State Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls full responses to #goqld Action Plan BUILD LIFT INFRASTRUCTURE SPEND Restore the State Government s infrastructure spend in the Budget to the 10-year average of 4.25 per cent of GSP. RESPONSIBILITY: State Government PARTIAL YES The LNP would consider setting a state infrastructure spending target based on an average spend that excluded the historically high amounts spent during the mining boom and to counteract the Global Financial Crisis. SET A TARGET FOR MARKET-LED PROPOSALS Fast-track to approval every year four market-led proposals worth more than $100m each. Set clear timeframes for assessment and approvals process. RESPONSIBILITY: State Government/private sector. YES The LNP will continue to work with the private sector to deliver outcomes for Queenslanders, achieve value for money and increase access for frontline services. TAKE THE POLITICS OUT OF INFRASTRUCTURE Establish a standing infrastructure authority to oversee the planning and delivery of major projects. To be modelled on the Cross-River Rail delivery authority, but with a broader role and an overview role including ensuring projects are developed in the context of specific precincts. WOULD CONSIDER - The LNP is committed to taking the politics out of infrastructure, however would not support creating expensive and unnecessary bureaucracies. OPEN UP LAND FOR IRRIGATION Queensland projects to secure at least 30 per cent of the Federal Government s $2 billion water infrastructure loan facility. RESPONSIBILITY: State Government/Federal Government/Councils. YES Irrigated agriculture will play a critical role in providing opportunities for Queensland farmers to expand agricultural production, help to drought proof their operations and diversify their income. The LNP would work closely with the Turnbull Government to ensure Queensland receives its fair share of the $2 billion Federal Water Infrastructure Fund. ENSURE FAST-SPEED INTERNET CONNECTIVITY NBN to provide specific rollout dates for all regions and expand the footprint for fixed wireless to relieve pressure on the satellite network. RESPONSIBILITY: Federal Government. N/A In addition, timely commitments should be given to construct: The Townsville Stadium and Entertainment Precinct Cruise ship terminal for the Gold Coast New river-mouth cruise ship terminal for Brisbane Sunshine Coast Airport upgrade Alternative roads to the Bruce Highway between Caboolture and Caloundra Alternative to the M1 from Beenleigh to Nerang The North West Transport Corridor through northern Brisbane The duplication of the North Coast railway line between Beerburrum and Landsborough
WOULD CONSIDER An LNP Government will carefully assess the merits and business case of these and other worthy projects. Projects must demonstrate value for money and net economic benefits to Queensland. Timing is subject to funding availability. ATTRACT MARKET QUEENSLAND MORE EFFECTIVELY Lift the Budget allocation for events attraction and marketing to match that spent by the southern states essentially a doubling of funding for that category. Market Queensland as the fun state, drawing inspiration from Austin in Texas. Actively spruik our lifestyle benefits to people living interstate. PARTIAL YES The LNP will target increased spending for events that demonstrate a positive return in increased visitors and spending. The LNP believes that attracting key events and marketing our great state is crucial in ensuring we can compete with interstate and international tourism competitors. At the last election we committed $60 million over three years to support the attraction of new major international sporting events, blockbuster films, television shows and major cultural events that will put Queensland on the international stage. BETTER TARGET CHINESE TOURISTS Focus attention (tourism, new air routes etc) on the second tier Chinese cities with populations of 5m to 10million. YES We established the Attracting Aviation Investment Fund in 2012, to secure new aviation routes and develop tourism links with new markets, particularly into China. We also had a target, to double annual overnight visitor expenditure by 2020. DECENTRALISE THE PUBLIC SERVICE Government commitment to locate any new public service authorities/units outside the Brisbane CBD such as the Sunshine Coast or regional cities. YES The LNP committed to do that in government, as part of the Queensland Plan, and that remains our firm position. CREATE A NEW GOVERNMENT AGENCY TO ATTRACT BUSINESS Establish a new public service business unit modelled on the former Queensland Investment Incentive Scheme specifically funded and sitting under State Development and Treasury with a remit to attract businesses from other states (and overseas). NO - QIIS was a body that had no oversight and handed out taxpayer money to corporations with no transparency. QIIS gave payroll tax to foreign companies to compete with local businesses. We already have Trade and Investment Queensland. ESTABLISH A FIRST-HOME BUYERS SCHEME FOR INTERSTATE MIGRANTS Address the falling interstate migration levels by introducing a First Qld Home Buyer Scheme which exempts stamp duty for people moving here from other states. NO The LNP is committed to supporting all Queenslanders buy a home, which is why we reintroduced the Principal Place of Residence Concession. This delivered Queenslanders with a saving of up to $7,175.
We also introduced the $15,000 Great Start Grant and first home buyers didn t pay any stamp duty on homes valued up to $500,000. TEACH/TRAIN ENSURE MORE HIGH SCHOOL KIDS ARE LEARNING STEM Greater effort devoted to science, technology, engineering and mathematics outcomes in high school, focussing on both student and teacher outcomes. YES - A focus on STEM subjects will ensure that Queensland students are equipped with the necessary skills for the jobs of the future. The Federal Government has committed an extra $12 million to increase the uptake of STEM subjects. COMPULSORY BUSINESS STUDIES IN HIGH SCHOOL Ensure we are training the entrepreneurs of tomorrow by introducing compulsory business and finance studies in high schools. Expand the Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow programme to all schools. PARTIAL YES The LNP would support delivering business studies in schools, but we believe this decision is best left up to students and parents in consultation with teachers. We will empower school communities and provide the resources to deliver a quality education experience. ATTRACT MORE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS TO QUEENSLAND Develop and implement a five-year strategy to lift Queensland s share of foreign students studying in Australia to 20 per cent by 2021. YES - International Education and Training provides significant benefits to the Queensland economy and community as Queensland s second largest service export after tourism. In Government, we established the International Education and Training Advisory Council which was charged with providing advice to that would have informed the development of a long term strategy to ensure that the international education and training industry is responsive, robust and sustainable. TRAIN THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENGINEERS Introduce a scheme to subsidise possibly via payroll tax exemptions for larger businesses companies that provide placement and trainee jobs for students in engineering and related fields. PARTIAL YES The LNP is committed to reducing the tax burden for all Queensland businesses. When in government we increased the payroll tax exemption threshold, supporting small businesses and giving them an incentive to employ more Queenslanders. RETRAIN OLDER QUEENSLANDERS Fund a targeted program to re-train mature workers in industries identified as growth sectors. YES The LNP supports a diverse workforce, where all Queenslanders can secure meaningful employment.
SELL CREATE A MINING SERVICES HUB Locate, fund and create a mining services hub that will serve as an incubator for Queensland mining sector expertise in areas including mine engineering, geosciences, robotics and logistics. YES The LNP will continue to support the mining services hub at QUT. DOUBLE THE MINING SERVICES SECTOR Support the growth of Queensland s mining services industry to double revenue and employment over the next five years PARTIAL YES The LNP is committed to growing all sectors of the resources industry, including the mining services sector. It was the LNP who approved the Carmichael mine after two years of Adani s failed negotiations with Labor. This project will create thousands of jobs and inject billions of dollars into the Queensland economy. This demonstrates the LNP is serious about supporting the sector. Projects of this scale are critical to achieving revenue and employment targets in the mining services industry right throughout Queensland. BECOME A WORLD LEADER IN RENEWABLE ENERGY Aggressively meet existing renewable energy targets and consider expanding them with an emphasis on local technology, research and expertise. YES We will work to meet the existing federal energy target in a way that will not increase power prices for Queensland families and businesses. EXPORT NODES Set a target for the number of primary produce export flights out of the Wellcamp airport in Toowoomba, developing the Darling Downs region as an export hub. Replicate the private air freight model developed there in other key regional centres. RESPONSIBILITY: State Government/Private sector. PARTIAL YES We will work with the private sector to investigate other regions of Queensland that could benefit from the private air freight model that has proven successful at Wellcamp. SET UP MORE INTERNATIONAL TRADE MISSIONS Review with a view to expanding our trade office presence, particular in areas of scant representation such as North America and Europe. YES The LNP, when in government, implemented the recommendations of an independent review into Trade and Investment Queensland, which included making TIQ a statutory authority. The LNP opened new TIQ office in Jakarta to boost links with South-East Asia and also a new Houston office to strengthen presence in North America.
REFORM REMOVE RESTRICTIVE AND ANTI-COMPETITIVE REGULATION Hold a root-and-branch review of outdated regulation that restricts businesses ability to innovate, invest and employ. This would include laws that restrict retail trading hours, liquor trading restrictions, pharmacy regulation, taxi and hire car services (allowing for new entrants such as Uber). YES Unlike Labor, who don t have a red tape target, removing unnecessary red tape and regulation is part of the DNA of the LNP Team. We have a strong commitment to release the shackles from Queensland businesses, while ensuring that important consumer protection measures are retained. OVERTURN OR RELAX NEW VEGETATION MANAGEMENT LAWS Develop a more sensible and flexible template that actually allows landowners to use their holdings for productive purposes, while still minimising environmental impact. YES The LNP maintains its position with regard to vegetation management. These reforms allowed farmers sensibly manage their own land to produce food and fibre for Queenslanders and to export. Labor s proposed changes will make land for housing more expensive. REFORM PENALTY RATE STRUCTURES Streamline the existing regime so that weekend and public holiday penalty rates are broadly aligned, allowing for increased investment in key job-creating sectors such as hospitality and retail. PARTIALLY SUPPORT While this is a Federal Government responsibility, the LNP does have concerns about a system which hinders job opportunities in the hospitality and retail sectors particularly for young Queenslanders. TIGHTEN AND STREAMLINE THE APPEALS PROCESS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES Overhaul the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act to expedite legal challenges and prevent protracted lawfare being waged by activist groups. YES Job creating projects are too often delayed because of frivolous legal challenges. REMOVE OBSTACLES TO NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS Lower the strata title consent threshold to 75 per cent, and cease the double dip on land and house stamp duty to exempt construction costs. WOULD CONSIDER Any changes would need widespread consultation given their likely impact. Such change could only proceed with broad community support otherwise it might be seen as only favouring developers.