Queensland Shadow Minister for Education Bruce Flegg

Indigenous Student Attendance Rates Drop

Victor P Taffa

Two children out of every five are absent on any day from some Queensland Indigenous schools, the State Opposition said today.

The Annual Highlights Report for Queensland’s Discrete Indigenous Communities* published today shows attendance figures for schools in Indigenous areas continue a disappointing decline.

“This is very concerning because history shows how low attendance rates can translate into bigger problems for our Indigenous communities.” Shadow Minister for Education, Dr. Bruce Flegg said today.

“A lack of continuity in learning, because of absences, will mean there are significant gaps in a child’s learning and from that hole, more concerning community-related issues develop and escalate.”

“Of concern is the fact that all except one school experienced drops in attendance, some as high as 18.9 %, between term 1 and term 2 from July 2009-June2010.” Dr. Flegg said.

“There were four schools with attendance below 60 %: Aurukun, Doomadgee, Napranum and Palm Island.  That signifies two children out of every give absent from the classroom on any one day.”

“Only one School made it above the 90 % Attendance Rate and that was Coen.  All other remain below the state average of 91%.” Dr. Flegg said.

“Attendance is the key to engaging Indigenous children in education and bettering their future opportunities.”

“The LNP is committed to improving the opportunities for Queensland’s young Indigenous community.”  Dr. Flegg said.

* Annual Highlights Report for Queensland’s Discrete Indigenous Communities

Queensland Shadow Minister for Information & Communication Technology Scott Emerson

Health Payroll “Mr. Fixit” Quits While Lucas and Schwarten Refuse to Resign

Victor P Taffa

Queenslanders can have no confidence the Health Payroll Bungle will be repaired after the man dubbed “Mr. Fixit” resigned, Shadow Minister for Information and Communication Technology Scott Emerson said today.

The departure of Queensland Health Deputy Director-General Michael Walsh follows the October resignation of Queensland Health’s Payroll and Establishment Services Director Alan McGraw.

“We have now seen the two top bureaucrats whose job was to fix Queensland Health Payroll debacle quit in the last two months.” Mr. Emerson said.

“But the two people Queenslanders want to see resign, Health Minister Paul Lucas and ICT Minister Robert Schwarten, continue to refuse to take responsibility for the Queensland Health Payroll debacle.”

“This bungle will cost Queensland taxpayers at least $209 Million to fix but Lucas and Schwarten keep their jobs.” Mr. Emerson said.

Queensland Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek

Queensland Shadow Minister for Environment Jack Dempsey

Dugong and Turtle Cruelty to be Outlawed by LNP

Victor P Taffa

New laws to stop unnecessarily cruel hunting practices being used on Dugong and Turtles were proposed by the LNP in Cairns today.

Opposition and LNP Leader John-Paul Langbroek and Shadow Environment Minister Jack Dempsey today released a draft regulation which would make it illegal for anyone exercising traditional hunting rights to wound, mutilate, torture or unnecessarily prolong the death of any animal.

Mr. Langbroek said the draft regulation, if adopted, would close a loophole that had allowed some individuals to abuse the traditional hunting allowances and subject dugong and turtles to prolonged, excruciating deaths.

“My former Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability Glen Elmes raised this matter in Parliament earlier this year and brought my attention to a graphic YouTube video which showed a turtle being kept alive while its flippers and meat were cut off.” Mr. Langbroek said.

“This video is sickening and raises serious questions about the treatment of these animals by some individuals.”

“This behaviour is not acceptable and new regulations could provide a stronger legal framework to discourage this practice.” Mr. Langbroek said.

Mr. Dempsey said the Bligh Labor Cabinet could adopt the animal cruelty regulations without having to take it before Parliament.

“Keeping a turtle alive while it is cut up or letting a dugong bake to death in the sun is a practice that should be outlawed.” Mr. Dempsey said.

“No-one is calling for a ban on all traditional hunting but we must consider the long-term survival of these species and the treatment of these animals — this cruelty is simply not necessary.” Mr. Dempsey said.

The draft regulation will be available to be viewed on Mr. Langbroek’s website – www.jplangbroek.com – and feedback can be provided via the website or by emailing Mr Dempsey at bundaberg@parliament.qld.gov.au

Mr. Langbroek was accompanied in Cairns today by Mr. Dempsey, Mr. Elmes and newly appointed Shadow Minister for North Queensland Andrew Cripps.

DRAFT ANIMAL CARE AND PROTECTION REGULATION FOR DISCUSSION

This Regulation applies to and affects acts or omissions made by an Aborigine under Aboriginal tradition, or a Torres Strait Islander under Island custom, and outlines codes of practice to be followed in the taking of any wild animal from the sea or the land.

(1). Any Person Who -

a. wounds, mutilates, tortures, abuses, or terrifies an animal, or unnecessarily prolongs its death; or

b. by way of any net, captures an animal, or in any other way confines an animal in a way that may cause prolonged suffering or pain to the animal; or

c. does or omits to do any act with the result that unreasonable pain   or suffering is caused, or is likely to be caused; or

d. conveys, carries or packs an animal in a manner or position or in circumstances which are is likely to cause the animal pain or suffering; or

e. sells, offers for sale, purchases, or otherwise uses an animal for commercial purposes; or

f. takes an animal other than for immediate consumption, including unnecessary slaughter for non personal use; or abandons a live animal

in a way that may cause it to suffer in any unnecessary way or;

g. uses traditional hunting methods that in any way unnecessarily cause the animal to suffer prolonged pain or suffering;

h. uses TRADITIONAL OR NON-TRADITIONAL hunting methods of a barbaric nature that cause the animal to die slowly or in unreasonable pain

IS GUILTY OF AN OFFENCE UNDER THE ANIMAL CARE AND PROTECTION ACT 2001 Qld

Maximum penalty--- 2000 penalty units ($200,000) and or 2 years imprisonment

QLD Shadow Minister for Environment Jack Dempsey

Queensland Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek

ZeroGen Farce Should be Final Straw for ‘Minister for Waste’

Victor P Taffa

The State Opposition is calling for long term Labor Minister Stephen Robertson to be dumped following revelations $100 Million of Queensland Taxpayers’ Dollars has been wasted on the ZeroGen Clean Coal Project.

State Opposition and LNP Leader John-Paul Langbroek said the ZeroGen Bungle was another example of Poor Planning and Wasted dollars occurring on Stephen Robertson’s watch.

“The Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Stephen Robertson is fast becoming known as the Minister for Waste. Everything he touches turns into a disaster.” Mr. Langbroek said.

“Under Stephen Robertson, a $1.2 Billion Desalination Plant has been mothballed, a $2.5 Billion Recycled Water Pipeline is barely used and now $100 Million has been blown on a Clean Coal Project.”

“When is Anna Bligh going to reshuffle her Cabinet and get rid of long term dud Ministers like Stephen Robertson, Paul Lucas and Robert Schwarten who keep wasting taxpayers’ money?” Mr. Langbroek asked.

“It’s only Anna Bligh’s fear of getting rolled as Labor Leader that is keeping these serial underperformers in Cabinet.” Mr. Langbroek said.

Queensland Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek

Bligh’s ZeroGen Bungle Wastes Another $100M

Victor P Taffa

The LNP today called for an inquiry into the failure of the ZeroGen Clean Coal Project which has wasted another $100 Million of Queensland Taxpayers’ Dollars.

Leader of the Opposition and LNP John-Paul Langbroek said the Premier’s decision to give away the state-owned company ZeroGen and scrap its planned $4.3 Billion Clean Coal Power Station in central Queensland was another example of poor planning and wasted dollars.

ZeroGen will be handed to an industry body, the Australian Coal Association, with state taxpayers’ investment written off.

“This is just another costly bungle by this long-term Labor Government.” Mr. Langbroek said.

“This project was supposed to make Queensland the world leader in clean coal technology.”

“Instead we have seen $100 Million wasted on ZeroGen, including $40 Million spent after the Government was advised to withdraw from the project by a review which described the venture as ‘speculative’.” Mr. Langbroek said.

“This Government continues to throw away hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayer funds while pushing the cost of this waste back onto Queenslanders already struggling with the rising cost of living.”

“This $100 Million loss on ZeroGen follows the $209 Million to fix the Queensland Health payroll disaster, the wasted $265 Million on the aborted Traveston Dam and the mothballed $1.2 Billion Tugan Desalination Plant.”

“We cannot afford yet another Bligh Labor Blunder.” Mr. Langbroek said.

Queensland Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek

Bligh’s Announces Round One of Labor’s Election Cheat Strategy

Victor P Taffa

Queenslanders should be on alert with Anna Bligh and Labor using Christmas as a distraction to release a raft of unpopular and potentially corrupt policies, the LNP warned today.

Opposition and LNP Leader John-Paul Langbroek issued the warning after Ms Bligh today announced she wanted to suddenly change election laws just two days after also using the Christmas period to announce a massive 5.8% increase in Electricity Prices.

While details of the Labor’s changes to Election Laws are still sketchy, Mr. Langbroek said Queenslanders should be wary of loopholes that allowed unions to spend hundreds of millions of dollars attacking the LNP while bankrolling Labor’s re-election bid.

He said despite widespread opposition to Labor’s fire sale of state assets, such as Queensland Rail, many unions had continued to pour hundreds of thousands of dollars of their memberships’ money into bankrolling Bligh and her Labor machine over the past 18 months.

“Under Labor’s proposed changes, it looks like there will once again be loopholes that allow unions to spend millions of dollars bankrolling Labor while the LNP will be prohibited by law from being able to respond.” Mr. Langbroek said.

“Anna Bligh and Labor are refusing to listen to Queenslanders so their only answer is to cheat Queenslanders.”

“What we are seeing is a desperate attempt from Labor to save Bligh’s Government.”

“Labor has already amassed over a hundred million dollars in their election kitty and is now seeking to prevent any other political party from raising funds.” Mr. Langbroek said.

“Meanwhile, the so-called caps on election expenditure will not stop sitting Labor MPs from spending taxpayer funds to retain their seats.

“Anna Bligh is yet to reveal the details of these ‘reforms’ but considering the timing of her announcement, Queenslanders should be very concerned.”

Mr. Langbroek said Anna Bligh’s only record was to sanction lies and corruption.

He challenged the Premier to reveal what consultation had been done in the formation of the changes.

“Was the Electoral Commissioner consulted on this proposal? Was the Integrity Commissioner consulted or was the Commissioner of the Crime and Misconduct Commission or the Opposition involved in the drafting of this reform?” Mr. Langbroek asked.

“If the answer is ‘NO’ to any of these questions, then Ms Bligh must reveal why she has once again let the Labor Party’s faceless backroom puppet masters determine Government Policy.” Mr. Langbroek said.

Queensland Shadow Minister for Disability Services Ted Malone

Labor Not Serious About Autism

Victor P Taffa

The LNP today said the Disability Services Minister’s call for a national register of Autism service locations was proof Minister Palaszczuk was out of her depth.

Shadow Minister for Disability Services, Mr. Ted Malone said Ms Palaszczuk’s flailing attempt to shift the blame for the lack of information for Queensland families living with autism to the Federal Government, was another example of the incompetent Bligh Labor ministry who are all talk and little action.

“That is a bit rich considering the Minister has previously admitted, only after strenuous questioning and pressure from the LNP, that she and her predecessors have ignored the need to undertake needs-based mapping for autism, a fundamental requirement for effective and efficient delivery of disability services.” Mr. Malone said.

“Ms. Palaszczuk needs only to point the finger at herself given that under the Bligh Government, Queensland was the only State Government which did not participate in the Australian Advisory Board on Autism Report in 2007.”

“Now, having failed to provide valuable information to a national report, because this toxic Labor government could not gather the information or agree on a definition, the Minister has the nerve to blame the lack of information on the need for a national register.” Mr. Malone said.

“This will be a significant disappointment but will come as no surprise to Queensland families living with Autism.  They are used to being dudded by Labor, who since 2002 have failed to deliver more than 50 % of the promised Capital Budget for Disability Services.”

“The LNP calls on Minister Palaszczuk to provide adequate and transparent funding for valued and important Autism services across the state who is struggling to keep their doors open because of this toxic, long term Labor Government.” Mr. Malone said.

Queensland Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations Jann Stuckey

Unions Must Give $385,000 QR Fine To Workers Not Labor

Victor P Taffa

The Queensland State Opposition has challenged Union Bosses to guarantee the reduced fine of $385,000 imposed on Queensland Rail goes into workers pockets and not into Labor’s coffers to help re-elect Anna Bligh and her Toxic Government.

Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations Jann Stuckey welcomed the Federal Court Ruling but warned unions not to use the financial windfall to help re-elect Labor.

“This court ruling is the final proof Bligh and Labor’s fire sale of assets has been nothing but a cash grab from a Government that went broke in a boom.” Ms. Stuckey said.

Ms. Stuckey said the Unions should have immediately cut ties with Labor after the Privatisation lie was revealed, but instead have continued to pump millions into their coffers.

“At the last State Election, the union bosses spent almost $3 Million of their members’ money helping get Anna Bligh re-elected.”

“If the Union Bosses are serious about stopping Privatisation, they should apologise for backing Labor at the last election and immediately withdraw financial and other support.” Ms. Stuckey said.

“The $385,000 the Unions will receive as a result of the fine imposed on Queensland Rail needs to be dispersed to Union Members, not just put into a war chest to help get Labor re-elected.”

“It’s time Union Bosses made saving the jobs of workers a higher priority than saving the jobs of Anna Bligh and her Labor mates.” Ms. Stuckey said.

Queensland Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek

Bligh Lies to Queenslanders Again

Victor P Taffa

Queenslanders will soon be paying even more for their electricity, with bills increasing by 63 % since Anna Bligh promised ‘no one would be worse off’ after Labor privatised the industry.

State Opposition and LNP Leader John-Paul Langbroek said the long-term Labor Government’s promise had been broken over and over again, leaving Queensland families struggling with the cost of living.

Yesterday’s draft decision by the Queensland Competition Authority to increase Electricity Bills by 5.83 % means that by the end of 2011/12 financial year, Electricity Bills would have risen by 63 % since Labor privatised Energex and Ergon.

“Under Labor, every new day in Queensland brings a new increase in the cost of living.” Mr. Langbroek said.

“Electricity Prices have risen by more than 50 % in the past three years.”

“The 5.83 % increase announced yesterday by the QCA is almost twice the rate of inflation.” Mr. Langbroek said.

“So far all Labor has delivered is another price rise that will add an extra hundred dollars to the average household’s electricity bill next year.”

“Queenslanders are already struggling to make ends meet because of cost of living pressures and this is the last thing they need as they head off on their Christmas holidays.” Mr. Langbroek said.

“Need I remind Queenslanders again that Premier Anna Bligh promised “Nobody – not one Queenslander – will be worse off” under Labor’s Electricity changes.” 

“This is just another Labor lie, from Anna Bligh.” Mr. Langbroek said.

Acting Queensland Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg

Leak Exposes More Labor Water Waste

Victor P Taffa

Hundreds of Millions in Taxpayers’ Dollars has been poured down the drain because Labor just can’t manage water properly and keeps lying about the problems it is facing, the State Opposition said today.

Acting Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg said a leaked document exposing a series of water bungles highlighted just how badly Labor had failed Queenslanders.

“This long term Labor Government has wasted hundreds of millions of dollars on a water grid that has been plagued with problems, advertising campaigns that never saw the light of day and upgrading a Queensland Water Commission office that is now half empty.” Mr. Springborg said.

“It is south-east Queenslanders who are paying the price for Labor’s mismanagement and waste with water bills going through the roof.”

Mr. Springborg said the document once again confirmed the rampant culture of spin lies and cover up within the Bligh Labor Government.

“For too long Labor Ministers have tried to get away with the Gordon Nuttall defence of claiming their department hadn’t briefed them.” Mr. Springborg said.

“This culture of denial is costing taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. The longer Labor ministers cover up and deny, then the more money is wasted in fixing the problems when they spiral out of control.”

Mr. Springborg called on Premier Bligh and Minister Robertson to come clean with answers to all of the questions and reveal when they became aware of each issue.

He said the Minister particularly needed to explain why $2.3 Million was spent upgrading the Queensland Water Commission’s office when its role had been wound back.

“When the Water Commission was first announced, then Premier Peter Beattie claimed it would cost ‘in the order of approximately $2 – 2.5 Million’ a year to run (Hansard, 21 April 2006) but it has ended up costing 10 times that amount.” Mr. Springborg said.

“This leaked document proves once again that this long term Labor Government is out of its depth when it comes to managing south-east Queensland’s water supplies.” Mr. Springborg said.