Newman’s Plan To Plan

Media Release.

Deputy Opposition Leader and Member for Mackay Tim Mulherin says Premier Campbell Newman needs to clarify apparent confusion over his plans to develop his vision for Queensland’s future.

Mr Mulherin said in January the Premier announced a proposal for a series of town hall meetings to develop a 20-year vision for the state’s future.

“But now he is talking about two summits to develop a 30-year vision. Has he watered down the original plan, or is this a new plan?” Mr Mulherin said.

“Is the Premier limiting his exposure to Queenslanders by only holding two meetings as he is afraid of what people have to say about his mass sackings and savage cuts to frontline services?

“The Premier already shies away from scrutiny by not taking questions from the public at Community Cabinet meetings and now he is again limiting consultation with Queenslanders.

“The Premier needs to explain how these two plans relate or if there will be any collaboration in the processes.

“To add to the confusion the Newman Government also has a six-month action plan and 30 year plans for electricity, water and agriculture – there seems to be lots of planning to plan and not much action.

“Mr Newman also has not explained who will pay for the 89 MPs to invite constituents to Mackay for his latest summit.

“Will taxpayers fund this talkfest or will only those who can afford to take time off get to Mackay and pay for accommodation be able to participate?

“The Government already has an avenue to garner ideas and initiatives from the Queensland public, through the Community Cabinet process.

“However, as the Premier refuses to take questions from the public during Community Cabinet it limits the level of public input Queenslanders have with the LNP Government,” he said.

Mr Mulherin said the previous Government already conducted extensive consultation throughout Queensland on regional economic and social infrastructure needs as part of the development of three long-term planning documents aimed at strengthening regional Queensland.

“Following extensive regional consultation the previous State Government released the Queensland Regionalisation Strategy (QRS), the Queensland Infrastructure Plan (QIP), and the Bruce Highway Upgrade Strategy (BHUS),” he said.

“Following six months of consultation at 13 forums across the state, which more than 500 people attended, 35 recommendations were adopted to create stronger regions in Queensland.

“If the Premier had not fired all the senior public servants with all their corporate knowledge he would be aware that this data is already available to him.”