Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry has slammed the Queensland Labor Government for ignoring Central Queensland hospitals and for breaking their promise on no new taxes by increasing coal royalties in the 2022-23 Queensland Budget.
Ms Landry’s comments come after the handing down of the 2022-23 Queensland Budget in the Queensland Legislative Assembly today.
Ms Landry said the 2022-23 Budget is not worth the paper it is written on.
“I said before the budget was handed down that it will be focussed on the southeast corner, and it looks like I was right.
“The Queensland Government’s apparent record spend in new hospitals and beds outlines no more money, no more staff and no more assistance for Central Queensland hospitals, including the Rockhampton Base Hospital and Yeppoon Hospital.
“This is a slap in the face for all residents of Capricornia who rely on essential health services. Rockhampton has the worst hospital ramping rates in Queensland and their failure to do anything about it speaks volumes of the work ethic and credibility of the Member for Rockhampton and the Member for Keppel,” Ms Landry said.
Ms Landry also said the Queensland Labor Government has broken an election promise to Queenslanders by increasing taxes on the resources industry.
“The Queensland Labor Government has happily taken coal royalties with both hands for years while demonising the mining industry, telling mining workers they need to consider reskilling.
“The success of Australia’s resources industry is contingent on whether it can be competitive and this increase in coal royalties directly puts that into jeopardy.
Ms Landry also welcomed the funding announcement for a water pipeline to Mount Morgan but questioned the timing of the announcement.
“I welcome the investment made to build a water pipeline to Mt Morgan but why did it take this long to get funding for it?
“Rockhampton Regional Council has been sending 20 trucks of water every day from Gracemere to Mt Morgan for some time now and Mt Morgan has been begging for a permanent water solution.
“Residents in Mt Morgan will remember the Queensland Labor Government dragging their heels come election-time,” Ms Landry said.
