Far North MPs use chainsaw to flag possible deep cuts to public sector

A full throttle assault on a mock sign may seem like a joke but Member for Cairns Michael Healy insists he’s deadly serious about keeping public assets and jobs in the Far North.

Far North MPs Michael Healy, Craig Crawford and ALP candidate for Mulgrave at the QBuild depot near Cairns City.

A full throttle assault on a mock sign may seem like a joke but Member for Cairns Michael Healy insists he’s deadly serious about keeping public assets and jobs in the Far North.

As fellow Far North MP Craig Crawford shredded through an LNP For Sale sign with a chainsaw, Mr Healy watched on approvingly, calling on the Coalition to address how it will fund its $18bn in election commitments.

The LNP’s history of cuts to the public sector has triggered fears that the campaign promises could mean the state-owned QBuild will face the chop, Mr Healy said.

“Last time they sold off depots, they sacked 1600 (QBuild) workers,” Mr Healy said on Tuesday.

“QBuild is a significant employer and contributor to government and non-government jobs around the state.

Member for Barron River, Craig Crawford slices through a “For Sale” sign as Member for Cairns, Michael Healy and ALP candidate for Mulgrave, Richie Bates look on.

The Queensland Government’s builder, which played a significant role in reconstructing the remote Indigenous community of Wujal Wujal following TC Jasper, was doing significant work to ease the housing crisis, Mr Healy said.

“In this region, we’re building modular homes which are desperately needed – not only because we’re recovering from an unprecedented weather event – but we’re also ensuring that people have a roof over their heads in remote and isolated communities,” he said.

Mr Healy said it was time for Opposition Leader David Crisafulli to explain how he will fund the LNP’s election promises.

“That’s quite deceitful and they’re not being upfront with the people of Queensland, just like with women’s rights and a wide-range of other issues,” he said.

But Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie disputed the state Tourism and Sports Minister’s claim.

“This is just the latest in a very long list of ludicrous Labor lies this election and Queenslanders will see it for what it is,” Mr Bleijie said.

“Queenslanders won’t be fooled by this desperate and baseless Labor scare campaign designed to distract from Labor’s record of failure and dupe Queenslanders.

“Our frontline workers are critical to ending the youth crime, health, housing and cost of living crises which is why the LNP will empower them to deliver the programs and services needed for our growing state.”

Meanwhile Mr Crawford has dismissed claims he failed flood victims last December with a photo of him at the Australian Open resurfacing just days before voters cast their ballots.

“Is this the best the LNP can deliver on me?” the Member for Barron River said.

“This was weeks after (TC) Jasper on a Saturday night.”

If elected, the Coalition has pledged to establish an independent Public Sector Commission within its first 100 days but flagged that there will be “no forced redundancies” within the public service.

Originally published as Far North MPs use chainsaw to flag possible deep cuts to public sector