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BUDGET 2014/15 The path to a brighter futureBUDGET 2014/15 The
path to a brighter future
* Going West - The Young LNP * Your LNP - Heroes and other
achievers* Going West - The Young LNP * Your LNP - Heroes and other
achievers
STANDARDLNPQueensland
EDITION 1, 2014
The
STANDARDLNPQueensland
EDITION 1, 2014
The
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9 Premier Campbell Newman - Spread the word,
theres a lot to be proud of
22 Q&A with new Federal MPs Michelle Landry and Luke
Howarth who reveal their secrets to success
24State Election 2015. Meet our new candidates
30Your LNP
32Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie on the battle against
organised crime and sex offenders
34 Treasurer Tim Nicholls On a path to surplus,
now we have to tackle the debt
40Young LNP members head west
CONTENTS
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The LNP State Council in Toowoomba was one of our most
successful. Close to 300 delegates attended from around the state
with important resolutions on policy and party administrative
matters debated.
Key speakers at the event included Premier Campbell Newman and
Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of The Nationals, Warren Truss.
Both gave important insights into the achievements and plans of the
state and federal governments. We thank both of them for attending
this important LNP event.
A highlight of the weekend was a tribute dinner for Barnaby
Joyce who resigned as an LNP Senator for Queensland last year to
successfully contest the seat of New England in the House of
Representatives at the September election. Barnaby is now doing a
great job as Federal Minister for Agriculture and has not forgotten
his Queensland background.
The list of motions which were carried is on Page 12.
State Council March 2014
StateCouncil
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to deliver for the community you have to have a vibrant business
sector.
In the four economic pillars that weve talked about, whether it
be agriculture, resources, tourism or construction, weve set about
deliberately and carefully and systemically to unravel needless
bureaucracy and red tape to make it easier to get a new mine going,
to lower the costs of running a mine, to actually make it easier
for real estate agents to run their businesses and sell real estate
to members of the community, to make this the best place in the
nation to undertake property development, to actually get tourism
going again in terms of promoting the State.
So those are the sorts of things we have done, we lets just
quickly see what the results have been after only two years of this
government, well the figures released only in recent days by the
Treasurer demonstrate that this is the lead economy in the
nation.
The facts dont lie ladies and gentlemen, 4.1% growth in
Queensland, 1.9% in the rest of Australia, three times as many jobs
were created in the past 12 months in Queensland as in the rest of
Australia, business confidence in up, all sorts of surveys, retail
sales are up, recently the ANZ and property council released their
survey of business confidence in the development sector and it is
now the highest than any Australian state.
Weve just had a fantastic tourism season on the Gold Coast, in
Cairns and other parts of the State. Arguably the best tourism
season that weve had ever on the Gold Coast and what I say Ladies
and Gentlemen, none of this, none of this happened by accident, in
the case of tourism, it wasnt the dollar coming off in the 8 to 12
weeks the revival had well and truly begun under the leadership by
Jann Stuckey, the relevant minister and it happened because we are
promoting
the Gold Coast, weve increased the funding to promote our state,
weve doubled the funding for the regional tourism organisations,
weve attracted airlines back to putting those flights into
Queensland, and were branding Queensland and selling it restlessly,
and they are coming back.
Ladies and Gentlemen, you asked us to sort out the economy, you
asked us to create jobs for Queenslanders, you asked us to get
investment into this State, and I say to you and to all
Queenslanders, we are delivering, absolutely delivering.
So let us move to that other area, the revitalisation, reform of
government, and thats a very interesting one and thats where
government has had to make most of those tough decisions.
We inherited a situation where the finances were shot, where
every year we had a deficit, a fiscal deficit of billions of
dollars and it is a fact Ladies and Gentlemen, that we were
borrowing not only for capital works but we were also borrowing to
pay public servants, to put petrol in the tanks of police cars, and
keep the lights on in our hospitals and schools. Over the last two
years, weve taken the necessary decisions to turn that around, weve
actually made those decisions and next financial year we only run,
only a 1.3%, 600 or 7 hundred million dollar deficit in an
approximately 50 billion dollar budget and the year after that, for
the first time in over a decade
we make a small fiscal surplus, of again around 600 to 7 hundred
million dollars, so again we start to eat away at the debt, for the
first time in ten years.
Now there is a problem here, we might be balancing the books
ladies and gentlemen, but there is still this big, black cloud that
hangs over Queensland and its the $80 billion dollars of
accumulated debt, the $80 billion dollars of Anna Bligh and Andrew
Fraser, and Peter Beatties debt that sits there like a big lead
weight around this State and Im going to talk a bit more about that
in a moment, but just focus on this, that
debt is costing $450,000 an hour in interest payments, think
what we could do with $450,000 an hour, hour after hour, day after
day, week after week if Queensland wasnt shackled with that debt,
Im going to come back to that in a moment.
So what have we been doing in government? Well we have been
reforming the public service, weve been making sure we change the
culture, we want the service to be a service again, to be there to
look after Queenslanders, to protect
them, to serve them, to think about their interests, to plan for
the future, to actually deliver the service and infrastructure in
the most effective and most efficient way. One of the big focuses
though of our government has to been to revitalise front line
services with these reforms, we see lots of negativity from our
opponents, we saw that in the Redcliffe by-election with people who
were fire-fighters and people who were fake fire-fighters saying
all sorts of completely outrageous untruths. So lets just talk
about how some of the reforms have worked, lets talk about health.
Two years ago our hospitals were a mess, two years ago we had the
Tahitian prince scandal, two years ago for the former Premier Anna
Bligh said that Queensland health was a dysfunctional organisation
and she wanted to break it up, well in two years what has Lawrence
Springborg, as our hard working Health
Premiers address TO STATE COUNCIL CONTD
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Minister and his team achieved. Well Ill tell you this, elective
surgery times are now the best in the nation, the best in the
nation.
Well on matters in Redcliffe, I refer to those fire-fighters,
not one fire station has been closed in Queensland, there have been
one or two that have been closed but another new one has opened
down the street, there have been no curtailment to fire services,
in fact the budget has increased, on police, there are 676 at
least, this is a number thats a few weeks old, at least 676 extra
police on the streets of Queensland than there was two years ago, a
net increase and thanks to our stance against criminal gangs, armed
robberies on the Gold Coast are down 40% and assaults and
burglaries are down 20-23%. And just thought Id talk about a
regional city, Im told that robberies in Rockhampton are down 80%
ladies and gentlemen.
Look my point is this, weve seen two years of negativity and
lies from our opponents, the union movement and from the Labor
party, but facts speak for themselves and this year, over the next
12 months as we head to 2015, the next election, we will be selling
the great story, because things are coming together in 2014 for all
Queenslanders. Weve have been totally faithful to the promises weve
made, to revitalise front line services, to get the economy going
with a four pillar economy, to reform government and to restore
accountability.
So let me now talk about the challenge going forward and it is
one, that the treasurer and myself have a big responsibility to
talk about, again its the big, black cloud, $80 billion of Labor
debt. What we are doing this year is having a conversation with
Queenslanders, we might have balanced the books, we might have
sorted out those sort of day to day issues with the finances, but
there is a big issue that Queenslanders need to know. As I go
around the State, communities and mayors are always telling me
about the roads that they need, the bridge they
need fixed, the school that needs to be refurbished, or the new
school, we hear about the extensions to hospitals, we hear about
all the requirements of a growing state, and a vibrant state, but
the simple answer is ladies and gentlemen, when you are paying
$450,000 an hour in interest to service Labors debt, you are
limited in what you can do. We are not saying that these assets
have to go, that is not the conversation, were saying we want to
talk to Queenslanders in a grown up way about this challenge. If
Queenslanders say they need these things, then there are only two
choices, one is to look at the
recycling if you like, of one asset here, it could be a port
like Townsville, into assets like community centres, libraries,
roads, hospitals and schools or as the Treasurer said, to sadly
have to put up fees, and charges and taxes, thats the conversation
we want to have with Queenslanders this year. The choice is fairly
clear, we have to do something, but this is a decision that
Queenslanders will get to make, because unlike Anna Bligh and
Labor, and indeed the Labor party seem to have amnesia collectively
on what they did only 3-4 years ago, we are going to talk to
Queenslanders in an upfront, honest way about the choices that we
have to make, so ladies and gentlemen, we hope you will work with
us to actually have this conversation with Queenslanders this
year.
Before I finish up, I just want to reflect on the great work
that Andrew Powell has lead, as the Minister for environment but
also assisting me on a very
important project, which is developing the Queensland Plan. I
know that many people, particularly the MPs in this room have been
involved in that project, we spent about 8 months last year looking
forward 30 years in terms of the future of this great State.
As an LNP party team and as a party, we have a plan for the here
and now, probably for the medium term, but what we ask
Queenslanders to do is look to the long term, to actually do
something no other state has done and have the level of engagement
in any other jurisdiction in Australia. Were proud that over
70,000
Queenslanders have had their say, we had the conference in
Mackay, we had the conference in Brisbane over two days, and we
have some exciting initiatives that are now reflected in the draft
plan. People are saying they would like to see a very strong
emphasis on building up regional Queensland which is fundamentally
the philosophy or indeed the DNA of the LNP. Thats what we stand
for as well, the support, the building up of regional Queensland
and our country areas, so we will now be finalising that
work, putting the final plan through the Queensland Parliament,
and then using that input from Queenslanders to guide our future
policies, so I encourage all members of the party, particularly our
policy forums, to grab the Queensland plan with both hands, think
about our values and our aspirations, and weave that into new
initiatives that we can implement in a future term of
government.
I say to you today, you have a parliamentary team that knows
what it has to do, that is strong, is firm in its resolve, that is
working every single day of the week for Queenslanders delivering
what is right and proper, always with their interest at heart. A
grown up government, accountable government, government that is
financially responsible, government that will take this state
forward, and in the year 2014 will see it all come together for
Queensland, a great state with great opportunities. Thank you.
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2014 STATE COUNCIL - OPEN SESSION RESOLUTIONS CARRIED
LAND RENTAL FREEZE DALRYMPLE SEC
That this State Council of the LNP request the Government freeze
land rental on leasehold land while there is a review and overhaul
of the system to ensure that land rental becomes affordable and
sustainable.
SOLAR ENERGY INSTALLATION MOUNT ISA SEC
That this State Council of the LNP seeks a commitment from the
Federal and State Governments to assist in the provision of solar
energy installation in areas that are not serviced by the national
power grid.
EDUCATION REFORM POLICY STANDING COMMITTEE
That this State Council of the LNP calls on the LNP Government
to:
a) Direct the incoming Queensland Curriculum and Assessment
Authority (QCAA) to abolish the Queensland Studies Authority (QSA)
district panel review process,
b) Direct QCAA to replace the discredited QSA moderation process
no later than January 2015 with a senior public examinations in
each subject to provide 50% of overall assessment (this was passed
by Resolution No 2 adopted at State Convention 2013)
c) Direct the QCAA to ensure that all school based assessment is
to be completed in schools under supervised conditions to address
the potential problem of cheating and plagiarism raised in the
Menkens submissions.
QUEENSLAND STUDIES AUTHORITY (QSA) POLICY STANDING COMMITTEE
That this State Council of the LNP calls on the LNP Government
to:
Direct the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA)
to have the current Queensland Studies Authority (QSA) syllabuses
rewritten to make explicit what knowledge, skills and processes
pupils are expected to master so that numerical marking may be
used, consistent with principles adopted by the Minister for
Education in his response to the recommendations of the Menkens
Inquiry.
QUEENSLAND CORE SKILLS (QCS) POLICY STANDING COMMITTEE
That this State Council of the LNP calls on the LNP Government
to:
Withdraw funding for the Queensland Core Skills (QCS) Test after
the 2014 calendar year.
The QCS has been shown to be a poorer instrument for moderation
than an external subject examination and it will become redundant
when the discredited Queensland Studies Authority (QSA) moderation
process is abolished and replaced with 50% external subject
examinations.
INDEPENDENT MARKERS - YEAR 12 POLICY STANDING COMMITTEE
That this State Council of the LNP calls on the LNP Government
to:
Endorse the principle of a separation of responsibilities
between curriculum writers and curriculum assessors with
independent markers at an external examination at Year 12 exit.
CAPE YORK STRATEGIC PLAN DALRYMPLE SEC
That this State Council of the LNP calls on the State Government
to exclude potentially high economic areas of better agricultural
soils from the proposed Strategic Environmental Areas in the final
Cape York Strategic Plan.
CULTURAL HERITAGE PROCESSES MOUNT ISA SEC
That this State Council of the LNP calls for the responsible
Minister initiate a thorough investigation into Cultural Heritage
processes and practices to ensure that unnecessary and costly
practices do not exceed the requirements of the legislation.
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2014 STATE COUNCIL - OPEN SESSION RESOLUTIONS CARRIED
FOUR YEAR TERMS GLASS HOUSE SEC
That this State Council of the LNP calls upon the state
government to legislate to extend the Queensland State Government
term to four years.
ROADWORK SITE AND SAFETY CALOUNDRA SEC
That this State Council of the LNP calls on the Minister for
Transport and Main Roads (TMR) to:
a) Embark on an education and awareness campaign to target
improving public awareness of roadwork safety issues and to
influence driver behaviour.
b) Require TMR staff and contractors to monitor roadwork sites
for signage compliance with the MUTCD including local government
roadwork site signage and introduce penalties for non
compliance.
c) Use enforcement practices and techniques to encourage and
result in speed limit compliance at all major, permanent roadwork
sites.
RELOCATION OF AIRCRAFT SQUADRON POLICY STANDING COMMITTEE
That this State Council of the LNP calls on the Commonwealth
Government to consider relocation of the C27J aircraft squadron
from RAAF Richmond to RAAF Garbutt in Townsville in line with the
Coalitions policy of supporting development in Northern
Australia
UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS POLICY STANDING COMMITTEE
That this State Council of the LNP recommends the LNP Government
take a whole of government approach and implement innovative
robotic technology (Unmanned Aerial Systems - UAS and Unmanned
Aerial Vehicles - UAV) and associated technology carried as payload
into; emergency services, law enforcement and other identifiable
departments to develop their effectiveness, efficiency and improve
public safety.
RATES ASSESSMENT- MARYBOROUGH SEC
That this State Council of the LNP call for the amendment of the
Local Government Act 2009 to ensure that Local Authorities are
required to assess rates under the same principles specified under
the Valuation of Land Act 2010.
INTERNET SATELLITE SERVICES GREGORY SEC
That this State Council of the LNP calls on the Federal
Government to as a matter of urgency to fix the mess that was
created by Labors mishandling of interim internet satellite
services prior to the launch of Australias new satellite capacity
in 2015.
SOLAR PV FEED IN TARIFFS POLICY STANDING COMMITTEE
That this State Council of the LNP asks the LNP Government to
review and act immediately on solar PV feed in tariffs for both
existing and new connections to deliver lower and fairer
electricity prices for all Queenslanders. The existing solar PV
feed in tariff scheme alone is now forecast to cost on average each
customer, in 2015/16, around $276 per year (Queensland Competition
Authority).
The government should deliver lower and fairer electricity
prices for all Queenslanders by:
a) Requiring all new solar PV connections to be a on a true time
of use tariff that includes a fixed yearly network fee.
Requiring retailers to contribute a fair amount to the solar
feed in tariffs that ensures the 44c and 8c feed in tariff is
protected for existing solar PV owners.
b) Removing the existing solar PV feed in tariffs for any new
systems with immediate effect.
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ADULT ENTERTAINMENT PERMITS TOOWOOMBA NORTH SEC
That this State Council of the LNP ask the Queensland government
to restore to local government the authority to approve or decline
Adult Entertainment Permits.
FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE POLICY STANDING COMMITTEE
That this State Council of the LNP agrees to the position
that:
1. Each level of Government should be financially
independent.
2. The responsibilities of each level of Government should be
well defined to avoid wasteful and conflict creating
duplication.
3. The Federal Government instigates the legislative changes
required to allow each level of Government to be financially
independent.
PRE-POLLING BOOTHS ACCESSIBILITY TOOWOOMBA NORTH SEC
That this State Council of the LNP requests the Queensland
Attorney General recommend to the Electoral Commission of
Queensland to conduct a review of pre-polling booths in regard to
access to the elderly & disabled.
COMMUNITY LIFESTYLE PROGRAM POLICY STANDING COMMITTEE
That this State Council of the LNP proposes a Queensland
community health and wellbeing lifestyle program to achieve a
decrease in obesity in the Queensland community, by implementing a
program known as Women as Role Models programs.
RETIRED POLICE OFFICERS BEAUDESERT SEC/ DALRYMPLE SEC
THE AGENDA COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS ONE COGNATE RESOLUTION STANDING
IN THE NAMES OF THE BEAUDESERT STATE ELECTORATE COUNCIL AND
DALRYMPLE STATE ELECTORATE COUNCIL.
That this State Council of the LNP call on the state government
to provide opportunities for compulsorily retired specialist police
officers to engage in mentoring, training, or advisory roles within
the Qld Police service
ORIGINAL RESOLUTION DALRYMPLE STATE ELECTORATE COUNCIL
RETIRED POLICE OFFICERS
That this State Council of the LNP requests the LNP government
to investigate the feasibility of employing police officers who
reach the compulsory retiring age of 60 in ongoing roles supporting
training, mentoring and other ancillary functions.
ORIGINAL RESOLUTION BEAUDESERT STATE ELECTORATE COUNCIL
RETIRED POLICE OFFICERS
That this State Council of the LNP calls for the LNP Government
to put into policy:
The re-instatement of retired Police Officers into the service
on a part-time or casual basis:
a) That these officers are re-instated at a Brevet Rank*,
b) That these officers are re-instated within 5 years of their
initial retirement date to maintain a recent level of training and
currency,
c) That these officers perform non-operational administrative
and training functions as directed and required, in order to
relieve operational police officers from those functions and enable
the operational officers to be more actively engaged with the
community and conduct frontline policing duties.
2014 STATE COUNCIL - OPEN SESSION RESOLUTIONS CARRIED
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d) That these officers skills be utilised and engaged in
mentoring activities as required, in line with their particular
expertise, policing experience or specific area of speciality.
e) That all retired Police Officers re-instated into the service
on a part-time or casual basis maintain all benefits and pensions
they would be receiving as a retired person. And they are
additionally remunerated as fitting to their Brevet Rank* status,
for their work in line with current services pay structures
* Brevet 1n. document conferring a privilege from sovereign or
government, esp. rank without corresponding pay in army (brevet
rank, major)
REVIEW OF SERVICES - GAVEN
That this State Council of the LNP requests the Minister for
Transport to urgently review the Translink bus timetables and
services within the Gaven electorate with the aim of increasing and
improving services to the people of Gaven.
FUNDRAISING IN SCHOOLS LNP WOMEN
That this State Council of the LNP calls for a review on the
legislative framework of all schools, including Catholic schools
that receive funding at a Commonwealth or State level, so that
volunteer efforts and fundraising are used to the schools
betterment in partnership with the P&C and P&F and so that
volunteers fundraising cannot be absorbed into a schools general
revenue.
CATCHMENT DECLARATIONS MT ISA SEC
That this State Council of the LNP calls for the Gregory and
Staaten Catchment Wild River Declarations be rescinded.
OPEN SESSION URGENCY RESOLUTIONS CARRIEDDROUGHT AFFECTED
FARMERS
That this State Council of the LNP extend their support to the
Prime Minister, the Hon Tony Abbott, Queensland Premier Campbell
Newman, the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport and Deputy
Prime Minister, the Hon. Warren Truss MP, Minister for Agriculture,
the Hon. Barnaby Joyce MP and the Minister for Agriculture, the
Hon. John McVeigh MP in their efforts to meet the needs of drought
affected farmers and their communities.
We favourably commend the Government for their recent decision
to provide a further rural assistance package and urge them to
immediately implement those measures which support drought affected
farmers, businesses and farming families including the income
support measures, concessional loans, assistance for water
infrastructure, pest management and mental health.
This State Council asks the Federal Government to conduct a full
investigation into the live cattle export ban particularly looking
at the financial impact on individuals and family businesses
exacerbating the impacts of the drought.
NURSE REGISTRATION
That this State Council of the LNP calls upon the Health
Minister to amend the requirements of employee nurses who work in
Queensland Health so as to accept the Queensland Governments
indemnification of its nurse employees as acceptable Professional
Indemnity (PI) insurance policy in order to be registered to work
as a nurse.
GREAT ARTESIAN BASIN SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE
That this State Council of the LNP call on the Commonwealth
Government to extend the Great Artesian Basin Sustainability
Initiative (GABSI) post June 2014 for at least two years (with
funding allocated to existing partnerships with the State
Government/s) and a further commitment to develop, fund and
implement an additional five years partnership program.
2014 STATE COUNCIL - OPEN SESSION RESOLUTIONS CARRIED
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The 2013 election was the LNPs most successful federal campaign.
From the high watermark set in 2010, we increased our
representation in federal parliament, taking the seats of Petrie
and Capricornia from Labor and regaining Fisher. The LNP now holds
22 out of a possible 30 Queensland federal seats and gained
positive swings in nearly all seats we already held before the
election. Labor does not hold a federal seat north of Blair. Oxley
(5.77%) and Blair (5.26%) are the only seats held by the ALP with
margins over five per cent.
Congratulations to our new federal MPs. Keith Pitt (Hinkler),
Michelle Landry (Capricornia), Luke Howarth (Petrie) and Mal Brough
who returns to parliament as the Member for Fisher.
The loss of Fairfax was our biggest disappointment where a late
advertising avalanche by PUP and media-fuelled expectations of an
easy Coalition victory contributed to the result. Candidate Ted
OBrien achieved 41% per cent of the primary vote compared to Clive
Palmers 26% but lost by just 53 votes on preferences after a drawn
out re-count. A big thank you to our volunteers who spent weeks
working throughout this process, headed by Ian Prentice and Carol
Cashman and all of those who worked with them.
In the Senate, our targeted LNP campaign led to the comfortable
election of three Senators and the highest vote of any combined
Liberal-National Senate ticket in the nation.
With our new Senators about to take their seats, our Senate
teams office locations have now been confirmed. Senator Ian
Macdonald will maintain the interests of Queenslands north based in
Townsville. As from the 1st July, Senator-elect Matt Canavan will
base his office in Rockhampton while Senator-elect James McGrath
will become the first Senator to be based on the Sunshine Coast
working out of Nambour.
Senator Barry OSullivan, who was sworn in in February, has set
up his base in Toowoomba.
Senator George Brandis will remain based in Brisbane and Senator
Brett Mason at
Mt Gravatt looking after the interests of Brisbanes south and
Gold Coast.
We owe a debt of gratitude to our candidates who didnt win their
seats. They all put in just as much as hard work as those who were
successful. Despite their personal disappointment, many of them
turned out as volunteers in the two recent by-elections which shows
a true loyalty to the LNP. We thank them sincerely for that.
They are;
Ted OBrien - Fairfax
Dr Bill Glasson - Griffith
Malcolm Cole - Moreton
Teresa Harding - Blair
Andrew Nguyen - Oxley
David Lin - Rankin
Rod McGarvie - Lilley
Noeline Ikin - Kennedy
Against expectations, Noeline achieved an outstanding result
against Bob Katter taking the contest to the wire. She easily won
the primary vote meaning it was only preferences that got Bob
Katter across the line. A special thank you to Senator Ian
McDonald, Regional Chair Jane McNamara, our Far North Queensland
Campaigns Officer Dennis Quick and their teams for helping and
guiding Noeline.
The 16 per cent swing she achieved has reduced the margin to
just over two per cent.
The Hon Warren Truss MPDeputy Prime MinisterMinister for
Infrastructure and Regional Development
Senator the Hon George Brandis QCAttorney-GeneralMinister for
the Arts
The Hon Ian Macfarlane MPMinister for Industry
The Hon Peter Dutton MPMinister for HealthMinister for Sport
The Hon Stuart Robert MPAssistant Minister for Defence
Senator the Hon Brett MasonParliamentary Secretary to the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
The Hon Steve Ciobo MPParliamentary Secretary to the
Treasurer
Seven Queensland MPs and Senators have been appointed to Tony
Abbotts first Cabinet and Outer Ministry or as Parliamentary
Secretaries
FEDERAL ELECTION 2013
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STATE BUDGET 14/15million for reef protection in 2014-15,
bringing total reef protection funding to $55 million over five
years.
At the last election, we promised to deliver 1100 new police
officers on the frontline. This Budget sees funding allocated for
267 new police officers as we deliver our promise over four
years.
The Government will invest $44.5 million over four years to
implement the Safe Night Out Strategy, to deal with alcohol and
drug related violence in entertainment precincts.
Madam Speaker, no one doubts the Governments commitment to law
and order. This Budget contains $132 million over four years to
address capacity constraints in correction centres and undertake
security upgrades, including the recommissioning of the Borallon
Correctional Centre.
I am particularly pleased that this Budget contains further
funding for our Great Results Guarantee in Education.
With $131 million set aside for the Great Results Guarantee,
Principals and school communities are being empowered to decide how
the money should be spent depending on the unique situation in
every Queensland school.
The Health budget will increase in 2014-15, by over 6%. But
improvement is not always about spending more money.
The results of our hard work are evident
in the figures that matter most to Queenslanders.
Since this Government was elected:
The number of category one patients waiting more than 30 days
for surgery has been cut by 83%
The number of category two patients waiting more than 90 days
for surgery has been cut by 69%
The average time between ambulance dispatch and being available
for the next job has been reduced by 18.75%.
The number of long-wait dental patients has been reduced by
98.5% in the last 14 months and
The long term social housing waiting list has been reduced by
37% over the last two years
Madam Speaker, real results matter most to Queenslanders. That
is part of our strong plan delivering a brighter future.
FEDERAL FINANCIAL RELATIONS
The change of Government in Canberra has paid dividends to
Queensland in terms of infrastructure funding.
We have been able to secure almost $1.3 billion for the
Toowoomba Second Range Crossing project one of the largest regional
roads projects ever to be undertaken in Australia. And today I
announce that I have signed the much anticipated Memorandum of
Understanding with the Federal Government ensuring funding for this
great project. I can also announce that tomorrow the formal
Expressions of Interest document will be released to the
market.
Make no mistake, after 20 years of talk by previous Governments
this LNP Government is delivering on its commitment to the people
of Toowoomba and the Darling Downs to deliver this project.
I acknowledge the great work of local members Dr John McVeigh of
Toowoomba South and Trevor Watts of Toowoomba North in supporting
this project as well as Mayor Paul Antonio and the federal Member
Ian McFarlane.
The Federal Budget will also provide nearly $1 billion for the
Gateway Upgrade North project, as well as funding to
deliver critical works on the Bruce Highway $6.7 billion over
ten years.
More than most, I know what it is like to inherit a Labor
designed fiscal time bomb. But we, as the Queensland Government,
have a problem with Canberra and that problem relates to the
national partnership programs and agreements that have been
unilaterally terminated as part of the Federal Budget.
States operate big service delivery systems that cant change
course quickly. With nearly a quarter of our revenue coming from
national partnership type payments, the unilateral cutbacks
announced in the recent Federal Government Budget hit us hard.
In particular, the Federal Government has reduced its funding
for concessions by some $50 million per annum. The Queensland
Government is increasing its funding for the affected concessions,
but this will not be enough to offset the impact of the Federal
Governments decision.
There are also other agreements that face an uncertain
future.
At this point, a particular concern we have relates to Early
Childhood Education. In 2008, the then Queensland Government signed
up with the Federal Government to provide universal access to
kindergarten programs delivered by qualified teachers. These
programs are delivered to approximately 60,000 children in
kindergartens and day care centres.
Unfortunately, the federal Budget provided no certainty of
funding beyond the end of this calendar year. We are seeking urgent
clarification from the Federal Government.
Without a doubt though, the most pressure relates to Health. The
problem is serious:
National Partnership on Preventative Health terminated.
National Partnership on Improving Public Hospital Services
terminated.
From 2017-18, the Federal Government is turning its back on the
challenges of health funding. With the ageing of the population and
rapid advances in medical technology, health expenditure is
expected to grow by around 8% per
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lnp.org.au / 25
annum into the future.
But the Federal Government thinks the States can survive with
less. Their funding falls well short of what is required to meet
the reasonable expectations of Queenslanders.
Queenslanders can be assured this LNP Government will engage in
a robust and vigorous debate with the Federal Government to protect
their interests.
This is the discussion we intend to have with the Federal
Government over the coming months.
THE STRONGEST CHOICE IS THE SMARTEST CHOICE
On 13 April, I launched the Strong Choices campaign to ensure
Queenslanders could access the information they needed to have
their say about reducing the States $80 billion debt.
The centrepiece of this campaign was Australias first
interactive Peoples Budget.
I know there are some for whom consultation with Queenslanders
means assembling the usual suspects in George Street on the basis
that they represent Queenslands so-called key stakeholders. I have
never subscribed to that theory.
Ultimately, more than 255,000 people visited the Strong Choices
website, and over 55,000 Queenslanders submitted their own Peoples
Budget online.
Almost 20,000 people attended public forums or participated in
virtual town hall meetings.
I travelled more than 19,000 kilometres to meet with
Queenslanders personally to discuss the Strong Choices
available.
The public response clearly showed Queenslanders recognise the
debt and interest problem, and support a disciplined and methodical
plan to reduce the States $80 billion debt and the accompanying $4
billion interest bill.
I have always acknowledged that the decision as to how to best
reduce the debt would be one for the Government to take and
ultimately, and rightly, decided by the people at the next State
election.
I am proud that this Governments
approach to the issue in terms of its
treatment of the people of Queensland
stands in stark contrast to those opposite
who took the get elected first tell
Queenslanders later approach.
The Government expected Queenslanders
to have a mixed view about the Strong
Choices campaign. Our research shows
that 70 percent of Queenslanders approve
of the campaign and recent media
commentary supports this approval.
The popularity of some choices over others
relies on ones individual circumstances.
Analysis of the Peoples Budget tool
shows that 28 percent of submissions
mostly favoured increasing taxes, while only
18 percent of submissions mostly favoured
service reductions.
Most significantly, 46 percent of submissions chose to raise the
majority of the $25-30 billion required for debt reduction through
the sale or lease of some assets.
Overall, raising taxes or reducing services were the least
preferred options for achieving the $25-30 billion in savings
required to reduce debt to sustainable levels.
After cutting waste, reducing the size of the public service,
and lifting some taxes and mining royalties to stabilise the Budget
after coming to office, the Government recognises Queenslanders are
concerned about service reductions or tax increases.
With spending cuts and increased taxes in the recent Federal
Budget, it has become even more important to avoid fuelling cost of
living pressures felt by everyday Queenslanders.
Now is not the time to burden people with taxes upon taxes, or
to reduce services that have already been made more efficient.
The State Government has taken this new economic context, framed
by the Federal Governments own debt reduction efforts, into
consideration. The strongest choice for Queensland is also the
smartest: the one that secures Queenslands future, without placing
an undue burden on Queenslanders.
That is why the Government is now proposing a program of asset
transactions. The transactions will
vary, depending on the asset. Most transactions will involve
either long- term leases or sales.
However, in some cases, the Government will propose an
innovative option of private sector participation, where the
Government will retain 100% ownership of the ordinary shares, with
private sector investors funding future capital expenditure.
The Draft Plan I have released today as part of the Budget
provides for debt reduction of $25 billion down to $55 billion.
This new debt level would mean Queenslands annual interest bill
would drop from $4 billion to $2.7 billion.
Significantly, this Draft Plan will also release $8.6 billion
for the Strong Choices Investment Program, a suite of new
infrastructure and investment funds designed to build more schools,
hospitals, roads and other vital infrastructure to ensure this
States growing population can enjoy a brighter future.
After a period of further consultation, in which Queenslanders
will be invited to nominate projects in their communities that may
qualify for funding from the Strong Choices Investment Program, the
Government will deliver its final plan for the Strongest and
Smartest Choice in September 2014.
None of these proposals will be implemented until the Government
has taken this methodical and disciplined plan to the next State
election.
Not everyone will agree with all of the choices this Government
has made about how to pay for things into the future. But at least
Queenslanders now know we will have funding certainty into the
future, so we can invest in the things we need for a growing and
ageing population.
Madam Speaker, the LNP Government was left a legacy of debt and
deficits by the previous Government.
We do not intend to leave an ongoing debt legacy for our
children and grandchildren.
Now is the time for decisive action and new investment to build
a brighter future.
This is what the LNP Government pledges to the people of
Queensland A Strong Plan for a Brighter Future.
I commend the Budget to the House.
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lnp.org.au / 27
Greetings to all from the Sunshine Coast.
After a hectic 2013, we all enjoyed a pleasant Christmas break
with friends and families getting ready for the challenges of the
new year.
There has now been time to reflect on last Septembers federal
election which drew the national spotlight to our region. In the
Sunshine Coast regional federal seats we saw Wyatt Roy re-elected
in Longman, Mal Brough win back the seat of Fisher for us and the
narrow loss by Ted OBrien in the seat of Fairfax.
While obviously a result of 3 out of 3 was preferred, it was not
a lack of effort by the members and supporters of our Fairfax
campaign. Rather it could be put down to the vagaries of the
preferential voting system, a formidable opponent, and an
electorate which includes a current independent state member that
openly supported the eventual winner and marshalled his own
supporters to assist the polling booth manning efforts.
The result in Fairfax is probably a timely reminder for us all
that nothing in life is certain. In a strange way this result has
provided us with a clear message that we need to be fully focused
on our campaign execution and the needs of our current State
electorates.
However I should not let the result in Fairfax stop me from
applauding the efforts of both Wyatt and Mal and their respective
teams in achieving their success. We have two fine representatives
for the region in these men.
The Federal Campaign once again highlighted the work ethic and
dedication of our Sunshine Coast members. To all members
congratulations on your efforts and support during the campaign.
There is no doubt that without your contribution the LNP would not
be the success that we are within this region.
It is indeed this dedicated membership that will form the basis
of fighting the challenge of our new additional opponents. It was
clear from the federal election that the efforts of our members in
traditional activities such as delivering direct mail within the
electorates, presence in shopping centres and attendance at both
prepolling and polling booths made an impact with voters.
It will be no surprise that we expect that there is a greater
effort made by our new opponents on the Sunshine Coast than other
regions. Given that we experienced a Promotional Cyclone
(acknowledge our local member Pauline for that quote) here for the
federal election, the same will probably follow for the state
campaign. This highlights our other challenge which like many
regions will be to raise the requisite funds to support both our
State campaign strategic activities.
The good part about the challenges that lie ahead, is the
comfort of knowing that we have a team of members that will be
prepared to step up and take them on.
STATE SEATSBuderimCaloundraGlass
HouseKawanaMaroochydoreMorayfieldNicklinNoosaPumicestone
FEDERAL SEATSFairfaxFisherLongman
SUNSHINECOAST
Tony RiddleSunshine Coast Region Chair
The Member for Glass House and Minister for Environment and
Heritage Protection, Hon Andrew Powell MP, leads a local tour group
through state parliament.
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28 / lnp.org.au
The communities in Central Region continue to recover from
ex-Cyclone Oswald and the flooding of early 2013. This has been
followed by a cruel drought in the central and west, compounded by
the effects of the Live Export ban, which was imposed for a time by
the previous Labor Federal Government. Such is the nature of
Queensland and Australia with droughts and flooding rains, however
poor legislation and bad ministerial decisions are not something we
need to deal with on top of all that. Many flood damaged state and
local roads are under repair and reconstruction, and travelling
throughout the region can be a little slow and frustrating.
However, the end result will be a better, more resilient, and safer
road network. These are the vital arteries of our regional
economies and lifestyles.
The highlight of the Federal Election win was gaining the seat
of Capricornia. Congratulations to Michelle Landry in what has
always been a difficult seat for us to gain and hold. In Michelles
maiden speech it was obvious that her motivations to contest the
seat were born out of real life experience and the hard work ethics
of her parents. Both of them were in the public gallery, along with
her two daughters and extended family to savour the moment. Well
done Michelle. She has made a good start on task of building on her
win over the next few years, listening to all her constituents and
representing them in Canberra. Michelle had recently worked for Ken
ODowd MP to gain experience with the demands of an MP this will be
a huge benefit to her.
Our Central Region Meeting last October was held at the
Leichardt Hotel in Rockhampton. This was attended by the LNP
President and State Director, giving an analysis and collecting
feedback on the Federal election.
The Flynn FDC met in Emerald on November 23rd followed by a
thankyou BBQ held in the Rotary Park. I personally could not attend
mainly due to storm activity and commitments at home, however I
understand it was a successful meeting and social occasion.
Whilst in Canberra in early December, I met with Ken ODowd and
Michelle Landry at Parliament House and also spent some time in the
gallery watching debate. I met up with Government Whip, Scott
Buchholz and the Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce. These MPs
also have strong interest in the issues affecting Central Region in
rural, urban and industrial areas.
Recent state legislation concerning Regional Planning and also
changes to the Vegetation Management Act will have a positive
impact on Agricultural and Resources industries. Repealing the
Carbon Tax will also have a very direct impact on the industries
and people within Central Region.
Holding Government at both state and federal levels, we are
directing our energy to retaining our state seats at the 2015
election. It is important we attract the most capable candidates
who have strong connections to these electorates, their industries
and communities, and a vision for the region to maximise our
chances of success.
The LNPs Latitudes North policy forum was hosted in Mackay on
the weekend of May 10/11 and was a great success. Regionally
focussed policies will feature strongly at the next election and
were determined that our region achieves an even stronger voice in
the Newman LNP Government by fielding strong candidates backed by
strong campaigns in every seat.
STATE
SEATSCallideGregoryKeppelMackayMiraniRockhamptonGladstone
FEDERAL SEATSCapricorniaFlynn
CENTRALQUEENSLAND
Terry Cleary Central Region Chair
AROU
ND T
HE R
EGIO
NS
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lnp.org.au / 29
As the LNPs largest geographical region in Queensland, 2013 was
a very busy year for our LNP members. Our efforts were focussed on
the three Federal Divisions of Dawson, Kennedy and Herbert. In the
build up to the state election, attention is now turning to our
SECs of Burdekin, Dalrymple, Mount Isa, Mundingburra, Townsville,
Thuringowa and Whitsunday.
Looking at the last nine months we were proud to contribute to
the election of the Abbott Government. Both George Christensen
(Dawson) and Ewen Jones (Herbert) were re-elected with increased
margins. Congratulations to George and Ewen as well as their
hard-working campaign teams.
Special mention must go to Noeline Ikin along with her FDC
campaign team led by Bryce Macdonald, who nearly pulled off what
many thought was impossible in the seat of Kennedy. Noeline covered
thousands of kilometres over the course of the campaign winning
over voters. The end result was the achievement a 16.5% swing,
easily defeating the long-time sitting member Bob Katter on the
primary vote.
As the Regional Chair, my role is to network with members and
party units to build our grassroot supporter base. This will in
turn lead to more support for our MPs and strengthen their chances
of winning their seats at the next election.
It has been a time of great rewards and challenges. We are proud
of what we have achieved but are always looking to improve our
standing. Congratulations to all of our local LNP members who
helped to achieve results.
All of this would never have been possible without the
unwavering support and work of Bruce McIver and the State
Executive, Premier Campbell Newman and the State Parliamentary LNP
Team, and the work of the Federal Coalition Team for the great
result that was achieved during the Federal Election.
Congratulations to Tony Abbott and his team for a great win for
Australia in 2013.
STATE SEATSBurdekinDalrympleMount
IsaMundingburraThuringowaTownsvilleWhitsunday
FEDERAL SEATSDawsonHerbertKennedy
NORTHQUEENSLAND
Jane McNamara North Queensland Region Chair
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lnp.org.au / 37
TrainingWorkshop
Retiring Senator Sue Boyce with Redcillfe candidate, Kerri-Anne
Dooley (left) and Yeerongpilly candidate, Leila Abukar (right)
LNPW President, Tamara Foong
Candidate for Blair, Teresa Harding with Member for Brisbane
Teresa Gambaro MP
Member for Sandgate, Kerry Millard MP
Candidate for Mulgrave, Robyn Quick with Joy Glennie
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40 / lnp.org.au
OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARDThe criteria for the Outstanding
Service Award should reflect the highest standards of Party
membership. Nominees should be those who have made, or continue to
make, an outstanding contribution to the success of the Liberal
National Party.Candidates for the Outstanding Service Award must
satisfy the following criteria through: Active and tireless service
for the
Party at Branch, SEC, FDC, Region, Committee or Executive level
over a period of many years;
A significant personal contribution to the Partys development
through member recruitment, policy development, fundraising,
campaigning and the like;
Demonstrated continuous active involvement in Election
Campaigns, Annual Conventions, State Councils and/or Party
NOMINATING A MEMBER FOR AN AWARD
An Award is the highest honour that the Liberal National Party
can bestow on a party member.
The LNP Constitution provides that the State Executive may
acknowledge any member who has rendered service warranting
recognition with an Honorary Life Membership or other award.
The Award Committee is appointed to assess the merits of each
nomination, with the decision to accept a nomination at the
discretion of the Committee.
When submitting a nomination form, there are a number of
mandatory requirements:
1. Nominees must meet the minimum requirements of the applicable
award criteria (see below).
2. All questions in the nomination form must be answered.
3. Nominations must be supported by a Party Unit and individual
testimony from three (3) Party members.
HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIPHonorary Life Membership is the partys
highest award. Candidates for Honorary Life Membership must satisfy
the following criteria through:
Long and dedicated service to the Party, above and beyond what
could normally be expected;
A major influence on the development, direction and achievements
of the Party;
A significant and recognised contribution to the Party by way of
leadership, innovation, policy direction, political thought or
administration;
Epitomising the values and philosophy of the Liberal National
Party.
Given the evaluation criteria reflect the Partys highest
standards, it is expected that no more than one Honorary Life
Membership per year will normally be given.
-
Road to AmalgamationAt State Council we launched the book Road
to Amalgamation which was compiled by Party stalwart Ken Crooke.
Ken is a former State Director of the National Party and is a Life
Member of the LNP.
The book delivers an in-depth account of the events which led to
the amalgamation of the Liberal and National parties and includes a
series of detailed interviews with key players. It is a must read
for anyone with an interest not just in politics, but also
Queenslands history.
Commemorative signed copies of Road to Amalgamation are
available to LNP members for $25 plus postage. Visit the shop on
the LNP website to order your copy, lnp.org.au/shop/
(Back, L-R) Gary Spence, Lawrence Springborg and Bruce McIver
(Front, L-R) Mark McArdle and Ken Crooke
42 / lnp.org.au
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44 / lnp.org.au
Young LNP
On Saturday 15 and Sunday 16
March, 25 members of the Young
LNP embarked on our inaugural
Four Pillars Tour to Stanthorpe.
This was an amazing experience
for our members and one we
now hope to make an annual
component of the Young LNP
calendar. We firstly want to
thank Bob and Sue Johnson,
local stalwarts of the LNP in
Stanthorpe who worked with us
for weeks in advance to organise
the logistics. Special thanks to
Party President Bruce McIver who
agreed for HQ to pay for the hire
of our mini buses.
Our first stop on the tour was to the once small potato farm and
now well-known freight company Wickhams Freight Lines. A family
owned business that has support for local families and the
community at the heart of its operations. We enjoyed learning about
how Wickhams started off as a relatively small potato farm in
Stanthorpe until he purchased a single truck and started
transporting his produce to the markets himself. From this small
beginning has grown a huge transport business that carries produce
all over Queensland.
From there we proceeded to the Rizzato familys apple orchard and
packing shed. The Rizzato family has been farming in the area since
1954. They are one of the largest apple growers in the Granite
Belt, which is the second largest apple growing area in Australia.
Whether it was sampling the tasty apples or watching the
state-of-the-art packing line which literally goes for hundreds of
metres, this was an experience we will never forget.
We stopped for lunch at Suttons Cidery where we all enjoyed a
cold cider and a home cooked country lunch. From there it was onto
the Sweets Strawberry Runner farm. For the last ten plus years they
have grown to be a very large strawberry nursery, supplying
strawberry runners around Australia and also exporting overseas.
During peak production they employ up to 300 back packers. It was a
unique business and we very much enjoyed learning about their
processes and how far and wide they supply their Strawberry runners
to.
After a fantastic first day, it was a real pleasure for the YLNP
to have dinner at the Queensland College of Wine and to be joined
by Bruce McIver and his wife, Christine, the Local Member Lawrence
Springborg MP, President of the National Farmers Federation Brent
Finlay and other LNP members from the region. The College of Wine
kept us hydrated with some fantastic local wine labels as we
watched Will Hodgman declare victory in Tasmania. A fantastic
evening!
Our first stop on Sunday was to Gows produce, owned and operated
by the Gow family who are local LNP members and active within the
farming community. The Gow family has been farming in the Granite
Belt since 1908. They started as a mixed farming enterprise,
planting as many as 2 million seedlings in one season and they are
now one of largest capsicum producers in the district. This is
where we again got a taste for how tough it is for farmers with
weather conditions, Government regulation, and the Carbon Tax (just
to name a few) making it harder.
From there it was onto Kominos Winery where members of the YLNP
indulged in some wine tasting and certainly lots of purchases.
Kominos Winery is another family business, making wines principally
for export. We can safely say that YLNP members of the YLNP
certainly boosted the local economy and many of us are still
enjoying their many fine drops.
After a busy morning, the famous Stanthorpe Show Ground ladies
treated us to a Sunday roast lunch before heading to David and Prue
Bondfields family owned Stud farm Strathgarve. Situated on the New
England Highway, 3kms south of Warwick and 31kms north of
Stanthorpe, this was one of the best stops of our Tour. David and
Prue are very successful exhibitors of their bulls and cows at the
Royal Easter Shows around the country and they now export their
genetics around the world. Palgrove has grown from strength to
strength through innovation, vision and expansion overseas. Our
sincere appreciation to David and Prue who opened up their
beautiful home and made us so welcome.
The inaugural Young LNP Four Pillars Tour was a great experience
for our members. Whilst many of us now call Brisbane home, lots of
our members grew up in rural and regional Queensland and it was
great to head home, even if it was only for the weekend and learn
more about importance of the Granite Belt and the Darling Downs
Region to the State of Queensland
Hermann Vorster YLNP President (former) Luke Barnes YLNP Vice
President
FOUR PILLARS TOUR
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Rockhampton Break & Enters
Down 23%
Mackay Stolen Vehicles
Down 37%
Cairns Common Assault
Down 27%
Townsville Robbery
Down 45%
Toowoomba Armed Robbery
Down 54%
Regional Crime Statistics Highlights
We are also investing in the modernisation of police and
emergency services by investing over half a billion dollars in
technology over the coming decade to make Queensland a world leader
in the field.
Queensland Police Service officers are in the process of being
issued with iPads, unshackling them from behind their desks and
enabling themw to spend more time out on the beat, with access to
CCTV footage, criminal records, and other data on the go. We are
bringing our communications technology into the 21st century
through the roll out of the $500 million Government Wireless
Network in time for G20.
These two years worth of investments in Queensland will serve us
for the next twenty years. We remain more committed than ever to
revitalise our frontline services, keep our streets safe and
deliver world class Police, Fire and Emergency infrastructure where
its needed most.