LNP gets blast on centres’ funding
THE RACQ has called on politicians to freeze vehicle registration and scrap stamp duty.
The organisation said the moves would save Queensland drivers $ 250 million a year and put more fuel- efficient and safer cars on the roads.
“RACQ is calling on whoever wins the state election to fix the problem when it comes to our unwanted position as the most expensive state in Australia to own a car,” spokesman Paul Turner said.
“Registration fees have risen by more than 10 per cent over the past three years.”
Mr Turner said stamp duty on vehicle purchases was “a terrible old- fashioned tax on driving’’. He said dumping it would encourage people to buy new vehicles. THE LNP is facing a $ 360 million funding shortfall under its plan to build two new detentions centres in Queensland, according to Labor Mundingburra MP Coralee O’Rourke.
LNP leader Tim Nicholls has committed $ 40 million towards building two medium security youth “reintegration centres” – one in North Queensland and the other in the state’s southeast – with a focus on vocational training.
The two facilities would include a total of 90 beds for offenders aged 17 to 25.
However, Ms O’Rourke said the proposal was severely underfunded, with the LNP yet to detail how it would deliver statewide promises now totalling more than $ 21 billion.
“One correctional centre ( with 90 beds) would cost about $ 400 million to build,” Ms O’Rourke said.
“In addition, we have committed $ 200 million to the expansion of the Capricornia centre in Rockhampton. We have obviously committed additional police resources and are committed to the Stronger Communities ( plan).”
Ms O’Rourke acknowledged that there was still a long way to go to stopping Townsville’s crime wave.
“This is another commitment in a long list of ( LNP) commitments,” she said.
“So far Mr Nicholls has committed more than $ 21 billion. What is he going to cut? Who is he going to sack?
“The question needs to be asked how are ( these commitments) going to be funded?”
LNP candidate for Townsville Casie Scott said throwing youths in prison with hardened criminals was not the answer to the crime crisis.
“It’s important that we give these younger offenders the best possible chance of rehabilitation,” she said.
“If you’re talking about a more serious offence then they would go to an adult prison.
“This ( Cleveland Youth Detention Centre) will remain for 16- year- olds and under.”
The LNP has also pledged to scrap Labor’s plan to use suburban youth bail houses.
Ms Scott said the LNP’s model, which had been rolled out in Western Australia, would work on better outcomes including rehabilitation, support and training.
“There is no silver bullet to this, otherwise it would have been fixed by now,” she said.
“People in our suburbs are living in absolute fear that they will have some young thugs living next to their families.”