The Opposition of Queensland

[maximisaac]

Stop the cuts! #brisbane #protest #union #qld #auspol (Taken with Instagram at Queen’s Park)

[thequeenslandopposition]

‎@FionaSimpsonMP kicks tv cameras out of parliament till end of August for showing same sex civil union protest last month.

[shnozdude-deactivated20131123]

Changes to surrogacy laws now mean that same-sex couples and singles (no mention of heterosexual couples) face a three year jail sentence for seeking a non-commercial surrogacy arrangement. Nice QLD, nice.

[atackierpink-deactivated2013042]

Raise your hand if you have ever felt personally victimised by the LNP.

[lazergunshow]

“In a truly remarkable display of anti-gay animus, the Queensland government has not only voted to rollback civil unions overnight, but also flagged its intention to ban same-sex couples from having children through surrogacy.

It signals even darker days ahead for the state’s gay community, who have now seen more than $2.5 million in LGBT health funding pulled, the loss of relationship recognition and flagged parental rights changes, all prioritised by a hostile, conservative government not even 100 days into power…”

[tritanium-deactivated20140225]

THE Newman Government has changed controversial same-sex civil union laws to remove what the Premier calls "mimicry" of marriage.

[thequeenslandopposition]

A huge turnout of LGBT Queenslanders and their supporters is expected to attend a emergency rally against the LNP this Wednesday night in Brisbane.

Meeting at 5pm at King George Square and marching to Parliament House, the rally has been called to oppose the LNP’s government’s decision to stop funding Healthy Communties (QAHC), and also to defend the recently won and now under threat Civil Unions legislation.

Many were left in shock when it was announced that the decision to cut funding to Healthy Communities was made without any consultation from the community.

“Healthy Communites found out about the decision to cut its funding through an article in the Sunday Mail,” says *Jessica Payne* of the Equal Love. “This shows a complete lack of respect for the LGBTI community and also highlights the decision has nothing to do with effective health services in the state, otherwise consultation would have occurred.

... click the link for the full article. 

[thequeenslandopposition]

The letter from Mat Burke to Lawrence Springborg regarding QAHC has had its link changed. The original post has been amended to reflect this. 

The new link is: http://www.scribd.com/doc/94679762/Open-Letter-Objecting-to-the-Defunding-of-Queensland-Association-for-Health-Communities

[thequeenslandopposition]

[thequeenslandopposition]

Hey, sure, we may have lost miserably when it comes to sensible, accountable government, but we're still pretty kickass at state of origin, right Queenslanders?

[thequeenslandopposition]

They continue to oppose a carbon tax, yet climate change poses the greatest threat to our marine environment. Increased sea surface temperatures, larger storms, increased frequency of cyclones, and ocean acidification will all affect biodiversity. “They ignore the impact of increased population and industrial discharges into significant marine areas such as the Great Barrier Reef. Two days ago a drifting bulk carrier threatened damage to the Great Barrier Reef, and the LNP Premier of Queensland brushed off the possibility of the increased likelihood of major incidents as a consequence of increased shipping in the area. “Yet” Dr Carey said, “it will take just one such incident to ruin the reef for decades. “Almost 60% of Australia’s fisheries are overfished and a significant number of marine and estuarine species are threatened with extinction yet the Liberals are prevaricating on marine parks legislation. “In the proposed Coral Sea Marine Park, the Liberals are proposing to protect just 2 of 25 coral reefs.

Dr Mark Carey BSc (Environmental Management and Ecology) (Honours), PhD 

[vidafrivola-deactivated20161112]

‘Can Do’ Bingo

[thequeenslandopposition]

@mooreryan3: RT @star_observer: QLD Govt declares war on LGBT community, stripping the state's only LGBT health org of funding http://t.co/6dhxv0TK Original Tweet: http://twitter.com/mooreryan3/status/204054452129374208

[thequeenslandopposition]

He also committed to restoring some powers of the Speaker that were stripped by Labor in 2011 - probably not in full.

That legislation also won't be scrutinised by a committee, and Mr Newman will withhold the detail until Thursday, when it is introduced.

The opposition warns Mr Newman has abused the parliamentary process on day one.

Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk says his "wait and see" approach to the Speaker's powers is too much like the "don't you worry about that" catch-cry of former conservative premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen.

Labor is yet to see legislation to be introduced on Thursday, despite requests, she says.

Griffith University political scientist Dr Paul Williams says Mr Newman's early approach appears to renege on his election night promise not to over-flex a majority that gives him almost 90 per cent of seats.

"If Mr Newman continued to marginalise the parliament and to control Queensland from the premier's office, no one could blame people for drawing comparison to Sir Joh," he told AAP.

Dr Williams says Mr Newman used his first day to make a statement about being a strong leader.

But in the post-Fitzgerald era, Queenslanders also demand that due process be followed, he says.

"They might wonder what on earth the parliament is even there for," he said.

[thequeenslandopposition]

With thanks to @MrBenjaminLaw.

"Following Campbell Newman's dumping of the Premier's Literary Awards, please enjoy this crossword clue from the Age."

[thequeenslandopposition]

DelwoodAU: How relevant that #qanda is taking on climate change while @theqldpremier is taking down the climate smart program. #qldpol #shame Original Tweet: http://twitter.com/DelwoodAU/status/195479246901215234

[thequeenslandopposition]

MP Rob Katter says the party, which has two MPs, should get a share of the $3.3 million given to the Labor opposition.

As Labor has only six MPs, it would make sense for the party to share the funds, he says.

Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk says it has nothing to do with her.

"We are the official opposition," she said.

"If the Katter party want to approach the premier about additional resources ... it has nothing to do with us."

Meanwhile, Mr Nicholls says the current make-up of parliamentary committees requires 21 Labor members to be available on Wednesdays, when the party has only six MPs.

"Otherwise the system comes to a grinding halt," he said.

With the system already under immense pressure, do you think KAP should be given the opportunity to pick up some of the extraordinary slack made by Labor's inability to field a full and proper opposition in the Queensland parliament? 

After all, KAP has the regional representation the ALP doesn't quite have. They also represent a different point of view. Beyond party politics, would it be good for Queensland democracy to extend opposition funding to KAP since technically no party really qualifies in the usual instance?