Media Release by John-Paul Langbroek
New Minister for flood recovery needed in Queensland
The LNP has moved quickly to spearhead new ideas for Queensland’s recovery from flood devastation with the appointment of a stand-alone Shadow Minister for Flood Recovery.
State Opposition Leader, John-Paul Langbroek, today appointed Peter Dowling MP to the new Shadow Ministry to coordinate the LNP’s “Rebuilding Queensland Strategy” which Mr Langbroek said would be a ‘construction and ideas’ machine for the state.
Mr Langbroek, who today inspected first-hand the devastating scenes at Grantham before assessing flood damage in Brisbane and Ipswich, said the scale of the flood disaster, both human and financial, was staggering beyond comprehension.
“I have appointed Peter Dowling as Queensland’s Shadow Minister for Flood Recovery,” Mr Langbroek said
“As the former Deputy Mayor of Redlands, Peter brings with him a wealth of planning experience along with tremendous credentials when it comes to coordinating state government and local government responses.”
Mr Langbroek said the rebuilding of Queensland would take many years and could not be addressed in one-single budget cycle.
“When it comes to rebuilding our communities, the LNP will not allow anyone to take their foot off the pedal.”
Mr Langbroek encouraged Premier Bligh to also appoint a stand-alone Minister for Flood Recovery.
“In time the glare of the media focus will dilute. Yet the human pain and financial struggle of thousands upon thousands of Queenslanders will still be there and it will still be real for many years as we go about rebuilding entire communities,” he said.
“We need to ensure someone is there, every step of the way, to drive and coordinate what will be a herculean task.”