LNP Puts Itself First At Christmas

Media Release.

 

Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk says the Newman Government is giving itself a Christmas gift of a new Executive Building in the Brisbane CBD while ignoring regional communities, sacking nurses, closing schools, and throwing the lives of nursing home patients and their families into crisis.

“This will not be a happy Christmas for tens of thousands of Queensland families thanks to the LNP’s mass sackings and savage cuts to frontline services,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“The LNP has spent nine months cutting jobs, de-funding community groups, and attacking frontline services yet can find $3.5 million just to start planning a new Executive Building for the Premier and his Ministers.

“I support worthwhile infrastructure projects, but most Queenslanders would agree there are higher priorities than a new office tower for the Premier and LNP Ministers who have spent their time in office making life harder for others.

“This is a government that delivers the highest unemployment levels since the global financial crisis yet continues to put itself first and Queenslanders, especially in regional communities, a distant last.”

Ms Palaszczuk said Mr Nicholls needed to detail the projected duration and cost of government leases in the new building.

“The Treasurer should release today any Treasury Department and Queensland Treasury Corporation analysis or advice on which the government based its decision,” she said.

“We need to see the cost to taxpayers of renting the new building and the duration of leases.

“We need to see the advice that says it is better for taxpayers if the government shifts from being a landlord to a tenant.

“We know the Queensland Treasury Corporation has told the government that owning its office blocks is the preferred option.

“Treasurer Tim Nicholls needs to explain why he is doing the opposite,” she said.

Ms Palaszczuk said Mr Nicholls also needed to spell out exactly which government buildings in the Brisbane CBD were being sold to fund its new Executive Building.

“In particular there are a several heritage buildings such as The Mansions and Harris Terrace in George Street whose future and suitable use must be guaranteed,” she said.

“Are they to stay as we know them now, or will they be consumed in a casino and hotel complex?”