Queensland deserves more from the next Federal Government

The Palaszczuk Government will ensure the next Federal Government delivers more for Queensland, particularly in health, education and infrastructure.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said while counting was continuing and the final result unknown, the Queensland Government will argue for more investment, particularly to create jobs and boost infrastructure in the State’s regions.

“If Malcolm Turnbull is returned as Prime Minister, he needs to heed the message from Saturday. He needs to do more for Queensland. My Government will demand more for Queenslanders,” she said.

“Queenslanders have echoed my Government's call for more Federal investment in infrastructure and job creating initiatives. Canberra must listen to that message.”

“The Townsville stadium was just one example. Malcolm Turnbull was extremely reluctant to commit to the project and only did so when it was clear the Coalition could lose Herbert.”

The number of Federal seats held by Labor in Queensland would increase with Labor performing strongly in Herbert, Longman, Flynn, Capricornia, Forde, Petrie and Dickson.

“In addition to holding its seats in south-east Queensland, Labor has performed well in the regions. A victory in Herbert by Labor’s Cathy O’Toole would mean the people of Townsville are represented by Labor in State and Federal Parliaments for the first time in 20 years.”

Health and education

The Premier said the Queensland Government had committed record budgets for health and education in its Budget last month.

“Queensland families deserve a world-class health and education services. My Government has been restoring frontline services for health and education by employing more doctors, nurses and teachers,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

Ms Palaszczuk said the next Federal Government should increase its investment in our hospitals and schools.

“Federal Labor promised $400 million more for Queensland hospitals and more than $700 million in extra funding for Queensland schools,” she said.

“The Coalition and Labor recognised the importance of innovation to transitioning our economy beyond the mining boom.”

“To grasp innovation, we need to invest strongly in education. Earlier this year, Malcolm Turnbull spoke of withdrawing Federal funding from State schools to only fund private and independent schools.”

Ms Palaszczuk said her Government had increased its investment in its innovation agenda, Advance Queensland, to $405 million in its recent State Budget.

Infrastructure – regional Queensland

The Premier said key infrastructure projects were committed to by both the Coalition and Labor during the election campaign.

“Projects like Ipswich Motorway and a new stadium for Townsville had bipartisan support. I will work with the next Federal Government to ensure it invests strongly in job-generating infrastructure across Queensland,” she said.

The Palaszczuk Government has committed $40 billion over four years for infrastructure investment, with half of the $10.7 billion investment in 2016-17 to be made in regional Queensland.

“I will be urging the Federal Government to rededicate themselves to the ongoing task of developing Northern Australia, something so important to north and far north Queensland,” she said.

“My Government has just handed down a Budget where regional areas were front and centre. We are offering grants of up to $15,000 for employers to take on unemployed Queenslanders in our regions.”

During the Federal election campaign, the Palaszczuk Government launched its Advancing North Queensland plan highlighting more than $3.9 billion for transport and roads infrastructure across the north over the next for years, commitments to developing water and energy (including a new biofuels industry), incentives to attract tourism, trade and investment, and protection for the Great Barrier Reef.

Media contact: Kirby Anderson 0417 263 791