Taking an opportunity to discuss local public transport infrastructure plans for the Beaudesert electorate, Labor candidate Brett Raguse (right) points out its potential features with (left to right) Diane Lydiard (Beaudesert), Dale Jackson (Gleneagle) and Bill Shorten at the Jimboomba Tavern function last week.

Mr Shorten and his wife Deb paid the shire a visit to support Labor candidate for Beaudesert, Brett Raguse in his current election campaign. His address focused on a ‘progress update’ on the rescued miners and the aftermath effect the incident impacted on the town of Beaconsfield.

Mr Shorten said there had been a similar negative consequence at Beaconsfield as with Beaudesert. He related to the disastrous effect of the local meatworks closure at Bromelton and to the similar exodus of population from Beaconsfield after the mine’s cessation. He also stressed the importance of attracting more employment to regional towns.

In support of Mr Raguse, Mr Shorten said: “Beaudesert needs a real voice in State Government and a person who also has the ear of Government… it needs a representative who is constantly arguing its best interests on behalf of the electorate!”

The Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Paul Lucas also attended the function and told the gathering Mr Raguse had arranged a number of personal meetings with him expressing his concern regarding present public transport problems that exists throughout the electorate.

“Mr Raguse clearly knows where the main transport problems are and his proposals are currently being considered by myself and my department,” Mr Lucas said.

Brett Raguse, ALP Candidate for the State Seat of Beaudesert stated today that the Beaudesert Hospital was to continue increasing its services, NOT closing down or cutting back.

“This is just an unfounded rumour created by the current State Member to scare the residents for some kind of political gain. Every election he uses the same tactic - if he says there are problems why hasn’t he fixed them?

“We need solutions not problems and I have stated that if I am elected I will call for an immediate review of the services at the Beaudesert Hospital to see what needs to be done; if there are problems I will find the solutions”, said Mr Raguse.

“Maternity and Birthing services is one area that needs special attention and I have already been in discussion with different groups to find solutions.

“Shallow promises from the opposition to fund services doesn’t solve any problems because it has never been an issue of funding but one of getting trained and experienced staff to Beaudesert.

“One thing that can be assured is that by voting for me on September 9 you will get a State Member determined to find solutions and make things happen for Beaudesert”, Mr Raguse said.

A re-elected Beattie Government would provide a wheelchair accessible taxi – a people mover - in small towns in Queensland that have a taxi licence, but no wheelchair accessible cabs.

If re-elected, the Beattie Government would provide a one-off funding injection of more than $4.5 million to provide, at Government cost, replacement of existing taxis with wheelchair accessible taxis in small towns and communities that currently have a taxi service, but not a wheelchair accessible cab.

ALP candidate for Beaudesert, Brett Raguse, said people living and working in Beaudesert and Tamborine Mountain, would be the big winners under the Beattie re-election plan.

“This is about putting wheelchair accessible taxis in small towns and communities like Tamborine Mountain that currently have a taxi service, but not a wheelchair accessible one,” Mr Raguse said.

“This is great news for people who live and work around Tamborine Mountain and Beaudesert,” Mr Raguse said.

“Not only are we helping people with a disability, these taxis can also carry between six to eight passengers – they’re real people movers,” he said.

“So if there’s a group of people going to an event at Tamborine Mountain, there’ll be a people mover taxi to help them get home safely and quickly, and it’ll be a wheelchair accessible taxi too,” he said.

The initiative will benefit around 60 small towns across Queensland that currently have a taxi service, but not a wheelchair accessible one.

A re-elected Beattie Government would also make funds available to encourage taxi owners to provide wheelchair accessible cabs.

The Beattie Government recognises that many operators in small towns simply can’t afford to upgrade to a wheelchair accessible cab which can cost around $80,000.

If re-elected, the Beattie Government would make funds available to encourage taxi owners to provide wheelchair accessible cabs through the sale of additional taxi licences.

A re-elected Beattie Government will provide the extra funds for this initiative through the sale of additional taxi licences.

In a re-elected Beattie Government, any new taxi area in Queensland will have to provide a wheelchair accessible taxi as part of its contract.

“It takes a Labor Government to progress policies like this one. And that’s because a re-elected Beattie Government will look after all Queenslanders,” Mr Raguse said.

“Not only will a re-elected Beattie Government invest in the future of the taxi industry, it will invest in people who rely on taxis to get around,” he said.

Brett Raguse, ALP Candidate for the State Seat of Beaudesert has applauded the announcement made today by Environment Minister, Desley Boyle for the grand old dame of Queensland’s protected estate – Tamborine National Park – which will undergo a makeover ahead of centenary celebrations, courtesy of a $900,000 early birthday gift from the State Government.

Environment Minister Desley Boyle said the funding would be used to upgrade infrastructure within several day-use areas.

“Brett Raguse, has made many representations to me on issues related to the environmental concerns of the residents - this funding is also recognition of their hard work and efforts in protecting the Mountain.

“Tamborine Mountain attracts more than one million visitors every year with many of these people also visiting Tamborine National Park,” Ms Boyle said.

“It is one of south-east Queensland’s most popular national parks, particularly for day visitors, with picnic areas and short walks in such a pretty setting within an hour's drive of Brisbane or the Gold Coast.

“Works will include new toilets at Witches Falls, new picnic tables, new interpretaive signs, improved walking tracks and car park improvements.

“Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers will start the work by the end of the year in preparation for the park’s centenary in March 2008,” Ms Boyle said.

Work will start at the Witches Falls section, followed by upgrading around the Knoll and its day-use area to make it easier for people in wheelchairs to access.

“The Witches Falls section of the park was declared in 1908, making it Queensland's first national park,” Ms Boyle said.

“With the park’s centenary in less than two years, this work will help revamp the park ahead of celebrations to mark this significant date in Queensland history.”

Labor Candidate for Beaudesert, Brett Raguse, today welcomed the Beattie Government’s initiative to provide funds to state schools for local projects through the new School Community Development Fund.

26 state schools in the Beaudesert electorate will share in a total of $690,500 as part of a $50 million commitment by the Beattie Government to improve facilities for students.

“This is great news for our principals, teachers and especially parents and children,” Mr Raguse said.

“This is an opportunity for parents to get involved with their school and influence their children’s learning environment.

“There’s a great degree of scope – it depends on what the school P & C considers most important.”

Under the initiative, each of Queensland’s 1276 state schools will receive funds for local projects through a $50 million School Community Development Fund.

It will be up to the school community how the money is spent in partnership with the principal and within some very flexible guidelines.

It can involve installing water tanks, upgrading the library, refitting the science lab or putting in playground equipment.

The amount of the grant is determined by a combination of factors, including the size of the school, the enrolments and the locality.

The grants do not replace existing capital works or maintenance programs – they are part of the Beattie Government’s long-term commitment to modernise state schools.

Under the ‘Tomorrow’s Schools’ program, the Government has committed $1 billion over the next five years to upgrade state schools.