YOUR VIEWS

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THIS week the Auditor-General released a damning report into the infrastructure body established by Labor to progress major infrastructure projects.

Alarmingly, the Auditor-General found that Building Queensland had failed in its legislative role to provide infrastructure advice while spending a massive $15.5 million on external consultants over the past financial year.

Instead of wasting millions of dollars on consultants, that money could have been used to get important projects under way.

Staggeringly, the report revealed that even the government’s own Department of Transport and Main Roads questioned the value of Labor’s infrastructure body.

The report also found that the Trad-Palaszczuk Government approved two major projects – the Inner City South State School in South Brisbane and the Brisbane Live arena – before their business cases had even been started.

It should be remembered that Jackie Trad is under assessment by the Crime and Corruption Commission over her other reported dealings with the Inner City South State Secondary College.

This Auditor-General report further proves that the only jobs Annastacia Palaszczuk and Jackie Trad care about are their own.

Every year since being elected the Trad-Palaszczuk Labor Government has cut more than $2 billion from infrastructure investment across Queensland.

When the state’s own infrastructure body isn’t working, it’s no wonder projects continue to have delays and budget blowouts.

Now more than ever Queensland needs an LNP Government that can deliver major infrastructure projects like the New Bradfield Scheme on time and on budget and get Queensland working again.

ANDREW POWELL, MP, LNP SHADOW MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE

I REFER to the Bulletin’s story ‘Tate, trader, MP: Fizzer’. As a long-standing Surfers Paradise trader and member of the Surfers Paradise Surf Club, an entity that has been hit extremely hard as a result of COVID-19, I support Surfers Paradise Alliance’s acknowledgment of health care workers and our community through Monday’s fireworks and light display.

While we’re not yet in the clear, the occasion marks one where there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel and that some day soon we may be able to operate as we once did. I wish that councillors and other traders could see the message as it’s intended – a thank you for your hard work and a little brightness in these dark few weeks.

Saying thanks to healthcare workers and the community is so truly important, it’s their hard work that means my business and my staff can go back to work and earning our livelihoods sooner than we ever expected. The social media and positive media exposure that has resulted from the fireworks was well worth my estimated $2 contribution.

SHANE O’CONNOR, OAM, SURFERS PARADISE

THE virus is alive and kicking, and now, out from isolation, come the “easily bored, self-entitled, self-releasers”

who are overwhelmed by media and government white noise, duped by click-bait headlines and mixed messages or fooled by an app with limited value. The lack of self-discipline of those granting themselves their own early mark, guarantees the next wave of casualties will be upon us in no time. I will continue to give the “early markers” a wide berth.

TONY CAVUOTO, PALM BEACH

I WOULD like to respond to Ken Wade (GCB, 6/5) and thank him for his kind remarks on my climate change knowledge. Thank you for deeming me an expert. I am flattered. Indeed, I have read extensively and widely from the published scientific studies on climate change and thoroughly support the 97 per cent of world scientists who agree on the necessity to take action in this area. Just as I believe in all the science in this field, I also believe in the science surrounding working towards a vaccine to treat COVID-19.

It is indeed interesting that some people suddenly believe one group of scientists emphatically while they disregard other scientists, even belittling their work. I guess armchair experts abound who think they know more than worldrenowned scientists.

JIM TAYLOR, MUDGEERABA

DAVID Hall is one of the many Australians who are sent a bowel cancer screening kit from age 50 years. Sadly he is also one of many who do not want to believe bowel cancer will affect them and do not want to consider the consequences of a diagnosis.

Bowel cancer in Australia is common with one in 13 lifetime risk. We do not fully understand the causes but there are many lifestyle factors that are thought to play a part.

Many will not develop symptoms until the cancer is advanced. Screening to detect traces of blood in the faeces is a proven, effective and simple test now sent to every Australian biannually from age 50 to 74 years.

A positive test does not mean cancer is present. Early detection however may lead to an improved chance of cure with hopefully avoidance of some treatments such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy and occasionally surgery.

A permanent stoma is only a necessity in a small proportion of patients and now with “keyhole” surgery most patients will recover quickly and with lower rates of complications.

Despite the assertion from David Hall to give the test a big miss, I strongly encourage readers to participate in the screening program. The kits are simple and may just save your life.

DR MARK DOUDLE, COLORECTAL SURGEON

COULD the time finally have arrived when some of those seeking politics ensure they maintain their moral compass?

The Liberal candidate for EdenMonoro Andrew Constance has decided he would rather keep his moral compass than enter the cesspool he would be expected to.

Unfortunately there is little chance Andrew will have others following him.

D.J.FRASER, CURRUMBIN