LNP makes New Acland election commitment
QUEENSLAND Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington has confirmed the party would approve the New Acland Coal Mine stage three expansion if elected to government at the October 31 state election.
Toowoomba
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QUEENSLAND Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington has confirmed the party would approve the New Acland Coal Mine stage three expansion if elected to government at the October 31 state election.
Ms Frecklington made the announcement on a visit to the mine, near Oakey, this morning.
“This project would be approved as a priority by an LNP Government because we need to stimulate the economy, create secure jobs and drag Queensland out of recession,” Ms Frecklington said.
“The expansion will be a significant jobs-generator and support local businesses in the Darling Downs economy.
“With a record 234,000 Queenslanders on the unemployment queue, the LNP will fast-track projects that support jobs and drag our state out of recession.
“When regional economies boom, Queensland booms, and that’s I will back resource projects that will secure our economic future.”
The LNP’s position is in contrast to the current State Labor Government.
It’s long been the position of the State Labor Government to hold off approving the mine expansion until all legal challenges against the mine are concluded.
The High Court is currently examining previous decisions of lower courts.
Condamine MP Pat Weir said he had been a relentless advocate for the mine.
“The local community supports the mine, but Annastacia Palaszczuk continues to delay and hide behind the appeal process,” he said.
“Local workers have already been laid off because of Labor’s delays and more jobs are at risk.
Toowoomba North MP Trevor Watts said the mine was important for local jobs and the economy.
“Anybody who doubts the mines commitment to rehabilitation should go and visit the mine site as it’s some of the best rehabilitation I’ve seen,” he said.
In response, Toowoomba North Labor candidate Megan O’Hara Sullivan said she supported the New Acland Coal Mine stage three expansion, though final approvals should be issued after legal processes are concluded.
As Ms Frecklington was making her remarks at the coal mine, Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick issued a statement calling on the LNP to outline what services they would cut in the region “to pay for their $23 billion in unfunded promises”.
“Last time, the LNP closed two schools in the area and ripped $4.3 million from local child safety, community and disabilities organisations,” the Treasurer said.
“Deb sat around the Cabinet table when the LNP cut 143 frontline health jobs, sacked 212 TAFE workers and cut $81 million in road funding and 76 road maintenance workers. Plus axed 40 local jobs at the correctional centre.
“Those numbers alone represent around 470 Queenslanders who lost their jobs in the Darling Downs because the LNP weren’t upfront about their cuts.”