HER JOB BEFORE NQ JOBS
WHY TRAD HAS TURNED HER BACK ON OUR REGION
DEPUTY Premier Jackie Trad insists her non- commital responses to direct questions are proof the $ 16.5 billion Adani coal mine has her support.
It comes after Ms Trad ( right), whose electorate of South Brisbane was secured for Labor by Greens preferences, was pressed in Parliament on Tuesday to declare her personal support for the mine but would only reaffirm the position of the Labor Government.
“I am part of a Government that supports this project and wants to see the jobs for Queenslanders,” she said.
The Greens have led anti- coal and “Stop Adani” protests and are believed to be pressuring Labor’s Left faction, led by Ms Trad, to block the Carmichael coal mine.
DEPUTY Premier Jackie Trad insists her noncommital responses to direct questions are proof the $ 16.5 billion Adani coal mine has her support.
It comes after Ms Trad, whose electorate of South Brisbane was secured for Labor by Greens preference, was pressed in Parliament on Tuesday to declare her personal support for the mine but would only reaffirm the position of the Labor Government.
“I am part of a government that supports this project and wants to see the jobs for Queenslanders,” she said.
“We made commitments that we will not do secret deals and we will not hand over taxpayers’ funds to build the infrastructure that Adani wants.”
The Greens have led anticoal protests and are believed to be pressuring Labor’s Left faction to block the Carmich- ael coal mine. At a press conference in Brisbane last Friday, Ms Trad dodged questions about her support, repeatedly refusing to offer her personal backing for the project.
The Palaszczuk Government failed to discuss the proposed $ 300 million royalties holiday on Monday, forcing Adani to defer its decision on proceeding with the $ 16.5 million mine.
Ms Trad said she had visited regional Queensland “countless” times and was acutely aware Townsville needed jobs.
“I have placed on record my support for Adani’s development of the Carmichael Mine and as a government we have progressed all the necessary state approvals for the project to proceed,” she said.
“I am proud to be part of a government that’s focused on job creation for Queenslanders, regardless of where they live, by encouraging growth in our traditional and emerging industries.
“I am passionate about jobs and ensuring that all Queenslanders share in our economic prosperity – particularly regional Queenslanders.”
Ms Trad said the LNP’s claims she was dodging questions about her support was “muckraking”.
LNP natural resources and mines spokesman Andrew Cripps said Ms Trad was “just trying to save herself” from the wrath of her inner- city Green electors.
“Hundreds of millions of dollars and jobs hang in the balance,” he said.
“People are already wondering what they are going to do for jobs. This is a serious issue for north and central Queensland.”
Mr Cripps said it was imperative the Labor Government be kept accountable.
“They are holding jobs back, they’re not being honest about what’s going on,” he said.
DEPUTY Premier Jackie Trad has betrayed the people of North Queensland.
The ongoing debacle over Adani’s royalty arrangements has not only divided the Palaszczuk Government but left thousands of residents across North Queensland questioning their futures and the jobs they need.
Ms Trad has been accused by the LNP of leading a civil war in a bid to preserve her Greens- backed South Brisbane electoral reign at the next state election.
However, these political games are costing us billions of dollars. Ms Trad’s political games are holding the entire state to ransom.
It is a self- centred move that has jeopardised the future of North Queenslanders, thousands of whom are long- term unemployed, to satisfy the latte- sipping innercity dwellers of the southeast corner.
All arrows point to her office leaking the royalties holiday proposal which would defer payment of up to $ 320 million in a bid to help entice Adani to start building.
With an unemployment rate of 11.3 per cent, North Queensland deserves more than the political naysaying that’s threatening our already struggling economy.
This mine will not only create thousands of jobs but will allow Townsville residents to keep their heads above water and earn a living.
These incomes will then be spent locally and there starts the rejuvenation of our city.
As Herbert Hotel owner Paul Venturato told the Bulletin yesterday as he shared a drink with David Weston, Dave Williams and Buster Herbert, the region needs to get moving.
The local blue- collar workers agreed that this was the worst they had ever seen Townsville’s economy, and were sick of openended promises that were never fulfilled.
As “for lease” signs continue to fill shopfronts around our city, employers struggle to pay their staff.
North Queensland has had enough of whitecollar bureaucrats dictating the future of our regions from behind their southeast desks when parents go home every day and struggle to provide their children with the everyday necessities, let alone luxuries.
North Queensland deserves a fair go and it’s high time we got one.