More than 500 Queenslanders will be out of a job, thanks to the Palaszczuk Government’s short-sighted decision to prematurely shut down sandmining on Stradbroke Island.
Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg said the move was nothing more than a payback for the Greens who helped secure Labor’s election win.
“Labor owes the Greens big time and it appears Queenslanders are paying for it with their jobs,” Mr Springborg said.
“While the Premier is on an overseas “jobs mission”, her Deputy Jackie Trad is back in Queensland on a job destruction frenzy.
“The question needs to be asked – who is really in charge?”
Mr Springborg said before the election Annastacia Palaszczuk made an iron clad commitment to consult and listen to Queenslanders but she still hadn’t delivered.
“Another day, another broken promise from the Palaszczuk Labor Government,” he said.
“The government failed to consult with workers, failed to consult with the community and in doing so has failed to keep its commitment to Queenslanders.
“Queenslanders were promised jobs and they were promised a consultative government but in four months all they’ve got is a government hamstrung by political debts, debacles and division.”
Mr Springborg said with a difficult budget looming it was time for the Premier to get her government in order.
“Since the Premier has been away, her Deputy has outlined a plan to increase debt and her Ministers have axed jobs,” he said.
“We’ve seen a very similar scenario play out once before under a Labor Government and Queensland simply cannot afford for it to happen again.
“Queenslanders deserve a competent and stable government.”
The previous LNP Government had secured the future of Straddie locals by legislating to allow sandmining to continue until 2035.