A preference swap deal between One Nation and the Katter’s Australian Party is a “recipe for chaos,” according to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
Ms Palaszczuk is campaigning in Townsville today, where Labor is desperately trying to hang on to three marginal seats (Townsville 0.38 per cent, Mundingburra 1.13 per cent, and Thuringowa 4.15 per cent).
She criticised the announced preference deal between the two minor parties, who have agreed to put each other second on how-to-vote cards in seats across the state.
“What we’re seeing is once again, a recipe for chaos in this state, let me say to Queenslanders one more time: I’m asking for a majority,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“A majority will give our state stability in a time when we need to focus on managing COVID as part of our health crisis, and at a time when we have a clear plan for economic recovery.
Asked whether she would rule out accepting supply from independent MPs and minor parties, such as the Greens, who have ruled out backing the LNP, Ms Palaszczuk doubled down on her pleas for a majority government.
“I’m asking Queenslanders for a majority. I asked for it last time, and Queenslanders granted me that wish. Now I’m asking one more time. Please, in the midst of a pandemic, in the midst of an economic recovery.”
“(A recovery) where we’re growing our skills and training, $100m investment in TAFE, building on the $150m we’ve previously invested, giving our Year 12s free TAFE courses so they can get a job. Please, I’m asking Queenslanders, give me a majority.”
Touring the Bohle TAFE, in the electorate of Townsville, today, Ms Palaszczuk announced Labor’s first new, big-spending policy of the campaign: $100m over three years to expand TAFE facilities across the state.
The $100m will come from Treasurer Cameron Dick’s previously announced $4bn in extra borrowings, pushing the state’s debt towards $100bn.
A list of the projects show many of the TAFEs to be expanded or built are in Labor electorates, including a $2m for a Cyber Security Training Operation Centre in Cairns (Labor 3.39 per cent), $7.5m to expand the Ooralea Trade Training Centre in Mackay (Labor 8.34 per cent), $8m for stage one of the Central Queensland University campus consolidation in Rockhampton (Labor 5.19 per cent), nearly $1m for a new robotics lab at Southbank (South Brisbane, Labor, 3.55 per cent) and a $7m for a Metal Trades, Manufacturing and Robotics Centre at Bundamba in Ipswich (Labor 21.55 per cent).
There’s also $3.4m for an Agriculture Centre of Excellence in Bowen, in the LNP seat of Burdekin (0.8 per cent) Labor is hoping to pick up at the October 31 election. In Whitsunday, currently held by independent Jason Costigan but targeted by the major parties, $2m will be spend on an Aquaculture Training Centre at Cannonvale.
– Sarah Elks
