State News - May 2015

Another scathing report indicates Queenslanders will miss out on job opportunities if the Premier doesn’t start listening to concerns from business.

According to the Sensis Business Index, Queensland businesses had the second worst level of confidence in the nation, dropping 30 points compared to the previous quarter where it was leading the nation.

Shadow Treasurer John-Paul Langbroek said the key concern for the plunge in confidence is the Palaszczuk-Gordon Government failing to understand small business.

“Instead of listening to the concerns raised by Queensland businesses, the Premier has rejected the comments and put her head in the sand,” Mr Langbroek said.

“This is not the first report to point to Labor’s business confidence failings and it is time the Premier stopped shying away from her responsibility and started to put the interests of Queenslanders first.

“Earlier in the month, the CCIQ’s March quarter survey showed conditions had dropped to their lowest level in a decade and the Premier again rejected the findings.

“Business is crying out for action and Queenslanders deserve more from the Premier than her refusal to acknowledge there is a problem.

“It shows how out of touch and inexperienced this Labor Government is when they prefer to take advice from their union bosses, yet refuse to accept what Queensland businesses are telling them.”

Mr Langbroek said this attitude from the Premier is no better than her Treasurer Curtis Pitt who is clearly out of his depth after last week having to back-track his claim Queensland was in a recession.

“Multi-billion dollar infrastructure projects are being either stalled or shelved because this Labor Government is just making it up as it goes,” he said.

“This was reinforced over the weekend where the results of a ReachTEL Poll revealed more than 45 per cent of Queenslanders felt their confidence in the economy and job market had decreased under Labor.

“Businesses and Queenslanders out of work or looking for a job want certainty, experience and competence and it’s obvious they’re not getting it.

“Queenslanders deserve a Government that instils confidence in business to employ more people, rather than one beholden to union bosses and more focused on reviewing than doing.”

Shadow Minister for Tourism, Jann Stuckey said Queensland’s drive tourism market was flourishing under the LNP’s Drive Tourism strategy and called on the Palaszczuk-Gordon Government to extend it past 2015.

“Queensland’s size and climate make it the perfect destination for those wanting to hit the open road and explore our natural beauty at their own pace,” said Ms Stuckey.

“Significant growth in the past year through the Queensland Drive Tourism Strategy (2013 – 2015) is proof this LNP initiative is working.

“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.

“That is half a million more people taking to our roads to explore all Queensland has to offer and spending their dollars in country towns.

“Outback Queensland saw a 20.2 per cent increase, Mackay a 19.3 per cent increase and Southern Great Barrier Reef a 13.6 per cent increase bringing visitors to the regions and providing a welcome injection into the local economy.”

Ms Stuckey said drive tourism is the life-blood of many small businesses in towns throughout Queensland.

“The LNP recognised this with the release of the Queensland Drive Tourism Strategy, the culmination of strong partnerships with Queensland Tourism Industry Council, Regional Tourism Operators and industry associations,” she said.

“In March 2014 the LNP launched the Camping Options Toolkit, providing local governments with a range of best practice solutions to manage camping options followed by the release of the Best Practice Guide for Roadside Rest Areas.

“Our three year program of investment upheld our commitment to quality roads, appropriate rest areas, accommodation options and user-friendly information to enable visitors to plan their journey.

“In addition the revitalisation and development of tourism signage saw the installation of more than 300 attractive new signs across drive routes.

“Twenty million dollars was pledged by the LNP at the last election to continue this great work.

“I call on the Palaszczuk-Gordon Government to commit to continue funding these initiatives that draw people to our regions and showcase Queensland’s natural beauty and stunning landscapes.”

It has been 100 days but Queenslanders searching for job opportunities, job security and cost of living relief have been left stranded by a Labor Government that has failed to get off the mark.

Opposition leader Lawrence Springborg said Queenslanders had been let down by the inexperience of the Palaszczuk-Gordon Government with no plan other than doing the bidding of union bosses.

“It is 100 days since Labor took office, in that time all we have seen is business confidence fall, unemployment rise and the Government’s self-imposed infrastructure freeze bite hard,” Mr Springborg said.

“The federal budget has seen big funding increases for the state in education, health, and GST payments, but the Palaszczuk-Gordon government bungled its response with the Health Minister warning of jobs and services being cut.

“Only last week the Treasurer had to back track after criticism from small business and industry for claiming Queensland was in a recession.

“For Queenslanders wanting improved services, the Labor Government scrapped the LNP’s hospital Wait Time Guarantee.

“Labor’s planned power merger is in limbo with doubts about frontline jobs and the impact on bills.

“For Queenslanders seeking accountability, Labor has decided to accept the vote of disgraced Cook MP Billy Gordon.

“For the business community seeking certainty and incentives, Labor openly attacked the mining sector, sparking outcry from industry groups and the resources council. It was the LNP that proactively put ethanol before Parliament.”

Mr Springborg said the LNP had set a positive Parliamentary agenda with mental health a priority, while the Palaszczuk-Gordon Government has been consumed with retribution changing political donation laws and making them retrospective.

“Queenslanders want leadership, jobs and opportunities not retaliation and reprisal,” he said.

“This Labor Government is a ship wrecked team paddling in circles.

“I don’t believe Queensland voted for a Government that 100 days on still has no plan on how to grow the economy and create jobs for this State.”

The LNP Opposition is calling on the Palaszczuk-Gordon Government to investigate the pursuit policy after concerns it is restricting police from doing their job effectively.

Shadow Minister for Police Jarrod Bleijie said Labor needs to heed the warnings from the Queensland Police Union President Ian Leavers and take action if the current policy isn’t working.

“Police are understandably frustrated if they can’t do their job properly and the LNP fully support the Queensland Police Union’s calls for an investigation into the current pursuit policy,” Mr Bleijie said.

“Currently the policy is sending the wrong message to offenders that they can get away from police without fear of pursuit, and this is simply not good enough.

“While community safety and the safety of our hard-working officers is a priority, it must be balanced to ensure police can still pursue and detain offenders, as they are trained to do.

“We need a policy that backs our men and women in blue who are skilled to deal with these kind of situations.”

Mr Bleijie said it is disappointing the Police Minister Jo-Ann Miller is refusing to consider the concerns raised by the police officers she is supposed to represent.

“Labor promised to be a government that listens and the attitude from Minister Miller paints a very different picture,” he said.

“If police feel they cannot do their job properly then it is incumbent on the government to look at the policy and make sure the balance is right.

“While in government, the LNP invested heavily in providing police with the equipment and resources they needed to do their job including putting 800 extra police on the beat.

“I don’t think Queenslanders voted for a soft-on-crime government, and would expect police officers to get the necessary support to allow them to do their job and keep our communities safe.”

Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg said the legality of Labor’s Union Encouragement Policy is uncertain following comments made by Treasurer Curtis Pitt in Parliament today.

“During Question Time, we asked Mr Pitt whether the personal information of new government employees can legally be sent to union bosses under the encouragement policy,” Mr Springborg said.

“His response was, ‘Legally we are unable to provide that information’.

“This revelation from the Treasurer will create even more angst for thousands of public servants already worried about their privacy and independence under Labor’s Union Encouragement Policy.

“Yesterday, Mr Pitt refused to confirm whether a new government employee could opt-out of having their personal details provided to union bosses.

“Today, he reveals the policy, that demands personal details of public servants be sent to union bosses, is apparently illegal.”

Mr Springborg said the LNP has a very different policy to Labor.

“We believe no public servant’s identifying or personal details should be handed over to union bosses without their express, written consent – that’s what real choice is,” he said.

Mr Springborg said it was time the Palaszczuk-Gordon Government stood up for Queensland public servants, not its union bosses.

“In Labor’s rush to do the bidding of its union bosses, it looks like they have introduced an illegal policy,” he said.

“I think Queenslanders voted for a Government that puts its own interests first and not work to empower unions.”

Queenslanders are a step closer to getting their surgery on time after the Queensland Parliament voted to keep the LNP’s Wait Time Guarantee policy.

Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg said the LNP’s motion to ensure every patient is guaranteed their surgery within the clinically recommended time was passed by the Parliament with 45 votes in favour and 43 against.

“I think Queenslanders would be pleased to see the interests of patients being put before politics,” Mr Springborg said.

“With the vote clearly in favour of keeping the policy, it is now up to the Palaszczuk-Gordon Government to honour the direction provided by the Parliament.”

Mr Springborg said unfortunately the Health Minister was trying to weasel out of providing patients with a surgery guarantee by saying the motion wasn’t binding.

“I think Queenslanders would expect the Health Minister to respect the Parliament, particularly when members are voting on behalf of their constituents,” he said.

“Despite the Palaszczuk-Gordon Government promising to be a consultative government, it now seems they are thumbing their nose at Parliament.”

Mr Springborg said last night’s vote was a win for Queensland patients and proved Labor never had a mandate to abolish Australia’s first surgery wait time guarantee.

“There is no doubt this health policy will mean thousands of Queensland patients will receive their surgery on time, without lengthy waits,” he said.

“Only the LNP continues to be the true guardian and deliverer of free public health services in this state.”

Queensland health patients were the real winners tonight when the LNP’s surgery wait time guarantee motionwas passed in Parliament.

The LNP moved the motion to keep the surgery guarantee it introduced in Government and ensure Queensland patients continued to receive their surgery on time.

Leader of the Opposition Lawrence Springborg said tonight’s vote was a win for Queensland patients.

“At the last election Queenslanders didn’t vote for the abolition of the wait time guarantee,” Mr Springborg said.

“Labor did not have a mandate to abolish Australia’s first surgery wait time guarantee and tonight the Parliament voted to protect it.”

“This cements the LNP as the true guardian and deliverer of free public health services in this state.”

Shadow Health Minister Mark McArdle said the LNP was on track to deliver a surgery wait time guarantee at the change of government.

“This was a good policy backed by the very Doctor’s that performed surgery on patients in Queensland’s public hospitals,” Mr McArdle said.

“A wait time guarantee was the only way to allay the fears and concerns of those patients awaiting their surgery.”

“It also ensures Queenslanders don’t find their way back to the bad old days of Labor’s hidden waiting lists.”

The independence of Queensland public service remains under threat after the Palaszczuk-Gordon Labor Government refused to confirm if public servants could opt-out of having their personal details provided to union bosses.

Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg said when Treasurer Curtis Pitt was asked the question in Parliament today he was unable to give a definite answer.

“Queenslanders looking for clarity about Labor’s Union Encouragement Policy would have been disappointed with the Treasurer’s comments today,” Mr Springborg said.

“Mr Pitt refused to confirm whether a new government employee could opt-out of having their personal details provided to union bosses.

“The independence of the Queensland public service must be upheld and it seems the Treasurer is more interested in empowering union bosses than giving workers a choice.

“I don’t think Queenslanders voted for a Government that is beholden to union bosses.”

The Queensland Opposition will introduce a Bill into Parliament in an attempt to hold the Palaszczuk-Gordon Government accountable and transparent when it comes to hospital waiting lists.

Shadow Minister for Health Mark McArdle said the Waiting List Integrity Bill 2015 was the only way to ensure Queenslanders would not find their way back to the bad old days of a Labor health system.

“It is the most open way to allay concerns of those patients stuck on a waiting list,” Mr McArdle said.

“It is vital wait time data is transparent and everyone is aware of just how much or how little the public health system is delivering for Queenslanders.

“The LNP inherited a mismanaged health system but was able to turn it around from being the worst in Australia to the best in Australia.”

The Bill aims to establish the Health Ombudsman as the independent reviewer of the clinical waiting times for Queensland patients in the public health system.

It also aims to ensure the Health Ombudsman deals with wait time matters in a transparent, accountable and public way and provide certainty in clinical waiting times for Queensland Public Hospital Patients.

“The Bill looks at establishing the Office of the Health Ombudsman as an independent body to review, and publish long wait time data and set out its functions and powers,” Mr McArdle said.

“Queensland Labor has an appalling track record when it comes to health creating nothing more than a payroll debacle, a fake Tahitian Prince and hidden waiting lists.

“This is a simple way for patients to know where they sit on waiting lists and to do it in a transparent and accountable fashion.

“Labor has always put its own political agenda, one dictated by unions, ahead of patient welfare but Queenslanders deserve better.

“I don’t believe Queenslanders voted to put the health system back onto life support.”

There are growing concerns the independence of the public service is being compromised under the Palaszczuk-Gordon Government, with the reinstatement of an old Labor policy encouraging unionism.

A document titled “Queensland Government Commitment to Union Encouragement” covertly posted online last week by the Premier’s Department, instructs senior public servants to “actively cooperate” in union activity.

It even decries “passive acceptance” of membership recruitment, instead requiring agencies to “take a positive, supportive role” in the drive for union membership.

Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg questioned the government’s motives behind the directive and called on the Premier to explain why she failed to mention the policy before being elected.

“Annastacia Palaszczuk needs to level with Queenslanders on this one, particularly the public servants whose independence is being diminished by this document,” Mr Springborg said.

“I don’t think Queenslanders voted to allow union bosses to have access to the personal details of every new government employee and they certainly didn’t vote for union encouragement to be at the top of the Palaszczuk-Gordon Government’s agenda.

“In almost 100 days since the election, we’ve seen more evidence that the Palaszczuk-Government is working for union bosses, not Queenslanders.

“We’re yet to see the job creation, the debt reduction and integrity that Annastacia Palaszczuk promised at the election and it’s simply not good enough.”

Mr Springborg said it was no secret that Labor was supported by the union movement, but that didn’t mean it was appropriate for their political affiliation to spill into the independent public service.

“The independence of the Queensland public service must be upheld,” he said.

“There was no media or fanfare around the release of this policy like we’ve seen with the other ‘get-squares’ this Labor Government has rolled out against the former LNP Government.

“The Palaszczuk-Gordon Government wanted this directive to fly under the radar, which raises even more questions about the transparency and accountability of the Premier and her Labor team.

“Queenslanders deserve better than a sneaky Labor Government beholden to union bosses.”

The Palaszczuk-Gordon Government’s internal issues have once again spilled into the public arena, with the Premier and her most senior Ministers at odds over the supposed impacts of the Federal Budget.

Health Minister Cameron Dick refused to rule out job losses in Queensland Health, while Annastacia Palaszczuk refused to rule job losses in, but warned about diminished service delivery. This was just hours after Curtis Pitt said there would be no cuts to jobs or service delivery.

Deputy Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek said the entire debacle was incredibly embarrassing for the Labor Government and again proved it was just making things up on the run.

“It’s a bit hard to take the Palaszczuk-Gordon Government seriously when they can’t even agree on what they’re crying wolf about,” Mr Langbroek said.

“If there were real implications of the Federal Budget on Queensland Health jobs you would expect the Premier, Treasurer and Health Minister to be across the detail.

“The worst part is that there would be thousands of Queenslanders out there who don’t know where they stand - they don’t know if their jobs are safe because this Labor Government can’t make up its mind.”

Mr Langbroek said this latest blunder wasn’t the first time the Premier had been at odds with one of her Labor Members in the last week.

“On Tuesday, Annastacia Palaszczuk refused to even talk about frontline jobs after her Energy Minister claimed that all jobs were considered ‘frontline’ under Labor,” he said.

“A week ago the Member for Mirani and chair of the Government’s resources and infrastructure committee stood up in Parliament and launched into a tirade against the mining industry, forcing the Premier and her Mines Minister to defend the bizarre outburst.

“If the Premier can’t manage her own team then how can we expect Annastacia Palaszczuk to govern the state? '

“This Labor Government has not shown a shred of credibility since it was sworn in almost 100 days ago.

“All we’ve seen so far is an inexperienced government, making incompetent decisions because it’s completely distracted by internal issues. Queenslanders deserve better.”

The Palaszczuk-Gordon Government’s commitment to defend all frontline jobs has been exposed as another empty promise with 1565 Queenslanders set to lose their jobs.

The Queensland Local Government Association has warned up to 1500 frontline workers are set to lose their jobs as the State Government moves to unionise councils.

Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg said this was devastating news for local government staff and their families and comes on the back of 65 frontline health employees losing their jobs yesterday.

“The only job Labor has saved this week is Billy Gordons,” Mr Springborg said.

“The Palaszczuk-Gordon Government will do whatever its union bosses dictate including messing with industrial relations laws that were working well under the former LNP.

“Yesterday morning in Queensland Parliament a senior Minister of the Palaszczuk-Gordon Government said ‘I regard all of our staff in the public sector as frontline staff. We will defend them’,” Mr Springborg said.

“Hours later, health workers were marched out the door demonstrating again Labor cannot be trusted.

“For a Government that says it is all about job creation, these latest job losses should ring alarm bells for people in Cairns.

“It is clearly a sign Queensland is in for more job cuts from the Palaszczuk-Gordon Government.”

Only last week the LNP launched an online petition after concerns were raised regarding the loss of front line service electricity jobs with the proposed merger of state owned electricity corporations Energex and Ergon.

“People in the north, where a number of depots are currently operating, need to know how many jobs will be lost, how many depots will be closed and how many services will disappear,” Mr Springborg said.

“We have the Electrical Trades Union calling on its Labor mates for assurances that front line services won’t be impacted, now the LGAQ is appealing to Labor not to go ahead and wipe 1500 jobs from its books.

“Here in Cairns the LNP delivered services and jobs in the area of health. Cairns and Hinterland HHS had reduced the number of patients waiting longer than the clinically recommended time for surgery to zero, and we introduced an extended mental health service delivery.

“The only thing this Palasczcuk-Gordon Government is delivering in Cairns is confusion and chaos.

“North Queensland residents should be aware the biggest threat to jobs in this state is Labor.”

Petition link can be found at: https://lnp.typeform.com/to/A5DIHc

After years of indecision and broken promises from previous Labor Government’s the LNP has brought to a head the plans to establish a renewable fuels industry in Queensland.

Shadow Minister for Energy and Water Supply, Andrew Powell said the result of the parliamentary debate means work can now begin on further developing this important industry and attract investment in Queensland’s ethanol industry.

“It is an issue that has been widely debated for years, but under previous Labor governments had been put on the back burner.

“This is a win for jobs, not just in regional Queensland but across the State.

“It is also a win for the environment, and another example of the LNP getting the balance right.”

Ethanol can be used as a fuel for vehicles and is usually blended with petrol to reduce vehicle emissions.

Mr Powell said the LNP had proposed an ethanol implementation board that would have been required to conduct broad industry consultation and discussion before determining a preferred level for ethanol content in fuel sold in Queensland.

“The LNP acknowledged there were intricacies and impacts that needed to be fully considered before an expanded ethanol producing industry was given the go ahead,” he said.

Shadow Minister for State Development and Northern Development Andrew Cripps said tonight’s outcome gave the Labor Government a direction from the Parliament to get on with the job of implementing an ethanol mandate in Queensland.

“This is a real, practical way to help stimulate regional economic development,” Mr Cripps said.

“Creating an alternative and stable market for grain, cane and other feed-stocks will help diversify markets for our rural industries.

“It will also help stimulate employment growth in our regional communities, something this current Labor Government is struggling to achieve.

“Now the Government has a direction from parliament to release a discussion paper by the end of the month and introduce legislation by the end of the year thanks to the LNP,” Mr Cripps said.

Queenslanders are being urged to keep the conversation going about road safety during the 2015 Yellow Ribbon National Road Safety Week.

Shadow Minister for Local Government and Main Roads, Community Recovery and Resilience Fiona Simpson said the week runs from 3 to 10 May and should act as a reminder for all drivers to be vigilant and stay safe on the road.

“This year the theme is “DRIVE so Others Survive!” and to support the campaign the Sir Leo Hielscher (Gateway) Bridges will be lit up in yellow lights,” Ms Simpson said.

“Road safety is everybody’s responsibility and this week gives us an opportunity to reflect and have a conversation with our friends and families to observe the fatal five and drive safely.

“Unfortunately this year we had a terrible Easter road toll and just last week, the tragic loss of five people following the serious flooding event.

“Road safety needs a multi-faceted approach to truly change driver behaviour including advertising, infrastructure and awareness campaigns.

“Organisations like Safer Australian Roads and Highways play a valuable role in keeping road safety top of mind and ultimately keep the road toll as low as possible.”

Ms Simpson said the LNP takes road safety extremely seriously as it only takes a split second to have an accident that will affect or destroy many lives.

“While in Government, the LNP delivered a record $350 million Road Safety Action Plan that provided 60 actions to tackle the road toll,” she said.

“While any death on our road is a tragedy, we saw a record low road toll in 2014 as a result of our plan, police enforcement and the vigilance of drivers.”

Labor has continued to take credit for the hard work done by the former LNP Government to encourage investment in the struggling exploration sector and grow the resources industry in Queensland.

Shadow Minister for Mines Andrew Cripps said today’s announcement of 16 successful projects under the Collaborative Drilling Program, were funded as part of the LNP’s Future Resources initiative.

“The Mines Minister Anthony Lynham has dressed this announcement up as Labor’s own, but the reality is he’s handing in the homework the LNP did in government,” Mr Cripps said.

“The Future Resources initiative was a hugely successful $30 million commitment by the LNP to boost exploration throughout Queensland and it appears Labor is desperate to take credit for it.

“During the last sitting of the Queensland Parliament in March, the Minister talked up the expansion of the Drill Core Library at Zillmere – another project the LNP approved through the Future Resources initiative.

“These grants are good news for exploration sector in the resources industry. The $1.4 million will see a number of areas assessed for potential future mining projects, particularly in regional Queensland.

“The funds will be used by innovative explorers with promising projects and I know the Geological Survey of Queensland will have thoroughly examined the proposals to maximise future opportunities.”

Mr Cripps said the LNP’s Future Resources initiative was welcomed and supported by the resources sector in Queensland, because it was a genuine show of support for one of the cornerstones of the state’s economy.

“It is unfortunate that three months after becoming Queensland’s new Mines Minister Anthony Lynham is still unable to point to any of his own initiatives to support the resources sector in Queensland,” he said.

“During the last sitting of parliament, Mr Lynham also boasted about signing a Memorandum of Understanding with South Australia about the joint development of the Cooper Basin – another initiative I announced as Minister.

“The real test for Labor will be when they run out of our initiatives the LNP developed to support the resources sector and Cabinet has to do something to support industry and jobs.”

Mr Cripps said the Palaszczuk Government’s track record of banning uranium mining, delaying development of the port at Abbot Point and casting doubt over the approval of Stage Three of the Acland coal project, was causing concern for the resources sector in Queensland.

The State Opposition has thrown its support behind Queensland cane growers, vowing to push for more competition in the sugar industry.

Shadow Agriculture Minister Deb Frecklington said she would prepare a Private Members Bill for the Queensland Parliament to introduce pro-competition amendments to the Sugar Industry Act 1999.

“Cane growers up and down Queensland’s coast need certainty for fair competition in sugar marketing and dispute resolution with mills,” Ms Frecklington said.

“We are determined to investigate this issue and find an appropriate solution”

“These growers are facing some very challenging times in the paddock and the last thing they need are extra burdens around management.”

Ms Frecklington said she was calling on the Labor Government and Katter Party to support legislative change to manage the marketing arrangements under the Sugar Industry Act 1999.

“If the only resolution to this situation is legislative changes then the LNP will take the necessary action to progress these changes and bring them before the Queensland Parliament,” she said.

“It is important growers are given input into the price they receive for their sugar as well as having their concerns heard regarding sugar marketing.

“The LNP has always recognised the value of the sugar industry to the Queensland economy.”

Ms Frecklington categorically ruled out any moves to revisit the inefficient, anti-competitive practices that characterised the Australian sugar industry prior to 1 January 2006

“All we’ve seen from Labor so far is a ‘wait and see’ approach,” she said.

“Agriculture is the lifeblood of Queensland and growers deserve better than an inexperienced government just making it up as they go along.

“I’m looking forward to working Canegrowers and industry groups, to deliver much needed reform and strengthen this vital industry.”

Conditions for Queensland’s business community are at their lowest level in more than a decade, as the new Labor Government continues to axe major infrastructure projects.

Shadow Treasurer John-Paul Langbroek said the latest CCIQ Pulse Survey of Business Conditions, released today, showed business confidence had also dropped dramatically since the election of the Palaszczuk Government, down to a six-year low.

“The Queensland business community has delivered a resounding vote of no confidence in this inexperienced government,” Mr Langbroek said.

“The CCIQ survey shows a 13-point drop in Queensland’s economic outlook over the March quarter alone.

“The outlook for every single region in the state went backwards.

“The survey makes the specific point that the new Labor Government’s actions have undermined business confidence for planning, investment and employment.

“Since Labor’s election businesses have gone backwards on a range of measures including conditions, sales and revenue and profitability.”

Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Planning, Small Business, Employment and Trade Tim Nicholls said Labor’s infrastructure freeze was hurting economic conditions.

“According to the survey ‘businesses point to the Queensland Government’s change of policy direction and hesitation with approving major infrastructure projects as a cause for concern’,” Mr Nicholls said.

“CCIQ members aren’t alone in their views. Last week’s Property Council survey showed a significant deterioration in the government performance index since Labor’s election.

“These results are hardly surprising considering this government has stopped $8 billion worth of investment and thousands of jobs in one week alone.”

“Labor has also put a stop to planned payroll tax cuts for small businesses and stripped $4 million annually out of the Trade and Investment Queensland budget.

“Queensland businesses are looking for competence and stability and they’re not getting it from this inept government.”