Cathy O'Toole (Herbert, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I stand here today to warn this out of touch LNP government that there better not be any cuts to my community in this budget. Townsville has had enough of the cuts and chaos created by this government. I have listed a few demands that I want to let the government know need to be in the budget. First, reverse the $8.9 million cuts to Townsville hospital and health services. Second, reverse the millions of dollars in cuts to Townsville public schools and match Labor's $23.5 million. Third, match Labor's $4.1 million commitment to The Oasis Townsville—a hub that will support serving members, veterans, ex-serving members and their families before, during and after transition to civilian life. Fourth, match Labor's $200 million for hydropower on the Burdekin Falls Dam. If this government can fund Snowy Hydro in the south, then they can fund Burdekin hydro in the north. Fifth, match Labor's commitment to increase naval ship maintenance at the Townsville port—a new industry and hundreds of local jobs. Sixth, stop the LNP attack on the public sector and reverse the 200 ATO, 50 Defence and 19 CSIRO job cuts and match Labor's commitment of 200 jobs for the Department of Human Services. Seventh, reverse the cuts to TAFE and the cuts of $36 million to James Cook University and $38 million to Central Queensland University. My community will act on election day if these demands are not met. I will fight tooth and nail for local jobs.