Labor’s proud record
AS the State Member for Thuringowa I must respond to Debra Gibson’s letter to the editor ( TB, 8/7/19) as it has an enormous amount of inaccurate statements.
Since 2015 as part of a Labor Government we have delivered nearly $2 billion in infrastructure for Townsville roads, North Queensland Stadium, Powering North Queensland Plan, Haughton Water Pipeline to provide water security to Townsville, expanding our port and invested hundreds of millions in the Townsville-mt Isa rail line.
A further $14 million has been allocated to our schools in Thuringowa (this year) and we have restored frontline jobs like teachers, police, nursing, paramedics and many more.
Add $1 billion for Townsville Health & Hospital Service this year alone, our health workers are absolutely worth every cent, as they are the ones delivering healthcare to all of us in North and North West Queensland.
It is simply untrue to read your diatribe on a further two points.
1. Crime – $47 million in this year’s State Budget alone has been allocated to youth justice. We have seen crime rates decrease by holding offenders to account, building more prisons and providing programs to break recidivism with good results of 70 per cent non-reoffending 12 months after completing Transition to Success or Project Booyah.
2. Not backing coal in this state – nothing could be further from the truth. We have supported $25 billion in approving coal projects and approved two coal projects in the Bowen Basin just weeks before the federal election. We have created over 7000 jobs in the resource sector since 2015.
To be clear, I have never said I don’t support the Hells Gates proposal, and follow the feasibility study. However, we are the Labor Government providing funding for raising the Burdekin Dam and look to introduce hydro-electricity on that well established dam.
I have a proud history of delivering far more than one road (and I take it you are having a crack at Riverway Drive) which has seen over $100 million invested in other projects as a result. I have previously secured funding of $7.6 million for Herveys Range Rd and further secured $36 million for Townsville Ring Rd Stage 5. Are you saying $5 million supporting Driveit is not worth it?
Where is the KAP money?
It is easy to offer criticism but on all of your points, you are clearly incorrect.
The fact remains a minor party simply cannot and will never deliver this type of funding on anything.
Labor delivers and I will continue to get the job done.
AARON HARPER, Member for Thuringowa.