Qld Election 2020: No new cases as leaders launch campaigns
Voluntary assisted dying legislation and $171 million for a palliative care plan have been promised for Queensland if Labor returns to government, while the LNP focus will be on jobs and economic recover, as both parties launch their official campaigns for the October 31st state election. LIVE UPDATES
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and opposition leader Deb Frecklington have both officially launched their parties’ official campaigns for the October 31st state election, on a day when Queensland once again has recorded no new COVID-19 cases.
There remain just four active cases across the state.
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In Beenleigh, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the choice for the next Premier was about the “future” of the state and about the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, as Labor focused on the handling of the outbreak in the state.
While in Brisbane, the LNP’s choice of location for its launch appears to target controversial former deputy premier Jackie Trad as Ms Frecklington targeted job creation and dragging Queensland out of the economic recession.
At Labor’s launch, at the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre in Beenleigh, Ms Palaszczuk said the party’s plan was to come out on the side of this storm stronger and fairer, by rebuilding the economy, training people and growing the regions, and reinvestment in schools and hospitals and services.
“This election is a choice between the stability of a Labor Government that has made the tough decision and the right calls in hard times,” she said.
“Or the chaos of an unproven, untrustworthy opposition who have been wrong every time it’s mattered.
“Your vote, your choice for Queensland.”
Ms Palaszczuk attacked the LNP, focusing on the Opposition’s “reckless” stance on borders.
The audience leapt into a “spontaneous” standing ovation when Ms Palaszczuk said: “Our government secured Queensland’s borders to protect the health of our community”.
“But Deb Frecklington and Scott Morrison demanded we reopen the borders on the 1st of July – almost the exact day Victoria’s second wave of infections began.”
Ms Palaszczuk and her government reopened the borders to all but Victoria from July 10.
“If the LNP’s open-borders, open-slather policy had been in place, every single regional town and coastal community could have been hit,” she said.
“…and if you want a brutal lesson in what happens to the economy when governments lose control of the virus, you only have to look at Victoria.”
Ms Palaszczuk’s speech also attacked LNP leader Ms Frecklington over her links with Campbell Newman, and Mr Newman’s government’s public service cuts.
Meanwhile, the LNP’s campaign launch has kicked off at the Emporium in Jackie Trad’s electorate of South Brisbane.
The size of the event is considerably smaller compared to previous elections because of COVID-19 restrictions, with not all MPs and candidates in attendance because of the restrictions.
Mansfield candidate Janet Wishart opened the event, spruiking the LNP’s commitment to jobs.
Deputy Leader Tim Mander said Ms Frecklington was the person to lead Queensland out of the economic recession.
“I am so proud to be her deputy,” he said before welcoming her to the stage.
Former premier Rob Borbidge and federal minister Peter Dutton are among those attending.
Former party president Gary Spence is also here.
Sir Leo Hielscher, the man credited with being one of the architects of the modern Queensland economy, is among guests at the LNP campaign launch.
Sir Frank Moore, considered to be the father of Queensland tourism, is also here.
Updates
Archbishop: Care first, not euthanasia
alex.strachan
Catholic Archbishop Mark Coleridge has described Labor's euthanasia announcement today as "deeply disappointing". “As I have said in other statements, while the Catholic Church is opposed to voluntary assisted dying it strongly supports a ‘care first’ approach of high-quality palliative care for all Queenslanders, respect for patient autonomy, preservation of personal dignity and a peaceful end to life," he said. “Nobody is morally compelled to suffer unbearable pain, nobody should feel like a burden, and nobody should feel that their life is worthless. “But it’s every Queenslander’s human right to have equal access to good quality palliative care before parliament considers a policy default to euthanasia."
He said it was "certainly not something to be rushed, least of all at a time like this when suicide is a national problem". “It’s a strange contradiction that euthanasia and shut borders seem to be the platforms this government is taking to the electorate – one to jeopardise life and the other to protect life," he said.
Jobs, economic recovery lead LNP's plan for Qld
Edward.Randell
JOB creation and dragging Queensland out of the economic recession have formed the foundations of LNP Leader Deb Frecklington’s speech at the party’s campaign launch today.
But there were no new announcements, with Ms Frecklington instead spruiking the already-announced New Bradfield Scheme and its commitment to make the Bruce Highway four lanes.
Speaking to a room of about 100 people, the Opposition Leader said her vision was to get Queensland working again.
“This election will be a turning point for this great state,” she said.
“It’s about who can lead Queensland out of this recession.”
Spruiking the party’s “bold and ambitious plan”, Ms Frecklington said it was based on four foundations; investing for growth, unleashing Queensland industry, supercharging the regions and securing children’s future.
“The LNP’s economic plan is clear and it is fully costed,” she said.
“The LNP’s economic plan will create 150,000 jobs for our state.
“We will get Queensland working again and we will move fast.”
Ms Frecklington, who walked in with her husband Jason and three daughters, revealed a new fly-over of the LNP’s New Bradfield Scheme.
She also re-affirmed the party’s commitment to resources, dams, manufacturing, defence, health and education while reiterating there would be no new taxes under an LNP Government.
“Is the New Bradfield Scheme bold? You bet it is, but I refuse to let Queensland be at the bottom of the economic ladder,” she said.
And she took aim at Labor for telling “more ridiculous lies” about how the LNP would manage health care.
Her speech was met with a standing ovation.
"Friends, above all else what I'm most proud of is that despite COVID, Queenslanders are overwhelmingly back at work. We kept our mining, agriculture and services sectors going," Ms Palaszczuk said.
"But we've also seen sectors reliant on international tourism. hit very hard.
"I also recognise that for some Queenslanders you don't have a job to return to as a direct consequence of COVID."
She promised to have a "laser like focus" on jobs.
"Helping business and industry to invest more to employ more.
"To invest in record infrastructure spending in new roads, new schools and hospital expansions.
"To continue to build Queensland as a renewable energy and resource s powerhouse.
"Whether it's medical research or manufacturing, skills or solar power, I believe Queenslanders can lead the world.
"Queenlsand's strong Covid-19 health response means our economic recovery is well underway.
"The moment in front of us is too important, for an untried and untested LNP that haven't learned from their past mistakes and haven't changed since their last failure."
"This is no time to turn back to the LNP delusion of cutting and sacking and selling our way out of COVID.
She said if Queenslanders wanted to make 2020 the start of a new wave of success, "then Queensland needs a Labor Government investing in people."
Premier on jobs
Edward.Randell
"Friends, above all else what I'm most proud of is that despite COVID, Queenslanders are overwhelmingly back at work. We kept our mining, agriculture and services sectors going," Ms Palaszczuk said.
"But we've also seen sectors reliant on international tourism. hit very hard.
"I also recognise that for some Queenslanders you don't have a job to return to as a direct consequence of COVID."
She promised to have a "laser like focus" on jobs.
"Helping business and industry to invest more to employ more.
"To invest in record infrastructure spending in new roads, new schools and hospital expansions.
"To continue to build Queensland as a renewable energy and resource s powerhouse.
"Whether it's medical research or manufacturing, skills or solar power, I believe Queenslanders can lead the world.
"Queenlsand's strong Covid-19 health response means our economic recovery is well underway.
"The moment in front of us is too important, for an untried and untested LNP that haven't learned from their past mistakes and haven't changed since their last failure."
"This is no time to turn back to the LNP delusion of cutting and sacking and selling our way out of COVID.
She said if Queenslanders wanted to make 2020 the start of a new wave of success, "then Queensland needs a Labor Government investing in people."
The Premier said a re-elected Palasczcuk government would make TAFE qualifications and apprenticeships in "priority qualifications" free for all Queenslanders under 25.
"This will provide Certificate 3 TAFE courses in 26 priority skills areas – such as agriculture, manufacturing , healthcare and early childhood education. 100 per cent free of charge."
BREAKING: A re-elected Palaszczuk Labor Government will provide more young people in Queensland with free TAFE and free apprenticeships, under a $21 million plan to extend the opportunity to under 25s. pic.twitter.com/dDDnqszFWl
She also promised free apprenticeships for a further 139 priority qualifications in aviation, electrical and automotive.
TAFE qualifications and apprenticeships 'free' for under-25s
Edward.Randell
The Premier said a re-elected Palasczcuk government would make TAFE qualifications and apprenticeships in "priority qualifications" free for all Queenslanders under 25.
"This will provide Certificate 3 TAFE courses in 26 priority skills areas – such as agriculture, manufacturing , healthcare and early childhood education. 100 per cent free of charge."
BREAKING: A re-elected Palaszczuk Labor Government will provide more young people in Queensland with free TAFE and free apprenticeships, under a $21 million plan to extend the opportunity to under 25s. pic.twitter.com/dDDnqszFWl
She also promised free apprenticeships for a further 139 priority qualifications in aviation, electrical and automotive.
Premier spruiks 'made in Queensland' push
Edward.Randell
Ms Palaszczuk said she wanted to see more products proudly marked "Made in Queensland"
"There's no doubt the Covid-19 global pandemic has forever changed the world we know."
"Quensland showed this year that we don't need to import hand sanitiser or face masks, we can make it right here in Queensland.
She said that's why she had announced Queenslanders would build Queensland trains.
""What's more we will also make sure that regional centres like Rockhampton are part of the supply chain for this $600 million project.
She announced $40 million fto deliver new hubs in advanced manufacturing.
"In industries like tourism, defence, aerospace, and agriculture right across Queensland.
The premier pledged that a re-elected Labor government would invest $171 million in a new palliative care plan.
"More nurses, more resources, and more care for individuals and families confronting these profoundly complex and personal journeys," she said.
She also announced $100 million for Queensland schools so that students can access professional support such as a psychologist or guidance officer.
She also launched a pilot GP program for GPs in schools, to boost health support, with an initial 20 local schools to have the service.
Labor's $171m palliative care plan
Edward.Randell
The premier pledged that a re-elected Labor government would invest $171 million in a new palliative care plan.
"More nurses, more resources, and more care for individuals and families confronting these profoundly complex and personal journeys," she said.
She also announced $100 million for Queensland schools so that students can access professional support such as a psychologist or guidance officer.
She also launched a pilot GP program for GPs in schools, to boost health support, with an initial 20 local schools to have the service.
Qld to legalise euthanasia
Edward.Randell
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says a re-elected Labor government would move to legalise voluntary-assisted dying.
Making the major announcement at Labor’s campaign launch at Beenleigh, Ms Palaszczuk said all of her MPs would be given a conscience vote on the issue, which she referred to the Queensland Law Reform Commission this year.
“I believe individuals and families should be empowered to consider all the options available in consultation with their medical professionals,” she said.
“That’s why today I can commit that the government I lead will introduce legislation in February next year to provide for the legalisation of voluntary assisted dying.”
