Queensland fuel subsidy to continue under LNP, Springborg claims
The Queensland Liberal-National Party says it will continue the State’s 8.35 cents-per-litre fuel subsidy, as the Labor Party looks at whether to phase it out.
Opposition leader Lawrence Springborg last week guaranteed the subsidy was “here to stay” under an LNP-led government, and also accused the Bligh Government of secretly trying to scrap it.
The rebate was introduced in the 1990s and Springborg says it is essential it continues to help families and businesses.
“However the 11-year-old Labor Government is giving no such guarantee. On their password protected website, Labor reveals it will ‘investigate options for phasing out the fuel subsidy'”, Springborg says.
The Queensland Labor website says its policy branch will look at options to end the subsidy and use the money to invest in public transport and rural assistance.
As reported, Treasurer Andrew Fraser did not deny the motion, but says the Government has committed to retaining the subsidy in the past.
The former Beattie Government looked at the ending the rebate in 2000 but decided against it after a public backlash.
“Now it’s back on Labor’s agenda,” Springborg says.