Labor lets bikies return
WITH no end in sight for Townsville’s water woes, pressure is building on governments to provide water security.
As the intergovernmental Water Taskforce sifts through submissions from the community, it’s disappointing to remember that last week’s Federal Budget has failed to take into account the need for water security solutions in the North.
It would seem that even if the taskforce arrives at a brilliant solution, we will miss out on any budget funding this year, all because the timeline doesn’t quite line up.
We don’t want to have to wait until next year’s budget to know something is in the pipeline on this issue.
Townsville people have been crying out for a solution and it seems so unfair to not offer a commitment of some funding.
Senator Ian Macdonald may say that the Government doesn’t “write blank cheques” but Malcolm Turnbull has shown he is capable of putting forward the cash with the expansion of the famous Snowy Hydroelectric scheme.
If it’s OK to back such a project in the south, it should also be OK to set aside funding for water security for Townsville, irrespective of what the actual project is.
If Bill Shorten can single Townsville out for $ 100 million of water security funding, why can’t Turnbull make a similar commitment? It seems incredulous that the Federal Government would not be willing to put their money on the table when the stakes are so high.
The next federal election will be held in late 2018 or early 2019, so now is really crunch time for those politicians trying to gain the love, or at least respect of North Queensland seats. We’ve seen enough dithering. Federal Agriculture and Water Resources Minister Barnaby Joyce has talked about the $ 500 million National Water Infrastructure Development Fund but that will dry up when shared around Australia, long before we have a solution.
As one of Australia’s biggest regional cities, we deserve to have water security for years and decades to come. MEDIA reports about the reestablishment and expansion of criminal motorcycle gangs show that under Annastacia Palaszczuk the bikies are back in business.
Labor’s weakened response has clearly opened the door and rolled out the red carpet to organised crime, putting Queenslanders’ safety at risk.
A turf war between two gangs has also erupted and the tow truck industry is being infiltrated.
The LNP makes no apologies for cracking down on organised crime, whether it be criminal motorcycle gangs, paedophile rings or underworld crime gangs.
Who could forget the shocking images that were broadcast across the nation of bikies brawling on the streets endangering the lives of everyday people?
Under the former LNP government, we saw the results – with crime reduced and criminal gangs fleeing the state.
Under Labor’s new laws, strong penalties were watered down, important police powers were scrapped, clubhouses can reopen and bikies are peddling drugs to our kids once again.
The explosive media report this week even featured quotes from bikies, brazenly snubbing their nose at Labor’s weak new laws.
The reports were so startling, they even contained quotes from gang members claiming how they were flouting Labor’s softer laws and that they were harder for police to catch because couldn’t wear patches.
While the LNP focused on what criminal gangs did, Labor is only focused on what they wear.
Labor’s softer laws are once more putting community safety at they risk again, just like after their failed 2009 laws. The LNP will provide safe communities and stand up to organised crime gangs. TIM MANDER, LNP Shadow Police Minister.