Latest news with #LiberalNationalParty
The Age
4 days ago
- Business
- The Age
Queensland to stump up $600m to ease homelessness crisis
Queensland has announced it will invest hundreds of millions of dollars into crisis accommodation and homelessness services, amid cries that the state is whittling down support for rough sleepers. Housing Minister Sam O'Connor said the funding totalled almost $600 million over four years, and would include an extra 20 per cent for specialist homelessness services, and $365 million for emergency accommodation. 'This is both our hotel and motel accommodations, where we have thousands of vulnerable Queenslanders staying at the moment because there's nowhere else for them to go,' O'Connor told reporters after giving the keynote speech at the National Homelessness Conference on Tuesday. 'It's also more than doubling our headleasing program … where we will take a lease out on a private market property and will help support the tenant to have a safe and secure place to call home while we find them a more permanent, longer-term solution.' The announcement came a week before the Liberal National Party was set to deliver its first Queensland budget since Premier David Crisafulli took power in October. Loading It also follows announcements last week that public housing tenants would face a 'three strikes and you're out' rule if found to have breached the terms of their tenancy, and that social housing tenants earning over the income thresholds would face eviction. Meanwhile, people sleeping rough in Brisbane's CBD have faced increased uncertainty after moves to remove tents from public parks in the wake of Cyclone Alfred. Asked whether it was too difficult for vulnerable Queenslanders to access crisis accommodation, O'Connor said new rules that came into effect this year made the policy 'more targeted'.
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Queensland to stump up $600m to ease homelessness crisis
Queensland has announced it will invest hundreds of millions of dollars into crisis accommodation and homelessness services, amid cries that the state is whittling down support for rough sleepers. Housing Minister Sam O'Connor said the funding totalled almost $600 million over four years, and would include an extra 20 per cent for specialist homelessness services, and $365 million for emergency accommodation. 'This is both our hotel and motel accommodations, where we have thousands of vulnerable Queenslanders staying at the moment because there's nowhere else for them to go,' O'Connor told reporters after giving the keynote speech at the National Homelessness Conference on Tuesday. 'It's also more than doubling our headleasing program … where we will take a lease out on a private market property and will help support the tenant to have a safe and secure place to call home while we find them a more permanent, longer-term solution.' The announcement came a week before the Liberal National Party was set to deliver its first Queensland budget since Premier David Crisafulli took power in October. Loading It also follows announcements last week that public housing tenants would face a 'three strikes and you're out' rule if found to have breached the terms of their tenancy, and that social housing tenants earning over the income thresholds would face eviction. Meanwhile, people sleeping rough in Brisbane's CBD have faced increased uncertainty after moves to remove tents from public parks in the wake of Cyclone Alfred. Asked whether it was too difficult for vulnerable Queenslanders to access crisis accommodation, O'Connor said new rules that came into effect this year made the policy 'more targeted'.
Epoch Times
26-05-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
Queensland LNP Government Axes $1 Billion Wind Farm Project
Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie has cancelled a $1 billion (US$650 million) wind farm project in his state citing lack of community support. The Liberal National Party (LNP) government brought the curtain down on the Moonlight Range Wind Farm on May 26 a project located 40 kilometres north-west of the central city of Rockhampton. The state government said it received 550 submissions during a public consultation process on the project, with 85 percent calling for its application to be reviewed. Deputy Premier Bleijie's decision comes amid 'Queenslanders deserve to have a say on any major development in their local community, which is why our government introduced new nation-leading laws to give them a voice on issues that impact the future of their towns,' he said in a statement. 'Today's announcement highlights how these laws are already helping to level the playing field by ensuring councils and communities have a seat at the decision-making table. Related Stories 2/2/2025 11/2/2024 'For too long Queensland communities were ignored by Labor's failed laws, which shut them out of the approvals process for renewable energy projects proposed to be built in their backyard.' Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie (L) and Premier David Crisafulli arrive to talk to media after being sworn in at Government House in Brisbane, Australia, on Oct. 28, 2024. AAP Image/Jono Searle Liberal National MP Glen Kelly, whose Mirani electorate includes the project site, said the decision was great news for locals. 'Today is a great day for the Mirani electorate,' 'I've stood shoulder to shoulder with our communities from the start, raising serious concerns about the lack of consultation and the completely inappropriate location of this project.' Moonlight Range's cancellation comes three months after the The government has also introduced new rules and requirements for any approval, effectively making it more challenging for wind turbine developments to receive the green light. The Moonlight Range Wind Farm Project The proposed Moonlight Range included plans for up to 88 wind turbines and a battery energy storage system. It was estimated that the project would cover a total area of 1,269 hectares, including 434 hectares of vegetation. However, Kelly has claimed that Moonlight Range would need 741 hectares of native vegetation to be cleared and for mountain tops to be blasted flat to install the turbines. According to project developer The company estimated that the project would create around 300 jobs during peak construction and employ up to 10 permanent full-time staff upon completion. Photo of land clearing and preparation for the Clarke Creek wind farm in central Queensland, Australia. Courtesy of Steven Nowakowski A Mixed Signal to the Clean Energy Sector: Environmental Group The Queensland Conservation Council (QCC), an environmental advocacy organisation, said the axing of the Moonlight Range Wind Farm sent a mixed signal to the sector. 'Queensland's ageing coal power stations were offline a staggering 78 times over the last summer period,' QCC senior campaigner 'We simply cannot afford to rely on these unreliable generators that drive up power prices when they break down. 'The message from the electorate at the federal election was crystal clear: Australians support renewable energy and climate action.' The Epoch Times has reached out to Queensland Energy Minister David Janetzki and Greenleaf Renewables for additional comment.
The Advertiser
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Hits keep coming for Liberals as party seeks revival
State and federal Liberals face a mission to restore trust in the party's brand after enduring setbacks on multiple fronts. As the federal party picks itself off the canvas after a thumping election defeat, the hits keep coming in key states. Predictions that Victoria would swing hard to the coalition on the back of anger at unpopular Labor premier Jacinta Allan proved wildly off the mark. And the state Liberals on Friday again hit the headlines for the wrong reasons when former opposition leader John Pesutto was ordered to pay $2.3 million in costs after defaming first-term MP Moira Deeming. The scale of the final bill has raised internal fears about Mr Pesutto's ability to pay, with MPs ineligible to sit in Victorian parliament if they declare bankruptcy. Further north, the embattled NSW division of the party and a former state director are being sued over bungled council nominations that left more than 140 candidates off ballots in 2024. The party missed the deadline to nominate candidates for local elections. Those left off ballots included sitting councillors in party heartland such as Sydney's northern beaches, where Tony Abbott and Bronwyn Bishop enjoyed long reigns as federal MPs. In South Australia, the Liberals are at long odds to return to government at the 2026 election after being reduced to 13 lower house seats. And it's an even bleaker outlook in Western Australia where the state Liberals recently lost a third-straight election and face a battle to win power at the next poll. Hopes of a nation-wide revival had been high in 2024 when Queensland's Liberal National Party and the Northern Territory's Country Liberal Party both won elections and the federal coalition led in the polls. The Tasmanian Liberal government retained power in 2024 but the island state's premier Jeremy Rockliff has faced set backs since, including the loss of two senior ministers including his deputy premier, forcing a reshuffle. Support for the party has plummeted among millennial and Gen Z voters, many of whom have turned to minor parties or independents. At a federal level, the party hopes to win back female voters under the leadership of Sussan Ley. "The number of women supporting us is declining and I want to rule the line under that," Ms Ley said after prevailing in a leadership contest. State and federal Liberals face a mission to restore trust in the party's brand after enduring setbacks on multiple fronts. As the federal party picks itself off the canvas after a thumping election defeat, the hits keep coming in key states. Predictions that Victoria would swing hard to the coalition on the back of anger at unpopular Labor premier Jacinta Allan proved wildly off the mark. And the state Liberals on Friday again hit the headlines for the wrong reasons when former opposition leader John Pesutto was ordered to pay $2.3 million in costs after defaming first-term MP Moira Deeming. The scale of the final bill has raised internal fears about Mr Pesutto's ability to pay, with MPs ineligible to sit in Victorian parliament if they declare bankruptcy. Further north, the embattled NSW division of the party and a former state director are being sued over bungled council nominations that left more than 140 candidates off ballots in 2024. The party missed the deadline to nominate candidates for local elections. Those left off ballots included sitting councillors in party heartland such as Sydney's northern beaches, where Tony Abbott and Bronwyn Bishop enjoyed long reigns as federal MPs. In South Australia, the Liberals are at long odds to return to government at the 2026 election after being reduced to 13 lower house seats. And it's an even bleaker outlook in Western Australia where the state Liberals recently lost a third-straight election and face a battle to win power at the next poll. Hopes of a nation-wide revival had been high in 2024 when Queensland's Liberal National Party and the Northern Territory's Country Liberal Party both won elections and the federal coalition led in the polls. The Tasmanian Liberal government retained power in 2024 but the island state's premier Jeremy Rockliff has faced set backs since, including the loss of two senior ministers including his deputy premier, forcing a reshuffle. Support for the party has plummeted among millennial and Gen Z voters, many of whom have turned to minor parties or independents. At a federal level, the party hopes to win back female voters under the leadership of Sussan Ley. "The number of women supporting us is declining and I want to rule the line under that," Ms Ley said after prevailing in a leadership contest. State and federal Liberals face a mission to restore trust in the party's brand after enduring setbacks on multiple fronts. As the federal party picks itself off the canvas after a thumping election defeat, the hits keep coming in key states. Predictions that Victoria would swing hard to the coalition on the back of anger at unpopular Labor premier Jacinta Allan proved wildly off the mark. And the state Liberals on Friday again hit the headlines for the wrong reasons when former opposition leader John Pesutto was ordered to pay $2.3 million in costs after defaming first-term MP Moira Deeming. The scale of the final bill has raised internal fears about Mr Pesutto's ability to pay, with MPs ineligible to sit in Victorian parliament if they declare bankruptcy. Further north, the embattled NSW division of the party and a former state director are being sued over bungled council nominations that left more than 140 candidates off ballots in 2024. The party missed the deadline to nominate candidates for local elections. Those left off ballots included sitting councillors in party heartland such as Sydney's northern beaches, where Tony Abbott and Bronwyn Bishop enjoyed long reigns as federal MPs. In South Australia, the Liberals are at long odds to return to government at the 2026 election after being reduced to 13 lower house seats. And it's an even bleaker outlook in Western Australia where the state Liberals recently lost a third-straight election and face a battle to win power at the next poll. Hopes of a nation-wide revival had been high in 2024 when Queensland's Liberal National Party and the Northern Territory's Country Liberal Party both won elections and the federal coalition led in the polls. The Tasmanian Liberal government retained power in 2024 but the island state's premier Jeremy Rockliff has faced set backs since, including the loss of two senior ministers including his deputy premier, forcing a reshuffle. Support for the party has plummeted among millennial and Gen Z voters, many of whom have turned to minor parties or independents. At a federal level, the party hopes to win back female voters under the leadership of Sussan Ley. "The number of women supporting us is declining and I want to rule the line under that," Ms Ley said after prevailing in a leadership contest. State and federal Liberals face a mission to restore trust in the party's brand after enduring setbacks on multiple fronts. As the federal party picks itself off the canvas after a thumping election defeat, the hits keep coming in key states. Predictions that Victoria would swing hard to the coalition on the back of anger at unpopular Labor premier Jacinta Allan proved wildly off the mark. And the state Liberals on Friday again hit the headlines for the wrong reasons when former opposition leader John Pesutto was ordered to pay $2.3 million in costs after defaming first-term MP Moira Deeming. The scale of the final bill has raised internal fears about Mr Pesutto's ability to pay, with MPs ineligible to sit in Victorian parliament if they declare bankruptcy. Further north, the embattled NSW division of the party and a former state director are being sued over bungled council nominations that left more than 140 candidates off ballots in 2024. The party missed the deadline to nominate candidates for local elections. Those left off ballots included sitting councillors in party heartland such as Sydney's northern beaches, where Tony Abbott and Bronwyn Bishop enjoyed long reigns as federal MPs. In South Australia, the Liberals are at long odds to return to government at the 2026 election after being reduced to 13 lower house seats. And it's an even bleaker outlook in Western Australia where the state Liberals recently lost a third-straight election and face a battle to win power at the next poll. Hopes of a nation-wide revival had been high in 2024 when Queensland's Liberal National Party and the Northern Territory's Country Liberal Party both won elections and the federal coalition led in the polls. The Tasmanian Liberal government retained power in 2024 but the island state's premier Jeremy Rockliff has faced set backs since, including the loss of two senior ministers including his deputy premier, forcing a reshuffle. Support for the party has plummeted among millennial and Gen Z voters, many of whom have turned to minor parties or independents. At a federal level, the party hopes to win back female voters under the leadership of Sussan Ley. "The number of women supporting us is declining and I want to rule the line under that," Ms Ley said after prevailing in a leadership contest.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hits keep coming for Liberals as party seeks revival
State and federal Liberals face a mission to restore trust in the party's brand after enduring setbacks on multiple fronts. As the federal party picks itself off the canvas after a thumping election defeat, the hits keep coming in key states. Predictions that Victoria would swing hard to the coalition on the back of anger at unpopular Labor premier Jacinta Allan proved wildly off the mark. And the state Liberals on Friday again hit the headlines for the wrong reasons when former opposition leader John Pesutto was ordered to pay $2.3 million in costs after defaming first-term MP Moira Deeming. The scale of the final bill has raised internal fears about Mr Pesutto's ability to pay, with MPs ineligible to sit in Victorian parliament if they declare bankruptcy. Further north, the embattled NSW division of the party and a former state director are being sued over bungled council nominations that left more than 140 candidates off ballots in 2024. The party missed the deadline to nominate candidates for local elections. Those left off ballots included sitting councillors in party heartland such as Sydney's northern beaches, where Tony Abbott and Bronwyn Bishop enjoyed long reigns as federal MPs. In South Australia, the Liberals are at long odds to return to government at the 2026 election after being reduced to 13 lower house seats. And it's an even bleaker outlook in Western Australia where the state Liberals recently lost a third-straight election and face a battle to win power at the next poll. Hopes of a nation-wide revival had been high in 2024 when Queensland's Liberal National Party and the Northern Territory's Country Liberal Party both won elections and the federal coalition led in the polls. The Tasmanian Liberal government retained power in 2024 but the island state's premier Jeremy Rockliff has faced set backs since, including the loss of two senior ministers including his deputy premier, forcing a reshuffle. Support for the party has plummeted among millennial and Gen Z voters, many of whom have turned to minor parties or independents. At a federal level, the party hopes to win back female voters under the leadership of Sussan Ley. "The number of women supporting us is declining and I want to rule the line under that," Ms Ley said after prevailing in a leadership contest.
