From LNP
here!LNP announces $726.9 million ?Rebuild Queensland? packageLawrence Springborg MP
Leader of the LNP
Leader of the Opposition
Member for Southern Downs
15 March 2009
A Springborg LNP Government will kick start Queensland?s economy and create 10,000 jobs through a $726.9 million ?Rebuild Queensland? package.
LNP Leader Lawrence Springborg unveiled the package at the LNP?s official state election campaign launch in Brisbane today.
Mr Springborg said an LNP Government would use funds freed from scrapping the Traveston Crossing Dam and cutting Government waste for the $726.9 million package, which would bring forward work on $1.37 billion worth of major infrastructure projects.
"Everyone knows that big infrastructure projects are the best way to stimulate economic activity and still generate benefits across the community for years to come," he said.
"The LNP?s $726.9 million ?Rebuild Queensland? package will kick start business, create confidence, demonstrate the true economic capacity of our state and create lasting advantages for generations of Queenslanders to come."
The ?Rebuild Queensland? package includes:
- $260 million for the Gold Coast Rapid Transit Project;
- $93 million for the Bus Rapid Transit project in Brisbane;- $80 million for local councils across Queensland to provide roads, bridges, water and sewerage works, and other local infrastructure projects;
- $150 million to bring forward stage one of the police academy project delayed by Labor;
- $100 million for semi-acute medical facilities and other works at Townsville and Nambour;
- $18.9 million to rebuild the Flinders Mall in Townsville; and
- $25 million in capital works projects to revitalize skills training and TAFE facilities in Queensland.
Mr Springborg said under the LNP, every cent of this money was allocated for expenditure in the 2009/10 financial year.
"For us it is about reform. Reform of Labor?s waste. Reform of Labor?s mismanagement," he said.
"The LNP?s better economic management will provide us with the flexibility to address priority projects that will benefit all Queenslanders.
"According to economic experts ? experts like ABN AMRO Morgans chief economist Michael Knox ? our reforms are achievable. The reforms ? combined with identified budget black holes - will easily meet the LNP?s $1 billion target without sacking public servants."
Mr Springborg said the Traveston Crossing Dam still sat on Labor?s budget but it was not creating a single construction job.
"The LNP will scrap the Traveston Crossing Dam, wiping out more than $300 million in waste in 2009/10 in just one hit," he said.
"The LNP will fund the construction of our new desalination plant from 2010/11, leaving us with a massive injection for capital works in the next 12 months when Queensland really needs it."
Mr Springborg said only the LNP had been honest about the full ramifications of its policies.
"Labor has lied, or used Rudd money, because they are bereft of ideas or the ability to change.
"Under the LNP, every cent is accounted for and still our expenditures will represent an improvement on the financial position proposed by Labor.
"Only the LNP has the capacity and the drive to create jobs in the short term ? to create jobs and replace jobs lost."
Gold Coast Rapid TransitMr Springborg said Labor talked about the Gold Coast Rapid Transit project, but had failed to provide a meaningful financial commitment beyond the current financial year.
"The LNP?s $260 million funding commitment through the ?Rebuild Queensland? package will allow the completion of two stages of the light rail project (from Parklands to Broadbeach) just four years from now in 2013," he said.
"The money we pledge today would also provide for planning the Broadbeach to Burleigh and the Helensvale to Parkland sections."
The Gold Coast City Council has already allocated $120 million to the project. A further $380 million would be required from the Federal Government and $140 million from the private sector.
Brisbane Bus Rapid Transit projectMr Springborg said the $93 million Bus Rapid Transit project in Brisbane would have a big impact on commuter flows through the central city area and was the final realisation of a concept that had stalled for more than a decade under Labor.
"This project involves the construction of a new fleet of 20 advanced buses to provide a dedicated service at four minute intervals from Newstead through the CBD to West End. It includes works to redesign intersections to provide buses with priority traffic access and to ensure more buses run on time."
The project is expected to be completed and operational in the first quarter of 2010.
Funding for semi-acute medical facilities at Townsville and Nambour
Mr Springborg said the LNP was determined to push ahead with the further redevelopment of Townsville Hospital and had already announced plans to purchase the CSIRO site adjacent to the hospital.
"The AMA has described the Townsville Hospital as the most stressed in the state so it is frustrating that a comprehensive master plan has been completed by Queensland Health but not released," he said.
"The LNP has had sections of the report leaked to us and a key component is an off-campus semi-acute facility to provide accommodation for patients moving into and out of acute hospital care.
"The LNP will commit $80 million to create a semi-acute facility at Townsville and relocate administrative functions at the old CSIRO site.
"An additional $20 million is earmarked for a similar facility at Nambour Hospital to complement the recently commenced construction of a new acute medical block."
Revitalising skills training and supporting local councils
Mr Springborg said the eleven year old Labor Government had a shocking record of underperformance in skills training.
"In just five years to 2007, Labor presided over a significant decline in the number of people trained through TAFE and private colleges," he said.
"If we had held at the training levels achieved in 2003, an extra 60,000 Queenslanders would have been trained in that period."
Mr Springborg said an LNP Government would inject $50 million into TAFE facilities, with $25 million through the ?Rebuild Queensland? package in 2009/10 and a further $25 million in 2010/11.
"To boost the supply of TAFE teachers, we will spend $2.6 million to reintroduce the Beginners Teachers Program over four years ? offering 1000 candidates support to obtain their diploma of teaching," he said.
"The LNP will also boost the training of nurses, subsidising an additional 800 training places over four years."
Mr Springborg said the $80 million boost for local councils would help create local jobs and support local small businesses.
"What the LNP offers is a comprehensive employment package, creating job opportunities for 10,000 people across a wide range of sectors and regions throughout Queensland," he said.