Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Furner for raising this issue because, as a proud Queenslander, I can say that I was distressed to read this morning that the Newman government has plans to abolish the Queensland Reconstruction Authority. I would expect those opposite, including Senator Macdonald, to fight for the retention of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority while there is still $3.4 billion worth of reconstruction projects in the pipeline. Just as Local Government Association of Queensland president, Paul Bell, said, councils cannot afford to put up with the lies and confusion if the QRA is scrapped. The choice of the Newman budget now means projects across the state have been put at risk, quite frankly. Premier Newman has turned his back on Brisbane once before. Now he is letting them down again.

The Gillard government has always wanted to rebuild Queensland as quickly as possible— (Time expired)