LNP accused of election bribery in Hinterland electorate after promises dependent on selection of their candidates
THE LNP is being accused of electoral bribery after making funding promises for Hinterland electorates dependent on their candidates being elected.
QLD Votes
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THE LNP is being accused of electoral bribery after making their funding promises for Hinterland electorates dependent on their candidates being elected.
More than $1 million has been promised for Gaven in the hopes of getting conservative candidate Sid Cramp elected over incumbent LNP MP turned independent Alex Douglas.
More than $1 million has also been committed to projects in the LNP-held seat of Burleigh, which is considered vulnerable to Labor.
But all are dependent on the conservative candidates winning their seats.
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Mr Cramp defended the funding commitments and said he was disappointed they were viewed as electoral bribery.
“I find the talk of this being bribery to be disappointing because all we have done is put forward a plan after doorknocking residents,” he said.
“I cannot put forward a plan for the other candidates.”
Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk yesterday told the Bulletin any election commitments made by Labor would not be dependent on ALP candidates winning specific seats
.
“I have pledged to govern for all Queenslanders and I will not hold them to ransom, and only deliver for those that elect Labor members,” she said.
A row about pork barrelling erupted late last week when residents began asking questions about funding for ambulance workers during a Meet the Candidates forum organised by the Pacific Pines Residents Association.
Health Minister Lawrence Springborg on Monday announced plans to provide two new ambulances for the Nerang Ambulance Station along with funding for the Nerang Community Respite Care Group at a cost of $350,000.
Mr Cramp at the resident group meeting the following night was asked several times whether the funding depended on him being elected.
“It’s an election commitment,” he replied, confirming the funding depended on his success at the poll.
Labor candidate Michael Riordan told residents it was “the worst kind of politics” because such funding depended on who was running rather than the need for the service.
Palmer United Party candidate Adam Marcinkowski also criticised the funding initiative describing it as “dangling little carrots in front of the electorate”.
Gaven MP Dr Douglas yesterday questioned the sincerity of the LNP in its campaign in the Hinterland electorate.
“Not only is this a huge pork barrelling exercise by a desperate LNP Government clinging to power, but the LNP is showing contempt for residents by blackmailing them into voting for him (Mr Cramp),” he said.
Mr Cramp during community meetings has challenged the other candidates to outline what funding initiatives they had planned for the community.
“Only a vote for our party with our strong plan for Gaven will secure this funding. It’s pretty simple,” Mr Cramp said.
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