Question Time has wrapped up for the day. Keep checking The Courier-Mail's website for more state political stories.
Question Time live: Qld's latest Covid cases before Opposition renews attack over QBCC scandal
The Opposition has renewed its attack on the state government and Minister Mick de Brenni over the QBCC scandal in another fiery Question Time. It comes as Queensland recorded no new Covid-19 cases for the 10th day in a row.
The State Opposition has renewed its attack on the Queensland Government over Minister Mick de Brenni's links to a QBCC building scandal, in another fiery Question Time.
There were calls on Wednesday from the Opposition for Mr de Brenni to resign, after The Courier-Mail revealed an explosive email trail that linked the Public Works Minister to the Queensland Building and Constriction Commission's failed bid to prosecute a Gold Coast company.
Mr de Brenni used Question Time on Wednesday to deny the accusations, but faced renewed pressure from the Opposition in Thursday's session.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk first provided an update on Queensland's latest Covid cases, confirming the state on Thursday recorded its 10th straight day of no community transmission.
More than 54 per cent of the state is now fully vaccinated., but Ms Palaszczuk has urged those Queenslanders yet to get vaccinated to do so now, hinting a border opening date is just around the corner. Her warning comes as thousands of Brisbane Pfizer doses are at risk of going to waste as demand wanes.
"Don't walk past the tent at Bunnings, roll up and give us a hand," she said.
Ms Palaszczuk said 70.99 per cent had received their first dose, with 17,187 vaccines administered by Queensland Health in the past 24 hours.
More than 10,500 tests were undertaken in the past 24 hours.
Updates
Caboolture Hospital question
Opposition Health spokeswoman Ros Bates questioned Health Minister Yvette D'Ath why the same action taken at Mackay Hospital hadn't been taken at Caboolture Hospital.
It follows news this week that a doctor had been suspended at the Mackay Hospital following complaints relating to the obstetrics department.
The Courier-Mail recently revealed allegations of botched surgeries at Caboolture.
Ms D'Ath said these decisions were reserved for the board and the chief executive, not ministers.
-Rachael Rosel
de Brenni denies staffers present
The Opposition has asked Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni if there were any departmental officers or members of the QBCC at the meeting with the Kirra Vista apartments complainant, Toni Bowler.
Mr de Brenni said because the meeting was about a sports issue he did not invite any members from the QBCC.
He did not explicitly state whether any staffers from the Department of Public Works were present at the meeting.
"It is clear the LNP can't stand the fact that the construction industry in this state is incredibly successful under our government," he said.
– Jill Poulsen
Who is the Paralympics Minister?
Opposition frontbencher John-Paul Langbroek has asked Annastacia Palaszczuk who the Paralympics Minister is.
It follows last week's announcement that the Premier had made herself the Olympics Minister.
Ms Palaszczuk said she had consulted AOC president John Coates around her new title, prior to the announcement, and he had said it was appropriate.
She said she would be looking after both the Olympics and Paralympics while being assisted by Deputy Premier Steven Miles and Sports Minister Stirling Hinchliffe.
– Domanii Cameron
Bailey pledges 'all options' to fix flooded road
Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto asked Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey how the government planned to improve the flood section of the Bruce Highway using federal funding that was allocated 10 years ago.
Mr Bailey announced a $48m planning project, supported by the federal government, was underway to "explore all options" to find a solution to the flooding.
The minister said the stretch of the highway between Ingham and Cardwell was "complex" and vulnerable to flooding during extreme weather events.
He said he hoped the solution would last for many years to come.
– Rachel Rosel
One Nation probes first nations consultation
One Nation MP Steven Andrew asked the Premier why the government did not consult the traditional owners during the $20m sale of the head lease of Keswick Island.
"I'm happy to take that one on notice," Ms Palaszczuk said.
– Hayden Johnson
Opposition strikes on Premier's own union support
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington referred to comments from the Premier's union, the AWU, backing nuclear power and asked if she stood by those comments.
Ms Frecklington said if Ms Palaszczuk did not support the comments, when would she and her ministers resign from the union?
"First of all the AWU is a real union, Mr Speaker, unlike the NPAQ," Ms Palaszczuk responded.
Manager of Opposition Business Jarrod Bleijie rose on two points of order, claiming a lack of relevance in the Premier's answer.
After starting to talk about the coronavirus pandemic Ms Palaszczuk was counselled by Speaker Curtis Pitt to keep her answer relevant.
She did not say whether she supported the AWU's stance but said: "We have it all in Queensland, we have coal, gas and we have renewables."
The Speaker eventually told Ms Palaszczuk to resume her seat, declaring he had attempted to give her "guidance" but her answer was irrelevant to the question.
Ms Frecklington's question came after the government demanded Opposition Health spokeswoman Ros Bates resign over comments her union, NPAQ, made.
– Jill Poulsen, Hayden Johnson
Does the Premier stand by comments from members of her frontbench?
Opposition frontbencher Dale Last has asked Annastacia Palaszczuk whether she stood by comments from her Treasurer and Health Minister condemning and seeking resignations from LNP frontbenchers over comments by worker's organisations.
Opposition health spokeswoman Ros Bates has been slammed in recent days for her Nurses Professional Association of Queensland membership, with the state government claiming the organisation is anti-vaccination.
The Premier said it was concerning that Ms Bates was a member of NPAQ which she said had supported anti-vaxxers.
– Domanii Cameron
Opposition: When will Queensland rejoin the world?
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has been asked by Deputy Opposition Leader David Janetzki why the government had not released a plan to allow "Queensland to rejoin the world".
Ms Palaszczuk did not respond, instead accusing the Opposition of failing to provide confidence in the vaccination.
She cited today's cases in Victoria and blamed the federal government for failing to secure vaccinations.
"We are seeing our vaccination rates increase in Queensland," she said.
The Premier said indigenous communities with low vaccination rates needed to be protected and said the "next six weeks were critical" in getting vaccinated.
– Hayden Johnson
De Brenni denies 'absurd' father accusation
Opposition Housing spokesman Tim Mander pressed Minister for Public Works Mick De Brenni on his meeting with Toni Bowler, who was the corporate chairwoman of Kirra Vista, the neighbouring apartment building to the Groupline project.
Mr Mander asked if Mr de Brenni's father had set up the meeting that occured on September 6, 2019.
Mr de Brenni denied the accusation.
"No, my father did not have any engagement with me in relation to any one of my constituents," Mr de Brenni said.
-Rachel Rosel
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