Deb’s blueprint to win over North
Progressing the Nullinga Dam, Urannah Dam and raising the Burdekin Falls Dam
Developing a long- term water strategy to safeguard supply
Introducing competition into the regional electricity market
Ruling out bail houses and stopping the revolving door of youth justice
Building a new drug rehab centre
Partnering with the private sector to slash waiting lists at hospitals
De- cluttering the curriculum and making English mandatory in senior assessment
No new taxes A 30- YEAR water security plan, shutting down youth bail houses and creating competition in the electricity market will form the LNP’s key policy platform for winning back Townsville.
Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington is expected to visit Townsville today to unveil her party’s plan to tackle youth crime and reduce the cost of living in North Queensland should the LNP win the 2020 state election.
“With electricity bills at an all- time high, youth offenders roaming the streets and ice rampant in the community, Townsville is crying out for a real plan,” she said.
If elected the LNP would build a new drug rehabilitation centre in Townsville to “help tackle the scourge of ice” in the community.
Ms Frecklington said North Queenslanders were being treated like “secondclass citizens” when it came to consumer choice in the domestic electricity market.
“Townsville residents are paying too much for electricity and household budgets are hurting, which is why the LNP will introduce desperately needed competition to regional Queensland’s electricity market,” she said.
“Southeast Queenslanders are spoilt for choice when it comes to energy retailers while Townsville households are chained to Ergon.
“I intend to end Labor’s electricity divide between the southeast and the rest of Queensland and deliver real choice for Townsville.”
Ms Frecklington said the LNP would close the State Government’s two Supervised Bail Accommodation houses for youths on remand in Townsville.
“Labor’s Band- Aid solution of moving violent young offenders into suburban bail houses has been a complete debacle since the get go,” she said.
“We have had 35 critical incidents in these bail houses in Townsville alone since being introduced in January.”
Ms Frecklington said young offenders would be kept in youth detention facilities under her plan.
LNP North Queensland spokesman Dale Last said if elected his party would invest in dams and water security “as a priority”.
He said the LNP would the people of develop a 30- year water security plan for Queensland in consultation with Seqwater, Sunwater and local governments.
“The LNP’s water security plan would look at all Queensland water issues, with a specific focus on Townsville water security,” Mr Last said.
“As a part of this plan, we would investigate options to improve water security for Townsville including the Hells Gate Dam and raising of the Burdekin Falls Dam wall.”
Mr Last accused the State Government of becoming “lazy and complacent” towards North Queensland.
“We have guaranteed no new taxes and we will make it easier for businesses to operate in Townsville,” he said.
“The LNP is committed to the North.”