State News - September 2015

The soon to be Acting Premier Curtis Pitt must demonstrate the leadership Premier Palaszczuk has failed to, and insist the CFMEU be kicked out of the Labor Party and no longer be able to exercise political and financial control over Labor Ministers and government policy.

Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg said Mr Pitt would become Acting Premier this weekend and as the Minister responsible for Industrial relations has an even greater responsibility to ensure the integrity of industrial organisations and their influence on the government.

Mr Springborg’s comments come as former Labor Leader Peter Beattie urged the Labor Party to issue the CFMEU with a show cause to explain why they shouldn’t be expelled from the party.

“While I welcome Mr Beattie’s intervention, it seems as though the former Premier is still trying to give Palaszczuk the easy option, by buying time and allowing the Labor Party to continue to receive funds and campaign support from the CFMEU for as long as possible,” he said.

“This is the same sort of tactic Mr Beattie and Labor used when they recalled Parliament to exonerate corrupt Minister Gordon Nuttall before the law finally caught up with him.

“If a government employee working in the Palaszczuk Government had been accused of destroying documents required for a Royal Commission, covering up cameras or getting homes built for them for free, then they and any possible associates would be stood aside immediately - most likely without pay and certainly removed from any influence whatsoever from government.

“The same standards aren’t being applied to the CFMEU and we all know it’s because the Labor Government owes its existence to union thugs.”

Mr Springborg said that despite the seriousness of the allegations and evidence, Premier Palaszczuk had failed to take any action.

“This weekend provides the Acting Premier an opportunity to show what leadership and real integrity means,” he said.

“The CFMEU is fast approaching outlaw status, with allegations of extortion, corruption and thuggery hanging over its head.

“This isn’t what Queenslanders voted for.” 

Better government services, business confidence and job creation are all significant advantages in having fixed, four-year terms of government, according to the LNP.

Shadow Attorney-General Ian Walker today introduced a Bill to provide for fixed terms for the Legislative Assembly so that Queenslanders are served with a more accountable Parliament.

Mr Walker said that that while the Palaszczuk Labor Government was conducting yet another review into the matter, the LNP had done the work and the laws were ready to go.

“Given the finely balanced nature of Queensland’s current hung Parliament and the seemingly bipartisan support for the proposal there’s no better time to take action,” he said.

“We want to provide Queenslanders with the business confidence, better government and economic certainty they deserve.”

Mr Walker said the LNP had been consulting with Queenslanders about this important issue and discussions had commenced with academic and legal bodies, such as the Queensland Law Society, Bar Association of Queensland and district law associations.

“Our proposal ensures that Queenslanders will have a direct say in how their governments are elected and the manner in which elections are called,” he said.

Mr Walker said in February 2015 the LNP announced that it would conduct a referendum on fixed four-year parliamentary terms if elected into office.

“Currently, the Premier of Queensland can call a general election at his or her whim, subject to the agreement of the Governor,” he said.

“This obviously gives the government of the day the political advantage of being able to do so at a time which is in their political interest. This can often undermine both business confidence and public confidence in the government.

“The issue of representative democracy and confidence in the government are fundamentally important issues for Queenslanders.

“That’s why the LNP is demonstrating leadership by introducing this important Bill and we call on the Labor Government to put politics aside and support it.”

Fast Facts

• The Bill provides that a general election must be held on the second Saturday in March in the fourth calendar year after the calendar year in which the last election was held.
• The Bill provides for exceptional circumstances in which the Governor can and must dissolve the Legislative Assembly and issue a writ for a general election, prior to that four year period.
• There is also a provision for which polling day can be postponed by up to 35 days for exceptional circumstances such as the timing of a Federal election or natural disaster.
• The Bill provides that should it be passed by the Legislative Assembly, and be approved at a referendum, it would not commence until after the next general election, meaning that the 57th Parliament would be the first to have a fixed, four year term (we are currently in the 55th Parliament)
• New South Wales was the first Australian jurisdiction to adopt a four year fixed parliamentary term in 1995.Since 2008, local governments in Queensland also now have fixed four year terms.

Firefighters across Queensland are one step closer to getting a fair deal after the Labor MP’s on the Finance and Administration Committee endorsed the LNP’s workers compensation policy.

The committee’s report on the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 tabled yesterday, recommended Labor scraps its proposed discriminatory fire quota on volunteer firefighters.

Shadow Minister for Police, Fire, Emergency Services and Corrective Services, Jarrod Bleijie, said the committee’s recommendation was a win for volunteer firefighters across Queensland.

“Labor’s proposal was unfair and discriminated against volunteer firefighters and we are glad to see the committee saw sense and supported the LNP’s position,” Mr Bleijie said.

“Unfortunately, the Minister responsible for volunteer firefighters, Jo-Ann Miller, has been missing in action and I call on the Minister to stand up for rural firefighters and publicly back the LNP proposal endorsed by the Labor committee members.

“The committee admitted Labor’s proposal to force volunteer firefighters to attend 150 fires before being eligible to receive compensation if they contract cancer was not based on scientific evidence.

“In stark contrast, the LNP’s proposal ensured Queensland’s hard-working firefighters, regardless of pay status or the colour of their fire truck, received the same workers compensation support.”

Mr Bleijie said Labor now has no excuse and should immediately adopt the Committee’s recommendations and support the LNP’s bill.

“The LNP has the support of our frontline firefighters, it has the support of the industry, it has the support of Queenslanders and now the Parliamentary Committee,” he said.

“The Palaszczuk Labor Government has an opportunity to work with the LNP to ensure firefighters receive the highest level of support in the country.

“We urge Labor to rise above politics and ensure the 36,000 volunteer firefighters in Queensland get a fair deal.”

Mr Bleijie said the LNP’s bill ensures a firefighter, full-time auxiliary or volunteer, who suffers a disease deemed to be ‘work-related’, receives workers compensation immediately.

“This will make the process so much easier and is the least we can do for these selfless men and women who put their lives at risk every day to protect our communities.”

Commercial fishermen in Cairns have been left stranded after Labor ripped up a lifetime right to fish in Trinity Bay.

The Palaszczuk Labor Government last month reneged on an agreement made between former Primary Industries Minister Henry Palaszczuk, former Member for Mulgrave Warren Pitt and seven local fishermen, allowing them to fish in the bay under the Queensland Fisheries Regulation.

Leader of the Opposition Lawrence Springborg joined local fisherman Bruce Batch in Portsmith today, calling on Labor to honour its original agreement

“Former Labor Ministers Henry Palaszczuk and Warren Pitt promised these fishermen they would be able to operate in Trinity Bay for the lifetime of their businesses,” Mr Springborg said.

“It’s extremely disappointing the new Palaszczuk Labor Government has ripped up this agreement and goes to show what little regard this government has for guarantees, promises and commitments.

“What it also shows is that Minister Bill Byrne failed to adequately consult and it’s high time the Premier stepped in and ensured these fishermen are looked after.”

Mr Springborg said it beggared belief that Labor would not only dishonour a lifetime commitment, but would do it without any consultation and through a cold-hearted letter from the Fisheries Department.

“This isn’t just pocket money we’re talking about. We’re talking about people’s businesses and people’s livelihoods,” he said.

“What concerns me most is when Mr Batch and his solicitor raised their concerns with the Fisheries Department, he got a ‘too bad, so sad’ response.”

Mr Springborg said he was appalled Labor’s only proposing a one-off $48,000 compensation payment to Mr Batch and his fellow fishers when they would be stripped of around half of their annual revenue.

“Annastacia Palaszczuk promised her government would listen and consult with Queenslanders but that’s not what we’ve seen so far,” he said.

“This mess the industry is in is another example of the Palaszczuk Labor Government saying one thing and doing another.

“Queenslanders didn’t vote for this.” Springborg said the LNP’s position remained clear.

“The LNP does not support net-free fishing zones without proper community and industry consultation, fair compensation and scientific evidence.”

The LNP Opposition welcomes the State Government’s investment in clinical cancer trials but has stressed prevention needs to remain a priority.

Shadow Health Minister Mark McArdle said while investment in research and trials is vital to finding a cure, a similar emphasis must be placed on prevention.

“Cancer is a killer and we need to put an end to one of the leading causes of this disease, smoking,” Mr McArdle said.

“In order to stop young people from taking up smoking in the first place as well incentivize those that are smoking to give up, the LNP introduced a Private Member’s Bill to the Parliament.

“To reduce the rate of smoking the LNP’s bill aims to prevent young people from lighting up and is supported by the Cancer Council Queensland.”

Mr McArdle said we want to reduce passive smoking that also leads to so many deaths.

“Our bill proposes to ban smoking with five metres of State Government buildings and ban the sale of cigarettes from pop-up stores,” he said.

“It also bans smoking at all public transport waiting points, pedestrian malls, public swimming pools and skate parks.

“This bill complements the work done by the former LNP Government when we introduced some of the toughest laws including a ban on smoking on or within five metres of health facilities and schools.”

Mr McArdle said the LNP is calling on the Palaszczuk Labor Government to provide bi-partisan support for this bill and assist Queenslanders to quit smoking and reduce the risk of cancer.

FAST FACTS

• Each year more than 3,400 Queenslanders die from smoking related illnesses.
• The Queensland Cancer Council estimates that smoking accounts for approximately $6.1 billion every year in health costs resulting from 36,000 hospitalisations, lost productivity and premature death in Queensland.
• Smoking accounts for 1 in 7 deaths in QueenslandCurrent smokers will die an average of 10 years earlier than non-smokers, with mortality rates increasing substantially with the increased intensity of smoking.
• Tobacco smoking is the leading cause of preventable death and disease.Approximately one-third of smoking related deaths were of working age Queenslanders.

Families will pay more on their power bills if state-owned electricity companies Ergon and Energex succeed in overturning a decision from the Australian Energy Regulator.

Shadow Minister for Energy and Water Supply Andrew Powell said it was disappointing the government had not intervened on behalf of Queenslanders to keep power prices down.

“The Palaszczuk Labor Government is relying on the profits from these businesses to pay for their election promises,” Mr Powell said.

“Their budget strategy sees 100 per cent of profits stripped out of these businesses and going back into government coffers.

“It might be in the Labor Government’s best interests to see revenues at these businesses go up, but it’s not in the best interests of Queenslanders.

“Unfortunately, when the Opposition tried to ask questions about this plan and the potential impact on families at estimates we were shut down by Labor’s committee chair.”

Mr Powell said the Australian Energy Regulator’s draft determination for the network businesses indicated a flattening in network prices over the next five years.

“Network charges makes up roughly half of the typical household bill,” Mr Powell said.

“If these government-run businesses are successful in their challenge it will mean Queenslanders end up paying more.

“I’m also concerned that other Labor Government policies could drive up power prices.

“Their plan to merge electricity generators has been criticised by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, while Queenslanders are already missing out on savings because of their decision to delay retail deregulation.

“Minister Bailey has already presided over an unfair hike to car registration and now he wants Queensland families to pay more for their electricity.

“When is the Minister going to accept that he can’t keep treating consumers as cash cows and come up with a plan to tackle the cost of living?

“Queenslanders didn’t vote for this.”

The Palaszczuk Labor Government’s lack of a plan is hurting the Queensland economy, but the Premier doesn’t want to hear about it.

Yesterday’s state final demand figures showed Queensland was the worst performing domestic economy of all states in Australia.

Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg said despite the concerning result, Treasurer Curtis Pitt had downplayed the figures and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk had this morning followed suit.

“Not only did the Palaszczuk Labor Government come into power with no plan, but they have also imposed a freeze on infrastructure until they can work out what they’re doing,” Mr Springborg said.

“The government’s also announced more than sixty reviews in seven months - that’s roughly two reviews every week since Labor’s been in office.

“What we have is a government more interested in reviewing than doing, and despite the obvious impact this is having on the economy, it appears the Premier and her cabinet don’t want to listen.”

Mr Springborg said Queenslanders couldn’t be blamed for feeling let down by the Palaszczuk Labor Government.

“As each day passes, it becomes clear that Labor never had a plan to take Queensland forward. All it had was a vendetta against the LNP and a ‘To Do’ list from union bosses,” he said.

“Annastacia Palaszczuk wasn’t upfront with Queenslanders before her government was elected.

“Queenslanders didn’t vote for an infrastructure freeze, a raid on superannuation or higher electricity prices. They voted for jobs and a government that would listen but sadly this is not what they are getting under Labor.”

Shadow Treasurer John-Paul Langbroek said the Palaszczuk Labor Government needed to stop making it up on the run and start developing a plan to grow the economy.

“The Treasurer has been all over the shop, claiming we’re in a recession one week and a boom the next. He said state final demand was a ‘key ABS measure’ but now it’s just a ‘partial measure’ of the economy’,” he said.

“Curtis Pitt either doesn’t know what he’s doing, or worse, he doesn’t want to know that by doing nothing the Labor Government is responsible for the Queensland economy hurting.

“Only the LNP has a real plan for a sustainable and growing economy that creates jobs and takes Queensland forward.”

The Palaszczuk Labor Government’s political donation ‘inquiry’ has descended into farce, with the Premier and Deputy Premier at odds about how it will be conducted and who it will investigate.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad today revealed that the inquiry wouldn’t look into unions’ donations to the Labor Party because “unions didn’t make decisions on behalf of the government”.

This is despite Annastacia Palaszczuk’s promise to look into donations made to both the LNP and Labor.

Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg said it was another sign Labor was obsessed with political ‘get squares’ and incapable of governing competently.

“Again we see that six months after coming into office, the Palaszczuk Government is still making things up as it goes along,” Mr Springborg said.

“If you’re going to hold a genuine inquiry that Queenslanders can have confidence in, then it needs to be holistic and treat all sides equally.

“What is this government afraid that will come out if union donations are put under the microscope?”

Mr Springborg said it was clear the Palaszczuk Labor Government wasn’t interested in conducting a fair process and had no desire to achieve anything more than pull out a few tricks to discredit their opponents.

“Everybody knows the union movement was instrumental in getting Labor elected at the last election and in six months since forming government, they’ve already started collecting on the debt,” he said.

“Jackie Trad is kidding herself if she thinks people will believe that union bosses have no influence over the Palaszczuk Labor Government. A government that has rolled back workers compensation changes to benefit unions, torn up existing enterprise bargains at the behest of union bosses and put unions in control of administering a compensation fund.

“Queenslanders are still asking who is really running this government: Annastacia Palaszczuk, Jackie Trad or the union bosses?”

Mr Springborg said the Premier’s claims that the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) would conduct the inquiry were also blown out of the water by her Deputy Premier.

“To even suggest that the government could direct the anti-corruption watchdog to establish this inquiry goes against the purpose of the Commission and rejects the fundamental Fitzgerald recommendation. The Premier should know better.

“The more Annastacia Palaszczuk uses the CCC as her political plaything the more she erodes the trust and confidence Queenslanders have in the system.

“By using the CCC to pursue a personal vendetta against the LNP, the Premier is doing the same thing Anna Bligh did three years ago. Queenslanders didn’t vote for that.”

Today’s state final demand figures reveal Queensland’s domestic economy contracted during the June quarter 2015 due to the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s inaction.

Shadow Treasurer John-Paul Langbroek said the Australian Bureau of Statistics figures revealed Queensland had the worst result of any state, with seasonally adjusted state final demand falling 0.8 per cent in the last quarter.

“The next worst state was South Australia with a drop of 0.2 per cent over the same period, while New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia all saw strong growth,” Mr Langbroek said.

“The trend figures also show domestic economic activity falling by more than $300 million in Queensland during the June quarter.”

Mr Langbroek said he was worried Queensland was falling behind the other states under a do-nothing Labor government with no plan for growing the economy.

“It’s important to note state final demand figures exclude net exports, which is particularly important in Queensland, so it doesn’t give the total picture of Queensland’s economy,” he said.

“Queensland is by no means in a recession, and we’re not going to claim it is just to score a cheap political point - like Treasurer Curtis Pitt has done in the past.

“Mr Pitt has previously said ‘state final demand is a key ABS measure of domestic spending in the economy’.

“The Treasurer’s lack of an economic plan has seen the Palaszczuk Labor Government fail in this key measure.

“Unfortunately, today’s figures are the latest in a series of economic releases that show Queensland is falling behind the rest of the pack.

“The latest trend building approvals released this week have declined for five consecutive months, compared to ten straight months of growth just prior to the January election.

“Last week’s Sensis business survey showed net confidence in Queensland is the lowest in the nation.

“This goes to show Labor is more focused on reviewing projects and internal squabbles than growing the economy and delivering more jobs for Queenslanders.”