(February 21, 2015) – Aftermath.
(February 20, 2015) – Tropical Cyclone Marcia lands,
(February 19, 2015) – Newman lashes out.
(February 18, 2015) – Health of the state.
(February 17, 2015) – Meeting with business and union leaders.
(February 16, 2015) – More experienced.
Summary
A busy first week for new Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. She saw the swearing in of her 14 member cabinet which included 8 women, the highest proportion in Queensland’s political history. She met with both business and union leaders in an effort to encourage the two groups to work together to reduce Queensland’s high trend unemployment rate of 6.5 percent. (For more statistical analysis of the jobless rate, see our No Fibs coverage, “January 2015 Qld trend unemployment falls to 6.5pc”.)
A quick tour of one of the hospitals was her last engagement before Tropical Cyclone Marcia took hold and she found herself suddenly transformed into former Premier Anna Bligh.
Liberal National Party Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg and team spent the first week in opposition complaining and warning against the reduced government ministry size from nineteen to fourteen. They argued that ministers would not be able to handle multiple portfolios such as Kate Jones, who has been sworn in as Minister for Education, Tourism, Major Events and Small Business and the Commonwealth Games. However, due to parliamentary rules, the LNP would only be paid for a 14 strong shadow cabinet to match. According to the “Legislative assembly of Queensland – Members’ remuneration handbook”, the salary for “Opposition Spokesperson” is an extra $57,578 on top of the standard MP pay of $148,848. If they kept their nineteen member team from the Newman Government, it would mean five members would miss out on the additional salary. As the cyclone raged on the Queensland coast, they eventually decided to supply fourteen paid shadow ministers and five volunteers, perhaps hopeful of a failure in the Palaszczuk administration that would see additional ministers needing to be sworn in.
(February 21, 2015) – Aftermath
A crushing win at Stafford triggered Labor’s rise
- Paul Syvret writes, “Labor’s team struggled to believe the numbers. As the state election rolled into the last week of the campaign, veteran strategist and former party secretary Mike Kaiser sums up the disbelief”: The ALP’s campaign to win in 2015 began in earnest after the LNP’s crushing loss in the Stafford by-election.
Damage – Rockhampton
ABC News Qld: Rockhampton resident heartbroken over damage from TC Marcia.
Residents at Jambin Sth of Rockhampton evacuate as Callide Dam overflows after cycloneMarcia #7NewsQ @7NewsBrisbane pic.twitter.com/R0H0AjQiJs
— Kim Skubris (@Kim_Skubris7) February 21, 2015
@AnnastaciaMP getting briefed at the local disaster management centre in Rockhampton #TCMarcia @abcnews pic.twitter.com/sQJLNHzywR
— Louisa Rebgetz (@louisarebgetz) February 21, 2015
Damage – Yeppoon
- ABC Rural reports, “Queensland farmers from Yeppoon in Central Queensland to the Sunshine Coast are assessing the damage from ex-Tropical Cyclone Marcia”: Callide Dam management angers farmers as cyclone flooding and damage assessments continue in Queensland.
7 News Brisbane: TC Marcia’s destructive path – Premier Palaszczuk visits Yeppoon,
ABC News Qld: T C Marcia’s damage revealed in Yeppoon.
Premier @AnnastaciaMP "It is horrific what these people have gone through.. We now need the Army's help." @tennewsqld pic.twitter.com/U74kqiUocf
— Kristina Costalos (@kcostalos) February 21, 2015
Preparations – Gympie
Gympie business owners pack up shop ahead of expected #flooding tomorrow morning @tennewsqld #TCMarcia pic.twitter.com/xQTkZUD0QZ
— Tegan George (@tegangeorge) February 21, 2015
Despite all the rain, drought continues
“@organiclambman: Dam has just gone dry. Moved cattle to water. If only the cyclone came to the West. #drought pic.twitter.com/skw55RyfC9”
— Tegan George (@tegangeorge) February 21, 2015
Getting the message out in sign language
QFES: Premier Palaszczuk’s sign language interpreter Mark Cave talks about Auslan.
ADF deployment
ABC News 24: 700 Australian Defence personnel will be dispatched to aid in clean-up from TC Marcia.
Water, water, everywhere
Thanks for stopping to chat Mr Surfer. We may have caught him when his board and ego were a little damaged #7NewsQ pic.twitter.com/yxLvGUjGxB
— Kendall Gilding (@Kendall_Gilding) February 20, 2015
Homes at Burpengary swamped with water which is still rising. Residents looking on @7newsbrisbane #7newsq pic.twitter.com/nK3qLBBiFI
— Amber Austin-Wright (@AmberAW) February 21, 2015
Mary River expected to peak at 17m tomorrow morning. Kidd Bridge in Gympie already under @tennewsqld pic.twitter.com/tBavQq0z8G
— Tegan George (@tegangeorge) February 21, 2015
Great shot @_seqwater showing dam releases from Somerset into Wivenhoe. No releases needed from Wivenhoe. #TCMarcia pic.twitter.com/rZG898dkur
— Alison Ariotti (@AlisonAriotti) February 21, 2015
(February 20, 2015) – Tropical Cyclone Marcia lands
TC Marcia hits as a category five
- Joshua Robertson reports, “Insurers declare event a catastrophe and state premier says residents have been through a terrifying experience after category five cyclone crossed the coast”: Cyclone Marcia wreaks damage along Queensland coast.
- ABC News Qld reports, “As Cyclone Marcia batters Queensland, residents in the path of the storm share their experiences”: Explore storm’s impact across Queensland.
9 News Brisbane and Ten News Qld: TC Marcia leaves trail of destruction across Qld.
ABC Newsl Qld: Relocating endangered baby loggerhead turtles from TC Marcia.
WATCH: If you missed our @channeltennews story on #TCMarcia tonight, here it is….
Sharknado?
Fairfax: Did Tropical Cyclone Marcia create a Sharknado?
Lennox Head locals wake to their own 'Sharknado' experience. http://t.co/yn2tngPify #TCMarcia #9News pic.twitter.com/Fgj85OFukm
— Nine News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) February 20, 2015
recent rainfall stirring up bull sharks in Gold Coast canals (Photo credit Espen Hjalmby) #TCMarcia #CycloneMarcia pic.twitter.com/9P9X6HG8rt
— Bridget Judd (@BridgetJuneJudd) February 20, 2015
Cow paddocks have turned into swimming pools #bigwet #TCMarcia #seqwater pic.twitter.com/LreFTlch6N
— Bridget Judd (@BridgetJuneJudd) February 20, 2015
LNP names shadow cabinet
Lawrence Springborg took advantage of the wet weather to announce his shadow cabinet. As the Palaszczuk ministry will only contain 14 members, the opposition can only be paid for 14 “Opposition Spokespersons”.
- Brisbane times reports, “The Queensland opposition has unveiled a 19-strong shadow ministry, staying true to its intention to outnumber the Labor government’s streamlined cabinet”: Former Queensland Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney misses out on seat in LNP’s shadow cabinet.
- Melinda Howells reports, “The Liberal National Party’s loss at last month’s Queensland election has prompted a shakeup of the party’s frontbench”: Lawrence Springborg unveils new shadow cabinet for Liberal National Party (LNP).
New LNP shadow cabinet released today #qldpol pic.twitter.com/wr7IEe7A9i
— Melinda Howells (@MelindaHowells) February 20, 2015
(February 19, 2015) – Newman lashes out
Tropical Cyclone Marcia approaches Yeppoon
A happy ending! Vicki & Faye have been rescued! They were in tears. Before chugging down a glass of white @tennewsqld pic.twitter.com/IESD1i1Yw8
— Kristina Costalos (@kcostalos) February 20, 2015
Garage doors getting smashed by #TCMarcia #Yeppoon pic.twitter.com/pln4BlALKN
— Marlina Whop (@MarlinaWhop) February 20, 2015
Yeppoon update. Room flooding. Rain intense. Winds powerful. #TCMarcia @channeltennews pic.twitter.com/XZ0h9Tps7B
— Kristina Costalos (@kcostalos) February 19, 2015
LNG expansion questioned
- Jake Sturmer reports, “Top experts are warning of significant scientific uncertainties arising from a massive coal seam gas expansion proposal in Queensland”: Santos LNG expansion: Independent Expert Scientific Committee report sounds warning over Queensland coal seam gas plans.
Newman blames everyone but himself
- Madonna King writes, “Campbell Newman’s public silence is deafening. But he’s been anything but silent behind closed doors. Friends, former colleagues and current LNP MPs paint a picture of a fallen leader who refuses to believe voters turned against him – despite the findings of an internal investigation”: Campbell Newman blames colleagues for election loss.
Victoria may need to compensate QIC
- Jean Edwards reports, “The Victorian Government could be forced to pay the Queensland Government’s investment arm millions of dollars for ripping up the contract for Melbourne’s East West Link”: East West Link: Victoria may need to compensate Queensland Government.
We understand the issue involving QIC & East West link but this front page is just bizarre. #qldpol #springst pic.twitter.com/FOPSD65VDy
— David Marler (@Qldaah) February 19, 2015
(February 18, 2015) – Health of the state
Cyclone Marcia on approach
.@AnnastaciaMP & Disaster Management Committee prepare 4 briefing as #CycloneMarcia approaches @tennewsqld #qldpol pic.twitter.com/1CUEhVlDAL
— Tegan George (@tegangeorge) February 18, 2015
Women in power? What next?
- Rebecca Shaw writes, “The state of Queensland has just accomplished something that had not previously been done in Australian history”: What’s ‘wrong’ with this picture?
Vanguard Health awarded medical contract without tender
- Mark Solomons and Mark Willacy report, “A private health company with links to the Liberal National Party (LNP) won a multi-million-dollar medical contract last year without a tender, amid serious concerns about the integrity of the process and poor value for taxpayers”: Health company with LNP links, Vanguard Health, won multi-million-dollar medical contract without tender.
Hospital guarantee
- Tony Moore reports, “There were still 229,737 people waiting for an outpatient specialist appointment in Queensland on January 1 2015”: Surgery wait time guarantee defended as 230,000 wait for appointments in Queensland.
- Tony Moore reports, “Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has put the previous LNP government’s “Wait Time Guarantee” for Queensland hospitals under the funding microscope”: Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk puts surgery waiting list promise under scrutiny.
.@AnnastaciaMP & Health Min @camerondickqld touring PA Hospital @tennewsqld #qldpol pic.twitter.com/Y4IT7OZU69
— Tegan George (@tegangeorge) February 18, 2015
Economic hardship sees trucking companies close
- Eliza Rogers reports, “Up to 20 high-profile trucking businesses based in Queensland have folded in the past 18 months”: Economic slowdown forces truck company closures in Queensland.
Tony Abbott returns to Queensland
- Kim Stephens reports, “For all but one of the 26 days of last month’s Queensland election campaign, Prime Minister Tony Abbott was conspicuously absent from the state”: Tony Abbott visits Queensland, says his government cares for state.
Department of Transport corruption
- Kristian Silva reports, “The alleged mastermind of a fake Queensland drivers’ licence scam was a worker at the state’s Department of Main Roads and Transport, the Crime and Corruption Commission says”: Former Queensland transport worker allegedly ran fake licence scam.
No monkeys for Pirates of the Caribbean 5
- Matt Eaton reports, “Animal rights groups are urging the Federal Government to ban the importation of two capuchin monkeys for use in Pirates of the Caribbean 5”: Pirates of the Caribbean 5: Government urged to reject monkey imports for Johnny Depp film on Queensland’s Gold Coast.
Outbreak of hoppers
- Allyson Horn reports, “An explosion in the grasshopper population has been wreaking havoc for farmers across Queensland”: Grasshopper ‘plague’ brings more misery to Queensland farmers.
Gold Coast surfing reserve
- ABC News Qld reports, “Gold Coast surfers want the southern tip of South Stradbroke Island to be classified as a World Surfing Reserve”: Push for World Surfing Reserve off south Stradbroke Island.
MPs in training
New MPs @QLDLabor @LNPQLD at Parliament House to learn the ropes @abcnews #qldpol pic.twitter.com/qok4Cjdu31
— Chris O'Brien (@COBrienBris) February 17, 2015
(February 17, 2015) – Meeting with business and union leaders
- Stefan Armbruster reports, “Few Queenslanders knew much about the state’s new Premier, or even how to spell her name at the start of the year. But now, Annastacia Palaszczuk is a Labor hero”: From Pala-who? to premier: the rise and rise of Annastacia Palaszczuk.
Union leaders on their way into Parliament House for meeting with Premier @AnnastaciaMP #qldpol pic.twitter.com/VsVEjpeMf0
— QCU (@TheQCU) February 17, 2015
.@AnnastaciaMP addressing a business & industry forum at Parliament House @tennewsqld #qldpol pic.twitter.com/lO3ecy6ZyM
— Tegan George (@tegangeorge) February 17, 2015
Premier Palaszcuk re: debt "Previous Labor Govt didn't just borrow $$ to tear it up & burn it" @tennewsqld #qldpol pic.twitter.com/lBGrX1bgAl
— Tegan George (@tegangeorge) February 17, 2015
Day one just-sworn government sits down with business and industry groups #9News #qldpol pic.twitter.com/lUtLEMJmsg
— Shane Doherty (@ShaneDoherty9) February 17, 2015
Ferny Grove fallout
- Tony Moore reports, “Queensland Police are investigating fraud allegations against a Palmer United Party candidate who stood as a candidate at the 2015 state election while he was a bankrupt”: Palmer United Party candidate Mark Taverner faces electoral fraud probe: police.
LNP returns to Opposition
- Cameron Atfield reports, “Queensland’s shadow ministry is set to be more than a quarter larger than the Palaszczuk cabinet, following the Liberal National Party MPs’ endorsement of a 18 or 19-strong alternative executive”: LNP return to business as Queensland Opposition.
7 News Brisbane: “I have a grown-up family”: Jann Stuckey takes swipe at Kate Jones over Commonwealth Games.
#qldpol Qld MP salary rates and additional salary rates: https://t.co/XR8B7JPcN0 pic.twitter.com/U0OdzxZCqu
— David Marler (@Qldaah) February 17, 2015
Royal Commission into organised crime and VLAD laws review
- Brisbane times reports, “A royal commission into organised crime in Queensland will be much broader than just covering bikies, the Attorney-General says. Yvette D’Ath says the new Labor government’s top legal priorities would be holding the inquiry into organised crime and having a high-level taskforce review the previous government’s anti-bikie laws”: Queensland crime inquiry to go beyond bikies, says Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath.
- Nance Haxton reports, “The new Queensland Attorney-General, Yvette D’Ath, already has the State’s anti-bikie laws in her sights”: Queensland Attorney-General to replace anti-bikie laws.
612 ABC Brisbane: Attorney-General announces review of VLAD laws & a Royal Commission into organised crime.
(February 16, 2015) – More experienced
Who is more experienced?
16/02/15 The Courier Mail – Labor vaults first-time MPs into super portfolios – Premiers L Platers.
Up to old tricks, The Courier Mail began the first working day of the Palaszczuk administration by accusing it of having a lack of ministerial experience and plasting “Premier’s L Platers” on the front page. However, as Noely Neate quickly pointed out, Labor has more executive experience in 2015 than the LNP did when it took government in 2012; Palaszczuk’s 145 months compared with Newman’s 4. Data was supplied to My Sunshine Coast online news; “ALP Executive/Ministerial experience upon taking Office 2015”.
- Noely Neate writes, “You probably won’t know it from reading the states paper, but in fact, this weekend Queensland, a very conservative state historically actually made history, in more than one way when the new Government introduced it’s new Cabinet and I personally feel we should be shouting it from the roof tops”: You may not know it, but Queensland made history on the weekend.
#qldpol Misleading @couriermail frontpage.Labor has more exec experience in cabinet than LNP in 2012 (HT @YaThinkN). pic.twitter.com/Iu6rsrU0Kq
— David Marler (@Qldaah) February 16, 2015
You may not realise it, but Queensland made history on the weekend #Qldpol http://t.co/UbX9tMeI1I pic @LeeanneEnoch pic.twitter.com/SxkJhfZatn
— Cranky Pants Noely (@YaThinkN) February 15, 2015
ANZAC square upgrade
7 News Brisbane: Anzac Square will be refurbished in time for the centenary of the Gallipoli landing.
https://twitter.com/katherinefeeney/status/567481277708644353
Great work, David, Many thanks.