Seeney backs down over Reconstruction Authority

Media Release.

Shadow Treasurer Curtis Pitt says Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney has joined the growing list of Newman Government Ministers who have been forced to back down over a flawed Budget announcement.

Mr Pitt said Mr Seeney had been forced to extend the life of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) beyond the February next year closure date outlined in the LNP State Budget.

“The LNP Budget papers indicate the QRA will be prematurely dismantled in February 2013 rather than being extended to June 2014 when the recovery task is due to be completed,” Mr Pitt said.

“Late this afternoon, we have seen Mr Seeney finally see common sense after pressure from stakeholders and admit that the QRA will need to operate until June 2014.

“The closer we look at the LNP Budget the more holes and cracks that appear.

“In the past couple of weeks we’ve seen other LNP Minister’s having to back down over decisions outlined in the Budget.

“Community Safety Minister Jack Dempsey has had to stall his plans to slash the Rural Fire Service in half and Transport Minister Scott Emerson has also deferred a decision on his plans to scrap taxi subsidies for people with a disability.

“Today the Deputy Premier joins the ranks of these Ministers who are showing the LNP Budget for what it really is, a flawed document,” he said.

Mr Pitt said this is a win for common sense and people in disaster affected areas who are still struggling to recover.

“The previous Labor Government was always aware of the sunset clause in the QRA legislation and if re-elected would have moved to change the legislation to amend this clause,” Mr Pitt said.

“The previous Labor Government were on the record saying the QRA would continue as long as the recovery task took and the advice from the QRA was that it would take until June 2014.

“The LNP Government tried to hide their plans to prematurely dismantle the QRA in their Budget papers instead of being upfront with Queenslanders about their intentions.

“We will also be seeking clarification on the LNP’s plan to cut QRA staff by 18 per cent, or 22 full time jobs.