September 12, 2012
The Queensland Budget handed down yesterday confirms that Campbell Newman’s government is determined to make financial decisions that will cost people’s jobs and destroy the environment, Greens spokesman Grant Newson said today.
“If Queensland becomes a State where basic services – such as health care, quality education and emergency services – aren’t on offer because the public service has been slashed, it won’t make any difference to people’s lives if the Budget is in surplus or not,” he said.
“By making public health pay for hospital initiatives, the LNP is breaking its own election commitment to invest in chronic disease health and awareness campaigns.
“It is also ignores the National Preventative Health Taskforce recommendations, and it is tipping the scales even further towards the most expensive end of the health care spectrum.
“Regrettably, more Queenslanders are likely to end up living with long-term chronic health problems as a consequence. What a contrast to the $5 billion investment in dental health the Greens have achieved nationally through the Denticare scheme.”
Mr Newson said that the LNP had claimed before the election that forced redundancies for the public service were not going to be necessary.
“His government has no mandate to take jobs away from these people,” he said.
“While Campbell Newman is claiming these tough decisions must be made in the interests of fiscal prudence, it is clearly a matter of priorities – the Government can find $80 million for greyhound racing, but refuses to support the trial of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
The Greens also agree with the Rural Fire Brigades Association of Queensland who said today that Rural Fire Brigades and volunteer firefighters feel betrayed by the latest Budget.
“The evisceration of the Rural Fire Service in Queensland, a 57 per cent reduction in Rural Operations uniformed positions and internal cost cutting has been directed at the provision of support to Rural Fire Brigades and volunteer fire-fighters who cover 93 per cent of Queensland.
“The RFBAQ feel completely betrayed by the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service, as not one cent of these savings will translate into extra equipment or financial support for the most poorly funded Rural Fire Service in the country.”
Mr Newson said that the Queensland Greens – at their State Conference last weekend – had unanimously passed a motion which “affirms our support for the tens of thousands of Queenslanders, their families and their communities, who have been severely impacted by the unprecedented and unjustified, ideologically driven attacks by the Newman government on the public service, community and NGO sectors”.
The motion also resolved that the Greens would actively campaign alongside the union movement “and those affected against such attacks”.
“Unfortunately, it looks as though this budget is a sneak peek as to what the Tony Abbott led coalition will seek to do, which is less for health, education and other critical services that Australians rely on every day as they continue their crusade against the rights of workers,” Mr Newson said.
“With the Newman government now winding back vegetation protection in Queensland, sneaking it through on the day of the State Budget, they’ve declared open war on Queensland’s environment.
“And our precious bushland is next on the chopping block – literally.”
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