Queensland Election – Property Council commences engagement

As the declared seats are confirmed by the electoral commission the prospect of the Australian Labor Party forming minority government with the support of independent Peter Wellington is becoming increasingly likely.

Regardless of the expected result, the Property Council has prepared a strategy to engage with both major parties, and to advocate the high priority interests of our members to all incoming Members of Parliament.

On Monday 16 February, the Property Council’s Queensland Division Council will convene to finalise the Division’s ongoing priorities and engagement strategy.

As either party would form government without a mandate to sell or lease assets, and a commitment to not introduce new or increased taxes, they will be forced to confront the challenge of creating jobs, while at the same time demonstrating fiscal constraint.

The Property Council’s ongoing strategy is focused on advocating policies that support the property industry, which will result in more jobs for Queenslanders and more tax in the government’s coffers.

There are immediate opportunities for an incoming government to provide certainty and to support the property industry. These include continuing the planning reform initiatives already underway, retaining the primacy of the planning department as the sole agency responsible for developing and implementing planning instruments, and maintaining momentum on projects that will bring jobs and revenue to the state.

The Property Council has already begun a series of meetings with advisors, key bureaucrats and party officials to outline our key concerns and present the case for supporting Queensland’s property industry. In addition, we have met with a number of stakeholder groups with aligned interests, to ensure a coordinated message to the incumbent government.