RAIL - Back On Track Forum

Some explain the cost overruns this way ... The Queensland Government underestimates final cost of projects jointly funded with the Commonwealth to improve their BCRs, and therefore the chances of getting Queensland projects further up the ranking of national infrastructure proposals. Then calls for more federal money based on sharing the true costs (i.e. 50-50 split of a higher price that reflects the real costs). If that does not work, re-profile the project or stage works, the result being that the timelines drag out and the overall benefits, as stated at the outset, are not realised.

Couriermail --> Shocking morale, integrity concerns exposed in much-delayed Queensland public servant survey $

QuoteLess than half of Queensland's public servants think their top-ranking leaders have a "clear direction" for the future or act with a high level of integrity, with results of a long-delayed survey detailing the shocking low mood of workers.

And muted confidence in senior leaders and executive leadership is sensationally lower among Queensland Police, with only 46 per cent of officers and staff considering the department a "great place to work".

The Public Service Commission released the 2022 edition of the Working for Queensland survey – designed to gauge the climate and attitude of public servants – on Friday, just days before it is due to start collating responses for the 2023 version.

The PSC blamed the delay on the need to present data in a new way after the survey was redesigned in 2022 at a cost of $2.128m. ...

This one is a good one

QuoteState politicians register as the least ethical occupation, falling to last place with a net score of –22 (down from –10 in 2021, and 2 in 2020). Federal politicians and real estate agents sit just above in second and third last place.

Politicians fall to bottom of trust pile
https://www.governanceinstitute.com.au/news-media/media-releases/2022/nov/ethics-index-2022-politicians-fall-to-bottom-of-trust-pile-climate-change-not-my-problem-and-tiktok-drops/

Brisbanetimes --> LNP ahead in the polls as voters consider Crisafulli over Palaszczuk

Quote... With its primary vote increasing to 38 per cent, the LNP has moved ahead of Labor (32 per cent) for the first time in the Resolve Strategic poll, conducted exclusively for Brisbane Times.

Yet 30 per cent of respondents would have given their first vote to minor parties or independents, still a higher proportion than at the 2020 election.

In another first, Crisafulli is now the preferred premier, according to the Resolve polling. ...

Looks like the ALP are headed for a loss, but with such a high third-party vote, I wouldn't be surprised if we end up with a minority government. Can't see the Greens supporting the LNP, but I'm not sure the ALP will want them. Having said that, though, if there's no clear winner, the Governor will offer the current Premier the chance to test confidence on the floor of the House, and she can't refuse to take confidence votes from whoever. Could be in for an interesting ride in October 2024.

Queensland Parliament Hansard

Questions without Notice. 

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/events/han/2023/2023_08_22_DAILY.pdf

Four questions were asked about the Minister for Transport and Main Roads.

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1693867755353600462

At this point they are due for a change of leaders (And same probably goes for Victoria)
3 terms is enough, no need to recontest for a 4th, let someone else have a go .

In Hansard, an interesting tidbit:

dditions to the scope included the ability for trains to lean into platforms
to improve accessibility. We are not going to ignore people with disabilities. That is not what this
government is going to do.
Opposition members interjected.
Mr BAILEY: You did.
Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Direct your comments through the chair, Minister.
Mr BAILEY: The implementation of platform bridges to increase accessibility

Quote from: Gazza on August 22, 2023, 16:24:27 PMAt this point they are due for a change of leaders (And same probably goes for Victoria)
3 terms is enough, no need to recontest for a 4th, let someone else have a go .

In Hansard, an interesting tidbit:

dditions to the scope included the ability for trains to lean into platforms
to improve accessibility. We are not going to ignore people with disabilities. That is not what this
government is going to do.
Opposition members interjected.
Mr BAILEY: You did.
Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Direct your comments through the chair, Minister.
Mr BAILEY: The implementation of platform bridges to increase accessibility

The Minister mentioned the ability of the new trains to 'lean into platforms to narrow the gap' in a media interview.

https://twitter.com/sarahelks/status/1695184228777087010

 

Bye Bye ... bit like the City of New Orleans   

Couriermail --> Annastacia Palaszczuk leaves for holiday in Europe amid leadership speculation $

QuotePremier Annastacia Palaszczuk will jet off to Europe for a two week holiday on Saturday afternoon amid swirling speculation over the future of her leadership.

While there is no active move on to oust the Premier, many senior Labor figures are now convinced she should step aside before Christmas for the sake of the party in the wake of successive opinion polls and a series of political mis-steps.

The Premier's holiday with partner Dr Reza Adib will leave as Acting Premier Ms Palaszczuk's most likely successor, her deputy Steven Miles. ...

Media Release

26th August 2023

Premier and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Premier's Leave

The Premier is on leave overseas returning September 11.

The Deputy Premier is Acting Premier until her return

Brisbanetimes --> Palaszczuk leaves leadership rumblings behind as she goes on overseas holiday $

QuoteSpeculation about Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk's future in the role has ramped up, with reported rumblings in Labor ranks forcing a senior cabinet minister to publicly defend his leader.

A Resolve Strategic poll conducted for this masthead and released earlier this month showed the David Crisafulli-led LNP move ahead of Labor for the first time. ...

Couriermail --> 'People have turned off the Premier': Coup brewing as Palaszczuk jets off $

QuotePremier Annastacia Palaszczuk has flown to Europe for a two-week holiday amid threats and speculation on her leadership.

Senior cabinet minister Mick de Brenni insisted on Saturday that Ms Palaszczuk had the "full confidence" of Labor's party room and that there was no active move to oust her.

But several senior Labor figures are convinced she should step aside before Christmas for the sake of the party in the wake of a series of political missteps compounded by wilting opinion polls. ...

ABC News --> The Palaszczuk government has become engulfed in a political storm of its own making

QuoteHow did we get here?

It was Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk's government that only four years ago managed to move nearly all children out of police watch houses.

Yet this week the government rushed through law changes to continue what it called the "business as usual" practice of detaining them there. ...

Even Aunty has the on 

https://twitter.com/MarkBaileyMP/status/1695589641897025824

Brisbanetimes --> 'Rumours and gossip': Miles dismisses Qld leadership rumblings $

QuoteQueensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will lead the government to the next election, her deputy insists, as he dismissed "rumours and gossip" and polls revealing waning support and lack of loyalty for Labor.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles, who is acting in the top job while the premier is overseas on holiday, also said on Sunday he was confident the Palaszczuk government would win the next election. ...

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1695710415177560328

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1695923119305671133

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1696284824284151860?

Couriermail --> Treasurer Cameron Dick in the dark over Premier's leave $

QuotePremier Annastacia Palaszczuk hadn't told her own Treasurer she was going on an overseas holiday, with Acting Premier Steven Miles saying while the team work "very closely together" he wasn't sure why that had happened.

The stability of Ms Palaszczuk's spot in the top job and the harmony of the Labor government have been called into question in recent days after she jetted off to the Amalfi Coast on holiday immediately after one of the most damaging parliamentary weeks.

Mr Dick, speaking to press before heading off for a visit to the Aboriginal community of Coen, said he "wasn't aware she was travelling overseas" but affirmed "everyone is entitled to a holiday". ...

Public Report of Ministerial Expenses
For the Period 1/07/2022 to 30/06/2023

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tp/2023/5723T1202-9E53.pdf

Last section in this news item is interesting ...

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1697160287567196615?

Couriermail --> Inside the Palaszczuk government's battle to save itself $

QuoteAnnastacia Palaszczuk's chance of victory at the October 2024 election will be destroyed if leadership speculation remains unresolved, but some ministers insist only a "ratf---er" MP would knife her as Premier.

Fears over Ms Palaszczuk's drive to govern reached fever pitch last week after she escaped to Europe amid a chaotic week in parliament and a series of embarrassing political missteps.

It was the most tumultuous week for the government since being re-elected almost three years ago, and its next move could decide whether a fourth successive victory is to come next October.

One minister told The Sunday Mail the fortnight's turmoil highlighted the need to turn things around. ..."

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Burleigh LNP preselection: Cr Hermann Vorster seeks to replace retiring MP Michael Hart in state parliament $

QuoteCouncillor Hermann Vorster will seek preselection for the state seat of Burleigh, following the announcement that Michael Hart is to retire at the next election.

Mr Hart on Wednesday night said he would retire from politics in October 2024 saying it was the right time to step aside and "pursue new interests and spend more time with my family". ...

Why am I not surprised that yet another anti-public transport advocate is standing for the LNP?

Couriermail --> New Qld poll shows 'strong mood' to dump Labor $

QuoteThe LNP's primary vote has moved past 40 per cent for the first time ahead of next year's election, with a shock new poll revealing support for the third-term Palaszczuk government has sensationally collapsed among Queensland voters.

RedBridge Group research found an "emerging negative sentiment" about Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and the Labor Party, culminating in a "strong mood" for change.

The polling – conducted between August 26 and September 6, with a sample of 2012 Queenslanders – found Labor's primary vote sat at just 26 per cent, with the Greens at 14 and the LNP surging ahead to 41.

The LNP was also ahead on a two-party preferred basis at 55-45. ...

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1700496318890909721

C'mon political cartoonists ... give us an image of Dr Miles on a down escalator at a Cross River Rail station and David Crisafulli on the corresponding up escalator.

https://twitter.com/KosSamaras/status/1700338678302961948?

https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/qld-politics/annastacia-palaszczuk-returns-from-european-vacation-to-leadership-storm/news-story/05a71175606cbb4edfe3d241980f4766

QuotePremier Annastacia Palaszczuk has vowed to lead Labor to next year's election as she returns home from a European holiday to face ructions within the party.

https://x.com/jackietrad/status/1709075334929563958?s=20

State of the State Address 2023
4th October 2023

Premier and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

>> https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/98850

https://x.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1709704738722529612?s=20

Of course Bailey is not going to resign, he would then have to go find a real job on half the pay.

Let's just vote the man out.

Couriermail --> Opposition Leader David Crisafulli announces priorities ahead of state election and beyond $

QuoteYoung Queenslanders will be helped into their own home under an "ambitious" plan released by Opposition Leader David Crisafulli as he attempts to draw the battlelines a year out from the state election.

Mr Crisafulli is closely eyeing tax relief, incentives and moves to unlock more housing supply as he announced a new target to make Queensland the home-ownership capital of the nation.

The pitch for the youth vote, revealed to The Sunday Mail, comes 12 months before Queenslanders will decide whether Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk should remain for four more years – or if it's time for change.

To mark the countdown, Mr Crisafulli has released what he labels an "ambitious, bold and visionary" 10-year target to lift Queensland home ownership rates to the top of the ladder.

The state has the lowest rate of ownership in every age bracket, across Australia. ...

^

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1715754990915240337?s=20

It's a pretty sad state of affairs to be honest. Just a case of choosing which is less bad, because neither are good, and clearly neither have a plan to reduce car dependence in Queensland, particularly in SEQ where public transport is most needed.

Quote from: achiruel on October 22, 2023, 07:50:12 AMIt's a pretty sad state of affairs to be honest. Just a case of choosing which is less bad, because neither are good, and clearly neither have a plan to reduce car dependence in Queensland, particularly in SEQ where public transport is most needed.

There are better choices than the 2 major parties