Election Update No.2 - Independent Schools Queensland

2015 State Election
Election Update No. 2
For member schools and their communities
22 January 2015
Campaign Launches of the Major Parties
LNP - Premier Campbell Newman officially launched the Liberal National Party (LNP) campaign in Brisbane on
Sunday 18 January. The Premier promised that a re-elected LNP would spend $1 billion for 22 new schools and
existing school upgrades. The media made much of the fact that Prime Minister Tony Abbott was absent from the
launch, with Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss and Attorney-General George Brandis the only Federal
representatives present besides a handful on Queensland-based Federal MPs. Mr Newman used his campaign
launch speech to implore Queenslanders to “vote 1”, saying: “A hung Parliament is a hung Queensland.”
The Liberal-National Party (LNP) website with its policies is here - http://qld.lnp.org.au/
ALP – Queensland Labor Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk launched the ALP’s campaign in Ipswich on Tuesday 20th
January. The Labor leader attacked the Liberal National Party's record on education. She said the LNP had
overseen huge TAFE fee price rises and closed TAFE campuses across the State. Ms Palaszczuk made a "modest"
pledge to fund 100 new TAFE teaching and support positions. The Labor leader promised $240 million over four
years to jobs training for 32,000 people. "I can sum up the difference between the LNP and Labor in six simple
words - Labor will not sell your assets."
The Australian Labor Party (ALP) policies can be found here - http://annastacia.com.au/labor-policies/.
LEADERS DEBATES – The Premier and Opposition Leader will go head-to-head in two debates before the Election
on January 31. The first debate will be broadcast on Sky News at 7pm (AEST) on Friday, January 23. The one-hour
format will give an audience of 100 undecided voters the chance to put their questions to the leaders. The second
debate will be held at the Queensland Media Club the day before the election, Friday January 30.
ISQ Election Statement Distributed to Candidates
Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ) has distributed our Election Statement to all 433 candidates contesting the
election and has already received many email of acknowledgement and phone calls of support, particularly from
independent candidates. In addition to direct emails to candidates including links to our State Election Statement
and Electorate Reports ISQ’s Executive Director David Robertson has written to the Premier, the Leader of the
Opposition, the Education Minister and the Shadow Education Spokesperson asking for a commitment regarding
independent schools and a response to our Statement. When we receive responses from the major Parties we will
ensure they are uploaded onto the website and passed on to members.
A full list of candidates is on the Electoral Commission Queensland website which also has other useful
information. See link here - http://www.ecq.qld.gov.au/elections/state/State2015/candidates.html
ISQ State Election Webpage
Links to the Education Policies of the major Parties can be found on the ISQ’s State Election webpage Other
election information and materials including Electorate Reports which provide valuable information relating to
enrolments and participation rates for each electorate, can also be found on the ISQ election webpage.
Authorised by David Robertson, Executive Director, Independent Schools Queensland, Spring Hill 4000.
www.isq.qld.edu.au P: (07) 3228 1515 F: (07)3228 1275 E: office@isq.qld.edu.au
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