Bill Shorten to target Queensland on a pre-election blitz

Queensland is shaping up to be an important state for Labor in the next federal election meaning Bill Shorten has much to offer the state during a nine-day bus trip as he bids to double the number of Sunshine State seats the party holds.

OPPOSITION leader Bill Shorten is launching a nine-day pre-election Queensland blitz from today until Australia Day as he woos the must-win state – starting with $33 million plan to take pressure off Logan Hospital’s emergency department.

The nine-day bus tour – with the Opposition leader actually on the bus – will cover 16 electorates and 1400km as Mr Shorten road tests the election slogan “jobs not cuts”.

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Policy announcements and election sweeteners are expected to be dropped on Queensland as Labor seeks to secure up to eight seats off the government.

The announcements will be focused on developing new industries for jobs and infrastructure which could boost the economy.

Logan Hospital, which has suffered from increased ambulance ramping and even seen corridors turned into temporary mental health “wards” due to overcrowding, will be the first beneficiary.

Mr Shorten will today announce a Labor Government would pay $33.4m for an Urgent and Specialist Care Centre for Logan Hospital.

The seven-day, walk-in centre will have 11 beds and 22 specialist consultation rooms to treat urgent, but non-life threatening illnesses and injuries like minor fractures, dislocations, cuts, and respiratory tract infections.

Bill Shorten hopes to win the hearts of Queenslanders on a pre-election trip.

Mr Shorten said it would free up doctors and nurses for more serious cases, while providing treatment for up to 15,000 patients a year.

“This will not only reduce pressure on Logan’s emergency department – and the hospital car park – but also reduce the need for people to travel for hospital services,” he said.

The Opposition leader will also hold a rally with Labor faithful in South Brisbane today, with ALP national president Wayne Swan, to rev up the troops in advance of the election campaign.

Mr Shorten will then tour the state in a bright red, Labor-branded bus until January 25, accompanied at times by his wife Chloe.

“We’re taking the bus through QLD for the next week with a simple message – Queenslanders needs jobs, not cuts. My wife is a Queenslander and we cannot wait to get back there,” Mr Shorten said.

He said to govern Australia, Labor needed to win Queensland from suburbs to the regions.

“We have to earn the trust and respect of Queenslanders – listen to people and explain our policies,” Mr Shorten said.

“The biggest risk to our economy is instability - the Liberals have shown all they’re capable of delivering is division.”

While specific stops on the tours are being kept under wraps, it is expected to stretch from the electorate of Forde in the south to north Queensland.

While Labor holds eight seats in Queensland now, it is aiming to double this.