Anna Bligh

Anna and her family casting their ballots on the final day of...

Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:25:25 +1000

Anna and her family casting their ballots on the final day of the campaign.

SHE DID IT!

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:59:49 +1000

Just before 3pm today, Anna reached her target of visiting 30 seats in 3 days – her “Jobs not Cuts” tour.

“Yes, we did it!” Anna said after visiting Greenslopes Shopping Centre on Brisbane’s southside. “It was great. I loved meeting all those people”.

The tour, which began on Wednesday, has covered more than 4,000 kilometres, from the Barron River, north of Cairns to Currumbin on the Gold Coast.

Anna said it was clear from talking to people on the “Jobs not cuts” tour that jobs and job security were on people’s minds as they weigh up the choice.

“It’s the day before polling day, and tomorrow there is a clear choice about the future of jobs in Queensland,” Anna said.

“It’s a choice between my plan to invest to create jobs through our record building program, tourism and the environment - and the Nationals who will cut $1 billion by scrapping thousands of jobs in construction and vital services.

“I stand for jobs, not cuts”.

.Anna grew up on the Gold Coast and this morning took a trip...

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 14:19:04 +1000

.Anna grew up on the Gold Coast and this morning took a trip down memory lane, visiting Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Miami State High School, where she attended High School.

Anna woke up this morning in Coolangatta – electorate number 23 – on a glorious Gold Coast day to...

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 09:23:00 +1000

Anna woke up this morning in Coolangatta – electorate number 23 – on a glorious Gold Coast day to enter the final stretch of her 30 seats in three days “Jobs not Cuts” tour of Queensland.

A highlight of the morning was feeding the hungry lorikeets at Currumbin Bird Sanctuary, and holding “Tallow” a cuddly two-year-old Koala, who enjoyed the attention of the cameras.

Pictured: Anna with Michael Riordan, Candidate for Currumbin and Tallow at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

Anna says talking to Queenslanders all over the State had confirmed that jobs and job security were the number one issue for working families.

“Now is the time for Governments to step up and do everything they can and I am as determined as ever to protect Queensland jobs”.

By 3.30 this afternoon, Anna touched down in Hervey Bay – seat 21 - and was well on track to meet...

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:15:00 +1000

By 3.30 this afternoon, Anna touched down in Hervey Bay – seat 21 - and was well on track to meet her 30 seats in three days target.

So far today, Anna has talked with locals in the seats of Cairns, Townsville, Burdekin, Mundingburra, Thuringowa, Mackay, Whitsunday, Mirani and Hervey Bay – and the day won’t end there!

In Mackay, Anna offered the Mackay Showgrounds certainty, saying it would remain at its current site for at least three years.

Anna has also committed to a $4 million upgrade of Mackay Police Station if elected on Saturday.

In the electorate of Whitsunday, Anna announced $100,000 in funding to complete an upgrade to the Eimeo Surf Life Saving Club.

“The people in this region want jobs not cuts,” Anna said.

“I’ve got a plan to create 100,000 jobs over the next three years and Mackay- Whitsunday will get its fair share”.

Anna’s 30 seats in three days Job’s not Cuts tour reached the half way mark at 9am this morning when...

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 10:27:00 +1000

Anna’s 30 seats in three days Job’s not Cuts tour reached the half way mark at 9am this morning when she arrived at seat number 15 - Burdekin – just south of Townsville.

Since 5.30 am yesterday morning, Anna has visited Pumicestone, Murrumba, Redcliffe, Sandgate, Nudgee, Aspley, Ashgrove, Everton, Rocky, Keppel, Barron River, Mulgrave, Cairns, Townsville and Burdekin.

In Rocky, Anna announced $1 million towards the cost of the Rockhampton Cancer Education Support and Accommodation Centre.

In Barron River, Anna announced a new police hotline 13HOON will be statewide and in the Cairns area early next year, and $20 million for new and upgraded police facilities in Far North Queensland.

Pictured: Anna with Kaz from Oasis Kebabs.

Early today, Anna had a “cuppa” on Cairns esplanade with local member and Tourism Minister, Desley Boyle, then it was off to Townsville where she started her tour of the local area by visiting the Townsville Police Academy.

Anna watched a firearms training drill, and committed $1 million for a Townsville Police Academy upgrade and a further $12 million for a Townsville District police facility at Deeragun if Labor was elected on Saturday.

In Rocky today - in seat 9 of her 30 seat tour - Premier Anna Bligh visits a construction site...

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:30:00 +1000

In Rocky today - in seat 9 of her 30 seat tour - Premier Anna Bligh visits a construction site with Minister for Public Works & Housing & Member for Rockhampton, Robert Schwarten, Member for Keppel Paul Hoolihan and Member for Fitzroy Jim Pearce.

“As my coach tells me, ‘push it hard and push it all the way’ and that’s exactly what I’m doing” Anna says.

Anna’s 30 seats in 3 days ‘Jobs not Cuts’ tour kicked off this morning on Bribie Island at 5am.

From there, Anna visited Murrumba, Redcliffe, Sandgate, Nudgee, Aspley, Ashgrove and Everton, then travelled north hitting Rocky, Keppel and arriving in Cairns this evening.

“By 9pm, we will have visited 11 seats.

“And we’ll be up bright and early, ready to do it all over again tomorrow”, Anna says.

“I’m not taking anything for granted. Every vote counts and I’m determined to earn as many as I can.

“I’ll be campaigning across the State right up until the polls close on Saturday.”

Anna this morning kicked off her “Jobs not Cuts” tour - which will see her visiting 30...

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:13:00 +1000

Anna this morning kicked off her “Jobs not Cuts” tour - which will see her visiting 30 seats in three days across Queensland.

The tour began at 5.30 am on Bribie Island, then Anna headed to the seats of Murrumba, Redcliffe, Sandgate, Nudgee, and Aspley where she spoke at a “Jobs not Cuts” rally (pictured). By 1pm, it was 8 down with 22 to go.

“I’m not taking anything for granted - every vote counts,” Anna said. “And I am determined to earn as many as I can before Saturday.”

“It’s a clear choice between my plan to create and protect jobs and Lawrence Springborg’s plan to cut jobs.”

Anna begins her Jobs not Cuts tour - travelling to 30 seats in 3...

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 10:50:26 +1000

Anna begins her Jobs not Cuts tour - travelling to 30 seats in 3 days to talk with as many people as possible about her jobs plan vs Lawrence Springborg’s plan to cut 12,000 jobs.

Highlights from Anna’s campaign launch.

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 09:01:08 +1000

Highlights from Anna’s campaign launch.

Anna visits Cairns

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 13:30:25 +1000

Anna visited Cairns this morning for some good news for local tourism.

The Queensland Government has partnered with Jetstar to deliver four new services a week between Osaka in Japan and Cairns. It means a massive 62,400 per year seat increase.

In tough times, Labor is committed to protecting Tropical North tourism operators and the 12,500 people they employ.

Anna visits Toowoomba and Ipswich

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:09:00 +1000

Today Anna went to Toowoomba and visited John Smith, a homeowner who could benefit from her new solar hot water scheme – which will also help create jobs.

Queensland families will save up to $300 a year on their electricity bills and dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions under a re-elected Bligh Government’s new solar hot water program.

The plan will create up to 500 installation jobs and 300 manufacturing, maintenance and distribution jobs across the State.

“This will deliver up to 200,000 solar hot water systems to Queensland families for $500 each - a fraction of the retail price of electric systems - over the next three years,” Anna said.

“In Toowoomba alone, local company Solahart, who already employ around 12 people estimate they will create around 12 new jobs because of our plan.”

After Toowoomba, Anna visited Riverlink Shopping Centre in Ipswich and chatted to locals.

Anna and Kevin Rudd at the Labor campaign launch in South...

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:04:00 +1000

Anna and Kevin Rudd at the Labor campaign launch in South Brisbane. You can see more photos from the launch on Anna’s flickr.

Anna at the Labor campaign launch in South Brisbane. You can...

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:02:42 +1000

Anna at the Labor campaign launch in South Brisbane. You can see more photos from the launch on Anna’s flickr.

You can count on me: Anna

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 16:08:00 +1000

Anna’s campaign launch today kicked off with Troy Cassar-Daley singing live “Rise and Shine” and “This Day is Mine” and ended with a standing ovation.

“My highest priority is saving the jobs of today and creating the jobs of tomorrow,” Anna said.

Anna committed a re-elected Labor Government to:

Create 100,000 new jobs in the next term;
Push forward with the $17 billion building program; and
Provide 200,000 solar hot water systems to families at a fraction of the retail price, saving the average family $300 a year on their power bill.

Anna’s job plan will be advanced on four main fronts: keeping the building program going, planning for the recovery by expanding the skills base, supporting new industries such as Liquid Natural Gas, and developing new job creation programs like the “Green Army”.

For these and other announcements in today’s speech log on to here.

Anna said Queenslanders had a clear choice between her plan to secure and create jobs, and Lawrence Springborg’s plan to cut $1 billion and 12,000 jobs from vital public services.

“Saturday’s election will present Queenslanders with a clear choice. A choice between jobs and cuts.

“Between taking Queensland back or stepping forward; between pretending our challenges don’t exist, or facing them head on.

“Between allowing the ravages of a global recession to weaken us or keep Queensland strong.

“Between the prospect of a minority Government made up of an unstable coalition, propped up by the Independents and One Nation…or a strong, stable, majority Labor Government.”

This morning Anna shared time with mine worker Dustin, his wife Crystal and their daughters Calli...

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 11:18:00 +1000

This morning Anna shared time with mine worker Dustin, his wife Crystal and their daughters Calli and Jessica (pictured).

This is what the Premier said about Dustin and his family in her campaign launch speech today:

“Dustin has worked most of his adult life in the mining industry,” Anna said.

“He’s driven trucks, loaders and dozers.

“It’s hard work but he loves it.

“It’s kept bread on his family’s table.

“But in February this year Dustin was retrenched. He represents the human costs of the global recession.

“Dustin’s not alone. And as this economic storm continues, there are likely to be many more families feeling the brunt of the global financial crisis.

“But we must never let the statistics deaden our senses to the fact that behind every one of those numbers, there are very real stories like Dustin’s.

“I gave Dustin and Crystal a commitment this morning – that I will fight with every fibre of my being for jobs and a return to prosperity.

“And that’s what sets us apart from our opponents.

“In this election, Queenslanders have a stark choice: jobs or cuts.

“That’s the difference between us and them.”

Gas Super Highway means more jobs for Queensland

Sat, 14 Mar 2009 17:10:00 +1000

After attending an Oil Spill Recovery meeting in Brisbane this morning, Anna went to Gladstone to announce plans for a gas “super highway” which could help generate thousands of jobs and billions of dollars for Queensland’s economy.

Looking over Gladstone harbour from Auckland Point, Anna announced a $30 million pipeline corridor for the proposed Curtis Island LNG refinery.

“I have a plan to create jobs and I am committed to giving our full support to this industry for the future,” Anna said.

“The corridor will act as a common use underground gas ‘super highway’ for companies at gas fields across the Surat and Bowen Basins”.

Springborg's cuts - the expert view

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 17:19:57 +1000

See independent expert John Wanna’s assessment of Lawrence Springborg’s plan to cut $1 billion from vital public services and jobs by clicking here.

He says cutting $1 billion from the State Budget can’t be done without affecting frontline services and jobs.

Emergency meeting on oil spill

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 16:32:03 +1000

Anna today convened a special emergency meeting to ensure the Moreton Bay oil spill clean up effort continued as quickly and as effectively as possible.

At the meeting were the Premier, Transport Minister John Mickel and representatives from Maritime Safety Qld, the Local Government Department and Emergency Services.

The Premier saw the affected area first hand this morning.

“The clean up crews are doing great work in tough conditions and need our support through this difficult time,” Anna said.

“People are working around the clock to make sure this mess is cleaned up as quickly as possible.”

“And as a Government we will do everything in our power to make sure this happens.”

QUEENSLAND MADE MEANS QUEENSLAND JOBS

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:21:46 +1000

Queensland businesses and manufacturers will get the maximum benefit from the State’s record $17 billion capital works program under Labor.

Anna today visited Beenleigh Steel Fabrications and talked to local workers about job security.

The Industry Capability Network will receive a $6.45 million boost to make sure Queensland manufacturers and business get the chance to build Tomorrow’s Queensland.

“We want to create every jobs possible for Queenslanders by using as many Queensland products and employing as many Queensland manufacturers and businesses as possible in our building program,” Anna said.