Premier’s ‘road map’ more ‘mud map’ to Gold Coasters

ANNASTACIA Palaszczuk and the Labor Government’s unclear and inconsistent ‘roadmap to easing restrictions’ has led the Gold Coast on a path to confusion during an already difficult time for our city.

When jobs are on the line, the Government’s message must be consistent.

Now is the time to start to deal with the economic impact of this health crisis. The livelihoods of everyday Gold Coasters who have done the right thing are on the line. Yet, all Annastacia Palaszcuk has done is provide a roadmap to nowhere.

First, Labor’s roadmap told us that the Queensland-New South Wales border will open in July.

The Labor Tourism Minister said July. Then, the Premier told us it would be in September. Now, they’re not entirely sure when the border will open. Annastacia Palaszczuk must explain why the Federal Deputy Chief Medical Officer’s advice is completely opposite to the Queensland Chief Medical Officer’s advice about the border.

These inconsistencies are unfair on our hard-working small business owners and our border communities who just want some clarity so they can plan ahead and have some certainty.

The latest Gold Coast Pulse Survey Report for the March 2020 quarter indicates the impacts of the economic downturn are felt more significantly on the Gold Coast than other region because of our reliance on tourism, education, and manufacturing.

Yet, in Parliament this week, the Premier has refused to release the health advice which is dictating the decision to keep the border closed, which flies in the face of an open and transparent Government.

In fact, all we’ve seen from Annastacia Palaszczuk in Parliament this week is jingoism and divisive language which is politicising the border issue. The border should not be a political issue – it’s home to a tight knit community and an important source of revenue for our small businesses on the Gold Coast. This is further proof that Labor doesn’t understand the Gold Coast.

It’s time for Annastacia Palaszczuk to provide consistent advice about the border; that way, small business can get back to business.

LNP MEMBERS/CANDIDATE, JOHN-PAUL LANGBROEK (Surfers Paradise), ROS BATES (Mudgeeraba), MARK BOOTHMAN (Theodore), MICHAEL CRANDON (Coomera), DAVID CRISAFULLI (Broadwater), LAURA GERBER (Currumbin), MICHAEL HART (Burleigh), ROB MOLHOEK (Southport), SAM O’CONNOR (Bonney), RAY STEVENS (Mermaid Beach), KIRSTEN JACKSON (Candidate for Gaven)