Preparing this year’s state budget has presented both challenges and opportunities for the state government. I believe the Treasurer and Premier have carefully worked their way through and presented a solid budget that is sensible for the difficult economic times we find ourselves in as a result of the global financial crisis.

Queensland has always been the economic engine room of Australia and has helped the federal government deliver record growth and low unemployment. We have as a government concentrated on diversifying our economic base so that we would not be totally reliant on mining, agriculture and tourism. But this will not totally buffer us against the negative growth that is predicted and rising unemployment which may see the unemployment rate reach over seven per cent, which in real terms is 175,000 people who will suffer and struggle.

It is therefore important that we concentrate our efforts on employment creation strategies. We are keeping our $18.2 billion Capital Works Program across the state, which is a 12.8 per cent increase over the capital spend in the last financial year. What that means in real terms is money being spent on roads and public transport, health, education, social housing, energy and water infrastructure.

This budget will deliver millions of dollars in funding to construct and extend major infrastructure projects in the Pine Rivers area. Pine Rivers Memorial Bowls Club has received $1.4 million from the state government towards the upgrade of a synthetic green with a covered shade area for their members. The Pine Rivers Bowls Club is really one of the clubs that is the heart of Pine Rivers. Their community work and support is unmatched.

The board had a dream of upgrading its facilities to a standard which would allow all-weather play so that tournaments would not have to be cancelled and so that they could support other local bowls clubs who do not have all-weather facilities. This means that members and visitors will be able to enjoy their planned recreation activities and the social opportunities that are also presented. The club put in a wellprepared funding submission bid, and its dedication through some trying circumstances proves that its foresight in wishing to extend its facilities for the benefit of local residents was correct.

Other infrastructure includes $24.6 million towards construction of a new 275-kilovolt transmission line between the existing South Pine and Sandgate substations and $15.5 million towards the replacement of the South Pine 110-kilovolt substation to maintain a reliable, high-voltage electricity supply for businesses and residents. The projects are about providing jobs and services for the local community so the people of Pine Rivers are in a position of growth for the future. Further funding for roadworks includes over $2 million to complete asphalt resurfacing on Gympie Road between South Pine River Bridge and Paisley Park, and between Dianne Street and the Paper Mill entrance. Dayboro Road will have works funded from the Queensland government’s Safer Roads Sooner program, and we will assist council in providing bikeways. Importantly, two schools will receive joint council and state funding towards passenger set-down facilities at Bray Park State High School and Strathpine State School.

Maintenance money through Education Queensland has been allocated to all of the state schools in the Pine Rivers electorate-Bray Park, Strathpine, Strathpine West, Dayboro and Lawnton primary schools, and Bray Park High and Pine Rivers High. These schools have also qualified for the state administered Australian government funded Building the Education Revolution project, which will see halls and library upgrades provided in my local primary schools. It has been wonderful to see that we have an Australian government led by Kevin Rudd that values education and is prepared to invest in the future of our students across Queensland.

Communities want to feel safe and supported by their government and the services that are available close to home. I am pleased to announce that the rollout of the money to provide an upgrade to the community emergency department at the Prince Charles Hospital and expansion of the hospital’s capacity is going ahead. Families with young children will feel particularly pleased to hear that this election commitment is being delivered.

The Pine Rivers Neighbourhood Association has received funding for its family support program to provide an early intervention and family support service, and for the homelessness early intervention service. Youth Care Pine Rivers, another wonderful community group in my electorate, is funded to provide counselling and support for young people at risk of homelessness. This work by dedicated community organisations is one of the social cohesiveness programs that keeps our community working.

The funding provided to Moreton Bay Regional Council through the Home Assist Secure program means that assistance is provided to our older residents to remove some of the practical housing related difficulties they experience when trying to remain living in their own homes.

What I have outlined above are just some of the initiatives that are being funded for my local residents, and there are many more that I am happy to talk to my residents about. As I have said earlier, this budget is determined to deliver jobs for Queensland through increased investment in public sector jobs for an additional 350 teachers and teacher aides, 3,500 health workers, 50 ambulance officers and 203 police officers. Further to this, the $18.2 billion Capital Works Program will assist in our plan to create 100,000 new jobs over the next three years.

We are focused on looking after the economy, assisting workers, supporting industry and supporting skills development. I am pleased with the commitment to provide payroll tax incentives to employers who hire apprentices and trainees. What this means is that employers will get a 25 per cent payroll tax rebate on eligible wages of apprentices and trainees in addition to these wages being exempt from payroll tax. We have also committed over $124 million over four years to create an additional 148,000 training places, which is essential for job prospects for our young people. Further to this, our successful Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative has also been funded for our area, and I look forward to watching the new graduates of these programs take their places in future jobs.

We are committed to our $57 million program for the Green Army which will provide work placements and traineeships for up to 3,000 unemployed people across Queensland. We are proud of our support for business and workers, and we will not be moved from our focus on jobs and skills provision.

In contrast with the 2009 budget plans that have been fulsomely outlined in the budget documents and the Treasurer’s speech to the House on Tuesday, we have heard over the past two days the woeful contributions of members of the LNP. Whilst decrying all of the important economic work that we are preparing and implementing to keep Queensland moving forward, it should be noted that they have not offered any positive suggestions or plans. In fact, the Leader of the Opposition has publicly said that is not his job. This is a man who claims to be the leader of the alternative government, but it is really just a policy vacuum.

I note that many members opposite have complained about our budget measures but have then asked for millions and millions of dollars of further work in their own electorates. The term ‘hypocrites’ does come to mind.

I am proud to be part of a strong Labor government that is prepared to invest in vital infrastructure and in additional staff across the service oriented departments so that quality education, health care and community safety can be delivered to Queenslanders. I commend this budget to the House.