Scott Buchholz (Wright, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In Queensland, at this very moment, the state election is underway. Within my great seat of Wright, I've had the privilege of working with a number of LNP MPs, including John Krause, Ros Bates, Jim McDonald and Mark Boothman. All have worked hard to achieve much for our shared communities.

However Queensland, once the state of opportunity, has been led astray by the Palaszczuk-Miles Labor government after a decade in power. Here in my community crime is rampant; ambulance ramping is at record highs, and that ramping is affecting people in my community; housing shortages have driven up rents and property prices; and in Queensland the cost of living is rising faster than anywhere else in Australia. Labor has squandered our state's potential, creating a crisis without offering any solutions.

When I'm out on the ground with our LNP state team, we hear from all of our local residents. They're voicing their concerns at town halls, at crime forums, at small-business meetings and through community engagements. People are calling for real change. The LNP has listened and has crafted the right plan for Queensland's future. This plan aims to restore safety, improve access to health services, make housing more affordable by addressing the supply issues and ensure that strong, prudent financial responsibility is restored in the state. The LNP is ready to reimagine government and returning Queensland to its full potential. The time for Labor's failures is over.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish the best of luck to our incumbent state members, including the member for Mudgeeraba, Ros Bates; the member for Theodore, Mark Boothman; member for Scenic Rim, Jon Krause; and member for Lockyer, Jim McDonald. I'd also like to acknowledge the LNP candidates in my electorate that have a tough job in front of them, but who are working hard and are on the ground every day to earn the trust and the support of the communities they are asking to represent: Kevin Burns, the LNP candidate for Jordan; Mathew Owens, the LNP candidate for Logan; Jitendra Prasad, the LNP candidate for Algester; and Bianca Stone, the LNP candidate for Gaven.

I have a very clear message for my community: only by changing the government in Queensland can we get our state back on track. And you can only have a change of government if you vote for LNP. If you vote for an independent or for minor parties, it's not a vote for change; it will be a vote for the same government. Voting for independents and minor parties is simply a vote for another four years of Steven Miles and Labor. We simply can't afford another four years of hard labour in Queensland. The LNP stands ready with a team, a fresh start, the right plan and the solutions for Queensland. (Time expired)