RAIL - Back On Track Forum

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https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1737839552566620342?s=20

@Metro, is the reason M1 Springwood to Daisy Hill has jumped so much because the Feds have withdrawn funding? i.e., the actual increase is similar to other projects?

(This is in no way advocating spending money on the M1, btw).

Not certain, figures were taken from the forum post and reformatted. Would you have more info?

If the cost escalation is due to federal withdrawal, that needs to be flagged.

It is still a cost escalation, as loss of funding during a project is still a project risk that increases costs from a QLD Govt perspective.

It will just have to have two figures rather than one for the multiplier.

Couriermail --> 'Battle lines for the next election are clear': Opposition $

QuoteThe Opposition has finalised its cabinet as it ramps up campaigning ahead of the state election in less than 11-months, with energy spokesman Pat Weir dumped to make way for two promotions.

Among the suite of changes, LNP's Laura Gerber has been promoted to the shadow cabinet where she will be in charge of youth justice and victim support.

Former detective sergeant Dan Purdie has also been elevated into cabinet to run the party's police and community safety portfolio, replacing Dale Last — mirroring the specific portfolio structure that emerged following the government's reshuffle under new Premier Steven Miles.

Mr Last will take responsibility for Mr Weir's vacant natural resources and mines portfolio, as well as retaining fire and emergency services, corrective services and rural and regional affairs. ...

Couriermail --> UComms poll: Steven Miles's ascension makes little difference to Labor fortunes $

QuoteOpposition Leader David Crisafulli remains the frontrunner as preferred premier among voters, with any hopes of a popularity bounce for the near decade-old Labor government yet to eventuate.

The poll, conducted by UComms for The Courier-Mail last Thursday and Friday, is the first since the explosive Queensland Labor leadership tussle to replace Ms Palaszczuk after she quit on December 10.

Her resignation came six weeks after a YouGov poll for The Courier-Mail in October found Ms Palaszczuk was no longer the preferred premier for the first time in her nine-year tenure.

In the latest polling, the LNP retains its edge over Labor as a whole, with a two-party-preferred vote of 51 per cent to the government's 49 per cent 10 months ahead of the 2024 election.

It is in line with results from the October YouGov poll showing a 2PP of 52-48. ...

Couriermail --> Revealed: Who voters think should have replaced Palaszczuk $

QuoteSteven Miles has pipped his colleagues to be endorsed by Queenslanders as Labor's best choice to replace Annastacia Palaszczuk as premier, new polling reveals.

Asked to pick between Mr Miles and his leadership rivals Health Minister Shannon Fentiman and Deputy Premier Cameron Dick, Queenslanders were nearly deadlocked between the Premier and his ambitious Left-faction colleague Ms Fentiman. ...

In Queensland --> If you thought this political year had a bit of spice, wait for 2024

QuoteAs an action packed Queensland political year draws to a close, Dennis Atkins relects on how it all unfolded. ...

Couriermail --> Opinion: Queensland is in a golden decade of opportunity $

QuoteAs I have been out visiting those in the Far North hit by a tropical cyclone and floods or this week in the South East impacted by dangerous storms, I'm reminded again just how tough Queenslanders are. We are resilient and we will come through these difficult times, all with a bit of help from each other.

As Queenslanders we roll up our sleeves, pitch in and help when our neighbours are in trouble.

Queenslanders also rightly expect their government to be there during the disaster and there for the recovery. Our Queensland public servants, Energex workers and SES volunteers have been there every day and we will be there for the recovery. We're not going to cut and run. ...

@JoshBavas

The Inala by-election will be held on March 16, to find a replacement for Annastacia Palaszczuk.
It's the same Saturday as the Local Government election. #qldpol

Couriermail --> Dumped transport minister's push for $67k pay rise to oversee successor $

QuoteDumped Transport Minister Mark Bailey is gunning for a lucrative new parliamentary job that would see him interrogate the spending of his successor.

The former minister wants to be the new chair of the Transport and Resources Committee – a job which would earn him an extra $67,000 a year on top of his existing salary – and mean he would chair the budget estimates process into his own former portfolio.

Mr Bailey – whose six years as Transport Minister was plagued with issues including the "Mangocube" email scandal and project cost blowouts – resigned days after former Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk amid rumours he would be sacked by incoming Premier Steven Miles. ...

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https://twitter.com/MarkBaileyMP/status/1750346280428355922?t=bIU4-83Rr8132bLbIOkloA&s=19

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1751381177745985685?s=20

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/99583

Government Statement

Premier
The Honourable Steven Miles

Statement on Ipswich West by-election

28th January 2024

Premier Steven Miles will recommend the Governor of Queensland, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, call the Ipswich West by-election for Saturday 16 March, 2024.

The date coincides with local government elections.

Quotes attributable to the Premier Steven Miles:

"It makes sense, financially and administratively, to hold the by-election on the same date as the local government elections. It's also more convenient for the people in Ipswich West.

"In the meantime, the electorate office will continue to be open for enquiries and my Ministers and I will be accessible to the constituents of Ipswich West if they need any support.

"I believe that the next representative for Ipswich West should be a committed, passionate local.

"The Labor Party selected Wendy Bourne to run for Ipswich West in the upcoming state election in October. Wendy is deeply devoted to her community, embodies public service, has significant experience in government and is someone who demonstrates integrity every day.

"I am confident Ipswich West would be best served by having her start in that role as soon as possible.

"I want to thank Jim Madden for his time representing the people of Ipswich West and wish him all the best."

ENDS

Couriermail 5th February 2024 page 2

QuoteBAILEY BOOTED, AGAIN

Mark Bailey has suffered a major fall from grace, being booted from a construction site on the $6.3bn Cross River Rail site he used to be in charge of as a minister.

Mr Bailey visited the Dutton Park Station site last week, perhaps to relive the glory days when he was a minister, or otherwise as selfappointed "Bailey the builder".

He's now Bailey the backbencher and the CFMEU was on-hand to remind him of it.

The militant union politely escorted the former minister off the site when it was discovered he hadn't secured the appropriate permits tobe there. ...

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https://x.com/MarkBaileyMP/status/1754260814201258318?s=20

More trouble in paradise lost hey? 

They are lining Mr Bailey up hey what ...

CM seems to want to shoot Bailey with a silver bullet as well as drive a stake through his heart.

Sad news ...  I hope Amy MacMahon has a speedy recovery.

Road trauma is out of control sadly.

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1757042641462767719?s=20

https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/qld-politics/qld-politics-stirling-hinchliffe-mark-bailey-land-committee-roles/news-story/a5592e7e1ddeef1cf97c6f20ea73a9e0

Quote... Dumped Palaszczuk government ministers Mark Bailey and Stirling Hinchliffe have found themselves new parliamentary roles, with both backbenchers elevated to committee chair positions paying an extra $67,000 per year.

Mr Bailey, the former transport minister, will serve as the chair of the education, employment, training and skills committee, while Mr Hinchliffe, the former tourism and sport minister, has been given the plum ethics committee chair position. ...

 

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Couriermail --> Editorial: MPs' perks and the magic money tree $

QuoteThe appointment of former ministers as chairs of two parliamentary committees will hurt the Miles government, writes the editor.

There is no danger that voters will become less cynical than they already are about politicians while the taxpayer-funded parliamentary perks system that ensures every MP gets a special prize is still in place.

That the two former Palaszczuk government ministers who were not welcomed back into cabinet by new Premier Steven Miles are able to roll immediately back into new gigs that give them each a $67,000 a year boost to their $170,000-plus salaries as backbenchers is just the most recent example.

But it is one that will cut through, particularly in light of the jobs-for-mates controversy in recent weeks sparked by the new Premier hiring his predecessor's director-general to oversee a review just weeks after she was paid out to leave, and his former chief of staff being given a newly created job that had not been advertised. Both were totally qualified for the jobs, but that was not the point. After an outcry, the review will now be done for free and the job offer has been rejected. ...

So Mark Bailey did apply for a committee job then and it wasn't a rumour?

  

In Queensland --> Queensland Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath will quit politics, saying she will not contest the next state election.

QuoteThe Redcliffe MP will continue in her role until the October poll before drawing the curtain on a political career spanning almost 20 years.

"My decision to not recontest is based on many considerations but not least that it is time to try to find more balance in my life, to allow myself to look after me after what will almost be 17 years of serving the people of Queensland," she posted on Facebook. ...

https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/qld-politics/polling-shock-battlelines-drawn-as-explosive-new-poll-delivers-boilover-no-one-saw-coming/news-story/d88e3a62df3e949731e1d7e436f294ef

Quote... Steven Miles has dragged Labor back from the electoral wipe-out predicted during Annastacia Palaszczuk's horror final year as premier, with new polling showing the two major parties tied.

UComms polling of 1700 Queenslanders on February 13, commissioned exclusively by The Courier-Mail, shows Labor and the LNP tied on a 50-50 two-party-preferred vote ahead of the October 26 state election. ,,,

Quote from: ozbob on February 22, 2024, 23:14:36 PMhttps://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/qld-politics/polling-shock-battlelines-drawn-as-explosive-new-poll-delivers-boilover-no-one-saw-coming/news-story/d88e3a62df3e949731e1d7e436f294ef

Quote... Steven Miles has dragged Labor back from the electoral wipe-out predicted during Annastacia Palaszczuk's horror final year as premier, with new polling showing the two major parties tied.

UComms polling of 1700 Queenslanders on February 13, commissioned exclusively by The Courier-Mail, shows Labor and the LNP tied on a 50-50 two-party-preferred vote ahead of the October 26 state election. ,,,

Dragged back! Horror final year! Wipe out!

Some great bluff and bluster from CM there.

The latest poll is a one point change- the previous poll result was 51-49 to LNP. It's a statistical anamonly.

Which is all to say it was close with Palaszczuk as Premier and remains close with Miles as Premier. Labor likely happy enough with that as at least it shows no negative reaction to leadership change or to Miles personally.

I think it will be close,
Im just not detecting that level of anger in the public that saw Bligh swept out due to asset sales.

The slim difference between the last polling result and this one is small enough to be reversed through a 'statistical error' tolerance. In other words, the polling is not much to write home about. Now, polling in August might be interesting.

I have no real feel for where this will go in October (or even where the BCC or GCCC elections will go in a few weeks).

That being the case I'm inclined to think at State level there isn't likely to be a big wipe-out.

Once the Council elections are out of the way, the State politics will spark right up.

Miles needs momentum, he can get that by addressing the big issues of health, crime, and transport.

We can expect movement on DSCRL, upgrade of the Sunshine Coast line, K2B (LGCFR), associated and other LX removals, and Gold Coast light rail.  I would not be surprised if the QTMP train number was increased.  Also bus service improvements SEQ and regional Queensland. Some new fare products via smart ticketing.

If Labor wants to remain in Government, do what needs to be done!

At this point, I'd prefer 1 more term of Labor purely so GCLR4 gets done, since I think that would be the most likely project to be canned by the opposition.

DSCRL I think has bipartisan support.

Everything else...who knows?

Fiona Simpson: MP Release the Sunshine Coast Rail Business Case?

https://www.fionasimpson.com.au/labors-cuts-to-rail-and-road-congestion-and-chaos/

https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/qld-politics/premier-to-apologise-over-controversial-image-as-parliament-returns/live-coverage/776d48e902adb0b132f724bd7b1c3b33

QuoteQueensland Parliament is in chaos on Tuesday as the government and opposition trade barbs over the premier's 'lie' and "intimidation" of MP Ali King.

Premier Steven Miles apologised for wrongly claiming he had not sent a text to Ms King on October 11.

LNP MP Michael Hart rose after Mr Miles's statement, to declare "I don't accept the apology".

His interjection was met with a furious response.

"You're a flea," Assistant Minister Bruce Saunders yelled.

Speaker Curtis Pitt argued, to maintain the "dignity" of the parliament, Mr Hart would be booted for one hour.

The scandal was sparked by a photo taken of Ms King's phone by a member of parliament on October 11 while the house was sitting.

Ms King, an Assistant Minister, told parliament she would refer the image secretly taken of her phone to the powerful Ethics Committee.

"This is a serious breach of the rights and privilege of a member of this house," she said.

Ms King said the image of her phone amounted "to a serious and deliberate contempt of this parliament" and likened it to "intimidation" of an MP.

Hansard 5 Mar 2024 > https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/events/han/2024/2024_03_05_DAILY.pdf

https://x.com/10NewsFirstQLD/status/1764915287319609656?s=20

Inala and Ipswich West by-elections today as well the council elections.

Inala has been a very safe Labor seat and Labor will probably be returned with a reduced margin.
2020 margin to Labor was 28.2%

Ipswich West is more marginal, 2020 margin was 14.3%, and I would not be surprised if LNP get up (with One Nation preferences).  There is a sentiment around Ipswich generally that Labor has not really done the right thing by the region, despite being considered as Labor heartland.  If the Miles' Government doesn't heed the message from today and actually act, it is hard to see them being returned to Government following the October 2024 State Elections.

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Couriermail --> Analysis: Why Ipswich West is such a key battleground for Labor $

QuoteThe result of the Ipswich West by-election today carries major ramifications for Labor, writes state political editor Hayden Johnson.

The scars of leadership turmoil that dominated the dying months of Annastacia Palaszczuk's leadership will be exposed today. ...

Footnote: Hayden was a journalist with the Queensland Times (Ipswich Newspaper) before it was taken over by the Couriermail.  Hayden knows Ipswich and its politics very well.

 

https://x.com/StevenJMiles/status/1768767948326572105?s=20

 

Inala has been held by Labor, primary vote lead of 39 per cent to 28 per cent over the LNP.

Ipswich West looks like going to the LNP, Labor's Wendy Bourne trails LNP Mr Zanow 35 to 39 per cent on the primary vote. 

Not surprised at all.  Neglect your heartland (no funds for bus service improvement), treat the council with disdain.  You get booted!

ECQ Ipswich West > https://results.elections.qld.gov.au/IpswichWest2024/ipswichwest

ABC Ipswich West > https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/bcc/2024/guide/ipwe

ECQ Inala > https://results.elections.qld.gov.au/Inala2024/inala

ABC Inala > https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/bcc/2024/guide/inal

Couriermail --> Analysis: Labor's epic fail in Ipswich West $

QuoteLabor is on track to be humiliated in its heartland, paving the way for a painful road to the state election, writes state political editor Hayden Johnson.

Labor has been smashed and humiliated in its heartland in a by-election nightmare that – if replicated across the state – would equate to an almost Bligh-level defeat.

Queenslanders are advancing on every one of Labor's now 51 MPs with baseball bats and the government has few quick solutions to stop them. ...

Maybe they'll stop taking Ipswich for granted 

Couriermail --> Queensland's eye-watering year's spending on contracts and consultants exposed $

QuoteThe state government spent $3bn on contracts and consultants in a single year — enough to pay for a centrepiece Olympic Stadium for the 2032 Games.

And the cost of budget blowouts to half a dozen major projects would also be more than enough to pay for the $3.4bn stadium at Victoria Park, and have billions left over.

Premier Steven Miles this week rejected the main recommendation of a major 2032 Games infrastructure review to build the stadium in Brisbane's inner-city because he "couldn't justify" spending billions while "Queenslanders are struggling with housing and other costs". ...