Leaders Steven Miles and David Crisafulli respond to latest reader question

David Crisafulli has rejected a Labor “scare campaign” while Steven Miles has spruiked cost of living measures as they responded to a reader question on coal royalties.

David Crisafulli has pledged to continue to invest coal royalties into regional Queensland, rejecting a Labor “scare campaign” claiming the LNP never supported the regime.

But Premier Steven Miles has stood by the claims while spruiking the cost of living relief Labor had provided Queenslanders thanks to coal royalties.

Both leaders were responding to a reader question from Kim at Samford, who wanted to know how leaders would ensure a good portion of coal royalties was invested into regional areas.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli.

Mr Crisafulli said despite the scare campaign that “the government has unsuccessfully tried to run”, he was on record committing to maintaining the royalties.

“We voted in the parliament several times on it,” he said.

“So that’s the first thing, it starts by making sure that you do projects on time and on budget and understand that regional Queensland holds a key part in the growth of this state.”

“We are quarantining at least half, at least $1 billion for the regions, and that’s important, and it has to be.

“Regional Queensland is a key part of the growth challenges, and today we’re standing here talking about two $50 million funds, and we have deliberately made sure that each region is able to access to that.

“We understand that Queensland is bigger than Brisbane. We understand that regional Queensland is the growth frontier and that it has challenges as a growth frontier, and we are determined that you get your fair share and that starts with doing projects on time and on budget.”

Queensland Premier Steven Miles.

Mr Miles said Labor would always make sure regional Queenslanders got the infrastructure and services needed.

“That's why we committed that at least half of our roads budget every single year would be outside of Brisbane because we know roads are so important to regional Queenslanders,” he said.

“We know that the progressive coal royalties we’ve introduced we’ve used them to deliver cost of living relief, those $1000 energy rebates in particular and we know there would be less coal royalties under the LNP.

“David Crisafulli has never supported our progressive coal royalties.”

Originally published as Leaders Steven Miles and David Crisafulli respond to latest reader question