Queenslanders will be urged to cast their vote based on local needs and to support the political party or candidate most willing to put the needs of their local communities first at the looming October 31 State Election.
The Local Government Association of Queensland has today released its State Election priorities to support more than 28,000 local jobs and generate $4.662 billion in economic activity, along with its #VoteforLocal strategy to ensure political leaders take notice of what local communities need as they prepare to officially hit the campaign trail.
LGAQ President and Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson said the LGAQ would be asking political parties to commit to a range of programs and policy settings across six key themes:
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Sustaining Local Jobs
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Supporting the Bush
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Strengthening Our Regions
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Advancing First Nations Councils
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Protecting the Environment and
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Keeping Communities Safe.
Initiatives contained in the LGAQ’s State Election priorities include:
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$144 million over four years to provide multi-year wage subsidies for 800 apprenticeship and traineeship positions to address public and private sector skills shortages.
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$50 million per year for tourism infrastructure to enhance tourism offerings and attract domestic tourists and – once global travel resumes – international visitors.
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Increasing Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme – TIDS – funding to $80 million in 2021-22 and to $100 million a year by 2024.
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$30 million per year for four years to extend the Indigenous Councils Critical Infrastructure Program to assist First Nations Councils to build new infrastructure including critical water infrastructure.
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A guarantee that 70 per cent of the revenue generated from the waste levy will be used to fund sustainable resource recovery, recycling infrastructure and programs to build a circular economy and that current advance payments to councils will continue, in order to ensure Queensland households are not negatively impacted by the Waste Levy.
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$100 million per year for five years to fix aging water and wastewater infrastructure to ensure rural towns have access to safe and reliable drinking water into the future.
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$25 million per year for a Western Roads Upgrade Program.
Political parties will be ranked according to how supportive they are of the LGAQ State Election priorities, with report cards to be regularly released to guide voters on which party is most committed to supporting their local community.
Mayor Jamieson said councils had already proven to be the perfect partner to the State in creating jobs.
“Right now councils are working to support or create more than 6000 jobs through our partnership with the State to stimulate local economies under the $200 million COVID Works for Queensland program and the $50 million Unite and Recover Community Stimulus Package for South East Queensland councils,” Mayor Jamieson said.
“The best way to ensure jobs continue to be created and supported is to ensure the strong partnership with the State continues.”
Mayor Jamieson said this election presented an historic opportunity for whomever forms government after October 31, given it will mark the start of fixed, four-year terms.
“Voters must ensure they choose candidates who support projects that will help give their communities the boost they need to both weather the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis it has caused and to recover from it in the best position possible,” Mayor Jamieson said.
“The LGAQ will be asking Queensland’s political leaders – and individual candidates – to declare their support for the programs and policy settings Queensland’s local communities need right now.
“Councils want whoever is elected as their State Member to work on their behalf, to not only see through the challenges of the next four years but to help set communities up for the future.”
The LGAQ’s election priorities build on the Battleplan for Queensland Local Communities, launched on behalf of the state’s councils in April.
For more information, please contact:
Sarah Vogler, Media Executive
Local Government Association of Queensland
Authorised by G Hallam, LGAQ, 25 Evelyn Street Newstead