LNP Government – the largest investment in disaster resilience in a generation.
It includes improvements to water diversion, infrastructure reinforcement, and measures aimed at reducing flood risk to critical parts of the town.
Shadow Minister for Disaster Recovery, Anne Leahy, joined Mr McDonald for the announcement at the Laidley Recreational Reserve today.
"This is an important investment into the region and the disaster management plan for the state," Ms Leahy said.
"Labor’s failures have overseen $20 billion-plus in project cost blowouts that could have instead delivered essential disaster-management infrastructure like the Laidley flood mitigation.
Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor, Tanya Milligan, welcomed the announcement.
"On behalf of Council and the community, I am thrilled with this commitment from the LNP, which would enable us to make significant progress on our plans to improve the flood resilience of Laidley township,” Cr Milligan said.
"Council has been working on the Laidley Flood Mitigation Project in stages over many years and is reliant upon government funding to turn the plans into reality, so this commitment is both timely and most welcomed."
Mr McDonald said Queenslanders could vote for the Laidley flood mitigation program, and a Fresh Start for Queensland, by voting LNP on October 26.
“Only by voting 1 LNP will Queenslanders get a Fresh Start and projects like the $15 million Laidley Betterment Project,” Mr McDonald said.
“Labor is desperate to hold onto power, but unless we change the government, we’ll continue to get more of the same under Labor.
“This is the opportunity for a Fresh Start with the LNP’s Right Plan for Queensland’s Future.”
A major flood resilience project to protect freight access to the Brisbane Markets will be the first delivered under a bolstered Queensland Betterment Fund, if the LNP is elected.
An LNP Government has committed $2.5 million towards raising the Curzon Street Bridge in Rocklea, to ensure fruit and vegetables can be distributed from the markets during heavy rain and flood events.
The upgrade, funded jointly with Brisbane City Council, will mean fresh produce can be moved more quickly during weather events, driving down costs at the checkout for Queenslanders.
The project will be funded under an overhauled Queensland Betterment Fund, which will receive a permanent boost to $80 million per year, with a $40 million contribution from an LNP Government – the largest investment in disaster resilience in a generation.
LNP Leader David Crisafulli said the LNP would invest in local flood resilience to lower costs for local government and communities.
“We can’t stop natural disasters, but we can lessen their impacts by investing in smarter infrastructure to stop damage before it happens, which is what the LNP’s Betterment boost will do,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“This is about saving lives, protecting properties and reducing insurance premiums for Queensland families.
“The Curzon Street Bridge at Rocklea is a great example of how betterment projects can deliver dividends over the long term.
“The Brisbane Markets are the state’s most important centre for the distribution of fresh fruit and vegetables, with annual trade exceeding 700 million kilograms of produce valued at more than $2 billion.
“By making the Curzon Street Bridge more resilient, we can ensure that supply chain stays open, delivering the economic dividends from our iconic Queensland produce regardless of the weather.
“We know betterment and resilience projects work. When the Roma flood levee was built after the 2012 floods, insurance premiums went down by 60%, saving families thousands.”
Queenslanders are paying more because of Labor’s mismanagement, with Labor allocating only $9.6 million in temporary uplift funding for the Queensland Betterment Fund over the next financial year.
The LNP’s funding overhaul would be jointly supported by the Federal and State Governments, with a $40 million annual contribution from each.
Shadow Minister for Local Government and Disaster Recovery Ann Leahy said that only the LNP will make infrastructure betterment a priority.
“With our plan, councils across Queensland will have access to betterment funding without financial barriers,” Ms Leahy said.
“We will help local governments build stronger, smarter infrastructure that drives down costs and keeps communities safe.
“Local communities and local government deserve a Fresh Start, and the LNP has the Right Plan for Queensland’s Future.
“Unless we change the government, we’ll continue to get more of the same.
“This election is an opportunity for a Fresh Start for Queensland, by voting 1 LNP.”
The LNP will secure a pipeline of critical workers by addressing the root cause of Queensland’s skilled worker shortage if elected on October 26.
An LNP Government will fund a major hiring blitz to employ the next generation of TAFE teachers.
The $2 million recruitment drive will include five dedicated recruitment facilitators, who will identify and target specific areas where teacher shortages are causing the biggest impact.
Under Labor, teacher shortages have contributed to a large number of TAFE students not completing their training, leading to Queensland’s skills shortage.
Shadow Minister for Employment and Training Brent Mickelberg says it is essential to build TAFE’s capacity to train skilled workers for Queensland’s future.
“Over the last nine years, Labor has missed their apprenticeship completion target by 17,600,” Mr Mickelberg said.
“That’s 17,600 tradies and skilled workers that we don’t have in Queensland.
“TAFE class sizes are ballooning and the workload for current teachers is becoming unmanageable.
“We will embark on a recruitment drive by targeting trade professionals, recently transitioned Australian Defence Force veterans and stay-at-home parents wanting to return to work.
“The LNP has the Right Plan to ensure there are enough qualified teachers to train the skilled workers of tomorrow for Queensland.”
LNP Candidate for Barron River Bree James said Far North Queensland is crying out for more skilled workers.
"The LNP has the Right Plan to expand trades training and secure a pipeline of skilled workers by promoting upskilling opportunities for the next generation of TAFE teachers,” Ms James said.
“Queenslanders need a fresh start, and this this commitment to employ more TAFE teachers will play a huge role in boosting our skilled worker numbers.”
The LNP will also establish a dedicated TAFE teacher training precinct at the TAFE Centre of Excellence in Moreton, with satellite precincts in Central and North Queensland.
LNP candidate for Cairns Yolonde Entsch said these facilities will play a key role addressing the shortage of qualified TAFE teachers.
“Only by voting 1 LNP will Queenslanders get a Fresh Start, with a plan to get more tradies on the tools and a hiring blitz for TAFE teachers,” Ms Entsch said.
“Labor is desperate to hold onto power, but unless we change the government, we’ll continue to get more of the same.
“This is the opportunity for a Fresh Start with the LNP’s Right Plan for Queensland’s Future.”
The LNP will deliver a major infrastructure package for local government, with flood resilience, housing infrastructure and local projects, if elected this weekend.
LNP Leader David Crisafulli unveiled a bold plan to rebuild the relationship between state and local government during an address to the Local Government Association of Queensland annual conference today.
The LNP will increase Works for Queensland to $100 million each year and invest $40 million of flood resilience projects each year, doubling the existing Betterment fund, if elected.
The LNP will also partner with Local Governments to form a Taskforce 100 program, a red tape reduction initiative to streamline approvals and remove barriers for councils.
Mr Crisafulli said the commitments would empower local government with the resources needed to deliver critical infrastructure for local communities.
“The LNP will invest in local communities across Queensland with infrastructure big and small,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“Today we have a clear message to Councils, have your projects ready because we will hit the ground running if Queenslanders vote for a Fresh Start.
“Our plan will deliver long-overdue flood resilience, kick-start new housing developments and lock-in local projects.
“We will work with local governments, not against them, to build the infrastructure needed for our growing communities.”
Shadow Local Government Minister Ann Leahy said the LNP will give councils the resources they need to deliver for their communities.
“Our councils need the support, not interference, of the State Government, which is what they’ll get from the LNP,” Ms Leahy said.
“Local Government has been treated as second-class citizens under Labor, placed at the lowest rung on the ladder of a super-department without the respect or support they need to deliver.
“The LNP will restore trust, respect, and accountability in Local Government.
“Labor is desperate to hold onto power, but unless we change the government, we’ll continue to get more of the same.
“The LNP will deliver a Fresh Start for Queensland with the Right Plan for Queensland’s Future.”
The LNP will support Queensland Small and Family Businesses with a new pilot program to cover up to half the wages of their apprentices and stop skyrocketing skill shortages overseen by Labor.
The LNP’s plan will cover 50% of apprentice wages for first and second year apprentices, and 25% of the wages for third and fourth year apprentices, during training block periods of four weeks, twice a year.
The pilot program will initially focus on construction trade apprentices and be open to the first 2,000 apprentices employed by small and family businesses.
Shadow Training and Employment Minister Brent Mickelberg said the $19 million initiative would provide financial support, simplify regulatory requirements, and make it easier to secure apprentices.
“Queensland is in the middle of a skilled worker shortage crisis, and we must do better when it comes to training and supporting our students, apprentices and trainees,” Mr Mickelberg said.
“Queensland small and family businesses are desperate for skilled tradies, and this program will help clear the blockages so they can hire young workers and share their skills and knowledge with them.
“After Labor’s decade of neglect, small businesses find it too expensive and difficult to hire apprentices in the blocks of training required for their qualifications – so the LNP is removing those obstacles.”
LNP Candidate for Bundaberg Bree Watson said her community would benefit from the LNP’s commitment to small and family businesses.
“Bundy small businesses are doing it tough and providing assistance to employ and train apprentices will help boost skilled tradies in the construction industry,” she said.
“With rising costs and thinning margins, small businesses are finding it challenging to take on apprentices, but our program will give them the confidence to be able to.”
Mr Mickelberg said Labor missed their apprenticeship completion target over the last nine years by 17,600.
“That’s 17,600 tradies and skilled workers that we don’t have in Queensland because of Labor,” he said.
“This Saturday we can deliver a Fresh Start for Queensland, by voting 1 LNP.
"Only by voting 1 LNP will Queenslanders get a Fresh Start and the support small business needs.
“Labor and Tom Smith are desperate to hold onto power, but unless we change the government, we’ll continue to get more of the same under Labor.
“This is the opportunity for a Fresh Start with the LNP’s Right Plan for Queensland’s Future.”
Every child attending an approved kindergarten program will have access to a free health and developmental check under a new Healthy Kindy Kids program, if the LNP is elected on October 26.
The free health checks will assess vision, hearing, and speech in the year before starting prep on-site at Queensland kindergarten and childcare centres.
Identifying health or developmental concerns before children start prep and school allows children to receive the treatment before they fall behind in their formal education.
Early Childhood Educators are reporting undiagnosed health and development issues are causing children to fall behind in their early years of schooling leading to long-term learning difficulties and disengagement from education.
LNP Leader David Crisafulli said early detection and intervention were critical to ensuring children don’t fall behind.
“The LNP’s Healthy Kindy Kids program will deliver hearing, vision and speech health checks, so kids are ready and raring for their first years of school,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“Healthy kids are healthy learners and this will give kids the best start to school possible.
“Kids shouldn’t be left behind before they even get to school, by identifying health issues early, we’re giving parents, teachers, and children the best tools to succeed.”
Under the policy, kindergarten providers will prepare a handover report for each child, giving schools critical insights into any health, developmental, or behavioural concerns before the start of the school year.
Children identified with health or developmental needs will also receive follow-up checks in years 1, 3, and 5 to ensure they continue to receive the support they need.
“Early intervention is only part of the equation. Ongoing check-ups at years 1, 3, and 5 will ensure we can monitor progress and make adjustments as needed to keep kids on the right track throughout primary school,” he said.
“This plan ensures that no child slips through the cracks, and it helps teachers by reducing the guesswork and setting kids up for success from the start.
“Labor’s failures have seen around 40 per cent of students failing maths and literacy national standards, we must give kids the help they need early, so they don’t fall behind in their education.
“We need a Fresh Start for Queensland, and the LNP has the Right Plan to deliver it.”
QUEENSLAND YOUTH CRIME CRISIS - OUT OF HAND
Shocking new crime data has revealed a major rise in the number of assaults since Labor came to power in 2015, in another sign Labor’s soft laws have wreaked havoc across Queensland.
New Queensland Police Service (QPS) statistics reported 60,510 assaults across Queensland in the 12 months to September 2024.
Since Labor came to power, assaults have increased by a whopping 190%.
Shadow Minister for Police and Community Safety Dan Purdie said nothing would change unless the government changed.
“Time’s up for Labor’s decade of failures, the only way to end Labor’s Youth Crime Crisis is by changing the government,” Mr Purdie said.
“We need a Fresh Start for Queensland and the LNP has the plan to deliver it.
“The LNP will restore safety where you live with Adult Crime, Adult Time, Gold Standard Early Intervention and Detention with Purpose.
“Labor’s weak crime laws and failure to deliver gold standard early intervention has left Queensland with a generation of hardcore repeat offenders.
“While Labor MPs have been desperately denying youth crime, the LNP has been listening to Queenslanders.
“Labor is desperate to hold onto power, but unless we change the government, we’ll continue to get more of the same under Labor.
"Queenslanders had been held hostage by Labor’s Youth Crime Crisis, but the LNP was committed to making our community safer with Adult Crime, Adult Time, and Gold Standard Early Intervention.
“Only by preventing, intervening, diverting, rehabilitating, and protecting can we end Labor’s Youth Crime Crisis and restore safety where you live.
“We must restore discipline and consequences for actions and put the rights of the victims ahead of offenders.
“If an LNP government is elected this week, the Making Queensland Safer Laws will be laws by the end of the year.
“This is the opportunity for a Fresh Start with the LNP’s Right Plan for Queensland’s Future.”
Emergency service first responders will take a giant leap forward in connectivity if the LNP is elected on October 26.
An LNP Government will deliver cutting-edge satellite communications technology to Queensland Fire Department, SES and Rural Fire Service, ensuring reliable connectivity in areas cut off by natural disasters.
Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Dale Last said the $5 million satellite communications investment will save lives across Queensland.
“When disaster strikes, time is everything. Our QFD, SES and RFS first responders do an extraordinary job, and they need the right tools to respond quickly and effectively,” Mr Last said.
“Communities in Central and North Queensland still remember the chaos when Telstra’s network failed during ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald in 2013.
“By adopting proven satellite technology, we’re equipping our first responders with the tools they need to save lives and support isolated communities during emergencies.”
As part of the plan, the LNP will consult with the QFD, as well as local SES and RFS groups to determine the areas of greatest need for high-tech upgrades.
This engagement will allow frontline responders to provide input on the specific communications technology best suited to their regions.
“Queenslanders are no strangers to natural disasters, but Labor has failed to equip our first responders properly. Many RFS trucks are even off the road due to safety issues,” Mr Last said.
“The LNP will make sure our QFD, SES and RFS volunteers have a say, ensuring we deliver the most effective solutions and plan for future challenges.”
Internationally acclaimed emergency services trainer Shan Raffel said the benefits of modern communications technology are clear.
“For responders, the need to communicate is absolutely essential in order to achieve the best possible outcome - but also because their lives can literally rely on it,” Mr Raffel said.
“From a command-and-control perspective, satellite technology means essential operations like rescues can be coordinated more efficiently to reduce the risk to both victims and responders.
“I have been an advocate for improving communications systems for Queensland’s emergency services for over a decade and this announcement shows that the LNP has listened and has a plan when it comes to community safety.”
Dale Last said Queenslanders can vote for satellite communications for first responders and a government that works for them by voting LNP at this month’s election.
“Labor is desperate to hold onto power, but unless we change the government, we’ll continue to get more of the same,” Mr Last said.
“This is the opportunity for a Fresh Start with the LNP’s Right Plan for Queensland’s Future.”
The LNP has today outlined a path to reform Queensland’s youth detention program, stopping the youth detention system becoming a merry-go-round for the growing cohort of serious repeat youth offenders.
Detention with Purpose will restore discipline and rehabilitation as the cornerstones of detention to ensure kids don’t fall behind in education and have the best chance of a positive future.
Queensland has one of the highest rate of recidivism in Australia, last year 972 youth criminals were sentenced to youth detention with 447 of those sentenced to more than one stint of detention.
Under the LNP’s plan, detention would have a laser-like focus on rehabilitation, with education to become compulsory, a zero tolerance approach to violence and clear consequences for both good and bad behaviour.
Privileges including TV, computers, games or social time would need to be maintained with good behaviour.
Similarly, violent behaviour will have real consequences with a minimum period in isolation, to be determined in consultation with experts. Currently when a youth is violent they are returned from separation as soon as they have deescalated, even if it is within several minutes, leaving no consequence for the behaviour.
Detention with Purpose is the final plank of the LNP’s Making Our Community Safer Plan to restore safety where you live and will work alongside Staying on Track, a 12-month intensive post detention rehabilitation to bridge the gap from detention to community.
LNP Leader David Crisafulli said Detention with Purpose would help reduce skyrocketing youth recidivism by rehabilitating kids during detention.
“The LNP’s Detention with Purpose will ensure detention is not only about getting dangerous offenders off the street for community safety but also delivers intensive rehabilitation while they’re serving their sentence,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“Youth detention shouldn’t breed better criminals, it should be a path to rehabilitation.
“The LNP will restore consequences for action inside our detention centres, to teach young people reward for good behaviour and penalty for bad behaviour.
“Discipline, purpose and consequences for action will be the focus. Education will be compulsory with an end to the ‘opt out’ attitude and youth will have to maintain good behaviour to have access to privileges like TV.
“The State Government is the parent for kids in detention and they’re the worst parent of all, they’re not teaching kids discipline, they’re not teaching kids about reward for effort, they’re not giving kids the tools to be functional members of our community.
“Education failures in detention are leaving kids further behind, with fewer opportunities for employment and an increased risk of reoffending.
“Under Labor, kids are spending just a couple of hours in schooling a week, and that’s only the ones who agree to attend, with many others opting out entirely.
“We must put an end to the detention merry-go-round by making detention an opportunity for rehabilitation.
“The LNP will restore safety where you live with Detention with Purpose, Adult Crime, Adult Time and Gold Standard Early Intervention.
“Only the LNP will reform detention to stop the youth offender cycle and make our community safer.
“We will deliver a Fresh Start for Queensland.”
A Fresh Start for Queensland
The LNP’s campaign has officially launched today, unveiling a plan for a Fresh Start for Queensland to end Labor’s Youth Crime, Health, Housing and Cost of Living Crises.
The LNP has also today announced the final plank in its crime plan, Detention With Purpose, which will reform youth detention by shifting the focus to rehabilitation through more discipline, education and consequences for action.
The LNP’s Right Plan for Queensland’s Future, will deliver our state much-needed change including:
LNP Leader David Crisafulli said next Saturday’s election was a referendum on Queensland’s Youth Crime, Health, Housing and Cost of Living Crises.
“The LNP has the Right Plan and will deliver a Fresh Start for Queensland if voters choose change next Saturday,” Mr Crisafulli.
“After a decade of Labor, time’s up. Queensland needs change. We can’t risk another four years of Labor and more of the same crisis.
“Deals between Labor, the extreme Greens and the minor parties would make Queensland’s problems with youth crime, cost of living, health and housing even worse.
“On Saturday, voters can give Queensland the change it needs by voting 1 LNP. Only the LNP will deliver A Fresh Start for Queensland.”
BLOCKED OUT
Nearly 1000 vacant blocks of State Government owned land remain empty, despite a record number of Queenslanders languishing on the social housing waitlist.
The explosive data has revealed 886 blocks were vacant as at July 2024 across Queensland, in another sign Labor can’t be trusted to deliver a place to call home for Queenslanders.
The Queensland Government data revealed Ipswich had the most vacant lots at 154, followed by Cairns 84, Logan 74 and 58 in Townsville.
Shadow Minister for Housing Tim Mander all Labor’s promises had amounted to nothing with nearly 46,000 Queenslanders were waiting for a roof over their head.
“Despite all of Labor’s promises, funding announcements, round tables and their now infamous housing summit the situation is only getting worse,” Mr Mander said.
“In contrast, the LNP will deliver a place to call home for more Queenslanders by abolishing stamp duty on new homes for first buyers and by delivering 10,000 community homes including 500 in the next two years.”
The LNP’s Homes with Purpose plan includes:
Mr Mander said our Community Housing Sector stands ready and willing to help.
“Only the LNP has the Right Plan for Queensland’s Future and that includes a bold 20 year housing plan to build the homes for Queensland’s Future,” he said.
“The LNP will secure our housing foundations, with a plan to build the social and community housing we need over the coming two decades.
“These numbers are a reflection on Meaghan Scanlon and her inability to get more vulnerable Queenslanders into homes.
“This is an awfully stressful time for 46,000 Queenslanders on the social housing waitlist who’ve been let down by a 10 year old government that’s in chaos and crisis.
“Labor is desperate to hold onto power, but unless we change the government, we’ll continue to get more of the same under Labor.
“The LNP has the Right Plan and will deliver a Fresh Start for Queensland if voters choose change.
“After a decade of Labor, time’s up. Queensland needs change. We can’t risk another four years of Labor and more of the same crisis.
“On Saturday, voters can give Queensland the change it needs by voting 1 LNP. Only the LNP will deliver A Fresh Start for Queensland.”
The LNP has today announced a $10.45 million boost to neurological health services, as part of its Easier Access to Health Services Plan.
The game changing investment will deliver a major expansion of services supporting more than 1.3 million Queenslanders experiencing Epilepsy, Dementia, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, Muscular Dystrophy, Motor Neurone Disease and Acquired Brain Injury.
The LNP’s five-year commitment will deliver eight Neuro Wellness Hubs across Queensland, providing patients with comprehensive and coordinated care and support, specialised therapies and peer support groups, combining the expertise of the sector.
The commitment will also include:
LNP Leader David Crisafulli said the LNP’s commitment was part of the Right Plan for Queensland’s Future to restore health services when you need them.
“The LNP will deliver a Queensland-first collaborative model of care for neurological health, bringing together the best minds and latest research to boost support for patients,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“For the first time coordinated neurological health treatment will be available across regional Queensland through our Neuro Wellness Hubs, including in Rockhampton, Townsville, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Toowoomba.
“These Neuro Wellness Hubs will be a one stop shop for people to access critical support and services in conjunction with their GP and specialists.
“For the 1.3 million Queenslanders experiencing neurological conditions, including dementia, epilepsy, Parkinsons, MND and MS, this major boost to services will be a gamechanger for their care and connection to supports.”
David Curd, CEO of MS Queensland said one in four Queenslanders and their families are living with a neuro condition.
“Every home, every staffroom, every community group, every organisation has someone living with a neuro condition – we all know someone living with a neuro condition like dementia, epilepsy, Parkinsons, MS, motor neurones, stroke, migraine and acquired brain injury - that’s why neuro matters,” Mr Curd said.
“With this critical commitment, Queenslanders will not need to face their neuro related condition alone and can readily access the information and supports that are needed for this life long and challenging journey.”
Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates said the LNP was committed to delivering health services when you need them.
“Under Labor more Queenslanders are waiting for elective surgery and to see specialists, including neurologists, and it’s taking a heavy toll,” Ms Bates said.
“Queenslanders deserve world-class health services no matter where they live, which is exactly what this commitment will deliver for patients with neurological conditions.
“This boost to neurological healthcare follows our three-phase plan to Diagnose, Treat and Cure Labor’s Health Crisis, meeting the needs of our growing State.
“Nothing will change unless we change the government this month, but Queenslanders can choose a Fresh Start for Queensland, by voting LNP.
“Labor is desperate to hold onto power, but unless we change the government, we’ll continue to get more of the same Health Crisis.
“This is the opportunity for a Fresh Start with the LNP’s Right Plan for Queensland’s Future.”
Equipping our courts by boosting justice services
The LNP will restore a vital justice service for Queensland’s resources sector by re-establishing and increasing the powers of the Mining Warden’s Court disbanded under Labor.
The Mining Warden’s Court will investigate fatal accidents on the state’s mine and quarry sites, with the Mining Warden appointed in both a Magistrate and a Coroner role, to empower full and fair investigations.
Shadow Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last said the commitment was part of the LNP’s Right Plan for Queensland’s Future.
“The LNP will bolster the safety of every Queenslander working in the resources sector, with a Mining Warden’s Court,” Mr Last said.
“The safety of workers in the resources sector should be a priority to every Queenslander, and it is definitely a priority for the LNP.
“Today we are sending a clear message to the industry that people will be held responsible for their actions and that, under an LNP government, lessons learnt from incidents will be acted on.
“It means that the days of a Minister deciding whether or not to hold an inquiry come to an end, if there is an accident, families will be provided with the answers they deserve.”
Mr Last said a key feature of the Mining Warden’s Court was the appointment of panellists with the relevant industry expertise but no connection to the site of the incident, for any Inquiry.
“By combining the practical knowledge of the panellists with the legal powers of the Mining Warden, you ensure a full and frank examination of what went wrong and why,” Mr Last said.
“It is ironic that Labor closed down the Minig Warden’s Court but, as recently as 2020 a Labor Minister spoke of how it had prevented incidents and saved lives.”
When not acting in the capacity of Mining Warden, the appointed Magistrate will be available to undertake normal court duties, further lessening the load on our justice system.
Mr Last said equipping Queensland courts so victims’ cases are heard sooner by boosting capacity of justice services was a key part of the LNP’s Right Plan for Queensland’s future.
“The LNP will end Labor’s chaos and crisis and govern with integrity,” he said.
“Our state needs a fresh start, only the LNP has the Right Plan for Queensland’s future.”
The LNP has today outlined a 100 Day Plan to deliver Queensland a Fresh Start, if Queensland elects an LNP government on October 26.
The plan details more than 40 actions a Crisafulli LNP Government would take in its first 100 days of office, with action on Youth Crime, Health, Housing and Cost of Living.
One of the first actions by the LNP will be to meet with the Police Commissioner to outline additional support needed to address Labor’s Youth Crime Crisis, as well as:
In the first week, the LNP will also instruct Treasury to begin axing Labor’s Patients’ Tax and abolish Labor’s Stamp Duty on new home for first buyers, as key cost of living relief for Queenslanders.
LNP Leader David Crisafulli said the LNP had put forward a comprehensive and ambitious plan for the first 100 days of government.
“This is our plan, this is the Fresh Start Queensland needs,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“We’ll hit the ground running and in the first 100 days will start implementing our plan for Queensland’s future.
“We have the Right Plan and we’re ready to put it into action if Queenslanders vote LNP.
“Our united and disciplined team is ready to serve Queensland and tackle youth crime, health, housing and cost of living head-on.
“Our state needs a Fresh Start and the LNP has the Right Plan for Queensland’s Future.”
Deputy LNP Leader Jarrod Bleijie said only by voting 1 LNP would Queenslanders get a Fresh Start.
“Time’s up for Labor’s decade of failures,” Mr Bleijie said.
“Labor’s failures have given Queenslanders a Youth Crime Crisis, Health Crisis, Housing Crisis and Cost of Living Crisis.
“With Labor’s desperation, Queensland risks a Greens/Labor Coalition of Chaos.
“Labor and Steven Miles are desperate to hold onto power, but unless we change the government, we’ll continue to get more of the same under Labor.
“This is the opportunity for a Fresh Start with the LNP’s Right Plan for Queensland’s Future.”
The LNP will help keep country roads open and Queenslanders moving safely during weather events with a targeted program to inject vital funding to pave regional dirt roads which otherwise become impassable.
An LNP Government would deliver sealed roads to increase resilience and maintain productivity, as well as ensuring emergency services can move quickly in the times they’re needed most.
LNP Shadow Minister for Rural and Regional Affairs said the LNP’s $100 million Country Roads Connect was part of the Right Plan for Queensland’s Future.
“The LNP will bolster safety on unsealed regional roads with a $100 million boost,” Mr Last said.
“Our Country Roads Connect program will work hand-in-hand with our Safer Roads, Better Transport plan which will deliver congestion-busting and safety upgrades across Queensland.
“Rural communities can quickly become isolated when significant rainfall events shut key access roads, and it’s often the dirt roads that are most at risk of becoming impassable as they quickly can turn to mud and become dangerous.
“When roads are cut, life-saving medical services are out of reach, producers cut off from their markets and families either need to stockpile food and supplies or require goods to be airlifted in, which is hugely expensive for communities.
"Time's up for Labor’s expensive failures which have overseen $20 billion-plus in project cost blowouts, that could have instead delivered local infrastructure like Country Roads Connect.
“We will work with local governments to determine which roads should be prioritised for upgrades and to help deliver these upgrades.
“Queenslanders are currently paying far more and getting far less under Labor’s systematic, long-term government failures.”
Mr Last said Queenslanders could vote for Country Roads Connect funding support and a government which works for them, by voting LNP at this election.
“This State needs a Fresh Start and only the LNP has the Right Plan for Queensland’s future,” he said.
The LNP has today announced a comprehensive plan for water security and capacity to meet the needs of a growing Queensland with new weirs, increased capacity of existing dams and a commitment to review current water plans.
The boost to water security will deliver dependable water supply and flood mitigation, with the LNP committing to deliver weirs including:
The LNP will also rebuild Paradise Dam and deliver a detailed business case for the Water for Warrill irrigation project, focused on moving high priority water, increasing production volumes and supercharging investment certainty in the Scenic Rim.
The LNP will also urgently embark on a review of water sources for South East Queensland, including how population growth in this corridor will be catered for, after Labor has failed to deliver new water storage over the past decade.
Each of the 23 Queensland regional water plans will be reviewed to determine if unallocated water can be provided to boost agriculture productivity and reduce costs for families, to boost affordability and reliability of supply.
LNP Leader David Crisafulli said the LNP’s Watertight policy was an achievable and detailed plan to secure the water for Queensland’s future, with new water storage and better water management.
“The LNP’s Watertight plan will turn on the tap for water security now and into the future,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“By building our water storage capacity we will have a watertight plan come drought or flood.
“The LNP will immediately review the pipeline of projects to ensure shovels hit the ground, with affordable and stable water being delivered now and into the future.”
LNP Shadow Minister for Water and the Construction of Dams Deb Frecklington said Labor's failure to deliver new water storage would cost Queenslanders every time they turned on the tap.
“Queenslanders are looking down the barrel of higher water prices in the middle of a cost of living crisis, under Labor’s failures.
“A list of water security projects are shovel ready, but under Labor, they’ve never seen the light of day.
“We will build new water capacity with weirs along the Thomson River in Longreach, Boyne River in Mundubbera and the Baraambah Creek in Murgon, while also rebuilding Labor’s failed Paradise Dam in the Wide Bay.
“The LNP will also deliver a detailed business case for the Water for Warrill irrigation project to benefit agriculture in the Scenic Rim.”
The LNP has also ruled-out recycled water and desalination plants while committing to reviewing all regional water plans in the next four years.
“Projects across the state that have been stalled will have a voice to begin mounting a business case for future funding,” Ms Frecklington said.
“The LNP’s water storage vision means recycled water for drinking, and desalination plants, can be ruled out under the LNP, but they remain on the table for Labor.
“We know desalination is one of the most expensive water sources and astronomically increases the cost of water for Queenslanders.
“Labor is ideologically against dams, which damns the livelihoods of our food bowl farmers and producers.
“Only by increasing our water storage capacity and better managing our water supply and storage can we deliver water security for Queensland’s future.”
LNP Candidate for Gregory Sean Dillon said the LNP’s commitment to the Thomson River Weir Project would support farmers and the Longreach community.
“Water security is a priority for Longreach and it’s a priority for the LNP,” Mr Dillon said.
"As a former Mayor I know only too well the importance of a safe reliable water supply for the community.
“The LNP’s commitment allows for the expansion of industry and therefore jobs integral to the future of Longreach and the Central West.
“Our State needs a fresh start and only the LNP has the Right Plan for Queensland’s Future.”
The LNP will help keep country roads open and Queenslanders moving safely during weather events with a targeted program to inject vital funding to pave regional dirt roads which otherwise become impassable.
An LNP Government would deliver sealed roads to increase resilience and maintain productivity, as well as ensuring emergency services can move quickly in the times they’re needed most.
LNP Shadow Minister for Rural and Regional Affairs said the LNP’s $100 million Country Roads Connect was part of the Right Plan for Queensland’s Future.
“The LNP will bolster safety on unsealed regional roads with a $100 million boost,” Mr Last said.
“Our Country Roads Connect program will work hand-in-hand with our Safer Roads, Better Transport plan which will deliver congestion-busting and safety upgrades across Queensland.
“Rural communities can quickly become isolated when significant rainfall events shut key access roads, and it’s often the dirt roads that are most at risk of becoming impassable as they quickly can turn to mud and become dangerous.
“When roads are cut, life-saving medical services are out of reach, producers cut off from their markets and families either need to stockpile food and supplies or require goods to be airlifted in, which is hugely expensive for communities.
"Time's up for Labor’s expensive failures which have overseen $20 billion-plus in project cost blowouts, that could have instead delivered local infrastructure like Country Roads Connect.
“We will work with local governments to determine which roads should be prioritised for upgrades and to help deliver these upgrades.
“Queenslanders are currently paying far more and getting far less under Labor’s systematic, long-term government failures.”
Mr Last said Queenslanders could vote for Country Roads Connect funding support and a government which works for them, by voting LNP at this election.
“This State needs a Fresh Start and only the LNP has the Right Plan for Queensland’s future,” he said.
The LNP has committed to a boost in funding for DV Safe Phones, a group that provides individuals fleeing domestic and family violence with safe mobile phones.
Many women and children leaving unsafe homes aren’t able to take possessions including phones, or they fear their devices are being tracked and monitored by perpetrators.
DV Safe Phones provides phones to help these families start afresh and keep in touch with services and supporters.
Deputy Opposition Leader and MP for Kawana Jarrod Bleijie said the $1 million commitment was part of the LNP’s Right Plan for Queensland’s Future.
“The LNP’s commitment will allow DV Safe Phones to provide 10,000 phones to victims of domestic violence in Queensland," Mr Bleijie said.
“This is practical support for some of our most vulnerable Queenslanders, helping them on the road to recovery from traumatic situations.
“DV Safe Phones will be able to train and build its inspiring network of volunteers who help these families with the LNP’s support,” said Mr Bleijie.
“Queenslanders should have a government that delivers the programs and services needed for the State’s future, supporting our communities.”
DV Safe Phones Founder Ashton Wood said the LNP’s commitment was a major boost, that would impact thousands of victims.
“We know that as many as 831,400 women in Queensland have experienced physical and or sexual violence.
“We need to give them practical support to help them leave these dangerous situations,” said Mr Wood.
Mr Bleijie said Queenslanders could vote for the DV Safe Phones funding and a government which worked for them, by voting LNP at this election.
“Our state needs a fresh start, and only the LNP has the Right Plan for Queensland’s future,” he said.
LNP boost to tradie business skills
The LNP will help support Queensland tradies to spend less time on paperwork and more time on the tools, with a new grants program.
The $8.8 million program, part of the LNP’s Small Business First policy, will support small and family construction businesses and sole traders to access business management software with $5,000 grants, improving their productivity and bookkeeping.
LNP Small and Family Business spokesperson Brent Mickelberg said the grants were part of the LNP’s Right Plan for Queensland’s future.
“The LNP is committed to building our small and family businesses with the right tools to manage finances and succeed,” said Mr Mickelberg.
“We want to equip tradies to spend more time on the tools and less time on the books, boosting productivity and earning capacity.
“Currently we know that after a hard day on the tools, many sole traders have to turn around and work more hours on the books.
“This is about giving them a hand to get that part of the job done quickly and efficiently so they not only get more time with their families but can grow their businesses.
“We know under Labor more than 36 per cent of our state’s small businesses folded within four years because they had no support and no understanding from the Palaszczuk/Miles Labor government.”
LNP candidate for Gaven Bianca Stone said mum and dad operations would benefit from the practical support to help build the skills of the business.
“The LNP’s helping hand will allow them to keep up with accounts and invoicing ensuring they keep finances flowing,” said Ms Stone.
“We want our small construction businesses to stay viable, so tradies can get on with the job of building housing for our communities.”
Builder Mr Nantes welcomed the announcement.
“If I could access some training and software, that would make it so much easier to get the very important part of running a small business done and dusted,” he said.
Mr Mickelberg and Ms Stone said Queenslanders could vote for the Construction Business Advancement Grants and a government which worked for them, by voting LNP at this election.
“This State needs a Fresh Start. Only the LNP has the Right Plan for Queensland’s future.”
The LNP has today announced a critical $21.5 million boost to streamline and boost capacity of Queensland justice services with its Faster Justice policy.
The policy is the latest announcement in the LNP’s Making Our Community Safer plan to ensure victims see justice as quickly as possible and restore safety where you live.
The LNP’s $21.5 million Faster Justice package will ensure cases backlogged in Labor’s DNA Debacle can be prepared for court earlier, giving victims the justice they deserve faster.
Under the policy the LNP will deliver a $12 million boost to the Director of Public Prosecutions for resources and staffing, with $6 million of that to be siloed for work on DNA cases caught up in Labor’s DNA Debacle and appoint one additional District Court judge for Townsville.
With over 40,000 cases to be reviewed by the DPP or QPS, and the subsequent cases that will progress through the courts as a result of Labor’s DNA Debacle, the task ahead needs significant investment.
LNP Leader David Crisafulli said the LNP would fast-track the progress of cases with more resources to allow justice to be served faster.
“The LNP’s Faster Justice plan will deliver victims the justice they deserve, sooner,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“Victims shouldn’t be paying the price of a Government too obstinate to admit the true failings of the DNA debacle.
“We know murderers and rapists could be walking free and at the current pace of review, they could be given this freedom for decades to come.
“Faster Justice will help make our community safer by getting justice for victims sooner and holding offenders to account.
“We will give the DPP the resources to ensure cases reach the courts as soon as possible and when they get there, the Courts will be able to hear those matters without delay.
“This is what our Courts have been calling for and what victims are demanding.”
Shadow Attorney-General Tim Nicholls said victims had been let down by Labor, both in the community and in the Courts.
“Victims are in limbo while their cases are languishing in the system, the LNP has the Right Plan to deliver them faster justice,” Mr Nicholls said.
“The court process is a lengthy and traumatic experience for victims and can take years for matters to be finalised which is why the LNP will properly resource our courts with the support they need to clear case backlogs that are leaving victims in limbo for years on end.
“Victims who have been waiting now for years under Labor’s forensic lab failures shouldn’t be left waiting longer for their cases to be heard in Court.
“Already we know 55% of cases have found new DNA results in the most serious cases of rape and murder after retesting, the LNP’s Faster Justice will ensure the DPP has the resources needed to prepare these cases without delay.
“Only the LNP has the Right Plan for Queensland’s future, including restoring safety where you live.”
The LNP has today announced it will deliver a new professional Victims Advocate Service, working cooperatively with Victims Assist and other support services to guide victims through the justice process.
The announcement adds to the LNP’s previous commitment to strengthen victims’ rights in the Making Queensland Safer Laws by providing victims automatic updates about their cases, opening up the Children’s Court and rewriting Sentencing Principles in the Youth Justice Act.
LNP Leader David Crisafulli said victims of crime would be given the respect and support they deserved under an LNP Government.
“We must put victims at the heart of justice, starting with giving them the support they need throughout the justice process which is why the LNP will deliver a Victim Advocate Service,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“The new service will be a one stop shop for victim support from the start to end of the justice process, addressing the current gaps in the system which has left victims to navigate their way alone.
“While Labor has prioritised offenders, the LNP will put victims first and ensure they receive all the support they need.”
Shadow Minister Victim Support, Laura Gerber said Labor had failed Queensland victims.
“Under Labor, the number of victims of crime continues to grow because Labor hasn’t put victims first,” Ms Gerber said.
“A Victims Advocate Service was first recommended for sexual assault victims in Hear Her Voice in 2022, but once again Labor has dragged their feet on rolling it out.
“The LNP will not only deliver on this recommendation but will also expand the advocacy to every victim who needs support – regardless of the crime.
“We have heard from too many victims who don’t know where to turn and have given up before they can find the support they deserve.
“The LNP’s Victims Advocate Service will connect victims to existing victims support services and help them navigate the justice system.
“Queensland needs a fresh start but nothing will change unless we change the government.
“Only the LNP has the Right Plan for Queensland’s Future, including the Making our Community Safer Plan which will put victims at the heart of youth justice and restore safety where you live.”
EXPLOSIVE HOUSING STATS ROCK LABOR’S ELECTION CAMPAIGN
Labor’s social housing promises are in complete disarray just weeks out from Election Day, with the latest statistics revealing nearly 46,000 Queenslanders are now on waitlist, as the LNP doubles down on its plans to fix Labor's Housing Crisis.
The LNP is now calling for the September quarter data to be released ahead of election day, so Queenslanders know the truth about how many people are waiting for a social housing placement.
The explosive Queensland Government data for the June 2024 quarter found:
Shadow Minister for Housing Tim Mander said Labor had serious questions to answer about their housing failures.
“Queenslanders have never seen housing failures on a level like this ever before,” Mr Mander said.
“Time’s up for Labor.
“These new numbers are a reflection on Meaghan Scanlon and her inability to get more vulnerable Queenslanders into homes.
“This is an awfully stressful time for 46,000 Queenslanders who’ve been let down by a 10 year old government that’s in chaos and crisis.
“Despite all the billions of dollars in promises, the roundtables, the crisis meetings and the announcements, Labor has delivered nothing but a decade of false hope and broken promises.
“Labor’s $2 billion Housing Investment Fund still hasn’t built a single new home, after three years.
“Only the LNP has the Right Plan for Queensland’s Future and that includes a bold 20 year housing plan to build the homes for Queensland’s Future.”
The LNP’s Homes with Purpose plan will deliver a place to call home for more Queenslanders, with:
Mr Mander said our Community Housing Sector stands ready and willing to help.
“For too long they’ve been shut out and ignored, but the LNP will unleash their full potential to tackle the Queensland Housing Crisis,” Mr Mander said.
“The LNP will secure our housing foundations, with a plan to build the social and community housing we need over the coming two decades.
“We won’t allow Labor to continue compounding the rental squeeze by removing rentals for social housing, instead the LNP will increase the total pool of social housing by building new homes.
“Our state needs a fresh start, the LNP has the Right Plan for Queensland’s Future.”
The LNP will deliver nine new specialist early intervention programs for wayward teens, as part of a new $50 million announcement to tackle youth crime.
The Regional Reset Program forms part of the LNP’s Making Our Community Safer Plan and will offer intensive intervention for out-of-control youths who are careening toward lives of crime.
The facilities will provide a one to three week “reset” for those demonstrating high-risk behaviour, with the live-in programs to intervene and divert youths before they become entangled in a web of crime.
The LNP will deliver a Regional Reset Program in each of the following regions:
Youths with high-risk behaviours including substance abuse, aggression or truancy will be eligible for the residential programs that can last between one and three weeks and will divert them away from crime.
LNP Leader David Crisafulli said the Regional Reset Program would deliver intensive intervention early, before youth are unable to escape a web of crime and become serious repeat offenders.
“The LNP’s Regional Reset Program will reset young lives with the life skills, discipline, psychological support and teamwork to turn them around early,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“We must give these kids hope and help to turn towards a brighter future.
“The focuses will be education, discipline, counselling, training and employment skills, and examples of the types of programs include community volunteering, cultural, skills, adventure and sport.
“Early intervention is not one size fits all, some kids will require more intensive intervention to rise above a life of crime, which is where the LNP’s Regional Reset Program comes in.
“The Regional Reset Program is in addition to Gold Standard Early Intervention and Youth Justice Schools which are part of the suite of Early Intervention measures.”
Shadow Minister for Youth Justice Laura Gerber said the LNP’s Regional Reset Program would deliver holistic support to divert kids from crime.
“The LNP’s Regional Reset Programs are 24/7 residential programs providing wraparound support to completely reset the habits and behaviours that are driving toward crime,” Ms Gerber said.
“Under the program, at-risk and out-of-control youths can be temporarily pulled-out of their high-risk environments, scaffolded with discipline, structure, psychosocial support and life skills to choose a new path away from crime.
“Under Labor we’ve seen more and more young people become hardcore repeat offenders, making more Queenslanders victim to their crimes.
“The LNP will make our community safer, by intervening in young lives before they become entrenched in criminal behaviour.
“Ending Labor’s Crime Crisis starts with stopping the pipeline of hardcore youth offenders who don’t fear the law and don’t believe there are consequences for crime.
“Only the LNP has the Right Plan for Queensland’s Future, including the Making our Community Safer plan to restore safety where you live.”
The LNP has today announced a major boost to better manage our environment, doubling the funding of support to Natural Resource Management groups across Queensland to ensure the protection of our natural assets for generations to come.
An LNP Government would deliver seven key projects to effectively manage natural resources in a whole-of-landscape approach by working with local communities across Queensland.
The crucial areas to tackled under the project will be to:
LNP Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Shadow Minister Sam O’Connor said more than doubling the funding for Natural Resource Management groups would protect Queensland’s incredible wildlife and crucial areas of biodiversity.
“Through on-ground land, water and biodiversity programs, and by working collaboratively with governments and other communities, regional Natural Resource Management organisations enhance the liveability and productivity of our towns and cities,” Mr O’Connor said.
“Natural Resource Management groups are trusted across our regions to deliver tangible, practical outcomes to effectively manage our land and soil, water and biodiversity.
“Queensland landholders face extremes of drought and flooding, increased biosecurity threats and new standard to access global markets.
“They need a government that works with them and supports them, but under this Labor government they have been forgotten.
“Labor’s failed record left Natural Resource Management groups high and dry with no meaningful funding; they don’t support regional Queenslanders and they don’t support practical environmental programs.”
This announcement follows the LNP’s commitment to beef-up biosecurity to tackle emerging threats to agriculture, with 100 additional biosecurity officers for the regions, a review of Labor’s closure of the frontline Cape York Biosecurity Facility and strengthening Labor’s failed fire ant eradication program.
It also sits alongside the LNP’s announcement of Queensland first agriculture innovation fund, designed to deliver cutting-edge insights and farming productivity to boost Queensland’s farm gate output to $30 billion by 2030.
LNP Candidate for Bundaberg Bree Watson said the commitment would safeguard our natural environment, as part of the LNP’s Right Plan for Queensland’s Future.
“The LNP is about genuine action to protect our environment and these groups are on the ground, working in partnership with landholders and locals to get the best outcomes,” Ms Watson said.
“Just one such project to directly help Bundaberg will be delivering heatwave response and drought resilience to 200 horticultural enterprises, alongside First Nations fire management over 100,000 hectares in the Burnett Mary region.
“Under Labor, Queensland has the lowest proportion of protected areas of anywhere in Australia, but the LNP is safeguarding our environment for future generations.
“Our biosecurity and investment in the future of our vital natural areas should not take a backseat because of Labor’s billions in budget blowouts that leave nothing for rural and regional natural resources.”
Natural Resource Management Regions Queensland Chair Julie Boyd said the organisation looked forward to working closely with the LNP to deliver the best possible outcomes for nature and for the economy.
“The LNP has committed to invest in a program of on ground activity that will deliver significant outcomes for threatened species, waterways and coasts, sustainable agriculture, disaster recovery and resilience, biosecurity and engaging First Nations people,” Ms Boyd said.
“I applaud the LNP for this forward-thinking investment into regional jobs, food security and disaster recovery and resilience.”
Ms Watson said Queenslanders needed a fresh start, and the LNP’s plan to more than double Natural Resources Management funding was part of restoring a government that protects our environment by investing in conservation and biosecurity.
“Queenslanders must show Labor the door in 2024, to ensure the right focus on delivering the programs, services and communities for our state,” she said.
Better Health, More Services
The LNP has outlined a three-phase Easier Access to Health Services Plan to end Labor’s Health Crisis, driving down ambulance ramping and waitlists for elective surgery and specialists, and restoring health services when you need them.
The LNP’s plan will diagnose the underlying causes of Labor’s Health Crisis, treat the symptoms to ease pressure on our hospitals and provide a long-term cure to properly resource our health system to meet the needs of our growing State.
The LNP’s $590.09 million Easier Access to Health Services Plan, is in addition to the current health budget across the forward years:
Diagnose ($30 million of additional funding)
Treat ($111.91 million of additional funding, excluding our plan to Stop Labor’s Patients’ Tax)
Cure ($448.18 million of additional funding, not including the existing hospital build funding or additional clinicians)
LNP Leader David Crisafulli said the LNP’s targeted three-phase plan would heal Labor’s Health Crisis and restore health services when you need them.
“Queenslanders deserve a world class health system no matter where they live and the LNP will restore health services when you need them with more doctors and nurses, better triaging, better services and real-time health data,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“Our plan will diagnose where intensive investment needs to be directed in our hospitals to treat and cure Labor’s Health Crisis with transparent and accurate data in real time.
“Real-time data will not only deliver accountability it will allow us to identify where the pressure points are, targeting funding to heal them.
“The LNP will also free-up hospital beds with streamlined triaging, embedding mental health specialist nurses at triage stations to fast-track mental health patients into hospital treatment.
“Boosting doctors in acute admissions units over the weekend and delivering expanded transit lounges will save patients from waiting to leave hospital and free-up hospital beds faster.
“Queensland’s ‘satellite hospitals’ will be bolstered with additional CT and MRI services for referred patients available 7 days a week, taking critical pressure off our struggling emergency departments. They will also be appropriately renamed in consultation with medical experts.”
Shadow Minister for Health Ros Bates said a decade of Labor had delivered the sky-high ambulance ramping, record waitlists and a Health Crisis that had cost Queenslanders their lives.
“Labor has failed to resource and run our hospitals for a decade which has led to the worst ambulance ramping in the nation,” Ms Bates said.
“Labor’s Health Crisis is not the fault of our hardworking doctors and nurses, it’s the result of a decade of underinvestment and disempowering our frontline staff who know best about our communities and our hospitals.
“Nothing will change unless we change the government, only an LNP Government will end Labor’s Health Crisis.
“Our state needs a fresh start and the only LNP has the Right Plan for Queensland’s Future.”
The LNP has today announced its Games On! program, a community Olympic and Paralympic legacy fund to boost participation in grassroots sport across Queensland in the leadup to 2032 and beyond.
An LNP Government would inject $250 million into local clubs across the state for the sports infrastructure needed to inspire our future gold medal winners in Brisbane 2032 and many more Olympics and Paralympics to come.
LNP Leader David Crisafulli said Games On! would deliver new or upgraded fields and courts, clubhouses, changerooms, or lighting – all designed to expand the capacity of local clubs and get more Queenslanders on the field.
“The LNP will deliver a legacy across Queensland ahead of 2032, to encourage more kids into sport and train our next generation of Olympians and Paralympians,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“Queensland’s grassroots sporting and recreation clubs are the backbone of local communities and Games On! will get more Queenslanders on the field.
“We must deliver a legacy for all of Queensland, the Games must benefit our entire state and that means more local sports in more local communities.”
Shadow Minister for Olympic and Paralympic Infrastructure Jarrod Bleijie said Labor had failed to identify any meaningful legacy for Queensland, particularly regional Queensland as the host state for the 2032 Games.
“Labor have bungled the 2032 Games every step of the way, including failing to provide any lasting benefit for Queenslanders hosting a once in a generation event,” Mr Bleijie said.
“Only the LNP will end Labor’s 1,100 days of Games chaos, which is why we will task the Independent Infrastructure Coordination Authority with a 100-day review of infrastructure needed for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“We’re asking Queenslanders for 100 days to end Labor’s Games mess and ensure this isn’t an embarrassment on the world stage.
“Queenslanders know nothing will change unless we change the government, under Labor we’ll get more Games chaos and no benefits for regional Queensland.
“Queensland needs a fresh start and only the LNP has the Right Plan for Queensland’s Future.”
LNP Candidate for Pine Rivers Dean Clements said the Pine Rivers Football Club would be one of many clubs to benefit under Games On!
“The LNP will deliver a $3.8 million upgrade to the Pine Rivers Football Club, to replace the ageing changerooms,” Mr Clements said.
“Pine Rivers Football Club has thousands of players from juniors through to masters who all use the changerooms here at Wendy Allison Park, our commitment will give them modern new changerooms for both men’s and women’s teams.”
The LNP will take critical action to arrest skyrocketing rates of domestic and family violence, rolling out a GPS tracking program for high-risk offenders, as part of its Safer Families, Safer Communities policy.
Under the pilot program, the LNP will act to protect victims of domestic and family violence by stopping DV offenders in their tracks with a GPS tracking program that monitors their location and sounds an alarm if the offender gets close to where the victim lives or works.
The program is aimed to bolster protection for victims and deter domestic and family violence before it happens.
The LNP will also deliver three new Beyond DV Hope Hubs providing safe, hidden places for victims to receive wrap around support will be delivered in shopping centres in key spots around the state.
The commitment builds on the previously announced plan to double DVConnect Womensline and Mensline capacity with a new North Queensland based hub.
LNP Leader David Crisafulli said the multifaceted approach to tackling domestic and family violence was the next plank of the LNP’s Safer Families, Safer Communities plan and delivered on a key commitment to follow-through on landmark domestic and family violence reforms.
“The LNP will act to protect victims and stop heinous domestic and family violence crimes before they happen by tracking high-risk offenders in real time,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“My message to perpetrators is crystal clear: under an LNP Government we will bring in consequences for action. We cannot continue to allow offenders to walk free while victims live in fear.
“We will also offer victims the choice to have their own safety device if they wish, to put the safety of victims front and centre.”
Mr Crisafulli said the GPS tracking program would be based on the world-leading Tasmanian model which had seen an 82% reduction in high-risk incidents.
“Perpetrators will be tracked 24/7 by a specialised team, with victims contacted immediately to enact safety plans if their perpetrator comes into proximity to them,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“At the same time, the LNP will work with recovery group Beyond DV to roll out three more Hope Hubs based on their incredible Westfield Carindale model which has seen thousands of women and children safely and discreetly through their doors at times of incredible stress in their lives,” he said.
“Our Hope Hubs will offer social, health, housing, legal and financial support in a setting which is easy and inconspicuous to access.
“Only the LNP will restore safety where you live with more support for victims of domestic and family violence across Queensland.”
LNP Shadow Minister for Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Amanda Camm said too many victims of domestic and family violence have had every move they make monitored by their abuser.
“Victims have the right to know where their offender is and if they are breaching their conditions, authorities will be able to prosecute," Ms Camm said.
“The Labor Government has failed to implement repeated recommendations over nine years into domestic and family violence in Queensland.
“We will provide more help for victims as they navigate the justice system, and respect police and the courts by providing them with the tools they need to keep Queenslanders safe.”
The LNP has announced a new grants package to support businesses, in partnership with local councils and chambers of commerce, to bolster safety and reduce crime in their communities.
The $40 million Secure Communities Partnership Program will fund critical safety measures to deter crime from shopping precincts and commercial zones, including CCTV, safety lighting and alarm systems.
The crime prevention grants are part of the LNP’s Making our Community Safer Plan to restore safety where you live, which also includes Adult Crime, Adult Time and Gold Standard Early Intervention.
Labor’s Crime Crisis is costing businesses tens of thousands of dollars each year and forcing many small and family businesses to close as they’re unable to recover from the thousands of dollars in skyrocketing insurance and repairs.
Small businesses have been hit hard by Labor’s Crime Crisis, with a 133% increase in shop break-ins since Labor came to power, and insurance costs in Queensland rose by 14.2% last year alone, with youth crime a major cause.
LNP Leader David Crisafulli said the LNP’s Secure Communities Partnership Program would help drive-down the cost of crime for small and family businesses.
“The LNP’s Secure Communities Partnerships Program will help stop crime before it happens, reducing the cost of crime on small businesses and local government,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“We’ll give businesses a big boost to bolster safety and deter crime with funding for CCTV, lighting upgrades and alarms to help restore safety where you live.
“The cost of crime is not only replacing what’s stolen, it’s also the thousands of dollars in repairs, the increased insurance price and the lost turnover while a business is closed.
“With costs rising across the board, too many businesses are operating week to week and don’t have extra cash to pay for crime prevention – let alone the cost of break-ins.”
Shadow Minister for Small and Family Business Brent Mickelberg said the LNP’s plan would reduce the impact of crime on small business.
“Businesses should not need to make the tough decision to close their doors because youth crime has made it too expensive to operate,” Mr Mickelberg said.
“The LNP’s Secure Communities Partnerships Program will give businesses peace of mind and allow them to get back to doing what they do best – creating jobs and running their business.
“A decade of Labor has left Queensland small businesses struggling under rising costs and falling margins, without support and without a place to turn.
“Nothing will change unless we change the government next month, our state needs a fresh start and the LNP has the Right Plan for Queensland’s Future.
“The LNP’s Making Our Community Safer to restore safety where you live.”
The LNP will bring the world’s best early intervention models to Queensland and deliver a major boost for investment into early intervention, with its new Gold Standard Early Intervention policy, announced today (Monday).
The policy, which forms part of the LNP’s Making Our Community Safer plan, will invest $50 million to kick-start new early intervention programs, while an additional $50 million will fund growth of proven ongoing community-led programs already delivering success.
The funding will provide a pathway to bring the best-in-class ideas from across Australia and around the world, with stable funding on offer for programs successfully reducing crime, to restore safety where you live.
Gold Standard Early Intervention programs will work with young people demonstrating early signs of criminal behaviour, providing holistic intervention to put them back on the right path.
The Auditor-General has exposed Labor’s early intervention approach as ineffective with no measures for success. The LNP will require Youth Justice to regularly monitor and report on the system’s performance with key performance indicators for programs receiving government money.
Under the LNP, Early Intervention programs must deliver on KPIs of reducing crime, boosting education or training and leading to full-time employment, including:
LNP Leader David Crisafulli said the LNP’s Gold Standard Early Intervention would be the catalyst for change in young lives and help arrest Labor’s Youth Crime Crisis.
“The LNP’s Gold Standard Early Intervention policy will deliver world-class early intervention as the circuit-breaker needed in young lives to stop them turning to crime,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“By getting in early with programs that are proven and evidence based we can halt the pipeline of young people veering off the rails.
“Actions don’t occur in a vacuum and early intervention is an opportunity to teach kids every action has a consequence, while simultaneously providing guidance, connection and discipline to get them back on track.
“Under the LNP, early intervention will be outcomes focused and transparent, with every program measured regularly for success.
“The LNP will invest in best-in-class programs, seeking out the best evidence based programs and bringing them here to Queensland, to end Labor’s Youth Crime Crisis.
“The kick-starter fund will pilot new programs, and if successful, they’ll be supported with the funding on an ongoing basis.”
Shadow Minister for Youth Justice Laura Gerber said the LNP’s Gold Standard Early Intervention was not only about societal stability, it was also about stability for the lives of the youth in these programs and the workers providing critical support.
“The LNP’s commitment will deliver a regional focus, ensuring every region has a program that meets the local needs of their community,” Ms Gerber said.
“After a decade of rising numbers of serious repeat offenders, it’s clear early intervention hasn’t worked and must change.
“It was weakening crime laws, fewer police and a failure to deliver Gold Standard Early Intervention that created Labor’s Youth Crime Crisis.
“The LNP will make our community safer by acting early with evidence based youth programs to end the slide into crime.
“Only the LNP has the Right Plan for Queensland’s Future, including Gold Standard Early Intervention to restore safety where you live.”
