Received
- Details
- Written by Grant Broadcasters
- Category: Received
- Hits: 77
Daly Cherry-Evans has warned Mitchell Moses that State of Origin football is "a huge step up" while detailing his own failure to fire in 2014 as an example of the challenge awaiting the new NSW halfback.
Parramatta playmaker Mitchell will play his second Origin match at Suncorp Stadium on June 21 after being selected to replace the injured Nathan Cleary at No.7
"It's a huge step up. It's not the same ... and that's what makes Origin so good," 32-year-old veteran halfback Cherry Evans said of the assignment facing Moses.
"I know for me, how I play at club level doesn't cut it at Origin level. You need to go to a new level, so you have to be ready for that."
Cherry-Evans, now with 20 Origins under his belt, was a 25-year-old half in 2014 when he was tasked with squaring the series in game two, as Moses is next Wednesday night.
"I was in that position - and I wasn't up to it," Cherry Evans said.
"It was in 2014. I had to come on for Cooper Cronk (in game one) when he broke his forearm.
"We lost that game at Suncorp and then we went to Sydney and we lost 6-4. Early in my career my head was certainly spinning at Origin level and I didn't play good enough to hold my spot down basically.
"I learnt a lot from those early days. They weren't great results for Queensland and they stayed with me for a long time.
"They certainly hardened me and I learned a lot out of it, and it's put me in good stead for now."
Cherry-Evans rates Moses highly but the Maroons will be doing everything to make sure his head is also spinning when he makes his kicks.
"Yes, kick pressure is a bit part of Origin and that's one thing that is going to go up a level, is kick pressure for sure," Cherry-Evans said.
"Parramatta has had a difficult start to the year but Mitch has been playing some good footy.
"He's got a really good kicking game, plays off-the-cuff footy and is a danger when he runs."
Moses played his solitary Origin game in 2021 when he replaced Cleary (hamstring) in game three. Queensland won 20-18 but Moses bravely battled through the match with a fractured back.
Years of rivalry at club level have left Moses confident he and NSW five-eighth Jarome Luai can strike up a fruitful combination in Brisbane.
They've had great battles in Western Sydney derbies between Parramatta and Penrith.
Moses is comfortable the pair can find good chemistry quick-smart.
"I know a fair bit of him and had a fair look at him. We normally mark up against each other," Moses said.
"Having to defend him and do video on all his shapes, I've watched his game pretty closely.
"He's such a quality player. He's probably been one of the best sixes in the game for the last three years. I'm excited to partner him. We'll see what we can do at training ... and see what partnership we can strike up."
© AAP 2023
- Details
- Written by Grant Broadcasters
- Category: Received
- Hits: 64
Queenslanders are being showered with electricity bill relief, free kindy and other cost of living measures as soaring coal and gas royalties power the state budget to a historic surplus.
Treasurer Cameron Dick said the $12.3 billion surplus for 2022/23 was the largest for any state or territory and declared help was on the way for people struggling with rising inflation and interest rates.
"In this budget, our government will deliver greater and more widespread cost of living relief than any other government in Australia, state or federal," he said on Tuesday.
Mr Dick said the largesse was possible because of the government's progressive royalties regime introduced last year, which brought in an extra $10.5b amid high coal and gas prices.
"We can deliver our state's biggest cost of living program, our state's biggest building program and deliver lower debt because of one simple reason - progressive coal royalties," the treasurer said.
"Our decision to take on the mining lobby, to stand our ground and to fight for the people of our state, has delivered a rich reward for Queenslanders."
Mr Dick announced expanded cost of living relief, including an increase in the electricity bill rebate to $550 for all households - up from $175 - and more than $1000 for eligible concession holders.
The rebates mean low-income households such as pensioners might pay nothing for electricity in the next financial year.
The other big-ticket item was $645 million over four years to provide 15 hours a week of free kindergarten for all four-year-olds.
"Over the course of a year, that means an average saving of $4600 for many Queensland families," Mr Dick said.
With the government under pressure over the state's health system, the treasurer announced a funding boost of more than nine per cent, including money to reduce ambulance ramping and emergency department wait times.
More than $1 billion was earmarked for social housing as the state deals with a shortage.
Mr Dick touted the state's infrastructure spend, forecast to be $89b over four years.
Projects include the 2032 Olympics, the Fitzroy to Gladstone water pipeline, the Borumba Pumped Hydro project and stage one of the Coomera Connector motorway.
The opposition said the treasurer's budget failed to repair frontline services or deliver long-term cost of living relief.
"Treasurer Dick has pocketed an extra $60b than he forecast in his first budget less than three years ago, but the state has nothing to show for it," shadow treasurer David Janetski said.
"After the rivers of gold dry up, Queensland will have nothing to show but the highest debt in our state's history, the highest taxes and failing frontline services."
Social services body QCOSS said the cost of living measures would make a "concrete difference" to household budgets but warned the extra housing funding was not enough.
"Without a comprehensive plan to put a roof over the head of every Queenslander, the housing crisis will continue to get worse," CEO Aimee McVeigh said.
The Queensland Resources Council continued its campaign against the progressive royalties regime, saying it had shattered investor confidence.
"Queensland now relies on its viability in the economy in the coal sector and we are facing a big challenge in keeping investor confidence in that sector with royalty taxes at the highest in the world, and five times that of NSW," CEO Ian Macfarlane said.
The royalties bonanza is not expected to continue and revenue is forecast to fall sharply in 2023/24, as the surge in prices for coal and other commodities unwinds.
This will result in a forecast deficit of $2b in 2023/24.
Queensland's economy is forecast to grow two per cent in 2022/23 and increase to three per cent over the next two years.
© AAP 2023
- Details
- Written by Grant Broadcasters
- Category: Received
- Hits: 65
QUEENSLAND RESOURCES COUNCIL
"Queensland now relies on its viability in the economy in the coal sector and we are facing a big challenge in keeping investor confidence in that sector with royalty taxes at the highest in the world and five times that of NSW" - chief executive Ian Macfarlane
QUEENSLAND COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE
"Even with today's commitment to build 500 new social houses, the current level of investment will not even maintain the status quo ... without a comprehensive plan to put a roof over the head of every Queenslander, the housing crisis will continue to get worse" - chief executive Aimee McVeigh
AUSTRALIAN RETAILERS ASSOCIATION
"The cost of kindergarten often makes it unfeasible for mums to return to work, so today's news is welcomed, however, it's a broader issue remaining for families with older children too" - chief executive Paul Zahra
RACQ
"Where is the strategic planning to deal with this growth? Where's the plan to keep Queensland moving? Not just on major arterial roads, but public and active transport" - manager of advocacy Joshua Cooney
S&P GLOBAL RATINGS
"Infrastructure spending will mean gross debt will continue to climb after a temporary decline in 2023 as operating revenues spiked. Queensland's economy, financial management, and comprehensive liquidity coverage support our ratings (AA+) and the stable outlook" - analyst Rebecca Hrvatin
REAL ESTATE INSTITUTE OF QUEENSLAND
"Social housing funding still remains dreadfully deficient with expenditure on social housing in this budget 75 per cent below historical averages, which puts Queensland dead last in the country. Sadly, there are no incentives to meaningfully boost supply and increase the current rate of build, while we face a continued shortfall and a 50,000-waitlist growing longer by the day - all at a time when government seems intent on reducing private housing supply" - chief executive Antonia Mercorella
QUEENSLAND CONSERVATION COUNCIL
"To build the renewable energy identified in the budget in the time frame we need, the government has to accelerate their planning reforms and transform their community and traditional owner engagement to make sure that local communities are designing their own energy future and protecting their nature and cultural heritage" - director Dave Copeman
KATTER'S AUSTRALIAN PARTY
Katter's Australian Party called for the introduction of a Western Australia-styled "royalties for regions" program, calling for 25 per cent of royalty income to be spent in regional Queensland
"If you spent this money back in the regions, you could create greater wealth-creating opportunities that set our state up for a richer and more sustainable future" - leader Robbie Katter
© AAP 2023
- Details
- Written by Grant Broadcasters
- Category: Received
- Hits: 67
Even before a masterclass over the long weekend, Blues coach Brad Fittler only had eyes for Mitchell Moses.
After Nathan Cleary was ruled out with a torn hamstring following Game I, Fittler could take his pick of the rugby league litter, with Game I debutant Nicho Hynes and Adam Reynolds also vying to replace the Penrith star for the must-win second game of the State of Origin series on June 21.
With two try assists and a line break in Parramatta's decisive 34-12 victory over the Bulldogs on Monday, Moses appeared to have nudged his rivals from the race and sealed a second Blues appearance.
But for Fittler, who coached Moses in Lebanon's 2017 World Cup tilt, the choice was always obvious. Only Moses could part the Maroon sea after earning his debut in similar circumstances.
"Last time Nathan didn't play, Mitchell took his position. So in my eyes, it was Mitchell's to lose," Fittler said.
"I've always had confidence in Mitchell but with player injuries we've still got to watch every game.
"It made us a lot more comfortable when we watched him yesterday go and control the game and play a big part in why they won."
Moses' second Origin appearance comes after he was also selected as Cleary's injury replacement in the third game of the 2021 series.
But a fractured back suffered in the opening 10 minutes stymied Moses and the Blues went on to lose to their rivals, having comprehensively beaten them in the first two games.
"Last time I played it was pretty much bite down on the mouthguard for 70 minutes and do my best. I didn't want to let anyone down," Moses said.
Though the game two decider has higher stakes than Moses' Origin debut, the halfback is excited to give it another shot.
"To come out here 1-0 down in the series at Suncorp, it's pretty exciting and it's a big test."
Moses said he was flattered to be considered second in line behind dual-premiership halfback Nathan Cleary and called him "one of the best players in the last four years".
Moses felt for his long-term NRL rival after he was rubbed out of the second game.
"He's copped a fair bit of criticism after game one. As a rugby league player and as an athlete you want to prove the critics wrong. And he doesn't get to do that. It's pretty sad to see."
But Moses said he wouldn't let the title go to his head.
"It's not an ego boost. I've just got to go out there and do my job."
© AAP 2023
Page 175 of 1496