On 1st July drivers across the region will pay more for car registration than ever before as Labor’s unfair increase comes into effect.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington said while the LNP froze car registration for three years, Labor is slugging drivers with an increase two and a half times the inflation rate.
“For people in regional areas, especially those with multiple car registrations, this is an unfair increase. It will put unnecessary cost of living pressure on the families in our region,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“In Parliament, the LNP moved a disallowance motion to stop the 3.5 per cent increase however every single Labor MP voted for it to stay.
“Queenslanders voted for a government that put its interest first, not the interests of its party.”
Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg said Labor is using Queensland taxpayers as cash cows to compensate for its lack of an economic plan.
“With the budget only two weeks away, Queenslanders will be wondering if they will have to reach into their own pockets, like they have had to with car registration, to help the struggling Treasurer balance the books,” Mr Springborg said.
“Queenslanders didn’t vote for massive price hikes and that is exactly what they have got from Labor.”
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington is encouraging local residents to have their say on a plan to tackle domestic and family violence in Queensland.
Mrs Frecklington said a consultation paper has been released by the LNP to start discussion on a proposed scheme modelled on the United Kingdom’s ‘Clare’s Law’, currently being trialled in New South Wales.
“Clare’s Law allows access to vital information about someone’s violent past and crimes,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“I’m urging local residents to get involved in the consultation process and provide their feedback.
“We all have a responsibility to help end domestic and family violence. I think the time is right for the South Burnett community to be part of a meaningful conversation about how can we can make our homes even safer places to live.
“Only by working together, can we develop effective policy to lead the way in stamping out this insidious crime.”
Clare’s Law was initially set up in the United Kingdom after a woman named Clare Wood was murdered by her former partner. In the course of the investigation it was discovered he had a violent past that had it been known by the victim or her family may have saved her life.
It means a person, their friends or family members who had a concern about his or her partner, would be able to make an application to the police for information on whether that person has a history of domestic violence or sexual offences.
“The Opposition are committed to tackling domestic and family violence and the release of the consultation paper is a follow up to the work of the “Not Now, Not Ever” report from Dame Quentin Bryce,” Deb said.
It is easy to provide feedback – just complete the on-line form at: www.clareslawqld.com
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington says she is extremely disappointed with the response she has received from the Labor Government in relation to the future of the Acland Mine.
Mrs Frecklington says she asked a ‘Question on Notice’ to the Premier in Parliament in mid-May about whether the Labor Government will secure up to 700 jobs by clarifying the Government’s intentions for amended Acland Stage Three project, which was independently assessed by the Coordinator-General.
“The response I received was disappointing to say the least. It is just two sentences long and makes no reference to jobs,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“It just says they are still completing their review. I would have expected more from the Premier of Queensland. And I would have expected a bit more respect for the workers and their families who are waiting in limbo to see if they’ll still have their jobs.
““This Government keeps telling us jobs are a priority, but this response flies in the face of that.
“I don’t think the current Labor Government understands the importance of this project to the local economy,” Deb said.
Question on Notice No. 200
Asked on 19 May 2015
Mrs Frecklington asked the Premier and Minister for the Arts (Hon. A Palaszczuk)—
Will the Premier confirm that the Labor Government will secure up to 700 jobs in the Nanango Electorate by clarifying the government’s intentions for the future of the amended Acland Stage Three Project—a proposal which has been independently assessed and scrutinised by Queensland’s independent Coordinator-General?
ANSWER:
This Government made the commitment to scrutinise the approval processes for New Acland Mine and the impacts of this mine on local communities. The Government is currently completing this review of the Coordinator-General’s report.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington says she has received three different responses to the same question about why flood mitigation scoping studies, including consideration of a proposed new dam at Linville and the possible raising of the Wivenhoe Dam wall, were scrapped by the Labor Government.
Mrs Frecklington said she had written to the Minister for Energy and Water, Mark Bailey twice and also asked a Question on Notice in Parliament and each time has received a different excuse for why the scoping studies were immediately canned.
“Every reason for scrapping the Flood Mitigation studies is different and it seems that Labor obviously has no clear plan and is just coming up with excuses for not progressing these options,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“I am concerned that halting the scoping plans places even further uncertainty on the community, in particular, people living in the Linville area who were hoping to understand fairly soon whether or not the Linville Dam would become a reality.
“Our LNP Government had been methodically working to address flood mitigation proposals and in the process had been upfront and honest with Somerset residents about the options that were under consideration.
“I know that landholders were keen to start making plans, whatever the decision may have been.
“It is extremely disappointing that Labor is playing politics with these landholders and their livelihoods, and just coming up with an excuse that sounds good at the time.
“At this stage though, it seems that these flood mitigation options will not be investigated, but instead, the Government is looking at ‘other options’, whatever they may be.
“On behalf of the community, I will continue to pursue the Minister on this issue to try and understand the future plans for flood mitigation and whether they will involve options in the Somerset region,” Deb said.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, says she extremely concerned about the ramifications for Country Racing, with the announcement by the Labor Government to abolish all boards associated by the racing industry, including the Qld Thoroughbred Racing Board and the Qld Harness Racing Board.
Mrs Frecklington says while she fully appreciates serious action needed to be taken against the Qld Racing Greyhound Board following the terrible practices exposed recently, she is at a loss to why the progressive and successful Thoroughbred and Harness boards also had to go.
“I am very worried about the implications for Country Racing and what may happen to the many achievements the industry has gained over the past three years,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“During the LNP term I was really proud to help encourage a revival of Country Racing, with new races, improved prize money and excellent management of the galloping and harness racing sector. This all led to great outcomes for local communities, like Kilcoy and Esk who need the social and economic boost that comes with Country Racing events.
“This instilled confidence for everyone involved, the clubs, the jockeys, the trainers.
“However, Labor’s decision is creating great uncertainty and many are concerned about what may happen to this industry, which literally had just recovered from the previous Labor Government’s inaction and disinterest in country racing,” Deb said.
Mr Con Searle, President of the Kilcoy Race Club says the decision to scrap the Thoroughbred and Racing Boards will leave the industry in limbo.
“The sacking of these two Boards is a disgrace. The Thoroughbred Board was the most progressive since the 1960’s and brought confidence back to both metropolitan and country racing,” Mr Searle said.
“The previous Labor government crucified Country Racing, and I hope protections are given to the achievements gained over the past three years under the LNP.
“I completely understand the need to sack the Greyhound Racing Board, but there was no need to create so much upheaval to the other Boards who were doing an excellent job,” he said.
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, with Con Searle of the Kilcoy Race Club. Both are extremely concerned about the impact of the recent sacking of all Queensland racing boards and the potential impact on Country Racing.
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington says she is extremely pleased that two new services, designed specifically to help keep vulnerable families together, will soon be available in the South Burnett.
Mrs Frecklington said ‘Family and Child Connect’, and ‘Intensive Family Support’ services were developed as part of the former LNP Government’s commitment to overhaul Queensland’s child protection system.
“These are much-needed services for the South Burnett and I’m glad they will both be available for local families from 27th July,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“I would like to congratulate South Burnett CTC on being chosen as the local provider for this much needed service. There will be eight staff based across Nanango, Kingaroy and Murgon helping families in need.
“Our former LNP government developed these new services and it is pleasing the commitment to roll the program out to the South Burnett has been honoured by the Labor Government.
“Family and Child Connect offers families an alternative. If vulnerable families would like to seek parenting support, they can now access services which will help them care for and protect their children at home, rather than escalating their problems to Child Safety.
“It will help keep families together, while offering support in the areas of parenting skills, managing child behaviour, help with violence at home, budgeting, and managing drug related problems.
“This service will also act as a referral point for people in the community such as police, doctors, nurses and teachers who may be concerned about a family.
“There will also be a second service offered alongside Family and Child Connect called ‘Intensive Family Support’, which will offer help for families who have more complex needs,” Deb said.
To find out more, please call 13 FAMILY (13 32 64) to be referred to the South Burnett Service.
Information about the new Services
Family and Child Connect is a service which links and helps families under pressure.
Family and Child Connect is a local Community Based Intake and Referral Service that provides a pathway for families under pressure to access the support they need as early as possible and where possible, without going through the child protection system.
The aim of this program is to reduce the number of unnecessary referrals to Child Safety (when the family needs assistance rather than a statutory intervention) and increase the support for families in need who have children under 18 years of age in their care or who are currently pregnant.
Organisations and individuals will be able to contact the Family and Child Connect Service through a 1300 phone line, by email, through an online referral form and of course can just drop in to one of the CTC offices.
The Family and Child Connect program will provide the right information of who can assist and refer organisations and families to the right support services. For some families with multiple needs, Family and Child Connect will assist in engaging families and making sure all their needs are met.
A Local Level Alliance including government and non-government services will meet regularly to ensure that families are receiving the right sort of support the right time and from the right people.
Intensive Family Support works with families who need some help and have children under 18 years of age living with them. The service works with families towards developing skills, routines and structure to take care of their children.
Support will include immediate assistance; practical hands on assistance; linking families to other specialist help; advocating with the family to get the help they need. This will allow families to work on a single case plan which includes all the support which will help them be safe, resilient and thrive as a family unit.
Families can access assistance through the Family and Child Connect Service or directly through to the Intensive Family Support Service through phone, email or walking into one of the CTC offices.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington says a report recently released by the Department of Tourism has shown an increase in domestic drive tourism throughout 2014.
Mrs Frecklington said this was excellent news for the Nanango Electorate, which is perfectly located to attract drive tourists from Brisbane and the coast.
“A recent six monthly report released by the Department of Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games showed an increase in domestic drive tourism from 12.2 million to 12.7 million in the year ending December 2014.
“I was really pleased to see that Southern Queensland Country tourism saw an increase of 4.8% in drive visitors.
“This significant growth is proof that the Queensland Drive Tourism Strategy (2013 – 2015), which was developed by the LNP, is working.
“It shows half a million more people took to our roads to explore all our terrific regions have to offer and spent their dollars in our rural and regional towns.
“Here in the Nanango Electorate, drive tourism is the life-blood of many of our small businesses.
“Twenty million dollars was pledged by the LNP at the last election to continue this great work.
“We are calling on the Palaszczuk Government to commit to continue funding these initiatives that draw people to our regions and showcase our natural beauty and stunning landscapes,” Deb said
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, says drive tourism figures increased in 2014 under the LNP Drive Tourism Strategy.
A copy of the report can be found at: https://www.dtesb.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/264356/qdts-6-month-report-july-dec-2014.pdf
Rural and regional hospitals in Queensland must not be neglected after allegations the Palaszczuk-Gordon Government might move to re-direct rural funding to larger provincial hospitals.
Shadow Minister for Health Mark McArdle said while the larger eastern seaboard hospitals might be faced with more complicated medical issues, regional facilities still provide vital health services and deserve to receive its fair share of funding.
“In my recent trip to Central Queensland, clinicians raised concerns about a centralisation of power and money moving to the larger eastern seaboard hospitals,” Mr McArdle said.
“Any downgrading or reversing of services into rural hospitals is not good enough and will impact on patient care.
“Hospitals are part of the integral fabric of smaller towns and provide essential services.
“Rural and regional hospitals still need the funding, support and power to deliver the vital services local communities need.”
Mr McArdle said he will continue to travel around Queensland listening to clinicians with a particular focus on ensuring access to vital health services, acknowledging the significant distances some patients have to travel.
“We know Queensland is quite a decentralised state however that shouldn’t mean a decentralisation of health services,” he said.
“Rural Queenslanders deserve to have access to the best services they can, as close to at their front door.”
