END OF THE BLAME GAME
Published Monday, 20 August, 2007 at 03:12 PM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Queensland Premier Peter Beattie said today the only ‘aspirational’ element of the Prime Minister’s current version of nationalism was Mr Howard’s aspirations for a fifth term.
“In recent weeks the Prime Minister has trashed his formerly good working relationship with the nation’s Premiers and Territory leaders,” Mr Beattie said.
“Now Mr Howard is attempting to argue that this demolition of a formerly pragmatic but sensible working relationship is good for Australia.
“Conflict rarely provides for good policy and even more rarely does it deliver good services.
“The Prime Minister’s aspirations are clear – he’s desperate for another term and he’ll do anything to trick people into giving it to him.
“Australian’s won’t be fooled by a Prime Minister who instead of doing the hard-yards on issues of national importance prefers to put his energy into picking local fights with the States as a diversion.
“His most recent bid to take over the running of the nation’s ports was shown up as shallow and ill-informed in record time.
“He could help by investing in ports – where Queensland Government owned corporations and Queensland Rail are currently investing around $2.9 B on coal infrastructure.
“Perhaps the Prime Minister should concentrate on fixing some of the errors of his own administration particularly his Government’s failure to build the infrastructure the nation needs.
“He could begin with rail in Queensland, which has received just $44 Million of the $1.8 Billion Auslink program.
“Despite grandstanding on the pressures on our ports the Howard Government has invested no Auslink funding in the Queensland coal rail network while NSW has received more than $1.2 Billion.
“The Prime Minister might also want to look at his failure to provide the people of Toowoomba with a second range crossing.
“Then he could turn his attention to overruns in Federal Government projects here’s a short list for the Prime Minister’s attention:
• New Australian Customs cargo management software system - started as $35 million project – delivered at $200 M ($165 M over budget)
• Seasprite helicopters - Australian navy bought 11 of the helicopters for $1B in 1997 and they’ve been plagued by technical problems and never fully operational – estimated $200 M extra funding required to be fully operational.
• Three air-warfare destroyers - $1B blowout over estimated $6 B cost.
“It’s not too late for the Prime Minister to own up to the terrible toll his mean spirited decision to slash federal dental funding has had on thousands of Australia’s old and poor.
“He could spend some of the energy he’s exerting on his marginal seats campaign on getting the funding for the nation’s health system back on track.
“Every Australian knows our health system is under pressure yet Mr Howard has suspended discussions on solutions until after the federal election.
“On another front, Australia is in the grip of a skills crisis yet the Howard Government has done nothing to address the growing funding crisis in our universities, nor provided a solution to the spiraling debt experienced by students.
“I agree with the Prime Minister about one thing; all Australians want the best possible outcomes for people regardless of where they live and which level of government delivers those outcomes.
“That means an end to petty point scoring and the blame game.
“Mr Howard should get on with governing for all Australians, not just the people living in line-ball Coalition held seats,” Mr Beattie said.
Media Contact: Premier’s Office – 3224 4500
“In recent weeks the Prime Minister has trashed his formerly good working relationship with the nation’s Premiers and Territory leaders,” Mr Beattie said.
“Now Mr Howard is attempting to argue that this demolition of a formerly pragmatic but sensible working relationship is good for Australia.
“Conflict rarely provides for good policy and even more rarely does it deliver good services.
“The Prime Minister’s aspirations are clear – he’s desperate for another term and he’ll do anything to trick people into giving it to him.
“Australian’s won’t be fooled by a Prime Minister who instead of doing the hard-yards on issues of national importance prefers to put his energy into picking local fights with the States as a diversion.
“His most recent bid to take over the running of the nation’s ports was shown up as shallow and ill-informed in record time.
“He could help by investing in ports – where Queensland Government owned corporations and Queensland Rail are currently investing around $2.9 B on coal infrastructure.
“Perhaps the Prime Minister should concentrate on fixing some of the errors of his own administration particularly his Government’s failure to build the infrastructure the nation needs.
“He could begin with rail in Queensland, which has received just $44 Million of the $1.8 Billion Auslink program.
“Despite grandstanding on the pressures on our ports the Howard Government has invested no Auslink funding in the Queensland coal rail network while NSW has received more than $1.2 Billion.
“The Prime Minister might also want to look at his failure to provide the people of Toowoomba with a second range crossing.
“Then he could turn his attention to overruns in Federal Government projects here’s a short list for the Prime Minister’s attention:
• New Australian Customs cargo management software system - started as $35 million project – delivered at $200 M ($165 M over budget)
• Seasprite helicopters - Australian navy bought 11 of the helicopters for $1B in 1997 and they’ve been plagued by technical problems and never fully operational – estimated $200 M extra funding required to be fully operational.
• Three air-warfare destroyers - $1B blowout over estimated $6 B cost.
“It’s not too late for the Prime Minister to own up to the terrible toll his mean spirited decision to slash federal dental funding has had on thousands of Australia’s old and poor.
“He could spend some of the energy he’s exerting on his marginal seats campaign on getting the funding for the nation’s health system back on track.
“Every Australian knows our health system is under pressure yet Mr Howard has suspended discussions on solutions until after the federal election.
“On another front, Australia is in the grip of a skills crisis yet the Howard Government has done nothing to address the growing funding crisis in our universities, nor provided a solution to the spiraling debt experienced by students.
“I agree with the Prime Minister about one thing; all Australians want the best possible outcomes for people regardless of where they live and which level of government delivers those outcomes.
“That means an end to petty point scoring and the blame game.
“Mr Howard should get on with governing for all Australians, not just the people living in line-ball Coalition held seats,” Mr Beattie said.
Media Contact: Premier’s Office – 3224 4500