No reason to celebrate

Thank you to those of you who provided feedback on my previous column – much appreciated! Please keep it coming.

I love a good celebration as much as the next person. But there has been one recent anniversary that has given no cause to party - the Palaszczuk Labor Government marked eight years in office.

A lot has happened since February 2015 and not a lot of it good. Queenslanders can put away the candles because service delivery in the things that matter has fallen well short.

It’s becoming increasingly clear that the approach to government by Labor is focussed on reacting to a crisis through the media. There is no meaningful consultation and no planning for the future. And when I say crisis, there are many affecting Queenslanders each and every day - juvenile crime, health, housing and cost of living.

To give you an example - in the Bribie Island police division alone, theft has increased by 162% in the eight years between February 2015 when Labor took office and February 2023

(source: Queensland Crime Statistics - Queensland Police News [mypolice. qld.gov.au]). Our police are under more pressure than ever before, with a crisis of crime cutting through Bribie Island driven by softer laws and a weakening of the Youth Justice Act implemented by the Palaszczuk Labor Government since taking office.

As a result, juvenile offenders neither respect the police nor fear the consequences. The current youth justice system is broken. It is failing to protect Queenslanders from the 17% of youths who are serial repeat offenders.

It is failing to rehabilitate those children who are only starting down the path of crime.

As I said in the last edition, the LNP has been steadfast in pursuing practical solutions to address the juvenile crime crisis. These include:

• making breach of bail an offence so police can pick up offenders doing the wrong thing when out on bail,

• removing detention as a last resort so judges can send young criminals to detention when warranted, and

• well-thought-out and properly funded early intervention services to help young offenders turn their lives around before it’s too late.

I can assure you that addressing the current juvenile crime crisis is a top priority for the LNP. We will continue to voice the concerns of Queenslanders heat which put him in pole position for his final. While leading the race, Cooper hit a rut in the track and lost his chain, which put him on the infield ending his race.

Almost 60 years ago, Bribie Islandbridge was opened to the public. It’s fair to say that nobody at that time could have imagined the population growth on Bribie Island and surrounds in the decades since. It is the only viable link between the Island and essential services, such as the Caboolture Hospital. And we’ve seen what happens when the bridge closes unexpectedly.

Locals know that the bridge is no longer fit for purpose. The Palaszczuk Labor Government has finally commenced planning for a new bridge, but I stress the word ‘planning’ because there isn’t any money for the construction of a new or upgraded bridge in the foreseeable future.

While you, the residents of Bribie Island and surrounds, need this critical project to happen now, the Palaszczuk Labor Government is overseeing cost blowout after cost blowout – they’re up to $10 billion in overspends already and it’s only going to get worse. Imagine if the government could deliver projects on time and on budget. Bribie Island could see work start on a new bridge now!

Eight years of Labor has only led to crisis and chaos. This is one anniversary no-one will be celebrating!

“It was very upsetting for Cooper and the team after having so much speed, for it to end like that was devastating,” Nathan said. “For Lillian, she finished sixth out of eight in her heat. This put her out of position two for the B main and top four going onto the back of the A main. Unfortunately, a couple of mistakes saw Lillian finish sixth and she missed out on making the A main. Not the results we were hoping for, but that’s motor racing and we have taken away some valuable information and still had a great time away.”

The Marks family appreciate all the support from the local community and would like to send a very big thank you to all of their sponsors (listed below), as without them, they couldn’t go out and

All Natural Products

do what they do!

• Nan and Pop Marks

• Queensland Kart Spares

• Coastal Signs and Stickers

• Devil Race Karts

• Edwards Kart Wheels

• Burris Tyres

• Brisk Spark Plugs

• Raap Racing Pipes

• Fox Mowing Ningi

• Fresh Bond Cleaning

• Dominoes Bribie Island

• And everyone that donated through the go fund me page.

Their next major competition is the Queensland Titles held in Maryborough on May 6.