Qld state election: Small business security to be beefed under LNP

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has announced Qld businesses will get a share of $40m to upgrade security systems and drive down soaring insurance costs if the LNP is elected.

Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli has revealed businesses will get a share of $40m to upgrade security. Picture: Liam Kidston.

• LIST: Major LNP, Labor promises

Businesses will get a share of $40m to upgrade security systems and drive down soaring insurance costs if the LNP is elected, Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has revealed.

Mr Crisafulli made the announcement in Bundaberg, the state’s most marginal seat, on his first stop of the official election campaign on Tuesday morning.

The regional Queensland seat, known for its farming and rum, was won by Labor’s Tom Smith in 2020 as older voters backed Annastacia Palaszczuk’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Mr Crisafulli said the $40m security fund would be available to small businesses or councils through their chamber of commerce, capped at $25,000 and $100,000 respectively.

Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli confirmed the LNP would preference Labor over the Greens at the state election. Picture: Glenn Hampson

He will make crime the major election issue and slammed Labor for attempting “desperate” personal attacks amid questions about him claiming an $8000 allowance to stay in Brisbane during parliament sitting days.

“Some of the claims are borderline the most desperate things that I have ever seen from a government,” he said.

“We’ve taken a conscious decision as a family for me to be able to spend more time with my kids, who are both being educated in Brisbane.

“I think Queenslanders have seen that I tend to live out of a suitcase... I maintain a presence on the coast.”

Mr Crisafulli has also rehashed his commitment to extending the life of the Callide B Power station beyond 2028 if it meant keeping electricity prices down while the LNP developed a long-term renewable energy plan.

“The last thing Queenslanders want is for us to be prematurely closing power generation at a time when they can’t afford their bills and there isn’t sufficient supply into the market,” he said.

Mr Crisafulli also denied accusations made by the Queensland Nurses and Midwives union the LNP is planning to privatise healthcare and said more details on his health policy would soon be released.

“To those nurses, I want them to know that you’re going to be part of that change,” Mr Crisafulli said.

The Opposition Leader confirmed the LNP would preference Labor over the Greens at the state election.

“It’s absolutely frightening if you think things are bad now, that the prospect of that (Green-Labor union) should send shivers up Queensland’s spine,” he said.