If a standard response is all that’s required, then the Premier can expect a flood of “standard responses” to her substandard reactions to the issues worrying voters, writes Madonna King
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Hit C for cut and V for paste to deliver the “standard response” to any of the dozens of media statements the Premier and her ballooning army of media advisers generate each week.
Cost of Living
Premier’s announcement (May 30, 2023): Our upcoming State Budget is focused on one thing: easing the national cost of living pressures impacting Queenslanders. We’re giving eligible families $150 vouchers to help pay for potentially lifesaving swimming lessons. There’s more cost of living relief to come – so stay tuned.
Standard response: Premier, we tuned in eight years ago and are tired of listening. You’ve promised this before. Will we see anything before the next election?
Additional facts/questions if required: Electricity bills have jumped by one third in recent months, housing costs by more than 5 percent. If we are lucky enough to nab a $150 voucher, can we use it on heating, not swimming?
Housing
Premier’s announcement (May 22, 2023): A key outcome of our Housing Summit was to investigate government-owned sites where we can quickly deliver housing. Our audit found 27 parcels of land of one hectare and over in Brisbane, Bundaberg, Fraser Coast, Gold Coast, Logan, Maranoa, Moreton Bay, Noosa and Townsville.
Standard response: Premier, you’ve been in power for eight years and only just discovered you own 30 big blocks of unused land? Will we see them used before the next election?
Additional facts/questions if required: Will they be built as public housing or sold to developers? Will they be flood-free? Are they readily accessible to water, sewage and public transport?
Homelessness
Palaszczuk Government’s announcement (April 6, 2023): Eight new tiny homes will be built and transported to Gympie for temporary housing. They are due to be installed later this year. The eight “tiny” factory-built homes will head up the Bruce Highway to help address housing pressures.
Standard response: Premier, you’ve been in power for eight years and the best you can offer is handful of “tiny” homes to reduce demand?
Additional facts/questions if required: 50,000 Queenslanders are on the waiting list for social housing. And then there are those sleeping in cars, tents and under bridges. Most aren’t in Gympie. What’s the plan for “tiny homes” to head their way too? And can we know when you are travelling up the Bruce Highway; it’s already a nightmare journey!
Youth Crime
Premiers announcement (May 20, 2023): Police officers and Youth Justice workers are hitting the streets together to help reduce youth crime in Toowoomba. They are patrolling the city around the clock, engaging with young people at risk of offending at local park and shopping centres, on the street or in their homes. It’s a model that’s proven to work, helping to prevent crime before it happens – while making sure offenders are held to account.
Standard response: Premier, you’ve been in power eight years and the concern about youth crime keeps rising. Please read the room as it’s hard to believe this will fix a crisis enveloping country and city voters across the state where voters expect you to keep them safe.
Additional facts/questions if needed: How many extra police officers and youth justice workers are “hitting the streets” of Toowoomba? What is the proof of this model working? And if that’ the case, why has it taken so long? Townsville, Cairns, parts of Brisbane and Rockhampton all need a solution too. How much has crime in Toowoomba dropped as a result of this?
Vaping
Premier’s announcement (May 27, 2023): Tests on popular vapes have revealed staggering amounts of nicotine plus chemicals including arsenic and formaldehyde. I asked for tests to be performed amid concern consumers are unaware what vapes contain. These test results should make those people think again.
Standard response: Premier, you’ve been in power eight years. Don’t you remember your previous warnings around vaping? It has grown as a health hazard entirely on your watch.
Additional facts/questions if required: Your own Health Department warned five years ago – in August 2018 – against vaping, based on the ingredients. That warning even remains on the Government’s website. This time will you listen to your own advice, and make a decision?
Health
Premier’s announcement (May 13, 2023. 7.18pm) Queensland’s new Health Minister has hit the ground running, meeting with nurses, midwives, doctors and patients at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. I am absolutely focused on delivering the best possible healthcare for Queenslanders.
Standard response: Premier, you’ve been in power for eight years. When did you begin to “absolutely focus” on delivering the “best possible healthcare” for Queenslanders?
Additional facts/questions if required: Do you know that more than half those seeking mental health support have now been waiting more than three months? Why has the number of patients waiting longer than recommended to see a specialist increased more than 150 percent? Why is ambulance ramping getting worse? Why are new hospitals running late or over budget? Why are women scared to have babies in hospitals you fund? (The questions here are numerous, and may involve several pages).
NOTE TO VOTERS 1: Similar standard responses can be massaged in relation to a plethora of other topics, like the Olympic Games, mobile phones in schools, education in general, transparence and accountability, policing and business incentives.
NOTE TO VOTERS 2: Handle the standard responses with care as there is a real risk they may be read more widely.
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