Queensland Labor

RECORD RESOURCES FOR FRONTLINE POLICE 

On top of the 2,025 extra police personnel over five years, the Palaszczuk Government is supporting a record roll-out of more police resources for frontline police. 

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Member for Capalaba, Don Brown, said frontline police across Queensland would benefit from a record $77 million investment over five years in extra police resources.

“This means more body worn video cameras, more police patrol vehicles, introducing integrated load-bearing ballistic vests and more QLiTE iPads – all fully funded by the Palaszczuk Government,” Mr Brown said.

“Unlike the previous LNP Government, the Palaszczuk Government backs our frontline police. And when we promise, we deliver. 

“No one wants to see a return to the former LNP regime when police were forced to fund their own body worn cameras out of their own pockets. 

“It was an LNP regime that sacked more than 300 police personnel, cut vital police services, cut training, cut funding for police cars and computers, and stopped monitoring more than 1,700 child sex offenders,” Mr Brown said.

MPs Don Brown and Kim Richards with Police Minister Mark Ryan. Image: Redland City Bulletin

MPs Don Brown and Kim Richards with Police Minister Mark Ryan. Image: Redland City Bulletin

This fully funded record roll-out of new police resources includes:

  • 5,000 additional QLiTE iPads for frontline police officers (takes the total fleet size to 12,000);

  • 250 additional police patrol vehicles (takes the total fleet size to almost 3,000);

  • 4,500 additional body worn video cameras to bring the total fleet to 12,000 – one of the largest in the world; and

  • in a first for police, 12,000 new integrated load bearing ballistic vests to protect police while they protect the community.



“This is a record $77 million investment in the 12,000-plus Queensland police who work hard, day and night, to keep communities safe in every corner of the State.

Importantly, these vital tools of the trade for police officers across Queensland are fully funded. 

The LNP has a poor track record when it comes to keeping promises to police.

It’s always important to remember that it’s not what they say, it’s what they’ll do.

And the LNP will do exactly what they did last time they were in government. 

They will sack police. They will cut police resources. They will cut police training. 

How else will they fund the $24 billion they have notched up in unfunded election commitments so far?

As the President of the Police Union himself has said: “Police have been badly burnt by previous sneaky governments who made commitments and didn’t fund them properly”.

The Palaszczuk Government’s record shows that we can be trusted when it comes to delivering more police and more police resources,” Mr Brown said.

More National Parks. More support for nature refuges. Doubling number of Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers

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The Palaszczuk Government has just announced the release of the Queensland’s Protected Area Strategy 2020-2030.

This exciting strategy will see our national parks grow in size, and will support Queensland’s economic recovery by supporting the beautiful protected areas that are such a drawcard for tourism. 

Unlike the LNP, the Palaszczuk Government is committed to sustainably and effectively managing Queensland’s pristine environment.

The Queensland’s Protected Area Strategy 2020-2030 includes actions for sustainably expanding and effectively managing Queensland’s protected areas, both public and private.

With $60 million in funding, the Palaszczuk Government is investing in Queensland’s most valuable asset, it’s environment.

Queensland’s Protected Area Strategy 2020-2030

  • More National Parks

  • More support for nature refuges

  • Doubling number of Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers

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The Strategy delivers on the Queensland Government’s 2017 State election commitment to release and implement a Queensland Protected Area Strategy, including a continued Nature Refuge Program and expanded NatureAssist toolkit to support landowners. 


The Strategy includes high level actions for sustainably expanding and effectively managing Queensland’s protected areas, both public and private, with areas of specific focus including:


    • driving economic stimulus in regional Queensland through capital investment in public protected areas to improve visitor experiences and support regional tourism, and partnerships to improve the management of private protected areas

    • effective management of public protected areas (like national parks)

    • initiatives complementary to the Government’s broader biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation agenda

    • a support and monitoring program for private protected areas (nature refuges and special wildlife reserves) as part of an expanded NatureAssist toolkit

    • investment pathways and partnerships to achieve sustainable growth in protected areas over time – recognising the importance of both quantity and quality in any approach to protected area expansion

    • participation of First Nations peoples, through genuine partnerships in protected area management, with a focus on connection to Country and co-stewardship

    • improving the quality of the visitor experience

    • ensuring that the significant social and economic benefits of a diverse, well-managed and ecologically resilient protected area system are grown and realised

    • ensuring that ecotourism ventures on protected areas represent international best practice.


The Government has allocated $60 million over four years as a down payment to support early implementation of the Strategy. 


This is comprised of: 

  • $28 million for expanding the public protected area estate 

  • $8 million to continue the Nature Refuge Program and deliver an expanded NatureAssist toolkit to support landowners

  • $24 million to doubling the number of Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers who do important work looking after Country.


Delivering a world-class protected area system for Queensland will ensure the full suite of environmental, economic, social and health values provided by protected areas are recognised and maintained. 


Queensland’s protected areas form the foundation of the State’s ecotourism industry. In addition to tourism, protected areas also support and generate jobs across multiple other sectors, including outdoor recreation, research, education and conservation.


An extra 2,025 police personnel in Queensland by 2025. Fully costed and fully funded.

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Member for Redlands Kim Richards and I joined Commissioner Katrina Carroll and Police Minister Mark Ryan MP to discuss our huge announcement of an extra 2025 Police personnel by 2025. It will means an extra 150 police for our division providing an extra 2,025 police personnel in Queensland by 2025 - fully costed, and fully funded.
Our $624 million investment will be the biggest increase in police resources Queensland has seen in 30 years and will see 1,450 more officers deployed on the frontline across our state.
We’re also providing 25 mobile police beats, to make sure our police can be where the community needs them.
Queensland is in a position to recover more quickly and support more jobs sooner than other states thanks to the efforts of Queenslanders, and of frontline services like the Queensland Police ServiceKim Richards Member for Redlands and I joined Commissioner Katrina Carroll and Police Minister Mark Ryan MP to discuss our huge announcement of an extra 2025 Police personnel by 2025. It will means an extra 150 police for our division. #DonDelivers

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Eastern Transitway start to put families and jobs in fast-lane

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Works have officially started on the Palaszczuk Government’s $30 million Eastern Transitway project, supporting 50 jobs.

 Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey joined local MPs today to turn the sod on the first stage of the congestion-tackling project, which will also lock in 50 jobs for the region as it continues to recover from COVID-19.

 Member for Capalaba Don Brown said the project was a game changer for families in Brisbane’s east and the Redlands with travel times to improve for drivers as well as the 8,000 commuters and 430 bus services who travel along the road during peak periods.

 “Our community is hungry for public transport,” Mr Brown said.

 “That’s why we’re building the Eastern Transitway: to free up traffic for buses and cars, unlike the LNP who cut funding for public transport in our suburbs as part of their $1.6 billion slash and burn on the state’s road budget.

 “With the huge numbers of people take up bike riding because of COVID-19, we’ve also expanded the scope to include a new, 3m-wide, shared path, and on-road, bike-lane improvements.”

 Member for Redlands Kim Richards said the benefits of the project would be two-fold: addressing congestion and creating all-important jobs in construction.

 "Our community’s strong response to the health impacts of COVID-19 means the Palaszczuk Government has been able to continue delivering projects like this and the $60 million Cleveland-Redland Bay Road upgrades,” Ms Richards said.

 "Investing in Queensland infrastructure means creating Queensland jobs as we unite and recover from COVID-19.

 "Our community wants more incentives to take public transport. Projects like this, the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail and $371 million smart ticketing project are part of the Palaszczuk Government's commitment to creating more transport infrastructure for Queenslanders. 

Honoured to be turning the sod on The Eastern Transitway.

Honoured to be turning the sod on The Eastern Transitway.

 Shovels in the ground comes as consultation on the transitway officially wrapped up last month, with feedback showing the majority of the community supported the transport solution.

 “The community told us that improving environmental outcomes in the local area was something else they wanted out of the project.

 “Because project teams have consulted with environmental groups we’ve been able to look at new fauna fencing, crossings and revegetation as part of the project.”


To have your say or for more information visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au and search Eastern Transitway.