Latest News and Events
TRANSPORT SOLUTIONS
Greens announce plans for FREE public transport for students and young people
The Greens today announced at the University of Queensland Market Day a plan for free public transport for young people in Queensland.
Under the Greens' plan young people under 21 years of age and all students would ride free on all trains, buses ferries and CityCats.
Greens MP for Indooroopilly Ronan Lee said such a policy was important because it provided young people with free public transport to encourage them to use and learn more about the system before they learned how to drive. This means they were less likely to become habitual car drivers.
Students and young people would register for an EasiCard which would use the GoCard system and provide them with free transport.
"This scheme would cost the State Government $40 million a year but this would be more than compensated for by such benefits as improving safety around schools by reducing the number of vehicles dropping off students," Mr Lee said.
"This is a congestion-busting policy and would save future governments from having to build new roads.
"There's a short-term cost to the government with a long-term benefit to the community."
Greens ready for election
The Greens have condemned the Premier for going to the polls six moths early but are nevertheless ready for their most successful campaign yet.
Greens MP for Indooroopilly Ronan Lee said the Premier should have been prepared to go through until September, to take on the challenge of the economic slowdown and implement those policy promises left over from the last election.
"The premier is hoping to sneak back into government with an election held before unemployment becomes a major issue and her government's weaknesses are exposed," Mr Lee said.
"She also promised to protect the Great Barrier Reef, list many wilderness rivers, stop the broadscale treee clearing that is still occurring and many other environmental reforms, none of which have been done."
Mr Lee said the electorate was faced with a Labor government that was a disappointment on so many levels and an opposition that had released few significant policies and had a history of environmental barbarism.
"In this situation we are saying to voters that the Greens are a strong, coherent, progressive alternative," Mr Lee said.
"We have the policies to place the Queensland economy on a 21st century footing so that we are not so dependent on the mining sector and to promote green jobs everywhere."
The Greens believe their MP Ronan Lee will be re-elected, they have a good chance in several other seats and the preferences of their voters will be vital to the outcome.
Postal Votes
If you will be away or unable to get to a polling booth on election day you can apply for a Postal Vote by using this form or you can phone Ronan on 3878 1928 or email ronan.lee@parliament.qld.gov.au and he will arrange a Postal Vote for you.
DELIVERING LOCALLY
Lee questions Federal sell-off of CSIRO land
Greens MP Ronan Lee today called on the Federal Government to reverse its sale of land at Long Pocket, Brisbane.
The land is owned by the Federal Government and is currently used by the CSIRO. Most of the site is bushland and local environmental groups report up to 200 bird species on the site.
"I question whether the Federal Government examined the possibility of other uses of the site," Mr Lee said.
"They need to stop looking at federally-owned land from a purely dollars and cents perspective and start considering what might be the best community use to be made of it.
"Once it is sold and is subject to Brisbane City Council planning the battle to preserve this precious piece of bushland is probably lost."
DELIVERING FOR STUDENTS
Thousands of students to miss government bonus payments
Greens MP Ronan Lee says thousands of full-time students in Brisbane may miss out on a $950 payment under the Government's stimulus package in its current form.
The Federal Government has proposed that students eligible for Youth Allowance, Austudy and Abstudy, who are enrolled by February 3 2009, will receive the $950 payment under the stimulus package. This is earlier than the date by which many students will have enrolled or re-enrolled.
"The February 3 deadline is unreasonable and will exclude many full-time students – the very people who will be able to put that money to good use," said Mr Lee.
"The Greens believe the deadline should be extended to the traditional census date used by Universities, so that all students can access these payments equally.
"The $950 payment will be important for students getting established for the new academic year, for example buying textbooks or setting up living arrangements.
"The current deadline just doesn't work for students and needs to be changed."
RECYCLING
Greens call for Battery Recycling scheme
Greens MP Ronan Lee today said Queensland needs a comprehensive program of battery recycling and that this should be in place within five years. Queenslanders purchase around one third of household batteries during the Christmas period and this is a good time to think about what we do with used household batteries.
HALE ST Update
Hale Street Bridge Building Debacle
The Brisbane City Council's mismanagement of the construction of the Hale Street Bridge will force residents from the western suburbs (including those who live in Ronan's electorate) to endure hour long delays in traffic.
Ronan will be organising a community campaign against this poor decision by the City Council.
BETTER TRANSPORT
Labor/LNP backing ‘wrong horse’ on Kenmore bypass
Greens MP Ronan Lee today said both Labor and the LNP were backing the wrong horse by supporting the proposed Kenmore By-pass.
SAVE THE REEF CAMPAIGN
Labor/Liberal Nationals fail to protect Reef
Greens MP Ronan Lee today criticised the Labor State Government and the LNP Opposition for their failure to support a 99 year moratorium on shale oil drilling in the Great Barrier Reef.
BETTER TRANSPORT
Pedestrian and bicycle link
Work to provide a safe pedestrian and bicycle link from ANZAC park to the Mount Coot-tha Botanical Gardens is almost complete.
This overpass will provide a much needed safe crossing for cyclists and pedestrians over the Western Freeway and is an important part of making it easier and safer for people to get active and enjoy this wonderful sporting activity.
Trams for Brisbane Ronan is a vocal advocate for better public transport, especially light rail systems like Trams, and has organised an ePetition to show support for the reintroduction of Trams. BETTER TRANSPORT
PROTECTING OUR HERITAGE
Ronan Lee MP orders repairs for Keating House
Ronan Lee MP and the State Government have told the owners of heritage listed Keating House they face a $75,000 fine if they don’t comply with a maintenance notice to repair the deteriorating property.
“I have been pushing for Keating House to be repaired and I’m thrilled the State Government has acted” Mr Lee said.
DELIVERING LOCALLY
Ronan launches $6million houses for people with a disability
The Cerebral Palsy League of Queensland invited Ronan to turn the first sod for its new $6million adult accommodation complex in Fig Tree Pocket. The event coincided with National Cerebral palsy Awareness Week, which aims to promote the achievements of people with cerebral palsy.
