Monthly update from Laura Gerber

Flood victims update, breach of bail and more...

It has been a busy start to 2023 in the Currumbin electorate! 
 
Over a year on from the significant flooding of Elanora and Tallebudgera, and after sustained pressure from us, the State Government finally released the Hydraulics Report, which admitted that M1 works contributed to the flooding.
 
However, the report’s scope and lack of community consultation has left us with more questions than answers. Many homes were left out of the report and are being excluded from compensation talks. 

I've been in constant communication with the Department of Transport and Main Roads, advocating for real solutions for our community. This flooding event has affected so many families, and I will continue to push the Palaszczuk Government to do what is right and provide meaningful assistance to the people that have had their lives turned upside down. Scroll down for the action we are taking.

Also in big news, after continued pressure from the LNP and Queenslanders, the Palaszczuk Government finally made breach of bail an offence for juvenile offenders. This is one step towards getting youth crime under control, but there is still much more work to be done – scroll down for more details.

As always, if there is any way I can support you, please don’t hesitate to email currumbin@parliament.qld.gov.au and I’ll be in touch as soon as possible.

Warm regards,

Laura Gerber MP
Member for Currumbin
Shadow Assistant Minister for Justice and Youth
Shadow Assistant Minister for the Night-time Economy and Cultural Development
Deputy Opposition Whip

Flood victims update

After months of sustained pressure, the Palaszczuk Government finally released the Hydraulics Report.

It confirmed flooding impacts for some homes may have been increased due to construction works on the M1 upgrade, but there is still genuine concern in the community that because of the lack of consultation, this report excludes many homes.
 
I’m glad that our efforts have resulted in the State Government finally admitting that the flooding in the Tallebudgera catchment has links to the M1 construction, but now they need to do what is right by flood victims.

I recently met with the residents of Kentia Court (one of the few streets included in the Hydraulics Report) and I’m preparing a submission to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads regarding the homes that have been left out by the Palaszczuk Government.

Please contact my office via currumbin@parliament.qld.gov.au if you wish to be included in the submission. 

The Palaszczuk Government need to listen to our community and finally provide answers and solutions to residents impacted by this flooding. I won’t stop fighting for positive outcomes for the people of Elanora and Tallebudgera.

Watch my speech at Parliament here.

Congratulations to Currumbin Community, Recreation & Lifestyle!

Currumbin Community, Recreation & Lifestyle Inc. can now purchase new garden boxes and continue their incredible partnership with OzHarvest thanks to a grant they have received.

Last week, I visited their garden at The Ecovillage to talk about the funding and the work they do. They provide 150kgs of food to OzHarvest every week - that's 300 meals for people in need! 

If your community group would like a letter of support for the next round of grants through the Gambling Community Benefit Fund, please contact me!

Community grant information here.

2023 ANZAC Day Primary School Writing Competition

Would you like your child to have the special opportunity to be part of the Currumbin RSL's ANZAC Day service?

I’m teaming up with the Currumbin RSL again this year for our annual ANZAC Day Primary School Writing Competition! This gives students across the electorate of Currumbin in grades 4 to 6 the chance to write a short letter or poem on what ANZAC Day means to them.

Currumbin RSL will select one lucky student to read their work at their ANZAC Day service. Every student that participates will receive a certificate and the winner from each grade gets a $50 Currumbin RSL voucher. 

All the details are below. The competition closes this Friday, so get writing!

Vale Raymond "Freddy" Fien

On behalf of the Currumbin electorate, I honoured the life of Raymond ‘Freddy’ Henry Fien in Queensland Parliament and I expressed our deepest condolences to Freddy’s wife Donna, and to his four beautiful daughters Samantha, Taylor, Claudia, and Olivia.

Freddy was taken from us far too soon. He dedicated himself to Surf Lifesaving on the southern Gold Coast for over 45 years and our community is far richer for his selfless contributions and his great presence.

Freddy will never be forgotten.

Vale Raymond ‘Freddy’ Fien. 

Listen to my tribute here.

Youth Crime

Breach of Bail is now a law, but it’s just one part of our plan to create a safer Queensland - our work is only just getting started.

The Palaszczuk Government adopted our policy of Breach of Bail word for word, but it will only work if we unshackle the judiciary and provide gold standard early intervention.

This month in Parliament, we revealed that the Palaszczuk Government will not deliver the youth justice laws they promised.

Last year, the Premier promised that “violent juvenile car thieves will face 14 years’ jail.”

Yet, the Premier failed to say under the sentencing principles contained in the Youth Justice Act, the maximum sentence that juvenile offenders can be sentenced is 7 years!

This government has failed victims of crime and failed a generation of children.

The Palaszczuk Government also refused to debate our proposed amendments to the laws.

Watch my speech here.

Housing Crisis

The power of community!

In February, I raised concerns that State owned properties were being squandered, left vacant, in the middle of a housing crisis! Thanks to some concerned locals, I prosecuted the issue in the media so that the Palaszczuk Labor Government would actually do something and offer these homes to people in need.

A week later, ‘For Lease’ signs went up.

Thank you to the thoughtful community members who brought this to my attention so that at least a few families struggling to find a rental might have options! But it must be acknowledged that it’s nowhere near enough.
 
The Palaszczuk Labor Government’s record on housing is the worst in the country. For two years running, Queensland has spent less on social housing per person than any other state or territory. 

When it comes to housing Queenslanders, the Palaszczuk Labor Government is all talk and no action.

Patients' Tax kicked down the road

Has your GP stopped bulk billing you? Are you struggling to find a GP that will bulk bill?

The State Government’s proposed payroll tax for GP’s is why! Along with the AMAQ, we called the State Government out on this tax last year. 

Following our pressure, the State Government's patients' tax has been kicked down the road. Thisis a good win for our community, and I am proud that we have been ableto push the Palaszczuk Government on this issue.

However, the "amnesty" ends just a few months after the next election - it is obviously a political fix, not a fix for patient care.

Tax policy must be considered, modelled and consulted.

Instead we have the Treasurer repeatedly breaking his "no new or increased taxes" promise and treating stakeholders from all industries and sectors of the economy with disdain.

In a cost of living crisis, I will continue to fight for tax policies that help ease the pain on families and businesses! 

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