It’s been a big week for the Labor Party. The Opposition Leader, the Hon Bill Shorten MP, and his team have spent a large portion of the week in marginal seats in Queensland, with major policy announcements a daily occurrence.
It’s clear to see that the Labor Party is focused on the federal election, with Queensland Labor candidates accompanying either Mr Shorten or the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, at every press conference. Below is a brief outline of what has been announced this week.
Mr Shorten started the week, announcing that the Labor Party will commit $500 million to upgrading regional Queensland roads, widening the M1 and to fund the Cross River Rail project.
Ms Plibersek, Shadow Minster for Education, accompanied by the Member for Longman, Ms Susan Lamb MP, and Labor Candidates for Petrie, Ms Ali France and Dickson, Ms Corrine Mulholland, announced on Tuesday that the Labor Party would provide $174 million to improve the chances for all young people to go to university. This money will go to ‘mentoring, support and other specialized programs’, with the aim to improve the opportunities for young people to attend university where secondary graduation rates are low.
Mr Shorten, accompanied the Shadow Minster for Health, the Hon Catherine King MP, and Labor Candidates for Capricornia, Mr Russell Robertson and Flynn, Mr Zac Beers, and announced on Tuesday that a Labor Government would build a state-of-the-art cardiac theatre at Rockhampton Hospital. Currently, there is an estimated cost of $3 million for patient transfers who require cardiac services.
The announcement marked the 11th time this year Mr Shorten has visited Rockhampton since becoming Leader of the Labor Party, a clear signal of the importance of Queensland heading into an election year.
The Shadow Assistant Treasurer, Dr Andrew Leigh MP, announced Labor would establish an industry-specific auto dealership code to address a power imbalance that exists between automotive manufacturers and dealers. The code will deliver ground rules for manufacturers and dealerships, including obligations under the Australian Consumer Law and consumer complaints, warranty and repair processes, dealership agreements and the ability to make variations to them, and termination notices.
On Wednesday, Mr Shorten accompanied by the Shadow Minister for Defence, the Hon Mr Richard Marles MP, and the Shadow Minister for Defence Personnel, the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP, announced that Labor will put a formal agreement in place to ensure that servicemen and women are supported during and after their service. Furthermore, Mr Shorten will legislate regular reporting to Parliament on support given to military personnel.
Labor proposes to enact this in the form of Australia’s first Military Covenant which will recognise ‘the immense commitment our armed forces make to serve their country, and formalising our nation’s commitment to look after those who have sacrificed for our nation.’
Mr Shorten, Mr Marles, Shadow Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, the Hon Jason Clare MP, and Member for Herbert, Ms Cathy O’Toole MP, also announced that Labor is looking to increase the defence maintenance capability of the Port of Townsville. Labor has proposed an increase in the presence of LHD vessels at the Port of Townsville, with the aim of creating new jobs and diversifying the economy of North Queensland.
Labor expects that the regular docking of Navy vessels would support 200 to 400 new ongoing jobs in the local area. The regular docking would also support ADF operations in the region with more access to vessels to assist with possible humanitarian crises as well as bilateral and multilateral activities in the region.
Latest posts by Team Nexus APAC (see all)
- MUCH MORE NEEDED TO CLOSE THE GAP - February 15, 2019
- HAKEEM RETURNS HOME - February 15, 2019
- MEDIVAC BILL - February 15, 2019
