A Shorten Labor Government will invest $25 million to rejuvenate Great Keppel Island, helping to grow tourism, create jobs and deliver an $80-million-a-year boost to the region’s economy.
Great Keppel has amazing, untapped tourism potential but it is held back by a lack of basic infrastructure, including drinking water and a reliable power supply.
Federal Labor’s investment – which matches the Queensland Government’s investment – will deliver new infrastructure for permanent and reliable electricity and water supply on the Island.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten will visit Great Keppel Island on Wednesday morning to make the announcement.
“I’m taking a hands-on approach to job creation in Central Queensland,” Mr Shorten said.
“This is a beautiful part of Queensland with massive potential. You just need a government in Canberra that listens and acts.
“Russell Robertson has been on the phone to me about how important this investment is. He’s done a fantastic job advocating for Great Keppel Island and the entire region.”
Shadow Minister for Regional Services Stephen Jones said water quality and reliable power supply presents significant challenges for island businesses and residents.
“The island relies on diesel-powered generators as the main source of power, and access to drinking water is through rainwater harvesting or bottled water from the mainland. This is costly and time consuming, and is holding Great Keppel back,” Mr Jones said.
“This funding will see key infrastructure built on the island, including a permanent and reliable supply of power and drinking water. Our investment will aim to grow tourism on Great Keppel and the surrounding region, supporting existing tourism operators, residents, and future tourism development projects.”
Shadow Minister for Tourism Anthony Albanese said with improved infrastructure, it is expected that the island will accommodate about 860,000 visitors, workers and residents a year, and contribute more $83 million per annum to the local economy.
“We know tourism operators need reliable water and power, and the lack of these basic services is a barrier to investment. Labor’s commitment will allow for sustainable development, meaning more visitors, more jobs and more money going to local businesses,” Mr Albanese said.
Labor Candidate for Capricornia Russell Robertson welcomed Labor’s investment to rejuvenate Great Keppel Island.
“This is a great day for the Capricorn Coast. I’ve been working for months to secure this investment for our region, and now we know a Shorten Labor Government will deliver it,” Mr Robertson said.
“I’ve been calling on both Bill Shorten and Scott Morrison to make this commitment, but Bill is the only one who has listened.
“Michelle Landry has been too caught up in the chaos in Canberra to secure this funding. She’s forgotten Great Keppel Island exists at all.
“Great Keppel is the most beautiful on the Great Barrier Reef. Everyone knows that infrastructure funding for Great Keppel Island will mean more visitors, more jobs and more money going into our local economy.
“As your local member, I’ll make sure Great Keppel gets the investment, infrastructure and jobs it deserves.”
Mr Shorten said only Labor is committed to rejuvenating Great Keppel Island.
“I believe in a fair go for all Australians, and that means a fair go for Central Queenslanders.
I’m determined to deliver job-creating infrastructure for Central Queenslanders, and I can pay for it because I will make multinational companies pay their fair share of tax.”
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Governments Must Support Communities Says Greens Senator After Visit to Williamtown and Bobs Farm to Talk PFAS Contamination and Sand Mining
Australian Greens Senator For NSW, Dr Mehreen Faruqi, has visited the Port Stephens area and heard first hand from local residents about their concerns over multiple threats in the Williamtown, Saltash and Bobs Farm areas, including PFAS contamination and a proposed massive increase in sand mining.
On the PFAS contamination issue, Senator Faruqi said:
“Residents are sick and tired of having to fight the federal government for compensation for the pollution of their land and water by the Department of Defence. They have been fighting a David versus Goliath battle for years.
“I’m concerned to hear that there has been no ‘off-base’ clean up and remediation of contaminated water and soil, especially in the drains.
“I sat on the Senate Inquiry into the issue and I strongly believe that there needs to be a proper compensation package. Importantly it must include buybacks of properties that have been significantly affected.
“The Federal Government caused the PFAS pollution so they must take full responsibility for it. The community has waited long enough. Communities have suffered enough. It’s time to take concrete action to help them. And it’s time concrete action is taken now.
On the proposed sand mine in Bobs Farm, Senator Faruqi said:
“The proposal for a huge new sand mine at Bobs Farm is very concerning and has the potential to impact on the water supply for nearby farms and will involve significant clearing of bushland. Parents at the nearby school are really worried about the pollution from the mining as well as the nearly 200 truck movements a day right past the school.
“This project clearly doesn’t have community support and has significant environmental risks. I’ll be making a submission opposing the proposal” she concluded.
Man charged over the alleged misappropriation of NSW RSL funds
A former Returned Services League (RSL) NSW State President has been charged with fraud following an investigation by the Financial Crimes Squad.
In December 2016, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Financial Crimes Squad established Strike Force Whitbread to investigate reports of the misappropriation of funds within the NSW RSL.
Strike force detectives obtained large volumes of documentation early in the investigation, which have undergone forensic accounting analysis.
Following extensive inquiries, police met with a 70-year-old man at Armidale Police Station about 9am today (Wednesday 23 January 2019).
He was charged by way of a Future Court Attendance Notice for two counts of dishonestly obtain a financial advantage or cause disadvantage by deception.
The man is due to face Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 7 March 2019.
LABOR’S PLAN TO IMPROVE CAIRNS HOSPITAL ED
A Shorten Labor Government will deliver better emergency care for the people of Cairns by investing in a major redevelopment of the Cairns Hospital Emergency Department.
A recent review of the hospital called for a number of high priority improvements to the emergency department while a more substantial expansion is planned.
Labor will invest $15 million to deliver these improvements as part of our Fair Go Action Plan to protect Medicare and fix our hospitals.
This commitment comes on top of our promise to put $60 million towards a new dedicated training facility at Cairns Hospital, which will help attract and retain health workers in Far North Queensland.
The new facility will help address the critical health workforce shortage that risks undermining the quality of health care in this region.
But that is a longer-term project.
The Emergency Department redevelopment is something we can deliver in the next 12 to 24 months – delivering tangible health benefits to this community.
The redevelopment will improve safety for patients and staff alike and bring down wait times.
It will include:
- An increase in adult short stay capacity from 8 to 16 adult beds
- A 4-bed pediatric short stay unit
- Improvements to resuscitation bays and trauma treatment spaces
- Front of house improvements to provide dedicated space for ambulance offload
- And better telehealth facilities.
Population growth has made Cairns Hospital Emergency Department one of the busiest in Queensland, with activity going up by 4 per cent each year. In 2017-18 the number of presentations exceeded 70,000 for the first time.
That’s why we have to invest now in this hospital.
Labor believes Australian should get the best quality health care whenever they need it – no matter if you live in downtown Brisbane or Far North Queensland.
That’s why the last federal Labor Government invested $12m in Cairns Hospital through our Health and Hospitals Fund.
The Liberals on the other hand just cut and cut and cut from health. As Treasurer, Scott Morrison cut from health and hospitals in every Budget he authored.
His government has cut $7.2 million from Cairns Hospital under the current 2017 to 2020 funding agreement.
That’s equivalent to 20 nurses, or 11,000 emergency department visits, or 17,500 outpatient appointments. And it’s part of a $160m cut to Queensland hospitals and a $715m cut nationwide.
Now Morrison is trying to lock in those cuts for another five years – a dud deal that the Queensland Labor Government is resisting.
Labor will reverse the Liberal cuts with our $2.8 billion Better Hospitals Fund, which we will use to fund projects like this one.
Only Labor can be trusted to fix Queensland’s hospitals.
ROCKHAMPTON RING ROAD A CERTAINTY UNDER LABOR
A Shorten Labor Government will unlock productivity and jobs growth in Central Queensland by investing $800 million to build the Rockhampton Ring Road in partnership with the State Labor Government.
This is a transformative project which will support around 780 direct jobs during its delivery, ease congestion on the Bruce Highway, and make Rockhampton as even better place to live, work and raise a family.
The Ring Road will run from the Yeppen Roundabout, along the western side of the airport to a third bridge crossing before reconnecting with the existing highway at Parkhurst – see attached map.
It will take thousands of trucks a day out of the CBD and off suburban streets, both speeding up the movement of freight along the east coast as well as improving safety for local residents.
Importantly, investments such as this are a critical component of a serious decentralisation policy because they provide regional centres with the infrastructure and services they need to grow and prosper.
This commitment follows yesterday’s announcement that a Shorten Labor Government will boost local jobs by ensuring more government contracts and major projects such as the Ring Road are delivered by local businesses employing local workers.
It was the former Federal Labor Government that first began investigating the planning for the Rockhampton Ring Road when we commissioned the Fitzroy River Floodplain and Road Planning Study in June 2009.
The study, completed in 2011, backed the project.
But after nearly two full terms as the LNP MP for Capricornia Michelle Landry has been unable to advance the Ring Road.
A Shorten Labor Government will deliver the project, not just talk about it.
When it comes to the Bruce Highway, the LNP’s record is one of cuts and broken promises.
Indeed, according to figures released by its own Infrastructure Department, the Morrison LNP Government will slash Federal investment in the highway over the next three years by $700 million if it wins the coming election.
Federal Labor’s commitment to the Rockhampton Ring Road builds on our strong track record of delivering for Central Queensland the last time we were in office. This including the major Yeppen Floodplain project which upgraded the Bruce Highway to prevent Rockhampton being cut off from the south, even during a one in 100-year flooding event.
This is a transformative project which will support around 780 direct jobs during its delivery, ease congestion on the Bruce Highway, and make Rockhampton as even better place to live, work and raise a family.
The Ring Road will run from the Yeppen Roundabout, along the western side of the airport to a third bridge crossing before reconnecting with the existing highway at Parkhurst – see attached map.
It will take thousands of trucks a day out of the CBD and off suburban streets, both speeding up the movement of freight along the east coast as well as improving safety for local residents.
Importantly, investments such as this are a critical component of a serious decentralisation policy because they provide regional centres with the infrastructure and services they need to grow and prosper.
This commitment follows yesterday’s announcement that a Shorten Labor Government will boost local jobs by ensuring more government contracts and major projects such as the Ring Road are delivered by local businesses employing local workers.
It was the former Federal Labor Government that first began investigating the planning for the Rockhampton Ring Road when we commissioned the Fitzroy River Floodplain and Road Planning Study in June 2009.
The study, completed in 2011, backed the project.
But after nearly two full terms as the LNP MP for Capricornia Michelle Landry has been unable to advance the Ring Road.
A Shorten Labor Government will deliver the project, not just talk about it.
When it comes to the Bruce Highway, the LNP’s record is one of cuts and broken promises.
Indeed, according to figures released by its own Infrastructure Department, the Morrison LNP Government will slash Federal investment in the highway over the next three years by $700 million if it wins the coming election.
Federal Labor’s commitment to the Rockhampton Ring Road builds on our strong track record of delivering for Central Queensland the last time we were in office. This including the major Yeppen Floodplain project which upgraded the Bruce Highway to prevent Rockhampton being cut off from the south, even during a one in 100-year flooding event.
LABOR’S NATIONAL HYDROGEN PLAN
A Shorten Labor Government will deliver a $1 billion National Hydrogen Plan to create new blue-collar jobs, support new businesses and supercharge Australia’s renewable energy industry.
Hydrogen is an emerging industry that has huge potential to deliver significant economic, employment, energy and environmental benefits for Australia.
Hydrogen gas is an energy source that can be produced through the process of electrolysis using renewable energy, meaning it can leverage Australia’s world-class renewable energy to make much cleaner hydrogen competitively.
Developing a hydrogen industry will deliver new opportunities for manufacturing, transport and electricity generation.
As the global demand for hydrogen surges to an expected $215 billion market by 2022, Australia is uniquely placed to benefit from the development of this new, job-generating industry.
Analysis by ACIL Allen projects that hydrogen exports alone could be worth $10 billion in 20 years, and create 16,000 new blue-collar jobs – mainly in regional areas.
Most of the benefits of hydrogen development will be in regional Australia. For example, the deep sea water ports of Gladstone and Newcastle are well placed to support a hydrogen export industry.
While benefiting the nation as a whole, regional Queensland will be the big winner from Labor’s plan.
Labor is taking a hands-on approach to supporting the new jobs and industries Queensland needs for the future.
We want regional Queenslanders to have good, secure blue-collar jobs for the future in existing and new industries.
Hydrogen can be the next great energy industry for Australia – and Labor has a plan to make it happen.
Labor’s six-point plan for hydrogen will:
1. Allocate $1 billion of funding from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to support clean hydrogen development, from Labor’s commitment to double CEFC’s capital by $10 billion.
2. Invest up to $90 million of unallocated funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to support research, demonstration and pre-commercial deployment of hydrogen technologies.
3. Establish a $10 million ARENA funding round for hydrogen refuelling infrastructure around the nation, from within ARENA’s unallocated funding.
4. Invest $40 million of unallocated funding from the CEFC Clean Energy Innovation Fund to target hydrogen technologies and businesses that have passed the research and development stage.
5. Implement regulatory reforms that will help the industry develop and prosper, including reforms to support the use of existing gas pipelines for hydrogen, reforms to support the shipping of hydrogen, reforms to better support the storage of CO2 from blue and brown hydrogen production, as well as other reforms to support hydrogen use and production.
6. Establish the National Hydrogen Innovation Hub in Gladstone with an initial investment of $3 million. This will kick-start early commercialisation of hydrogen technologies, provide a hub for investment and research agencies, and provide opportunities to leverage LNG infrastructure to support hydrogen exports.
A Shorten Labor Government will make Gladstone the hydrogen capital of Australia.
Hydrogen means more investment in Australia, more exports from Australia, and more blue-collar jobs for Australia.
Australia has everything to gain from the global transition to more renewable energy. But to secure the new industries and jobs it will deliver, we need a government that has a plan to foster and grow the industries of the future.
That is exactly what Labor’s National Hydrogen Plan will deliver.
Further information on Labor’s National Hydrogen Plan can be found here.
Hydrogen is an emerging industry that has huge potential to deliver significant economic, employment, energy and environmental benefits for Australia.
Hydrogen gas is an energy source that can be produced through the process of electrolysis using renewable energy, meaning it can leverage Australia’s world-class renewable energy to make much cleaner hydrogen competitively.
Developing a hydrogen industry will deliver new opportunities for manufacturing, transport and electricity generation.
As the global demand for hydrogen surges to an expected $215 billion market by 2022, Australia is uniquely placed to benefit from the development of this new, job-generating industry.
Analysis by ACIL Allen projects that hydrogen exports alone could be worth $10 billion in 20 years, and create 16,000 new blue-collar jobs – mainly in regional areas.
Most of the benefits of hydrogen development will be in regional Australia. For example, the deep sea water ports of Gladstone and Newcastle are well placed to support a hydrogen export industry.
While benefiting the nation as a whole, regional Queensland will be the big winner from Labor’s plan.
Labor is taking a hands-on approach to supporting the new jobs and industries Queensland needs for the future.
We want regional Queenslanders to have good, secure blue-collar jobs for the future in existing and new industries.
Hydrogen can be the next great energy industry for Australia – and Labor has a plan to make it happen.
Labor’s six-point plan for hydrogen will:
1. Allocate $1 billion of funding from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to support clean hydrogen development, from Labor’s commitment to double CEFC’s capital by $10 billion.
2. Invest up to $90 million of unallocated funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to support research, demonstration and pre-commercial deployment of hydrogen technologies.
3. Establish a $10 million ARENA funding round for hydrogen refuelling infrastructure around the nation, from within ARENA’s unallocated funding.
4. Invest $40 million of unallocated funding from the CEFC Clean Energy Innovation Fund to target hydrogen technologies and businesses that have passed the research and development stage.
5. Implement regulatory reforms that will help the industry develop and prosper, including reforms to support the use of existing gas pipelines for hydrogen, reforms to support the shipping of hydrogen, reforms to better support the storage of CO2 from blue and brown hydrogen production, as well as other reforms to support hydrogen use and production.
6. Establish the National Hydrogen Innovation Hub in Gladstone with an initial investment of $3 million. This will kick-start early commercialisation of hydrogen technologies, provide a hub for investment and research agencies, and provide opportunities to leverage LNG infrastructure to support hydrogen exports.
A Shorten Labor Government will make Gladstone the hydrogen capital of Australia.
Hydrogen means more investment in Australia, more exports from Australia, and more blue-collar jobs for Australia.
Australia has everything to gain from the global transition to more renewable energy. But to secure the new industries and jobs it will deliver, we need a government that has a plan to foster and grow the industries of the future.
That is exactly what Labor’s National Hydrogen Plan will deliver.
Further information on Labor’s National Hydrogen Plan can be found here.
Hands off our environmental laws, Greens tell Mining lobby
The Liberal National Government must reject the advice of the self-serving Mining Lobby pushing for changes to the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, the Greens say.
“The Environment Minister must stand up for environmental protections, not fall to her mates in the mining industry,” Greens environment spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“It’s almost laughable that the Minister for the Environment would even consider the ‘advice’ of the mining industry in drafting new laws to protect the environment, sadly however this is no laughing matter. Our environment is under constant threat because the mining industry continues to push for more coal, more gas, more oil drilling and now they want nuclear.
“The only thing the Minerals Council seem to want to protect are the profits of the mining industry, at the cost of Australia’s environment and a safe climate.
“Nuclear energy is an old technology that Australia has outgrown. We are moving toward a renewable energy future. It’s happening, it’s here and we shouldn’t be looking back.
“We need stronger environmental laws that continue the ban on nuclear energy, and protect our natural world from big corporate interests.
“Adani is pressing ahead with its plans to open a mammoth coal mine with little regard to critically endangered black-throated finch populations. There are cases for strengthening our environmental laws all around the country, in part to pull the mining industry into line.”
“Calls to relax our environmental laws from the mining sector should be ignored by this Government if they are serious about ‘improving’ environmental protections.”
David Littleproud has missed the boat on the MDB crisis
The Liberal National Government must stand up to greedy corporate irrigators and the cotton industry by stopping them from taking more than their fair share, and support a Royal Commission, the Greens say.
“Fish are dying because there is not enough water in the River. Until the Water Minister David Littleproud lifts the freeze on water buy backs to restore environmental flows, the Liberal National Government is culpable of hanging the Murray Darling out to dry. We know it is the most economically efficient and environmentally effective way to restore life to the ailing River system,” Greens water and environment spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“This late-in-the-piece announcement from the Water Minister just confirms this government is content to sit on its hands, because scientists have already told us what the problem is. What we need is a comprehensive probe into the greed and corruption that have left the Basin in collapse. Until that happens the rivers are destined to suffer.
“It will be my first order of business to establish a Royal Commission when parliament resumes next month. It is time political parties came together to support communities crying out for a Royal Commission into the Murray Darling Basin.”
LOCAL PROJECTS. LOCAL JOBS: LABOR’S NATIONAL PROCUREMENT PLAN
A Shorten Labor Government will boost local jobs by ensuring more government contracts and major projects are delivered by local businesses, bringing significant economic benefit to communities in Queensland and around Australia.
Under a Labor Government’s Local Projects, Local Jobs plan, more government investment will be spent on local businesses and local jobs – not multinationals that don’t care about locals and don’t pay tax in Australia.
The Federal Government spends $50 billion every year on goods and services – how the government spends that money, how it contracts and who it contracts matters.
Billions more are spent on infrastructure, energy and resource projects around Australia. Locals are locked out of work as multinationals bring in their own suppliers.
Labor believes that if local small and medium businesses can do the job competitively, then the job should be done locally.
If bidders on large government contracts can’t show how they’ll support competitive local business and local jobs, then they shouldn’t be getting contracts. It’s simple – no local jobs, no contract.
Local companies – those based in the town, city and region where the government is spending funds, should get better access to contracts so they can employ local people.
While value for money for the taxpayer will continue to be paramount, a Shorten Labor Government will put greater emphasis on buying local, employing locals and supporting economic activity in our regions. This is consistent with our international agreements.
Labor’s three-point plan for Local Projects, Local Jobs includes:
Better access to government contracts for local businesses
Under a Labor Government’s Local Projects, Local Jobs plan, more government investment will be spent on local businesses and local jobs – not multinationals that don’t care about locals and don’t pay tax in Australia.
The Federal Government spends $50 billion every year on goods and services – how the government spends that money, how it contracts and who it contracts matters.
Billions more are spent on infrastructure, energy and resource projects around Australia. Locals are locked out of work as multinationals bring in their own suppliers.
Labor believes that if local small and medium businesses can do the job competitively, then the job should be done locally.
If bidders on large government contracts can’t show how they’ll support competitive local business and local jobs, then they shouldn’t be getting contracts. It’s simple – no local jobs, no contract.
Local companies – those based in the town, city and region where the government is spending funds, should get better access to contracts so they can employ local people.
While value for money for the taxpayer will continue to be paramount, a Shorten Labor Government will put greater emphasis on buying local, employing locals and supporting economic activity in our regions. This is consistent with our international agreements.
Labor’s three-point plan for Local Projects, Local Jobs includes:
Better access to government contracts for local businesses
- Labor will require government departments work with local firms to ensure they can benefit from government contracts, and properly consider the economic benefit that local businesses provide. Value for money will be the key criteria.
- For projects over $10 million Labor will require bidders to develop a Plan for Local Jobs to support jobs in the regions that projects are undertaken.
- Successful bidders will be required to nominate an on-the-ground contact to engage with local small and medium businesses to raise awareness of upcoming tender and subcontracting opportunities.
- Companies will also have to undertake local labour-market testing for any new employees required for the project, to ensure temporary work visa holders are not undercutting local wages.
- Officials will be required to consider relevant financial and non-financial costs and benefits of the procurement, including commitment to local or regional markets and a more competitive supplier base.
Supporting local business at home and abroad
- Labor will ensure that more public and large private projects will be required to put plans in place to give Australian firms a chance to win work on major projects.
- On public projects these plans will be required to be considered as part of the project development and tender – not after a contract has been granted.
- Projects over $250 million will have to ensure that local firms are provided with a fair opportunity to win work and not be excluded. These projects will be required to put an Australian Industry Participation plan in place, opening up access to new opportunities including in mining, rail, road and energy.
- Labor will back local businesses by working with industry groups to make our businesses stronger, and able to win contracts at home and abroad. We will appoint supplier advocates in key sectors like rail and steel to open up new opportunities for jobs. Labor will work with a revamped enterprise connect, industry capability network and have strong anti-dumping measures to keep Australian firms strong.
- Just like our international athletes compete with the support of the Australian government, our local businesses should be able to rely on the same support.
More local apprentices and boosting local TAFEs
- The Liberals have cut TAFE and apprenticeships – we have 130,000 fewer apprentices and trainees since the Liberals came to office.
- Labor will require one in 10 workers on major projects to be apprentices from the local area to ensure we are giving young locals the chance to learn the skills they need for a job, and help older workers retrain for new jobs.
- This commitment is in addition to Labor’s existing commitments on TAFE – including scrapping upfront fees for 100,000 TAFE students, and establishing the $100 million Building TAFE for the Future Fund for necessary upgrades and improvements to Australia’s TAFEs.
This announcement is all about supporting local businesses and local jobs. Labor understands the power of government procurement and major projects to deliver economic benefits for communities outside the major capital cities.
As part of our plan for Local Jobs, Local Projects a Shorten Labor government will deliver for our regions, and deliver jobs for Australians.
LABOR TO DELIVER NEW CAIRNS UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
A Shorten Labor Government will help attract and retain health workers in Far North Queensland – and create local jobs – by investing in a new dedicated training facility at Cairns Hospital.
This $60 million investment is part of Labor’s Fair Go Action Plan to protect Medicare and fix our hospitals.
Far North Queensland is facing a critical health workforce shortage that risks compromising the care Cairns residents are entitled to.
This shortage is exacerbated by the lack of a dedicated facility to train and develop doctors, nurses and allied health providers in Cairns. This makes it harder to attract health workers for their training, or retain them as they seek to develop over their careers.
Labor’s commitment to invest in a new Cairns University Hospital follows the ‘Cairns Convoy to Canberra’ last year, when we were briefed on the vision to transform Cairns Hospital into a new tertiary facility.
Our funding will include $10 million towards the purchase of the required land as well as $50 million to fully fund the James Cook University’s Tropical Enterprise Centre within a new Cairns University Hospital precinct.
This is a project that will further diversify the Cairns local economy to support more good, local, secure jobs.
It also has the potential to open up a new world of international education, leveraging off strong growth in the local tourism sector to attract more medical students from the Asia-Pacific region.
When finished, the state-of-the-art facility will host:
This $60 million investment is part of Labor’s Fair Go Action Plan to protect Medicare and fix our hospitals.
Far North Queensland is facing a critical health workforce shortage that risks compromising the care Cairns residents are entitled to.
This shortage is exacerbated by the lack of a dedicated facility to train and develop doctors, nurses and allied health providers in Cairns. This makes it harder to attract health workers for their training, or retain them as they seek to develop over their careers.
Labor’s commitment to invest in a new Cairns University Hospital follows the ‘Cairns Convoy to Canberra’ last year, when we were briefed on the vision to transform Cairns Hospital into a new tertiary facility.
Our funding will include $10 million towards the purchase of the required land as well as $50 million to fully fund the James Cook University’s Tropical Enterprise Centre within a new Cairns University Hospital precinct.
This is a project that will further diversify the Cairns local economy to support more good, local, secure jobs.
It also has the potential to open up a new world of international education, leveraging off strong growth in the local tourism sector to attract more medical students from the Asia-Pacific region.
When finished, the state-of-the-art facility will host:
- Clinical training and development – helping to attract and retain health workers in both primary and acute care to Far North Queensland
- Research – into regional priorities such as ATSI health, tropical medicine and equity of access
- Innovation – such as a proposed project to deliver services closer to home through telehealth
The Centre will create hundreds of jobs during both the construction and operational phases and free up space at Cairns Hospital by moving all education and research functions to the new Centre.
This will allow Cairns Hospital to expand its clinical space within the existing footprint.
Labor’s Candidate for Leichhardt, Elida Faith, has been relentless in advocating for this project and this major commitment would not have happened without her work.
Labor believes Australian should get the best quality health care whenever they need it – no matter if you live in downtown Brisbane or Far North Queensland.
That’s why the last federal Labor Government invested $12m in Cairns Hospital through our Health and Hospitals Fund.
The Liberals on the other hand just cut and cut and cut from health. As Treasurer, Scott Morrison cut from health and hospitals in every Budget he authored.
His government has cut $7.2 million from Cairns Hospital under the current 2017 to 2020 funding agreement.
That’s equivalent to 20 nurses, or 11,000 emergency department visits, or 17,500 outpatient appointments. And it’s part of a $160m cut to Queensland hospitals and a $715m cut nationwide.
Now Morrison is trying to lock in those cuts for another five years – a dud deal that the Queensland Labor Government is resisting.
Labor will reverse the Liberal cuts with our $2.8 billion Better Hospitals Fund, which we will use to kickstart the construction of this exciting new project.
Only Labor can be trusted to fix Queensland’s hospitals.