NEWMAN CHALLENGED TO REDCLIFFE TOWN HALL DEBATE

Media Release

Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk has today challenged the Premier to debate the issues critical to Redcliffe residents in a town hall meeting in the lead-up to next month’s by-election.

Visiting the Redcliffe area to meet with locals today, Ms Palaszczuk said it was crucial residents heard from the Parliamentary leaders of both major parties before they cast their votes in the election on February 22.

Ms Palaszczuk said since the Premier had ignored the Redcliffe electorate since the March 2012 election which saw disgraced MP Scott Driscoll installed, it was time for him to speak up and let locals know what his party stood for.

She invited the Premier to join her at a town hall meeting to answer important local questions on issues including health, law and order and the cost of living.

“The Premier stood by Scott Driscoll when the writing was on the wall and he stood by and did nothing when this now-disgraced MP was exposed and subsequently abandoned his constituents,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Now is the time for Campbell Newman to stand up and speak to Redcliffe residents and answer their questions.

“Until last week Mr Newman had not stepped foot in Redcliffe since he campaigned with his hand-picked candidate Scott Driscoll during the 2012 election campaign.

“He has been missing in action – just as his representative Mr Driscoll was – for almost two years.

“When he did bother to come out to Redcliffe last week to announce the election date, he hid himself away in a hospital corridor and spoke to the media only.

“That’s in stark contrast to the Opposition and our candidate Yvette D’Ath who are happy to walk the Redcliffe streets, speaking with locals and finding out what their concerns are.

“Over the past two years, myself and other Opposition MPs have been regular visitors to Redcliffe, particularly in the midst of the debacle that was Scott Driscoll.

“The Opposition held a town hall-style meeting here last year and now is the time for the Premier to join me for another so he can face locals.

“I’m ready and willing to attend at a date which is convenient to the Premier.”