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Labor's 'policy-for-preferences' deal with Greens

Deputy Premier Andrew Fraser has confirmed that the issues affecting most Queenslanders – soaring living costs, job security, debt and housing affordability – mattered little to Labor which was focusing on dodgy green deals to save their own jobs at the election.  During the recent sitting of Parliament I quizzed Mr Fraser about Labor’s stunt on civil unions which had nothing to do with sound management of Queensland – but everything to do with policy for green preferences. 

The Greens Party was publicly confirming its branches were in discussion with Labor officials over preference deals.  And I have called on Andrew Fraser to come clean on the civil union stunt. 

Is this why Labor has dropped any pretence of trying to deal with the issues affecting the overwhelming majority of Queenslanders and, as media commentators have pointed out, abused the process of Parliament on a distraction ?  

The Deputy-Premier should rule out policy-for-preference deals that would see a Labor-led Queensland government operate in the same way as the Greens-controlled Gillard Labor government in Canberra. 

Queenslanders deserve to know what other elements of the Greens’ platform is open to a deal by Labor to save the Treasurer, such as death duties and de-criminalisation of hard drugs. 

After more than 13 long years in power and with just eight sitting days left this years, Labor has rushed in its nonsense debate on civil unions, when so many other far more important issues should be the focus of the government.  

Where’s the Treasurer’s plan to reduce the soaring state debt of $85 billion, that’s costing $500,000 in interest alone every hour?  

Where are the plans to get tourism, agriculture and construction cranking again?

Where’s Labor’s plan to start paying health workers properly after blowing $220 million on its failed health pay computer system?   

Where are the plans to tackle our hospital bed shortages, reduce ambulance ramping, get more frontline police out on our streets and where is Labor’s plan to start rebuilding the Bruce and other key state highways? 

Queenslanders are sick of the waste. They are sick of the spin. They are sick of Labor’s diversions and abuse of Parliament. 

Only the LNP will restore accountability in government. Anna Bligh and Labor – not again.