FULL LIST: The promises Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor Government have to deliver for Toowoomba
The Annastacia Palaszczuk Labor Government has been returned to power. Here’s everything they promised for Toowoomba in the lead up to the election that they now have to deliver on.
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While Labor might not have been triumphant in Toowoomba North, they were at a state level.
During the election campaign, the party promised many things for the region, which they now have fours years to deliver on.
Here is everything they promised for Toowoomba during the state election campaign:
Rural Centre of Excellence to be expanded
The Rural Centre of Excellence at the Toowoomba TAFE campus would be expanded if Labor is returned to government on October 31.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said a re-elected Palaszczuk Government would invest $1 million for stage two of the centre.
It forms part of her $100 million Equipping TAFE for our Future policy.
Read more about that promise here.
Labor’s $62m election promise to Darling Downs schools
The Queensland Labor Party had promised $62m to Darling Downs schools ahead of the state election.
Overall 20 schools in the Darling Downs and South West area would be boosted from this funding.
This includes $11.9 million for classrooms at Wilsonton State High School, $2.8 million for classrooms at Toowoomba West Special School, $3 million for an extended administration building at Highfields State Primary School and $100,000 for private equitable access to amenities for student and staff at Newtown State School.
Read more about that promise here.
Labor’s plan for more frontline health staff in the region
Labor’s Transport Minister Mark Bailey travelled to Toowoomba during the campaign to announce the party would hire more frontline health staff in the Darling Downs region including 297 nurses, 76 doctors and 66 health professionals if elected at the October 31 election.
“The work of our frontline health staff during this global pandemic has allowed the Palaszczuk Government to get on with Queensland’s plan for economic recovery,” Mr Bailey said.
“That means creating jobs and building a record $14.5 billion in regional road and transport projects like the West and East creeks culverts upgrade, and another $1 billion in road stimulus funding for more upgrades like the $13.9 million New England Highway project between Toowoomba and Yarraman.”
Read all about that promise here.
Labor’s $8m pledge for local education and training facilities
The government said it would commit $8 million across Darling Downs schools to help students get the skills they need to build a career close to home.
The funding is part of a $45 million skills boost to build and upgrade schools facilities and support Queensland’s economic recovery, which Labor says will create 150 jobs.
Speaking from Toowoomba during the campaign, Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the investment would ensure schools across the Darling Downs were well equipped to help students maximise future opportunities.
Read all about that promise here.
Council funding program to continue
The Works for Queensland program, which has provided $2.9 million in recent years to the Toowoomba Regional Council, will be expanded by the Labor Government.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced a $400 million regional investment in Works for Queensland and another $280 million for the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme.
She said Darling Downs councils would receive some of this funding.
Read more about that promise here.
Labor backs voluntary assisted dying
Toowoomba residents have overwhelmingly come out in support of voluntary assisted dying.
It comes after the Queensland Labor Government promised to legalise VAD in February if it was re-elected.
Read more about that promise here.
Labor’s election promise for extra firefighters in Highfields
Four new firefighters would be employed at the Highfields fire station under a plan promised during the campaign.
The station would also transition from an auxiliary station to a five-day permanent day shift station.