Infrastructure a priority for Queensland’s Opposition

With the 2015 election fast approaching, the Property Council recently hosted the Queensland Opposition at a Downtown lunch focused on Labor’s vision for the property industry.

In her inaugural address to the Property Council, the Hon. Annastacia Palaszczuk MP, Leader of the Opposition assured industry that ‘labor understands the vital role that [the property industry] has within the Queensland economy and want to work with industry on strategies for growth and further employment opportunities.’

Infrastructure provision was the key focus of the Opposition Leader’s presentation. Under a Labor government Ms Palaszuzuk committed to a new Queensland Infrastructure Plan, including timeframes and projects costs to be delivered within the first 12 months of office.

Ms Palaszuzuk also outlined the mandate that would be granted to Building Queensland, to review and approve the pipeline of infrastructure projects based cost-benefit analyses.

Ms Palaszczuk also raised the issue of rising electricity costs, reaffirmed labor’s commitment to not sell State Government assets and discussed an Advisory Taskforce on the Residential Transition for Aging Queenslanders to address housing solutions for Queensland’s aging population.

Ms Palaszczuk also admitted that ‘Governments can both help, and hinder [industry’s] ability to do the job properly,’ citing rising input costs for developers as a major deterrent to sector growth.

Acting Executive Director of the Property Council, Chris Mountford then hosted a Q&A session with Ms Palaszczuk, Hon. Tim Mulherin MP – Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Jackie Trad, Shadow Minister for Transport and Main Roads; Environment and Heritage Protection; Small Business and Consumer Affairs and the Arts.

The discussion centred on the key issues that are shared by both the property industry and each MP’s electorate, including the future of the BAT Tunnel under a Labor government, affordable and inclusive housing and environmental offset legislation.

The Property Council would like to thank our speakers for generously giving their time to present to industry. Special thanks must go to Ms Trad, who stepped onto the panel at very short notice for Mr Curtis Pitt MP.

Finally, we would like to thank the sponsors of this Downtown Lunch, Turner & Townsend, who have been great supporters of the Property Council throughout the year.

Proudly Sponsored By

Hon. Annastacia Palaszczuk MP – Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Tim Mulherin MP – Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Jackie Trad MP – Member for South Brisbane & Chris Mountford – Property Council of Australia Queensland Division

Chris Mountford – Property Council of Australia Queensland Division, Jackie Trad MP – Member for South Brisbane, Raynuha Sinnathamby – President of the Property Council of Australia Queensland Division & Managing Director – Springfield Land Corporation, Hon. Annastacia Palaszczuk MP – Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Tim Mulherin MP – Deputy Leader of the Opposition & Dave Todd – Turner & Townsend

Chris Mountford – Property Council of Australia Queensland Division, Raynuha Sinnathamby – President of the Property Council of Australia Queensland Division & Managing Director – Springfield Land Corporation & David Whitting – White & Partners