October 1, 2021
Queensland Senator James McGrath dropped into Kingaroy on Thursday evening for a Q&A session with local LNP members, businesspeople and councillors.
Senator McGrath, who has secured the top spot for the LNP on the Senate ticket for the next election, was joined by Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington at the meet’n’greet at the Kingaroy Hotel.
“I’m sorry that we didn’t get you over the line last year. You would have been such a brilliant Premier,” Senator McGrath told Mrs Frecklington, the former LNP State Opposition Leader.
Topics covered at the Q&A included:
- AUKUS and the French submarines – Senator McGrath said it was the best decision the Federal Government had made since 2013 (when the current Coalition government was elected) to tear up the deal with France. “We have made sure that we are at the pinnacle with the US and UK bulwark against Communist China,” he said. Senator McGrath said the nuclear submarine decision was as significant for Australia as was the formation of NATO after World War II.
- Cyber security – Senator McGrath said Australia was under cyber attack daily. Mrs Frecklington said cyber security was one of the greatest issues facing local businesses, and even her husband Jason’s identity had been stolen.
- Reef regulations – South Burnett councillor Scott Henschen raised the issue of the South Burnett still being included in the Great Barrier Reef Catchment Area. Paradise Dam was also discussed. Mrs Frecklington said the Federal Government had a billion dollars sitting on the table waiting for the State Government to approach it.
- Vaccine hesitancy – Mrs Frecklington said this had been stoked by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young. She said she was keen to see the State open up and also keep people safe. “Business is hurting, especially cross-border businesses,” she said. Mrs Frecklington said her office staff were being kept busy trying to help people wanting to reunite with relatives.
The get-together was a fundraiser for the South Burnett LNP branch.
