LNP yet to apologise for drug and alcohol service cuts

The LNP are yet to apologise for cuts to drug and alcohol services during the Newman Government, Acting Health Minister Shanon Fentiman said today.

Ms Fentiman said Tim Nicholls was unable to say he much he cut from drug and alcohol services when questioned about it during the campaign.

Ms Fentiman also said Labor had a track record of supporting organisations like Sunrise Way with $600,000 in the most recent budget.

She said the LNP had cut funding to Sunrise Way during its time in Government and local MPs had not questioned it.

“In fact, Deb Frecklington even congratulated Tim Nicholls on making tough decisions in his first budget,” Ms Fentiman said.

“The LNP cut $14 million out of drug and alcohol services, forcing 20 staff out of agencies like Drug Arm, Boystown, and the Alcohol and Drug Foundation of Queensland.

“These cuts reduced drug and alcohol services on the Sunshine Coast, Logan, Brisbane, Gympie, Bowen, Bundaberg, Charleville and Toowoomba.

“They showed no mercy when it came to cutting services and sacking workers, and it was Queensland families that suffered.”

Ms Fentiman said Labor was in the final stages of developing its response to ice after extensive community consultation last year.

“The LNP were invited to make a submission during this process but chose not to,” she said.

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