Spit Saved? Democracy Killed

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5am today Anna Bligh issues and announcement that the Spit Project won’t go ahead - for all the reasons that have been waved at her for months.

That’s good news of course and we should celebrate.


The backlash from the people who really care about the environment is having an effect. But this is not time to stop the pressure.


What is truly disgusting is the timing It shows you what lack of respect this Government has for us.

Democracy is held together buy “rules” not laws. In my home we call those rules good manners.

In politics one of the rules is as soon as you call an election you are a government in caretaker mode. So that means no new policies laws or decisions. Just the minimum to keep it ticking along. And you don’t use your power as a Minister during an election to get votes.

It’s like me looking after your house when you are on holidays. I don’t go redecorating and knocking out a wall. The best I can do is feed the pets and mow the lawn,


Today Anna Bligh smashed that rule and announced no Spit Terminal. But that still means the bay area may still have a giant marina.


Environment Minister Desley Boyle - the one closing down fishing from Cooktown to Jumpinpin announced 3 days ago a new environmental reserve in Trinity (Cairns). Again - this in the middle of an election campaign !

But this time she is still pandering to the greenies and its clear has no respect for people us who care about the environment and want to enjoy it,


These guys have no respect for democracy. That’s why on the Committees advising the Minister on Marine Parks there are 6 greenie groups and not one rep from fishing or boating. Not even Dept Fisheries or Sunfish! The door to fishing involvement in marine parks is closed tight. The fight is on for Moreton Bay but the true fight is to get fishing representation on those committees.


See the post about Moreton Bay Access Alliance.

Gary

[fishingjew]

Juanita Wheeler, Election spokesperson & Mount Coot-tha candidate

The Queensland Greens have claimed credit for today's announcement by Premier Peter Beattie that the Southport cruise ship terminal would be scrapped and that the second stage of the Traveston Dam would not go ahead if the water recycling referendum was successful.

Greens lead spokesperson Juanita Wheeler said her party was very happy with the announcement but that the Labor Party needed to go further.

"Our research tells us that the whole Traveston Dam project is unnecessary if we use recycled water, so we think Mr Beattie should take that one further step," Ms Wheeler said.

“Scrapping stage two is good, but scrapping the entire project in recognition of innovative alternatives would show he really is thinking about leading a smart state.”

Ms Wheeler said the two issues covered by today’s announcement, being the Southport Spit and the Traveston dam were ones where the Greens had taken a tough stance and drawn a line in the sand with the government.

“We had left the Labor party in no doubt that it would be virtually impossible to expect Greens preferences on the Gold or Sunshine Coasts if these issues were not addressed by the government,” Ms Wheeler said.

Ms Wheeler said today’s outcome was just one example of how a single elected Green representative could bring much better outcomes to a Queensland parliament.

“The Greens have the potential to be the voice of honesty and integrity in the parliament, delivering better outcomes for Queenslanders all year round, not just at election time,” Ms Wheeler said.

Ms Wheeler said there were other key issues the Greens wished to see addressed.

"We would also like to hear some solid promises on Cape York and an announcement that Queensland would not be allowing the mining of uranium, even if the federal Labor Party adopts it as policy next year."

The Greens estimate there are up to 20 seats that could depend on Greens preferences, most of them in SE Queensland.

"If the ALP wants to win such seats as Indooroopilly, Clayfield, Aspley and Barron River, then they need to generate policies that will help this state develop sustainably," Ms Wheeler said.

"Otherwise, we will be recommending to our branches that their how-to-vote cards recommend no preferences beyond just vote 1."


What do you say? Whos in bed with who ;)

[DaveSue_Fishos_Two]

I wish they would just put Vote 1 on their cards. I think they would be a voice in the wilderness on their own, and if Labor were to desert them, I think the fisho's may have a better chance of the govt listening.

Dave

[PinHead]

Gary...they can make decisions based on the fact they will be re-elected as Govt..all she is saying is that once they are re-elected they will can the idea...all about getting votes on those GC seats.

You are correct in saying that once the Governor has signed the paperwork for an election the Govt cannot table nor pass any new legislation until the new Govt is sworn in preceding the election...I believe the only thingsa Govt can do is declare a state of emergency in case of a natural disater or similar..everything else is in suspended animation as such.