Paul Antonio to take Toowoomba’s case to State Government

Toowoomba doesn’t have any MPs in government. Mayor Paul Antonio said he’d fight for the region in front of the government instead.

Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio has congratulated Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on her election win and said he’d make sure the Labor Government was aware of issues facing Toowoomba.

“I think I have a god working relationship with Annastacia and I’ll be representing the Toowoomba region to her,” he said.

“We don’t have any members of the government here in Toowoomba (as all three Toowoomba MPs are part of the LNP).

“That shouldn’t disqualify us from getting our fare share of what’s handed out by the state government, who put a few things on the table before the election campaign.

“This will be a real test to the state government, we want to make sure they don’t forget Toowoomba.”

Paul Antonio.

Cr Antonio said some of the biggest local issues he’d like to see the re-elected Labor Government fix were youth unemployment and signing the City Deal, which would potentially deliver fast passenger rail between Brisbane and Toowoomba.

“We will certainly talk with the Government about Quarry Gardens and the escarpment,” he said.

“We also need to regionally work together to develop water security.

“I’ll be calling a meeting of my mayoral colleagues in the not to distant future about that.

“We also need certainty about the New Acland Coal Mine.

“Things are getting particularly serious out there for the investor.”

Cr Antonio said he was saddened to see Deb Frecklington step down as LNP leader.

“She has been a long time acquaintance, a good friend and is a strong and capable lady.

“There is a bit of sadness in my heart to see her leaving the stage.

“She fought hard and long and did a good job in the circumstances.”