Stand Up for Ag

August 30, 2019

Who will Stand Up For Regional Queensland?

This was asked by Agforce General President, Georgie Somerset, on the opening day of the Ekka this month. It echoes something I have been saying for the term of this Parliament: we have to stand up for the Bush. It is under serious attack.

Anti-Coal Crusade

August 16, 2019

I’m Still a Believer!

In my newsletter in March this year, I wrote of Jackie Trad that “When someone shows you who they are - you should believe them, the first time!”

That was after she told Parliament coal miners should start re-skilling.

Did the federal election change her mind?

No chance.

Budget Estimates

August 2, 2019

As I write this we are in the middle of Budget Estimates. Jackie Trad presented the Budget in June but the money can’t be spent until the Budget is passed by the Parliament. This is called the Appropriation Bills.

Like any other Bill, they are referred to the parliamentary committee system for examination before being debated in the House. In the case of the Appropriation Bills, this means all seven portfolio committees are involved.

VEGETATION SURVEYS UNSOUND

July 7, 2019

How sad to hear of a primary producer who will be the last of his line on the land. He is leaving because he is so discouraged by the hostile approach of Queensland’s Labor Government towards agriculture.

The Last Straw

The last straw was the sneaky introduction of new Trigger Maps which came into force on June 1, 2019. There was no consultation or official notification or announcement.

BUDGET BLUES

June 14, 2019

It’s a Record – in Every Respect

On Tuesday, Treasurer Jackie Trad brought down Labor’s fifth budget. She boasted of a “Record” budget; record health spend, record education spend, record spend in the regions, regions, regions.

The one record she didn’t mention is the Record Debt for Queensland. We are heading for $90 Billion; $19,000 for every man, woman and child. A Queensland family of five will carry a debt equivalent of $95,000.

WAR ON ECONOMY

June 7, 2019

Scott Morrison’s Queensland election “miracle” seems to have left many southerners scratching their heads, but after living under a Green Labor government for the past five years, Queenslanders knew what a Green Labor federal government would bring.

The Palaszczuk Government has been busily passing legislation to secure Green preferences in the next election. The result is like a declaration of war on key pillars of the Queensland economy.

PROPERTY RIGHTS

May 17, 2019

This week in Parliament the Palaszczuk Labor Government granted itself the right to enter and cross private land without the knowledge of the owner, without obtaining the owner’s consent; in fact, without giving so much as a notice of entry.

Why isn’t this being shouted from the roof tops? Because it was buried in one clause of a 252 page “omnibus” bill.

KEEP ON TRUCKING

April 18, 2019

Bill Shorten’s campaign promise to move Australia’s new vehicle fleet to 50 per cent electric vehicles by 2030 is causing lots of excitement.

SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTH

April 5, 2019

Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition is an overlooked job description these days
but it is still an accurate one, despite everything.

“Her Majesty” gets a mention because “the Crown” includes the state interests of Queensland and the interests of the people of Queensland.

The “Loyal” is in there to show the Opposition should represent those interests if the Government fails to do so.

Parliament last week was a copybook example.

CHANGES COST RATEPAYERS
March 22, 2019
Labor is planning monumental changes to local government that will cost ratepayers $10 million, introduce senate style voting to council elections and lead to party politics being foisted onto ratepayers.