LNP HEAPS MISERY ON BUNDABERG FLOOD VICTIMS

Media Release

Property owners in Bundaberg and other disaster-prone Queensland locations are paying a high price for the Newman Government’s twisted priorities, says Shadow Construction and Public Works Minister, Bill Byrne.

In Bundaberg to see the progress of flood recovery measures and receive an update on what remains to be done, Mr Byrne attacked Premier Campbell Newman’s decision to raise expectations of a cut in premiums while ruling out any reduction in the insurance tax hikes he approved in his own 2013 State Budget.

“In the 2013 Budget, the LNP increased a number of insurance taxes from 7.5% to 9% which was yet another one of its many broken promises to cut the cost of living,” he said.

“The impact is being felt throughout the state, but is particularly cruel in places like Bundaberg and other regional areas where insurance companies have hiked-up premiums after the devastation of natural disasters."

“The increase in the insurance premium levy will rake-in about an extra $250 million a year for the Newman Government – roughly the same amount as the Auditor-General says will disappear into a massive black hole caused by the LNP’s disastrous decision to build itself a new Executive Building in the Brisbane CBD."

“The Auditor-General has reported that this unnecessary tower block for Premier Newman and his Ministers will cost taxpayers a shocking $2.6 billion over 10 to 15 years and at the end of that time Queenslanders will still not own it."

“It is clear Ministers would rather indulge themselves at taxpayers’ expense rather than do anything practical to ease the burden being suffered by victims of floods and cyclones."

“After nearly two years in power, this Brisbane CBD office development is still the only infrastructure project the LNP has got under way and it has made a monstrous mess of it."

“The Auditor-General was scathing in his criticism of Treasurer Tim Nicholls’ decision to sell seven government-owned office blocks in Brisbane for $237 million less than their book value as a way to kick-start this ill-judged project."

“The Auditor-General also identified that over the next 10 to 15 years taxpayers would pay $1.2 billion in dead money to rent back the seven buildings and a further $1.2 billion to rent space in the Executive Building."

“If the Newman Government was not committed to indulging itself with an unnecessary new building it wouldn’t have to hike insurance taxes and would have been able to contribute more to Bundaberg’s recovery."

“Courtesy of the LNP’s twisted priorities, it is disaster-hit householders paying higher insurance premiums who will help fund the new Executive Building."

“The Opposition is calling for Mr Newman to reconsider his couldn’t-care-less-attitude and is pledged to support any genuine efforts to ease the financial pressures on battlers in Bundaberg and elsewhere where insurance premiums have sky-rocketed."

“Mr Newman raised hope for flood victims by putting together a committee to investigate ways of cutting the cost of insurance, but has dashed those hopes by rejecting the only practical way the State Government could really make a difference.

“Sadly, this is typical of the Newman Government’s weasel words and broken promises over cost of living increases.”

Mr Byrne said while in Bundaberg he would also meet firefighters to discuss their concerns and receive an update on preparedness for bushfires as the summer reached its peak.

“It should be remembered that all Queensland households will also pay more for fire and rescue services this year, but there will be no corresponding increase in the fire and rescue budget or the effectiveness of the service,” he said.

“So much for the LNP cutting the cost of living."

“In regional Queensland some households will face a new levy of $90, which will appear on their first rate bills of 2014, while in urban areas the existing urban fire levy will rise by an average of $10.80."

“It is expected that these tax rises will raise a little over $24 million – just a little shy of the amount the Newman Government has ripped out the Emergency Management, Fire and Rescue Budget."

“When you add these hikes to the increases in electricity costs and water bills, the average family of four has seen taxes rise by more than $1,000 a year since the LNP took power,” he said