Queensland’s marine rescue volunteers and the boating community remain in the dark on the future of the crucial water safety service with the Labor Government failing to outline a plan.
The state's boating community is calling for action and clarity after the long-awaited Blue Water Review into Queensland marine rescue operations was released without any public statement or fanfare from Labor and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford.
Liberal National Party Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Lachlan Millar called on the Palaszczuk Labor Government to come clean with a course of action for the state’s volunteer marine rescue services.
"Queensland's volunteer marine rescuers are doing their best to protect the communities they serve, and they deserve to know what lies beyond the Blue Water Review," Mr Millar said.
“The report is out but the boating community still has no bearing on what the government has planned for the future of marine rescue in Queensland.
“The Blue Water Review offered many useful insights into the inefficiencies our marine rescuers struggle with but failed to offer a clear pathway forward.
"We know that the Minister has been sitting on this report for months after he announced it in July 2018.
“To only now be considering reviewing the review is completely unacceptable.
“This report cannot be allowed to just gather dust. There are serious questions surrounding funding and the viability of some of our marine rescue operations right up and down the coast – they need answers immediately.
“The message from both Volunteer Marine Rescue and Australian Volunteer Coast Guard is that the status quo cannot continue and its’ time for the Minister to take action on reforming how Queensland does marine rescue.
"Queenslanders are sick and tired of review after review and bureaucratic double speak from this Labor Government that can’t make the tough decisions.
“Queensland’s emergency service volunteers have spoken in this report – it’s now time for government to act.”
CommSec’s State of the States quarterly report has today revealed Queensland’s economic performance is trailing behind the rest of Australia in sixth place.
Overall, the report revealed Queensland is only ahead of Western Australian and the Northern Territory.
The report came out the same day as NAB’s latest Business Survey results which revealed Queensland now has the lowest business confidence in the nation.
LNP Shadow Treasurer Tim Mander said Queensland is now fighting for the nation’s economic wooden spoon after years of financial mismanagement by Labor and Treasurer Jackie Trad.
“We should be competing with NSW and Victoria to lead Australia but we continue to slip under the failed policies of the current Labor Government,” Mr Mander said.
“This a direct result of Labor not having an economic plan other than increased taxes and higher unemployment.
Mr Mander said business confidence in Queensland continued to languish after Labor hit the economy with five new taxes last year.
“We have 165,000 Queenslanders out of work and looking for a job and the second highest unemployment rate in the nation,” Mr Mander said.
“If Annastacia Palaszczuk had the slightest grip on unemployment and the needs of our economy we wouldn’t be in this situation.
“The only thing stopping us from plummeting to the bottom of the economic ladder is new dwelling starts but that will be hit by the impacts of Labor’s new waste tax in the coming months.
“It’s no wonder Queensland businesses now have the lowest confidence in the nation, after experiencing the sharpest drop in confidence out of any state or territory from the same time last year.
“Queensland is stagnating, the community is crying out for leadership and we have a government driving the economy backwards.
“Only the LNP have a plan to restore business confidence, create jobs and put Queensland back into the top ranks of the states’ leader board.”
The struggle is real for thousands of Queenslanders, as the latest unemployment figures revealed the state is going backwards under the Labor Palaszczuk Government.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics released the data today, which show Queensland is among the worst in the nation.
The unemployment rate for December 2018 remained at 6.2%, which is 0.2% higher than the same time 12 months ago.
The ABS said Queensland has flatlined at 6.2% for the past nine months and has the second highest unemployment rate, just shy of Western Australia.
Queensland’s female unemployment is even worse, with a jump from 5.8% to 6.3% in a year.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said Labor has lost control of the Queensland economy.
“Since the last election, trend unemployment has gone up 0.3 per cent, and 9,400 Queenslanders have been added to the unemployment queue,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk keeps promising to get the unemployment rate below 6% but has failed time and time again.
“Labor doesn’t have an economic plan and now its overseen a shocking unemployment trend.
“While Australia’s unemployment rate has plummeted to 5 per cent, Queenslanders looking for work are doing it extremely tough under Labor.
“Queenslanders have been slugged five new taxes, confidence is dwindling and a lack of investment by Annastacia Palaszczuk is having a negative effect for our economy.”
The ABS also showed the number of underemployed Queenslanders wanting more hours has increased by 1,937 to 239,320.
Source:http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/6202.0Dec%202018?OpenDocument
The latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows the value of construction in Queensland continues to plummet under the Palaszczuk Labor Government.
Liberal National Party Leader Deb Frecklington said the falling value of building construction reflected Labor’s mismanagement of the Queensland economy.
“A strong construction industry means jobs for Queenslanders, but this is the third consecutive quarter that the value of building work has dropped,” Ms Frecklington said.
“On trend terms, building approvals have fallen every single month since February last year so it’s clear that things are only going to get worse on Labor’s watch.
“There is less and less construction in the pipeline to keep the industry strong and no construction means no jobs.
“The value of building work is plummeting at the same time Queenslanders are suffering from a trend unemployment rate of 6.3 per cent - well above the national average.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government’s only plan for Queensland is taxes, debt and unemployment.
“Only the LNP has a plan to secure the future of Queensland’s economy and provide the services and infrastructure that Queenslanders need.”
ABS snapshot:
Pedophile and rapist Robert Fardon’s release into the community is a consequence of the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s failure to introduce sufficient laws to keep serial predators under strict supervision.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said Labor had put the community at risk by blocking the urgent passage of the LNP’s tough laws for violent sex offenders.
“Make no mistake, this sadistic grub is unsupervised on the streets because of weak leadership and petty politics by Annastacia Palaszczuk,” Ms Frecklington said.
“If Labor didn’t play politics and passed the LNP’s laws, this predator would still be under strict supervision.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk played Russian roulette with the courts and lost. It was clear from last year that Labor had no plan B and that has been proven today.
“He is now a free man thanks to Labor’s failed approach.
“I am deeply concerned that Fardon has been walking free on the streets for the last week and nobody could say anything. Queenslanders have a right to know.
“We have been calling for Fardon to remain strictly supervised for the rest of his life.
“I also want mandatory GPS tracking of offenders from the day they are released to the day they die, because I don’t trust pedophiles to ‘self-report’ to police.”
Shadow Attorney-General David Janetzki said the LNP’s legislation was now currently before the Parliamentary Committee, which is to report to the House by March 19, 2019.
“If Labor were serious about this issue, they would bring that report forward and debate our laws in the first sitting week of Parliament,” Mr Janetzki said.
“The Government needs to exhaust every legal option to appeal and keep offenders like Fardon under strict supervision until they die.”
The Protecting Queenslanders from Violent and Child Sex Offenders Amendment Bill was introduced into Parliament in September, but Labor played politics and referred it to a Parliamentary Committee.
The LNP’s laws would:
Cracking down on people who leave animals trapped in sweltering cars must be made a priority, LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said today.
On a visit to Guide Dogs Queensland’s headquarters at Bald Hills, Ms Frecklington called on residents to back her plan to prosecute callous pet owners.
“Every year the RSPCA is overwhelmed with around a thousand calls about animals trapped in hot cars,” Ms Frecklington said.
“By the time RSPCA get to the scene, it’s often too late to rescue these poor animals.
“Unfortunately, those responsible rarely face prosecution. This devastating cycle needs to end.
“A future LNP Government will make it a specific offence to leave a dog trapped in a hot car, making it easier to take the culprits to court.”
The new offence, which has been proposed following consultation with Queensland RSPCA, would have a maximum penalty of a $250,000 fine or three years’ jail.
“Dogs are smart, loving animals, and I simply cannot comprehend how a reasonable pet owner could leave their dog to overheat inside a car,” Ms Frecklington said.
“I’m calling on the Palaszczuk Labor Government to support the LNP’s plan to toughen up our laws and protect our pets.
“We don’t have the numbers in Parliament so we would happily work with the Government, back the RSPCA and make these important changes a reality.
“It’s time for Queensland to take a tougher stance against people who neglect their pets.”
Despite Queensland reaching a record level of coal exports in 2018, Queenslanders aren’t getting the infrastructure they need.
Liberal National Party Leader Deb Frecklington blasted Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk for squandering the opportunity to invest off the back of Queensland’s record coal exports and record royalties.
“With record exports comes a projected $1.9 billion boost to mining royalties’ revenue for the government across the forwards estimates,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Meanwhile, debt is now projected to reach more than $83.5 billion by 2021-22, an increase of $412 million since the Budget – all without the necessary investment in infrastructure to show for it.
“Labor’s lack of investment in infrastructure has created an infrastructure crisis.
“Labor should be investing the money from record coal exports in job-creating infrastructure or improving services.
“This is money that could address ambulance ramping times, be invested in education outcomes, or be used to keep our communities safe.
“Queenslanders expect better services for the price they are paying, but they clearly aren’t getting that.”
Alarming statistics show domestic violence breaches across Queensland are on the rise.
It comes as offenders on the Gold Coast are forced to wait months to begin rehabilitation, with services continuing to languish under the Palaszczuk Labor Government.
Queensland recorded 27,613 DV breaches last year – a rise of 1,988 from 2017.
This is a staggering 12,057 more than 2014, under the LNP.
Data from Queensland Police shows the Gold Coast, Townsville, Wide Bay and the Sunshine Coast experienced more domestic violence protection orders in 2018, compared to 12 months prior.
Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Stephen Bennett MP said it’s a disturbing trend that urgently needs attention from Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
“It staggers me that the Government would think that it is ‘encouraging’ more people require rehabilitation for domestic violence offences - it isn’t encouraging it’s horrifying.
“I am absolutely shocked at this Government’s inaction when it comes to tackling domestic violence and it shows more victims are at risk due to Labor’s soft approach,” Mr Bennett said.
“It’s horrifying to hear that DV perpetrators aren’t receiving vital rehabilitation course for up to 18 months – these delays are unacceptable and is putting victims at further risk.
“The LNP has a solid track record of tackling domestic violence while Labor clearly doesn’t have a plan to reverse this shocking trend.”
SOURCE: Queensland Police
Embattled Health Minister Stephen Miles should immediately be sacked by Premier Annastacia Palasczcuk, as the health crisis across Queensland shows no signs of improvement.
LNP Deputy Leader and Shadow Treasurer Tim Mander said images of patients jam-packed in the corridors of the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane, are truly shocking.
“Our public hospitals are literally bursting at the seams and Labor’s promised upgrades are years away from completion,” Mr Mander said.
“When the LNP left office, ramping was at 15 per cent across the state – it’s now up to a staggering 24 per cent under the Labor Palaszczuk Government.
“Premier Palaszczuk and the Minister are more interested in wasting millions of dollars of tax payers money on changing hospital names, rather than putting the health and wellbeing of Queenslanders first.
“If the Annastacia Palaszczuk had any respect for Queenslanders she would immediately remove Stephen Miles from the health portfolio.
“He is out of his depth, clearly not up to it and is amateur at best.”
Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates said hospital staff and paramedics would be under immense stress dealing with the ramping crisis.
“As a former Emergency Department nurse, I know that staff morale would be extremely low and resources stretched the limit,” Ms bates said.
“We are only into the second week of 2019 and already Labor has an unfolding disaster on its hands and it’s up to the Health Minister to front up and explain how he intends to fix this mess.”
Ramping isn’t the only issue affecting Queenslanders with shocking figures revealing parking costs at hospitals are through the roof, leaving many people coughing up more money to seek treatment or visit loved ones.
The Royal Brisbane and women’s hospital recorded a nine per cent increase in car park revenue, while hospitals in Toowoomba, Ipswich and North Queensland also raked in more money at the expense of patients and their families.
Ms Bates said Steven Miles should be putting patient care and helping vulnerable Queenslanders ahead of increased profits.
“Only the LNP has a plan for more beds in emergency departments, improve resources, decrease ramping numbers and make hospital parking affordable,” Ms Bates said.
“Again this Labor government is so out of touch and this latest hospital crisis is nothing short of appalling.”
Worst Ramping Hospitals in Queensland
LNP Deputy Leader and Shadow Treasurer Tim Mander has urged the Labor Palaszczuk Government to join the conversation about the introduction of a national register for child sex offenders.
The Commonwealth proposal would see the establishment of an online register and include the offender’s name, location and other details relating to offences they’ve committed.
The Queensland LNP said it would be appropriate to name any new law “Daniel’s Law” after Sunshine Coast boy Daniel Morcombe who was abducted and murdered by known paedophile Brett Peter Cowan in 2003.
Mr Mander said keeping Queensland children safe is the number one priority for the LNP.
“We must ensure our kids are safe from these predators,” Mr Mander said.
“An online sex offender registry would keep parents informed and provided them crucial information.
“Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk should not play politics on this issue and do what’s right for Queensland by getting on board.
“It’s time for Labor to put community safety first.
“The LNP has a strong record after introducing tough criminal law reforms, including mandatory life imprisonment for repeat child sex offenders, increasing penalties for child exploitation material and mandatory 12 months jail for a sex offender who tampers with their GPS tracking device.
“Convicted child sex offenders are the worst of the worst and more needs to be done to empower and enable parents to protect their kids.
“Last year the LNP introduced legislation to crackdown on dangerous sex offenders by locking up these monsters and we think a public sex offender register is another tool to give Queensland parents peace-of-mind that their children are safe.”
LNP Shadow Attorney-General David Janetzki is calling for an increase in penalties for hit and run offenders in Queensland.
"The laws dealing with hit and run offences are clearly inadequate and Queenslanders are demanding change," Mr Janetzki said.
"We believe hit and run offenders who callously flee the scene should serve time behind bars.
"Currently, the maximum penalty for hit and run offences in Queensland is 3 year's jail. Most other states have a minimum of 5 to 10 years.
"Callous hit and run offenders are receiving a slap on the wrist or in other words a 'wholly suspended sentence' and frankly this is not good enough.
"We are calling on the Palaszczuk Government to review the current law and bring Queensland penalties into line with other states."
Mr Janetzki said recent incidents, including the death of 24-year-old Scott Bradley in September, 2016, highlighted the inadequacy of our current laws.
"We are also calling on the Attorney-General to appeal the weak sentence given to Troy Anthony Salam who hit and killed Scott Bradley and received an 18 month wholly suspended sentence," Mr Janetzki said.
"She still has time to appeal and I urged her to do so in my letter of 21 December.
"Families of hit and run victims are suffering enough and they need to know that their loved one's life was properly valued by the law.
"Knowingly fleeing an accident and leaving an injured or dead person behind is a despicable act and offenders should be held accountable.
"We need to ensure Queensland is brought in line with other states by increasing the punishment to fit the crime."
