Hinchinbrook MP, Andrew Cripps, has welcomed the announcement of the LNPs ‘New Deal’ for regional Queensland, following a recent meeting of regional MPs in Bundaberg and ahead of a series of community engagement activities in North Queensland by the LNPs leadership team.

Mr Cripps said Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls and Deputy Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington were embarking on a series of community forums over the coming week in Mackay, Bowen, Townsville, Ingham and Cairns after announcing the LNPs ‘New Deal’ for regional Queensland.

“Tim and Deb are coming back to North Queensland again as part of their ongoing commitment to listening to the regions and local communities and I am very pleased that they will be stopping in Townsville and Ingham to talk to people who live in the Hinchinbrook electorate” said Mr Cripps.

“The LNP recognises there are frustrations and concerns in local communities about job security, the cost of living and the delivery of infrastructure to provide new opportunities for the future, but we are looking for real, long term solutions, not thought bubbles and catch phrases” he said.

Mr Cripps said the LNP had recently released its ‘New Deal’ list of priorities, projects and issues for regional Queensland, including:

• Support for new based-load power generation capacity in North Queensland;
• An updated 10 year action plan for the Bruce Highway;
• New water infrastructure to secure supply for local communities and irrigated agriculture;
• A tough new package of measures to tackle increasing regional crime rates;
• Re-establish the LNPs $495 million Royalties for Regions program;
• Deliver a $100m youth jobs package to boost employment and support small business;
• Genuine support for new jobs in the resources sector, including in the coal industry;
• Continue to support cane growers and sugar communities with workable policy solutions;
• Protect Queensland farmers from Labor’s unfair vegetation management laws;
• Implement a comprehensive strategy to reduce the scourge of illicit drug abuse.

“Tim and Deb will be moving through North Queensland this week talking about these issues, which the LNP has identified in our ‘New Deal’ for regional communities and listening to local residents about what their concerns are, but also what their aspirations are for the future”.

Mr Cripps invited constituents in the Hinchinbrook electorate to attend the Townsville Community Forum at 6.30pm Wednesday 15 March, at the QCWA in Denham Street Townsville, or the ‘Politics in the Pub’ event at 12.30pm Thursday 16 March, in the front bar at the Royal Hotel in Ingham.