Election Promises: Lets Get them In Writing

With a State election imminent, lets start hearing the candidates (or their parties) vision/aspirations for Central Queensland.  After all, if the opinion polls are correct and LNP win, arguably it will be more likely Clive Palmers giant mine near Alpha will eventuate.  If this is good news or bad news is a matter of opinion and learned argument.  More jobs will be the catch cry – where will they be filled from though?  Or will it be mined by remote and if so where will the controls be?  More royalties and taxes will be earned.  But where will they be spent?  Plus what about the existing concerns of inadequate infrastructure, doctors, accommodation, prostitution; will a giant mine ease these?  Then there is the biggie – What is to become of CQ after the resource boom ends?

Dare I suggest the media send each candidate within CQ relevant questions from the below list and ask for their written response which could be published in this publication.  If they are a party candidate ideally their responses are countersigned by their leader.  Central Queensland is going to be an even greater contributor to the states economy, let us start hearing what CQ will get back out of it.  So here is my list of questions I’d like answered to help determine who will best champion CQ in Brisbane and thus whom to vote for:

Will you move a motion in parliament along the lines of Western Australia’s Royalties for Regions fund?

Will you champion the early roll out of the NBN (National Broadband Network) in Central Queensland?

(I realise this is more a Federal issue, but it need some champions – or we could be waiting for up to 10 years)

Will you champion better transport infrastructure between Rockhampton and Gladstone as well as the rest of Central Queensland (a fast train between Rockhampton to Alpha!)? 

What infrastructure/projects will you particularly be pushing to enhance the liveability of Central Queensland?  Will you support the dredging of Port Alma in order for it to handle the larger coal carriers? 

Will you actively promote legislation enforcing mines to treat their discharge before being released into our river systems? 

What is your position on requiring mining companies to provide infrastructure to encourage workers and their families to live near where they work? 

Will you support initiatives like scholarships for medical students in return for fixed term appointments in mining communities? 

What is you plan to flood proof Rockhampton and how will you make this eventuate and by when? 

Will you support a foreshore development that attracts more tourists to Yeppoon and Capricorn Coast? 

What is your vision for Central Queensland after the resource boom ends?

Will you actively push for a high school at Gracemere?

This list is not comprehensive.  If LNP do win as predicted, no doubt we will hear how the States financial position was worse then they were led to believe.  Due to this they’ll advise they have to review the timeline on the delivery of their commitments (political speak for ‘we won’t be delivering on all of our promises’).  We need to push, remind, champion the promises made for CQ.  So let’s get them in writing and have them published.  We don’t just want to hear of the bright future politicians see for CQ, let’s read of the future they will create for CQ and by when.