The
launch of the Newman Government’s RegionsQ Framework is unfortunately a
belated and inadequate reaction to the LNP’s failure to support jobs or
invest in regional Queensland
says Deputy Opposition Leader, Tim Mulherin.
“The Newman Government has done nothing to address rising unemployment in Queensland as a whole let alone in regional centres,” Mr Mulherin said.
“While the Labor Party welcomes all genuine initiatives to boost regional economies and create jobs, I fear it will not be enough to repair the damage his party’s failure to plan and invest has already done."
“The Newman Government’s record on support for regional Queensland speaks for itself. It has not announced a single new infrastructure project since taking office and Mr Seeney’s Royalties for the Regions program promised far more than it has delivered for the mining communities which contribute so much to the state’s prosperity."
“In the first two rounds of the program, two thirds of applications from councils for funding were rejected and of the $153 million that was allocated, 83 % of it was directed to Toowoomba and the Western Downs, South West Queensland and the Wide Bay Burnett."
“There is widespread indignation in places like Mount Isa and the Bowen Basin, that the program has been raided to fund projects that would have otherwise been supported from regular grants. It has been a sham."
“To add insult to injury its 2014 State Budget cut regional infrastructure spending which means cuts to job-creating projects."
“How can Mr Seeney claim the LNP is genuinely committed to making regional Queensland a better place to live, work and raise a family when his own State Budget cut infrastructure spending:
Toowoomba and Darling Downs down $439 million
Mackay down $190 million
Fitzroy down $188 million
Outback Queensland down $300 million
Cairns down $295 million and
Townsville down $162 million
“Only 29% of the vastly reduced 2014 infrastructure budget was allocated outside the southern part of the state from Wide Bay to the NSW border."
“At the same time the Newman Government plans to waste $2.6 billion over the next 10-15 years on its new Executive Building in the heart of the Brisbane CBD."
“That money should be spent on job-creating projects in our regional communities and not on an unnecessary building that taxpayers will never own.”
Mr Mulherin said the RegionsQ Framework appeared to offer no new ideas and highlighted the LNP’s laziness."
“In August 2011 the then Labor Government announced streamlined approval processes for major projects."
“It looks very much as if it has taken the Deputy Premier more than two years to realise that it was an idea with merit and he should dress it up and claim it as his own,” he said.
“The Newman Government has done nothing to address rising unemployment in Queensland as a whole let alone in regional centres,” Mr Mulherin said.
“While the Labor Party welcomes all genuine initiatives to boost regional economies and create jobs, I fear it will not be enough to repair the damage his party’s failure to plan and invest has already done."
“The Newman Government’s record on support for regional Queensland speaks for itself. It has not announced a single new infrastructure project since taking office and Mr Seeney’s Royalties for the Regions program promised far more than it has delivered for the mining communities which contribute so much to the state’s prosperity."
“In the first two rounds of the program, two thirds of applications from councils for funding were rejected and of the $153 million that was allocated, 83 % of it was directed to Toowoomba and the Western Downs, South West Queensland and the Wide Bay Burnett."
“There is widespread indignation in places like Mount Isa and the Bowen Basin, that the program has been raided to fund projects that would have otherwise been supported from regular grants. It has been a sham."
“To add insult to injury its 2014 State Budget cut regional infrastructure spending which means cuts to job-creating projects."
“How can Mr Seeney claim the LNP is genuinely committed to making regional Queensland a better place to live, work and raise a family when his own State Budget cut infrastructure spending:
Toowoomba and Darling Downs down $439 million
Mackay down $190 million
Fitzroy down $188 million
Outback Queensland down $300 million
Cairns down $295 million and
Townsville down $162 million
“Only 29% of the vastly reduced 2014 infrastructure budget was allocated outside the southern part of the state from Wide Bay to the NSW border."
“At the same time the Newman Government plans to waste $2.6 billion over the next 10-15 years on its new Executive Building in the heart of the Brisbane CBD."
“That money should be spent on job-creating projects in our regional communities and not on an unnecessary building that taxpayers will never own.”
Mr Mulherin said the RegionsQ Framework appeared to offer no new ideas and highlighted the LNP’s laziness."
“In August 2011 the then Labor Government announced streamlined approval processes for major projects."
“It looks very much as if it has taken the Deputy Premier more than two years to realise that it was an idea with merit and he should dress it up and claim it as his own,” he said.
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