Surgery wait time ‘best ever’

Fewer Queensland patients are waiting for important elective surgery with new figures showing a massive reduction in waiting lists of more than 90 per cent. Premier Campbell Newman said Queensland was poised to become the only state in Australia to reduce the number of long-wait surgery patients to zero by December. Mr Newman said the…

Positive signs for housing industry

Queensland’s housing industry continues to show positive signs, with figures released today showing housing finance approvals for owner occupied dwellings rose in August for the 20th consecutive month. Treasurer Tim Nicholls said approvals rose 0.3 per cent in trend terms in August to be up 5.0 per cent over the year. “Queensland has had the…

Strong Choices will boost Queensland jobs

Jobs figures out today highlight the need for Queensland to reduce debt so it can increase funding for job-creating infrastructure projects. Treasurer Tim Nicholls said while the ABS figures showed Queensland’s annual trend jobs growth was higher than the national average at 1.4 per cent, there was still more to be done. “Regardless of uncertainty…

Asset leasing plan will reduce debt and create jobs

The Queensland Government’s $80 billion debt would be reduced and funds would be freed up for job creating infrastructure under the final Strong Choices plan to lease some government-owned assets.  Premier Campbell Newman said the Government had listened to Queenslanders and responded to their feedback about retaining their stake in public assets.  “We have listened…

Strong Choices Plan gets finishing touches

Queenslanders will see the Government’s finalised Strong Choices plan to pay down the State’s $80 billion debt through asset leases next week.  Premier Campbell Newman and Treasurer Tim Nicholls today put the finishing touches to the plan which they will take to Cabinet on Tuesday.  “This is a momentous decision for Queensland and we’ve taken…