Deb Frecklington promises $1b spend for job-creating infrastructure
With 100 days to go until Queensland heads to the polls, LNP Leader Deb Frecklington will on Thursday announce a $1 billion plan to upgrade southeast Queensland infrastructure, starting with $245m to fix a notorious Brisbane bottleneck.
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JOBS will be created and congestion busted under a $1 billion LNP plan to build and upgrade roads and rail, starting with a $245 million pledge to duplicate the Centenary Bridge.
Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington will on Thursday outline her vision to get shovels in the ground and people in jobs, starting with the plan to improve traffic for the 100,000 people who take the Centenary Highway each day.
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The promise comes on the 100-day marker before Queenslanders are set to go to the polls on October 31, with the COVID recovery, jobs, health, education, infrastructure and the cost of living all set to be key issues.
Ms Frecklington said the $1 billion would all be new money, and funded entirely by the state to ensure there were no hold-ups over funding fights with Canberra.
“To drag ourselves out of recession, the LNP will use infrastructure to stimulate the economy by investing an extra $1 billion in South East Queensland roads,“ she said.
“I want shovels in the ground and jobs created for Queenslanders as soon as possible.
“No more fights with other levels of governments, these projects will be fully funded and fast-tracked by a government I lead.
“With more than 200,000 Queenslanders out of work, we need to create jobs immediately by investing for growth.“
Ms Frecklington said projects would be awarded with preference given to Queensland construction firms that had their head office in the state.
“Construction of the LNP’s new infrastructure projects will directly employ 3100 workers but will also result in thousands of secure flow-on jobs across the south east,” she said.
“Procurement will be fast-tracked and preference will be given to Queensland contractors, now is the time to help our own first.
“By upgrading important freight routes we will make Queensland more productive and competitive in the future.
“The Morrison Government’s safety net of JobKeeper and JobSeeker was necessary but now it is time for State Governments to step up and create jobs.”
Ms Frecklington said the LNP’s plans to duplicate the Centenary Bridge bottleneck also included a new pedestrian and cycle path, a new connection to the cycleway and noise mitigation for local residents.
“More than 100,000 vehicles squeeze through the existing bridge’s four lanes each weekday and an estimated 157,000 vehicles will be using it by 2036,” she said.
“There is no time to waste and he LNP’s funding will add an extra four lanes to the crossing, with scope for a fifth lane to be added later.”
Meanwhile, asked about the 100-day milestone ahead of the election, a spokesman for Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she was focused on navigating the coronavirus crisis.
“The Government is focused on our $6 billion plan to steer Queensland through the economic recovery in the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
“We will make election commitments during the election campaign.
“Right now, the government’s priority is addressing the economic and health impacts of the global coronavirus pandemic.
“That means continuing to manage the health response and delivering Queensland’s plan to Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs.”
Ms Frecklington said she would work around the clock over the next 100 days to “protect lives and livelihoods”.
“My vision is to make Queensland the economic powerhouse of Australia once again, the best place to get a job, get ahead and raise a family,” she said.
“How deep the recession goes and how quickly we recover from it will be decided at the next state election.
“The LNP is the only party that has a plan to create a stronger economy and more secure jobs.”
LNP KEY PLEDGES
■ Build a New Bradfield Scheme to drought proof the state.
■ Build a Second M1 on the Gold Coast.
■ Partner with the private sector to clear the surgery waiting list.
■ No new taxes.
■ Establish a Queensland Investment Partnerships program to deliver $1bn in new public-private projects over the next four years.
LABOR KEY PLEDGES
Labor says it will make election commitments during the election campaign. But as part of its “Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs” plan, the Government has:
■ Delivered a $267m package to support housing construction.
■ Provided $1.3bn in payroll tax relief for businesses.
■ Provided $196m in grants for small businesses.
■ Promised to deliver $51.8bn in infrastructure over the next four years.