Amanda Stoker (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

The budget we have received tonight is an important one for the Australian people, but it was made possible because of the excellent economic management of this government before the COVID virus hit and because of the strong and decisive leadership of the Morrison government post-COVID. It recognises that the best way to pay off a nation's debt is to grow the economy and that the best way to do that is to promote investment, to invest in infrastructure and to leverage more investment from Australians in the businesses and jobs that are needed for economic recovery.

But it is with great sadness that I say that right now Queensland does not have that same kind of leadership. Queensland had the worst unemployment rate well before the COVID virus hit. It had the highest debt of any state government in the country before the COVID virus hit. It lacked leadership. It was just lazy and populist politics every day of the week. But there's an opportunity to change that coming up very soon, and that is by electing a majority LNP government on 31 October.

To get that, Queenslanders must vote 1 for the LNP. What history tells us time and time again is that having a flutter with the minor parties simply delivers a Labor-Greens minority government. Don't risk it, there's no time for that. Going into the end of this month, nine seats are needed for the LNP to win government—and it doesn't need to be just any; it can be more, that's fine! There are many great candidates from our side, right across the state. I am hugely proud that there are now more than 20 outstanding female candidates that have been selected by the LNP to go into this election. They were selected on merit. They were selected because of the attributes they bring, from quality life experience, to the job. They are ready and rearing to go, and they are already working hard in their local communities to contribute. So I thought I would mention a few of them who are really very impressive. In Gaven we have Kirsten Jackson—a mum, a business owner, someone who understands the daily challenges faced by small businesses. And boy, is she a stark contrast to the political hack incumbent! The incumbent was handed the plum assistant ministry for tourism but has absolutely abandoned Gold Coast tourism operators during their time of need, when COVID has meant they are most in need. Kirsten Jackson has a passion for the industries and people that make the Gold Coast great.

In Springwood we have Kirrily Boulton running for the LNP against yet another Labor union hack turned underwhelming minister whose greatest achievement this term was not being sacked for blatantly misusing taxpayer funds in the way members opposite have complained about so much in the past—