Springborg confirms plan to kill-off projects

Lawrence Springborg has revealed he won’t commit to any building projects from July this year – costing thousands of Queensland jobs.

The Opposition has confirmed in a letter to the Qld Council of Unions that it would only commit to delivering the State’s infrastructure ‘where construction has commenced.’

Deputy Premier Paul Lucas said the decision from Lawrence Springborg and the Opposition would destroy Queensland jobs.

“This is a jobs killer,” Mr Lucas said.

“We already know they want to slash 12,000 public service workers – now they’ve got Queensland construction workers in their sites too.

“Our four-year rolling capital works program is worth $58 billion – delivering thousands and thousands of jobs to Queensland.

“Now, Mr Springborg wants to put on hold every single project that is already planned but doesn’t start before July 1.”

“The Opposition won’t guarantee construction of:

·Townsville Ocean Terminal - $1 billion worth of infrastructure, 4600 jobs – gone;

·Burpengary-Caboolture Rd upgrade - $149 million worth of infrastructure, – gone;

·$63 million Southeast Busway extension to Springwood – gone;

·$65 million redevelopment of the Mount Isa Hospital due to start in July and deliver 350 jobs – gone;

·$87 million worth of bus priority lanes on the Gold Coast – gone;

·$28 million towards duplication of Steve Irwin Way from two to four lanes between Mooloolah Connection Road and the Bruce Highway – gone;

·In Far North Queensland, $9 million to widen the Kennedy Developmental Road from Three Ways to The Lynd – gone; and

·In Mackay/Whitsundays, $4.6 million for pavement widening works on the Peak Downs Highway, 6.3km north of Nebo – gone.

“They are just some of the hundreds of projects the Opposition is saying ‘we don’t want,” Mr Lucas said.

“These projects deliver new schools, new hospitals and new roads, which all have wider benefits for the community.

“But just as importantly, projects like these deliver jobs for Queenslanders.”

Mr Lucas said Labor remained committed to delivering the $17 billion infrastructure program if re-elected.

“We want jobs, not cuts,” Mr Lucas said.

Media inquiries: Matthew Klar 0437 435 223