Tim Nicholls needs to front up and apologise to Townsville

Published Tuesday, 17 October, 2017 at 08:06 AM

Minister for Disability Services, Minister for Seniors and Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland
The Honourable Coralee O'Rourke

Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland and Member for Mundingburra Coralee O’Rourke today called on Tim Nicholls and the LNP to be honest with the people of Townsville and apologise for the devastating cuts they inflicted on the region during his time as Treasurer.

“Today we will see Tim Nicholls in Townsville, trying to talk about everything else but the hurt he inflicted on our local community during his time in government when all he could do was cut, sack and sell,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“I am calling on Tim Nicholls to front up and apologise today for the cuts to frontline services and community organisations he made as Treasurer in the Newman-Nicholls Government.

“While Tim Nicholls and the LNP have nothing new to offer our community, except a continued scare campaign designed to drive fear amongst locals, the Palaszczuk Government has been working hard to restore frontlines services across North Queensland.”

Cuts to services in the Townsville region made by Tim Nicholls and the former LNP government include;

  • Closing Stuart State School in Townsville without proper consultation
  • Cutting 500 teaching positions from Queensland state schools
  • Cutting 147 nursing positions from the Townsville Hospital and Health Service.
  • Cutting funding to Family Emergency Accommodation Townsville Inc - $51,702 (over 2 years)
  • Cutting funding to North Townsville Community Hub Inc - $18,234 (over 2 years)
  • Cutting funding to Palm Island Community Company based in Townsville - $179,326 (over 2 years)
  • Cutting funding to Queensland Youth Services in Currajong (Townsville) - $1,513,229 (over 2 years)
  • Cutting funding to Roman Catholic Trust Corporation of the Diocese of Townsville - $1,707,607 (over 2 years)
  • Cutting funding to Sera Women’s Shelter - $8,653 (over 2 years)
  • Cutting funding to Townsville Aboriginal and Islanders Health Services Ltd - $282,924
  • Cutting funding to Townsville Community Legal Service - $21,279 (over 2 years)
  • Cutting funding to Yumba-Meta Housing Association Ltd - $61,293 (over 2 years)

Media Contact: Benjamin Mulcahy 0419 562 389