Thursday, April 23, 2020
The Palaszczuk Labor Government have prevented the LNP from introducing tougher laws to tackle skyrocketing youth crime and urgent measures to stop the Paradise Dam wall from being torn down, by placing time restraints on the debate.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington didn’t have the opportunity to move amendments tabled earlier in her speech to the Parliament last night during debate on the Emergency Response Bill to COVID-19.
The LNP amendments sought to reintroduce breach of bail as an offence for young offenders and scrap Labor’s catch and release laws, halt planned works to tear down the Paradise Dam spillway by five metres, and introduce a stay on increases to land valuations for the next six months.
“The number one priority has been the health of Queenslanders and stopping the spread of the disease,” Ms Frecklington said.
“But the coronavirus can’t be used as an excuse not to confront the other issues facing communities across Queensland.
“One of the most concerning issues people are grappling with in communities like Cairns, Townsville and the Gold Coast is skyrocketing crime under Labor.
“The LNP gave Labor the opportunity to fix their soft youth crime laws and they rejected it.
“There is also clear evidence that Paradise Dam can be fixed – and for a fraction of what Labor is planning to spend.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government needs to see sense, look at the evidence and stop the demolition work immediately.
“Queensland cannot afford to lose more jobs and more businesses, but that’s exactly what will happen if Labor rams ahead with its plan to lower Paradise Dam.
“The LNP was also fighting for a stay on land valuation increases for the next six months to ensure there is a level of consistency.
“There is genuine concern that land valuation increases could flow through to local government rate hikes and hit families financially when they can least afford it.
“Now more than ever, Queensland needs an LNP Government to build a stronger economy and deliver solutions to the problems faced by communities across Queensland.”
