10th November 2011.

Labor raising revenue not lowering road fatalities

The broke Bligh Labor government has again been caught out prioritising revenue instead of being concerned about Queenslanders – this time reducing speed on our roads, the State Opposition said today.

Shadow Minister for Police John-Paul Langbroek said Labor’s ‘cash cow’ speed cameras have been exposed as nothing more than revenue raisers to plug police budget black hole.

“The number of weekly road fatalities had reportedly increased under Labor yet because they had sent our state broke, they were more interested in raking in revenue than saving lives,” Mr Langbroek said.

Reports police in Brisbane’s Metropolitan North Region were instructed to set up speed cameras in areas that would ‘represent best use of the asset’ and return a ‘reasonable rate of detection’ questioned the Bligh government’s priorities.

“Labor’s addiction to cash cow cameras will simply line the pockets of a broke Labor government that is desperate to generate revenue to fund the bungled police pay dispute.

“Anna Bligh is already sacking more than 300 public servants in the police to pay for her hopeless government’s financial mismanagement, including the police budget.

“The best way to stop speeding and other road safety issues is to have a strong visible police presence on Queensland streets.

“Queensland motorists deserve a fair go from this inept Labor government which has taxed them, levied them and fined them at every corner.

“It’s time for a major rethink of the way in which road related offences are tackled.

“Only the LNP will revitalise front line services and cut the waste,” Mr Langbroek said.