March 6, 2017
The State Labor Government has piled criticism on the LNP’s “New Deal” for regional Queensland, released at the weekend.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls and Deputy Leader Deb Frecklington released a package of promises on Saturday.
Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey – who has been a target of LNP criticism himself recently over the use of a private email account – said the Opposition was spruiking a “new” 10-year Bruce Highway action in the “New Deal”.
But he said there was already a fully funded 10-year road funding program in place between Federal and State governments supported by both sides of politics.
“That program is being rolled out successfully saving lives all the way up the Queensland coast. Mr Nicholls is just re-announcing an already existing policy, trying to rebrand something that is already announced, funded and being built,” Mr Bailey said.
He said the LNP support for a new coal-fired power station – another highlight of the “New Deal” – was out of step with economic reality.
“A new coal-fired power station is not the answer to reducing electricity prices,” he said.
“Peak business body the Australian Industry Group has said a new coal power station construction could double electricity prices for consumers which would be a disaster for jobs and for our economy.
“Investors and the energy industry won’t fund a new coal-fired power station because they know that their lengthy pay back periods mean huge amounts of money will be lost because of the rapidly falling cost of renewable energy.”
- Related article: ‘New Deal’ Promised For Rural Queensland
