Palaszczuk defends cash-for-access events

Queensland Labor's fundraising will be declared and transparent, Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk says.

Queensland Labor leader Annastacia Palaszczuk

Annastacia Palaszczuk has left a meeting with Queensland's governor without speaking to media. (AAP)

Queensland Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk has defended Labor's cash-for-access fundraising.

The party has reportedly set up a group similar to the Liberal National Party's Q Forum.

For an annual fee of $5000-$10,000, members are invited to private functions with the opposition leader and shadow cabinet.

Ms Palaszczuk will attend the first event four days out from the election, despite her past criticism of the Newman government's cash-for-access events.

"The party needs to raise money to run an election campaign," she said.

The opposition leader broadly explained what people going to the function would get in return for their money.

"I'm listening to them. I listen to Queenslanders," she said.

"I will run a very open and transparent government, something that (Premier) Campbell Newman has failed to do."

She pointed out the LNP had raised the threshold for declaring political donations from $1000 to $12,800.

Ms Palaszczuk said Labor would continue to declare all donations over $1000, unlike the LNP.

The cash-for-access topic overshadowed Ms Palaszczuk's promise of a $30 million fund for developing regional marine infrastructure.

The fund would run for two years and be used to upgrade boat ramps and coastal swimming areas, among other things.

She also promised to extend the north Queensland crocodile management area to the Fitzroy River, near Rockhampton.

Ms Palaszczuk made the announcement on Thursday in the central Queensland town of Emu Park.


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Source: AAP


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