As Queenslanders prepare to go to the polls in just over two months’ time, the State’s political leaders are being asked to sharpen up their response to key issues facing Queensland communities.
The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) has assessed the initial policy commitments of each party to the top issues identified by councils that local communities need to enhance community liveability in every corner of the State.
Through their local council and the LGAQ, Queensland communities are asking candidates in the upcoming state election to commit to a range of critical policy and funding asks, under eight key themes:
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Reducing the cost of living
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Energy and community transformation
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Better local infrastructure
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Addressing the housing crisis
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Building safe, resilient and liveable communities
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Empowering First Nations peoples
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Protecting the environment
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Supporting stronger councils
“While these are interim findings, our detailed analysis shows there are still plenty of policy and commitment gaps from parties – major and minor - across the board,” Ms Smith said.
“As we run to the election on October 26, councils and communities will be looking for them to answer what they are doing to make their cities, towns and regions more liveable.”
The booming population, soaring living costs, a housing crisis, community safety concerns and a transitioning economy loom large in the minds of voters on a daily basis.
So far, Labor, the LNP and Greens have all received a 'C+' overall, Katter’s Australia Party a C and One Nation is yet to hand in their homework.
Labor received a ‘B’ on energy and community transformation, acknowledging the introduction of a nation-leading code of conduct for social licence of renewable energy projects, at approval stage.
“Labor also received credit for establishing Coexistence Queensland earlier this year,” Ms Smith said.
“But there is still room for improvement by responding to the challenges that decarbonising the economy will have on Queensland communities with a state-based Authority that worked closely with the Commonwealth to establish long-term, place based economic and social community sustainability plans.”
The LNP received a ‘B+’ on supporting stronger councils and a ‘B’ on cost of living relief, a mark Labor received for their work on the energy and community transformation.
“The LNP responded and agreed to two of our four cost of living asks, including committing $2 billion for a trunk infrastructure fund directly responds to the LGAQ’s research earlier this year on rebalancing the cost of infrastructure that unlocks new housing supply,” Ms Smith said.
“The LNP’s cost-shifting response is welcomed - it is a significant issue for our member councils.
“But there is still room for improvement by addressing inconsistent land valuations, which exponentially impacts local rates.”
In May, Queensland councils issued a call to all sides of politics to back local communities by supporting grassroots initiatives to address cost of living, improve infrastructure and place community needs at the centre of the transition to a clean energy future - or risk losing their vital support on polling day at this year’s State Election.
Both major parties fell short on key infrastructure asks including road safety upgrades by increasing the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS) to $100 million a year and addressing regional water security and service challenges.
Ms Smith said the LGAQ had put political parties on notice that the Association would be releasing report cards to ensure local communities knew exactly where they stood on critical priorities.
Now the first reports cards are released, voters can go to www.voteforlocal.com.au and type in their postcode to see how election commitments are stacking up against the priorities of Queensland communities.
Click here to see the full report card..
Click here for interview grabs and the campaign video.
For more information, please contact:
Dan Knowles, Media Advisor