Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett will head to Parliament on Wednesday in a last-ditch effort to stop the destruction of Paradise Dam.
With the Labor Government determined to keep Parliament closed, Mr Bennett said this week was a rare opportunity to hold the government to account and ensure critical issues were addressed.
“I must use Queensland Parliament to ensure our region’s concerns are heard,” he said.
“I need to be there to fight for the Bundaberg and Burnett region’s water security.
“While this sitting isn’t mandatory, I cannot sit back and let this Palaszczuk Government get away with destroying our community’s livelihoods.
“The state government should not be allowed to use this pandemic to cover up other critical issues of the state – they must be held accountable for their failings.”
Mr Bennett said he was also determined to introduce tough new domestic violence laws to put an end to domestic and family violence.
“While the state government doesn’t want to talk about it, I will stand up and speak out for those vulnerable people in our community,” he said.
“The LNP will introduce the toughest strangulation laws in the country, immediately review the current criminal justice framework to implement new laws covering coercive control and empowering police, roll-out personal safety devices to people at high-risk and provide extra support for victims.”
Another grave issue playing on the MP’s mind was the state of Queensland’s economy.
“I’m deeply concerned about the economic crisis that confronts us, thanks to the mismanagement by the Palaszczuk Government,” he said.
“The reason the Federal Government has been able to roll out an Economic Stimulus Package during this pandemic is because they are running a strong economy. On a state level, however, we are effectively broke and our budget is in crisis.
“Local businesses are telling me that they have nothing left in the tank after struggling through drought and fires, and they’ll be forced to shut up shop unless the state government comes through with reasonable stimulus packages to allow them to come out the other side of this pandemic.
20/04/2020