Federal Election 2022: Flynn and Capricornia Labor candidates Matt Burnett and Russell Robertson launch Central Queensland plan for housing, jobs and health

Labor has outlined its master plan for Central Queensland as candidates in Capricornia and Flynn make a final pitch to undecided voters, however, their opponents say it’s too little too late. See the big commitments for the region.

Labor has released its bold plan for better jobs, health and resources in Central Queensland, but opponents say it’s too little too late.

Queensland Labor Senator Murray Watt joined the two candidates vying to turn Central Queensland red this week to launch their ‘CQ plan’, which outlines the major policies for the region if Anthony Albanese successfully forms government on Saturday.

The document touts commitments made throughout the campaign including a Battery Manufacturing Precinct, extending the Inland Rail line to Gladstone, a new Industry Hub at Biloela, and a new Isaac Resources Excellence Hub in Moranbah.

Labor Senator Murray Watt alongside ALP candidates for Flynn and Capricornia, Matt Burnett and Russell Robertson. Picture: Larah Fedalto

It also explains where Central Queensland is to benefit with better roads, water supply for Mount Morgan, improving the local environment, faster NBN and better mobile coverage.

ALP Capricornia candidate Russell Robertson said it was a blueprint for how the country could move forward and reflected Labor’s cohesiveness, contrasting the Morrison government which he labelled a “crazy rabble”.

“We’ve seen casualisation run rampant in Central Queensland, we’ve seen a massive social housing problem in Rockhampton and Gladstone where people are being thrown out on the street simply because the lazy LNP government failed to renew NRAS (National Rental Affordability Scheme),” Mr Robertson said.

The document also discusses Labor’s national plan for better healthcare and aged care, along with key messaging that Australia “can’t risk three more years of Morrison”.

Labor's plan for Central Queensland. Picture: Supplied.

Flynn candidate Matt Burnett focused his messaging on health, childcare, and aged care.

“We know it’s impossible to see a GP, we know it’s very impossible to see a bulk-billing GP, what we want here in Central Queensland is better health services and Labor is committed to fixing the health crisis created by this government,” Mr Burnett said.

The CQ Plan flags new Medicare ‘urgent care clinics’ for Capricornia and Flynn, however, when asked where they would be located the candidates said they would likely be in Gracemere and Bundaberg.

The new facilities would provide little respite to Gladstone residents. The Coalition has previously called out the state government to urgently upgrade the Gladstone Hospital to a Level 4 hospital and explore establishing a burns unit in the Port City.

But Mr Burnett said he supported upgrading the hospital and would work with the Queensland Labor Government and Gladstone MP, Glenn Butcher, to secure funding.

“As a former member of the Gladstone Health Community Council, no one has fought for better health services in Gladstone more than I have,” he said.

“Absolutely, I have been pushing for that (level four hospital) for years, and I want to see it happen … we already have some level four services, but everyone knows I want to see the level four hospital.”

However, the incumbent LNP Capricornia MP, Michelle Landry, said it was “quite late in the piece” to be announcing Labor’s plan for the region following Tuesday’s press conference.

Capricornia MP Michelle Landry.

“At the last election, the Labor candidate (for Capricornia) who is the same this time around, took off after he lost it, and we didn’t see him until a couple of months ago, so we didn’t see the commitment to working with people and working on issues,” Ms Landry said.

“He took off but now he’s back as our saviour once again, but look I’ll take on board what they’ve said but I will continue fighting for the region as I have.

“Labor has said they will cut $350 million from the Community Development Grants Programme and $400 million from the Regionalisation Fund,” Ms Landry said.

“The Community Development Grants Programme has funded a number of critical infrastructure projects across Capricornia.

“In the 2022-23 Budget, this includes the Yeppoon Aquatic Centre ($13 million), construction of Yeppoon Foreshore Convention Centre ($20 million), Fitzroy Community Hospice ($8 million), Rockhampton Stadium in Victoria Park ($23 million), Rockhampton Aviation Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Facility project ($25 million) and Removal and Rebuild of Collinsville Queensland Country Women’s Association ($100,000).

“Funding commitments including the Nebo Showgrounds Upgrade ($2.8 million), CQ Motor Sporting Complex ($10 million), West Tigers Sporting Complex ($3.86 million) and Rockhampton Airport Upgrade ($10 million) are all also part of the Community Development Grants Programme.”

It comes as an AEC staff shortage in the crucial seats of Flynn and Capricornia may lead to a slight reduction in polling booths for Central Queenslanders on Saturday.

Originally published as Federal Election 2022: Flynn and Capricornia Labor candidates Matt Burnett and Russell Robertson launch Central Queensland plan for housing, jobs and health