LNP pressure ramps up in the form of a proposed road map release

The opposition has ramped up pressure for the Palaszczuk Government to come up with a road map out of the coronavirus crisis, releasing its own today which has cafes open in weeks along with cross-border travel. But they’ve been slammed for giving businesses ‘false hope’.

THE LNP has ramped up pressure on the Palaszczuk Government to come up with a road map for Queensland businesses to recover, releasing its own proposed blueprint to get the state’s economy moving.

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington today unveiled the LNP’s four stage “road map to recovery”, insisting businesses needed certainty as the Palaszczuk Government continued to work on its own road map.

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But the LNP has been slammed over the plan, with a spokesman for Annastacia Palaszczuk’s office saying it was “entirely irresponsible to give Queenslanders false hope”.

And when asked about the health advice she relied upon to design the map, Ms Frecklington admitted it was based on what the Premier was saying when she stood up for her daily updates.

Under phase one of the LNP’s proposal, cafes, restaurants and retail shops would be reopened by the last week of May.

Cross border travels within 100km of the Queensland border would also be allowed, as well as travel within the state of up to 250km.

All playgrounds, skate parks, BMX tracks and outside gyms at council parks would also be reopened under phase one of the plan.

Queensland Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington.

Phase two would come into effect my mid-June and include the reopening of interstate domestic work, auction houses, caravan parks, recreation facilities and licenced clubs and hotels.

Phase three would kick off in early July and would involve the reopening of zoos, council facilities – such as pools and libraries – as well as interstate travel for recreation.

Under the final phase, which would begin in mid-July, indoor sporting centres, such as gyms and health club centres, would open their doors again.

The final phase would also involve the reopening of theme parks, galleries, museums and saunas.

Ms Frecklington described the plan as a “staged and sensible” approach, saying they had undertaken consultation with industry and that it had also been modelled off the Northern Territory’s plan.

“This road map to recovery is exactly what Annastacia Palaszczuk should be announcing and should be talking to businesses about,” she said.

“What we need to ensure is that we protect lives, but also protect the livelihoods of tens of thousands of businesses across Queensland.

“This road map to recovery gives businesses the certainty they’ve been crying out for.”

A spokesman for Ms Palaszczuk’s office said it was “entirely irresponsible to give Queensland businesses false hope”.

“The Premier is relying on the best health advice,” he said.

The LNP says the plan is subject to consultation and dependent on the coronavirus infection rate remaining low, while maintaining appropriate social distancing measures.

“I’m more than happy if the Premier decides to take this and take it as her own,” Ms Frecklington said.

“We want to consult with businesses and see what they have to say.”

The Government will begin talks with hospitality and tourism businesses tomorrow as it prepares to develop its economic plan.

Ms Palaszczuk has previously described June as an ambitious target to reopen cafes.