SPIT DECISION WAS NOT EASY – BUT IT WAS THE RIGHT CALL

A BIG thank you to the Gold Coast for hosting me last week as my Cabinet governed from your region.

Whether it’s the Commonwealth Games, the light rail extension, new international flights or the extra 11,500 local jobs created since 2015, the Gold Coast is certainly on the move.

For me, one of the highlights of last week was hosting a public town hall meeting at the Currumbin RSL.

Anyone and everyone was invited to attend.

These days not many political leaders hold these types of events. I suspect they fear being asked a tough question or being put on the spot.

I am prepared to do it for a very simple reason – listening to the community.

The decision I announced last week to put in place a community-led master plan process for The Spit will make sure we get the balance right between protecting the environment and driving new economic development.

Terminating the proposed ASF development on The Spit wasn’t an easy decision. But it was the right decision.

As I was reading the Gold Coast Bulletin yesterday – as I do every morning – I saw the Leader of the Opposition put forward his position on the proposed ASF development.

The only problem with Mr Nicholls’ position is that he doesn’t appear to have one.

In an attempt to search for relevance, Mr Nicholls is merely making noise while I’m making meaningful decisions for the benefit of the Gold Coast, now and into the future.

Even his own side of politics has come out in support, with Federal Minister for Trade and Member for Moncrieff, Steven Ciobo, commending my Government’s decision.

In my job I know that my decisions are not always going to please everyone all of the time.

In this instance, I believe I have made the right decision for the future of the Gold Coast.

Once The Spit was gone, it would have been gone for good.

I listened to the community and don’t apologise for taking the decision to establish a new community-led master plan process.

I encourage the Leader of the Opposition to get out from behind his desk in Brisbane, hold a town-hall meeting and start listening to Gold Coast residents like I have been doing.

After all, he shouldn’t be afraid of getting out there and listening to the community.