Liberal National Party PLATFORM STATEMENT

Our Policy Platform sets the policy direction of the LNP in Government and forms the basis for detailed policy statements.

Governance –
In Government the LNP will:

• Ensure protection of our democratic traditions through an effective Parliamentary Process
• Provide responsible, accountable and transparent government
• Guarantee the independence of the Auditor-General, the Information Commissioner, Integrity Commissioner and the Ombudsman”
• Strengthen the capacity of the individual to utilize Right to Know Information
• Maintain and strengthen as appropriate an independent body to prevent Public Sector corruption and misconduct to deliver public confidence 
• Establish accountable and transparent process for business and individuals engaging with government
• Ensure an independent and professional public sector based on merit and equity in its appointments and career options
• Ensure that Local Governments are autonomous, sustainable, efficient, accountable and responsive to local needs
• Participate fully in contributing to national security

Society
A cohesive and positive community is the heart of a healthy and vibrant society.
Our policies will:

• Support and strengthen families as the core of communities
• Recognise, support and promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people and their ongoing contribution, socially, environmentally, politically and economically, to our State,
• Strive to ensure ATSI people have access to quality health care, education and employment opportunities
• Respect and honour the men and women who served our nation in conflicts and their descendants
• Support Youth to develop their talents, to be innovative and to achieve
• Support Seniors recognising their contribution to building our society
• Value Queensland volunteers and volunteering and contribute to the services provided
• Foster a culturally diverse society sharing a wide range of languages, customs and cultural traditions
• Promote inclusion, cohesion and tolerance between all peoples
• Support the Arts as a reflection of cultural sophistication and maturity
• Promote sport and active recreation to promote healthy community lifestyle and social engagement

Economy
The economy is the engine of our society underpinning the living standards of Queenslanders.
Our policies will:

• Support the State’s private enterprise economy
• Provide economic management and decision making that grows  the private sector and employment by ensuring that taxation levels do not discourage economic activity
• Deliver essential services and infrastructure
• Establish debt management strategies that reduce the long-term debt burden on Queenslanders
• Establish efficient government processes and procedures
• Minimise interference by Government in the daily life of Queenslanders
• Provide balanced development of our economy across primary, secondary and tertiary sectors
• Encourage Decentralisation of population and services

Industry
Our industry policies will:

• Foster an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit
• Recognise that business and individuals – not government – are the true creators of wealth and employment
• Promote an efficient private sector without competition from government
• Support all industry sectors by regulation reduction and lowered oncosts
• Enable decentralisation and economic growth by the provision of services for workers, families and communities
• Reinforce Queensland as a prime investment destination, and an open and ethical place to do business
• Provide constructive workplace relations for both employers and employees that rewards initiative
• Support small business as the core of a successful economy and major driver of employment
• Ensure public infrastructure and services are in place to facilitate business operations
• Encourage research, development and innovation to make Queensland a State, which attracts investment and is known internationally as a centre of knowledge across a range of specialist areas

Public Services
Deliver Health services in a timely and effective way
Our policies will:

• Provide timely health care to all Queenslanders irrespective of where they live in the State
• Provide public hospitals where patients come first
• Develop and support healthy lifestyles through individual and community-based programs
• Invest in health and medical research to maintain Queensland’s leading edge
• Support our health workers in the delivery of their services
• Implement practical administrative systems that reduce bureaucratic processes

Deliver a high standard of education services –
Our policies will: 

• Concentrate on raising education standards to put Queensland at the forefront in Australia
• Contribute to the development of curricula that addresses the educational needs of the 21st Century and the economic and social needs of Queensland
• Encourage Excellence by our educators and volunteers who contribute to our school system
• Support schools and colleges who aim for excellence

Deliver a high standard of care for seniors –
Our policies will:

• Support seniors by aiding independent living and continued community engagement
• Contribute to health and aged care services that provide a safe environment in which to live

Deliver a high standard of public housing –
 Our policies will:

• Provide innovative affordable housing and accommodation through both public and private systems
• Be responsive to the requirements of people in need

Deliver a high standard of police and emergency service –
Our policies will:

• Maintain Queensland as a safe place to live and do business
• Support well resourced and trained police and emergency services with the capability to respond to national and local disasters when required

Deliver a high standard of community services –
Our policies will:

• Provide the services and community based programs for those who seek help
• Protect people who are vulnerable, in ill health, disadvantaged or in need, through the provision of effective assistance

Infrastructure
Roads, rail, and ports (sea and air) and associated technology to support business –
Our policies will:

• Plan and deliver, in conjunction with the Commonwealth and Local Government infrastructure that supports Queensland’s economic and community needs
• Expedite project approval, due diligence and probity processes
• Facilitate the delivery of major projects in partnership with the private sector
• Encourage investment in the technological highway to benefit all areas of the State.
• Maintain and increase investment in infrastructure
• Implement strategic and visionary planning for the continued growth of the State and its regions.

Justice
Our Justice system is critical to our governance and the wellbeing of society
Our policies will:

• Ensure the criminal justice system protects society by providing the Queensland Police Service with adequate human and physical resources to perform its task
• Recognise the needs and rights of victims
• Review laws to ensure they meet community expectations
• Provide an effectively funded independent and impartial court system to deliver justice
• Support and reinforce crime prevention that is coordinated across communities at all levels of government
• Reaffirm that all forms of violence are abhorrent to the community
• Provide appropriate treatment of offenders in sentencing
• Support the provision of affordable Legal Services to the public
• Ensure an open, merit-based and transparent selection process for all new appointments to judicial office or tribunal

The Environment
Queensland has a unique and diverse environment that encapsulates a wealth of natural resources and a rich cultural heritage -
Our policies will:

• Foster and coordinate a shared responsibility for environmental health for the mutual benefit of all
• Engage with Queenslander’s to raise awareness and protection of our natural biodiversity
• Respect Australia’s heritage particularly that of our Aboriginal and Islander peoples
• Position Queensland as the Australian leader in environmental sustainability with world best practice planning laws
• Promote the use of clean energy and the development of renewable industries
• Commit to nationally agreed affordable climate change strategies
• Preserve Queensland’s natural beauty and the environment for future generations

The objective of LNP policies and specific initiatives is to provide Queenslanders with a fair and just society and a sustainable economy that delivers a high standard of living and the quality of life of a first world country.