LNP continues to fail Queensland on disaster recovery

The Palaszczuk Government has slammed the state LNP opposition after they failed to support a motion in the State Parliament calling on the Commonwealth to support Queensland communities suffering post-Cyclone Debbie.

Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for the Queensland Reconstruction Authority Jackie Trad, who introduced the motion, said she was shocked the LNP could not put politics aside for the good of disaster-affected Queenslanders.

“The LNP in Queensland are spineless, completely failing to stand up to their mates in Canberra on behalf of the communities affected by Cyclone Debbie,” Ms Trad said.

“They had an opportunity today to come into Parliament and stand with us, in a bipartisan way, to say to the Turnbull Government that Queenslanders still need help.

“Instead they stood up and made farcical claims about prior disaster events. This was after the Federal LNP withheld $1 billion owed to Queensland and then were embarrassingly forced to pay it after a review from the Audit office.

“After Tropical Cyclone Debbie, these communities have been doing it tough and what they need is the state and the federal government working together to help them in their economic recovery.

“That’s why we put $110 million on the table for Category D funding, fully funded and secured in the Budget. Instead of matching this commitment Malcolm Turnbull has committed a paltry $29 million.

“If Tim Nicholls and the LNP can’t even get in Queensland’s corner when it comes to disaster recovery, then they are never going to be in our corner.”

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert, who spoke in favour of the motion, said her community had been let down by the LNP.

“The LNP voting down this motion today is a clear sign that they don’t care about my community of Mackay and other communities across Queensland that were affected by Cyclone Debbie,” Mrs Gilbert said.

“Tim Nicholls, the leader of the LNP who wants to be Premier, has refused to stand up for Queensland on Category D.

“It’s time for him to walk the walk, quit the petty politics and get Malcolm Turnbull to act fairly and to help our community recover.”

The motion debated was –

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad:

Mr Speaker, I move:

That this House -

1. Notes the failure of the Turnbull Government to fund its 50 percent share of the $220 million Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements Category D funding package for Queensland’s recovery from TC Debbie, and
2. Calls on the Turnbull Government to fund its share of the Category D package to help rebuild Queensland communities. 

ENDS

Media contact: Anna Jabour 0429 890 942