Debt Reduction and Savings Bill 2021

Supported the bill, highlighting the committee process that led to the withdrawal of tattoo ink provisions and defending Labor's savings approach over the LNP's record of cuts.

“This is demonstrative of how as a Labor government we listen and we respond. We certainly listened to the tattoo industry around its concerns in relation to tattoo inks.”— 2021-05-27View Hansard

Defended the bill as delivering sensible savings while protecting public ownership of the Titles Registry and investing in frontline services, renewable energy and jobs.

“The Titles Registry will be secured in public ownership and they will not be able to sell it, and they of course do not like this idea.”— 2021-05-26View Hansard

Opposed the bill, arguing it contains no genuine debt reduction or savings, criticising the abolition of the Queensland Productivity Commission and Building Queensland as reducing transparency, and the removal of print newspaper requirements as harmful to regional communities.

“The LNP will be opposing the bill. There is absolutely no effort by the government to reduce debt as the title suggests.”— 2021-05-26View Hansard

Moved the second reading as Treasurer, arguing the bill implements sensible savings and debt reduction measures including transferring the Titles Registry to the Queensland Future Fund, abolishing several statutory bodies, and modernising government operations without cutting frontline services.

“This bill aims to increase the efficiency of government by reducing the number of statutory authorities, improving the way that fees and charges are set and reducing the cost of government advertising.”— 2021-05-25View Hansard

Argued the bill continues Labor's record of responsible economic management, contrasting it with the LNP's record of cutting frontline services, sacking workers and selling assets.

“This bill continues to do what Labor governments repeatedly do. At its core this bill is about responsible economic management.”— 2021-05-26View Hansard

Supported the bill as progressing the government's savings and debt plan without resorting to the LNP model of slash, cut and sell, highlighting the transfer of the Titles Registry to the Debt Retirement Fund.

“The groundwork has taken place for Queensland to be able to create special purpose accounts for the purpose of managing current and future debt reduction programs without the need to resort to the LNP model of slash, cut and sell.”— 2021-05-26View Hansard

Argued the bill is a 'con job' that neither reduces debt nor delivers meaningful savings, noting only $3 million of the promised $3 billion in savings had been identified. Foreshadowed an amendment to rename the bill the 'Debt Non-Reduction and Minimal Savings Bill'.

“We are not going to endorse this bill today. We are not going to support this con job of a debt reduction and savings plan because it does neither. It neither reduces debt nor saves Queensland taxpayers any money.”— 2021-05-25View Hansard

Supported the bill as providing sensible savings that protect Public Service jobs and assets while ensuring frontline services remain sustainable, contrasting it with the LNP's record of cuts under the Newman government.

“I rise to speak in support of the bill, a bill that recommends sensible savings while protecting vital Public Service jobs and assets and ensuring our frontline services are sustainable and are focused on the needs of the public.”— 2021-05-27View Hansard

Supported the bill as part of the government's superior economic management, arguing it will improve the state's net debt position while the LNP has no plan for debt except to cut, sack and sell.

“I have no doubt that the measures in this bill will improve the net debt position of our state and reduce our debt burden.”— 2021-05-26View Hansard

Opposed the bill as a con job, arguing it contains no real debt reduction or savings, criticising the dubious $4.1 billion valuation of the Titles Registry, the abolition of the Queensland Productivity Commission, and the removal of print newspaper advertising requirements.

“There is nothing in this bill which is really about debt reduction. There is nothing about savings. The title is neatly packaged up by the government's spin teams to create a sleight of hand.”— 2021-05-26View Hansard

Spoke in support focusing on amendments to the Medicines and Poisons Act regarding tattoo inks and real-time prescription monitoring, and defended the bill's savings measures as sensible alternatives to cutting services.

“We are doing this in a sensible way that finds savings within government and retains the expertise and skills we need but gets rid of some of those overheads.”— 2021-05-25View Hansard

Supported the bill as protecting Queensland from the LNP's agenda to cut, sack and sell, citing the closure of schools in Townsville under the Newman government as an example of poor alternatives.

“I support this bill because it is all about protecting Queensland from the LNP agenda to cut, sack and sell.”— 2021-05-27View Hansard

Supported the bill as enabling continued investment in frontline services and infrastructure including the new Bundaberg Hospital, contrasting it with the LNP's approach of sacking frontline workers.

“This bill allows for savings measures, ensuring we can continue to invest strongly in our frontline services.”— 2021-05-26View Hansard

Supported the bill as good policy delivering better services, highlighting the repeal of the Public Safety Business Agency Act to return staff to their home agencies and contrasting it with the LNP's privatisation agenda.

“This is good policy. This is good policy which will deliver better services for Queenslanders. It will reduce red tape. It will streamline processes for government, which will lead to greater effectiveness and efficiencies.”— 2021-05-26View Hansard

Opposed the bill as a 'pea and thimble trick' to avoid a credit rating downgrade, arguing the Titles Registry valuation of $4.1 billion was delusional given NSW and Victoria valuations were far lower, and criticising the raid on the defined benefit superannuation scheme.

“This bill is all about hiding the real position from Queensland taxpayers and is a deliberate and unabashed attempt at hiding the dismal economic performance of the Palaszczuk Labor government.”— 2021-05-25View Hansard

Would not oppose the bill overall but strongly opposed the abolition of the Queensland Productivity Commission, arguing it provided vital independent scrutiny that Treasury cannot replicate. Described the bill as unambitious with only $3 million in savings.

“We will not oppose this bill overall, despite the fact that it ultimately does achieve very little in the way of savings. It is pretty extraordinary to see a piece of legislation this large that will achieve only $3 million in identified savings.”— 2021-05-27View Hansard

Supported the bill overall but expressed concern about the removal of print publication requirements for public notices, noting many constituents rely on local hardcopy newspapers to stay informed.

“I think this is a backward step.”— 2021-05-26View Hansard

Opposed the bill, arguing it does nothing to actually reduce Queensland's $130 billion debt, merely moves assets around to satisfy credit rating agencies. Advocated for investing in income-generating infrastructure like CopperString and Hell's Gates Dam instead.

“This bill does nothing to reduce the debt of Queenslanders. We are sitting in $130 billion of debt right now.”— 2021-05-26View Hansard

Spoke in support as committee chair, arguing the bill ensures ratings agencies recognise the value of state-owned assets while keeping them in public ownership, contrasting this with the LNP's privatisation agenda.

“The Treasurer is committed to keeping the titles office in public ownership—but also determined that ratings agencies recognise that we own it.”— 2021-05-25View Hansard

Supported the bill as responsible economic policy, arguing Queensland's debt-to-revenue ratio compares favourably to other states and defending the contribution of the Titles Registry to the Debt Retirement Fund.

“This is responsible economic policy. That is what this government is about.”— 2021-05-27View Hansard

Supported the bill as achieving debt reduction and savings through finding efficiencies rather than cutting workers, criticising the LNP's record of sacking 14,000 workers and asset sales.

“They have been stumped on a number of questions including: why are we finding efficiencies rather than cutting and how is it that we are making savings without cutting workers?”— 2021-05-26View Hansard

Supported the bill, focusing on its small business benefits including the establishment of the Office of Productivity and Red Tape Reduction to make it easier to do business in Queensland.

“This integration of the Queensland Productivity Commission with Queensland Treasury will drive greater economic productivity and economic growth to promote economic recovery.”— 2021-05-26View Hansard

Opposed the bill as a committee member, noting the Deputy Under Treasurer could only identify $3 million in savings from the promised $3 billion, and that no business or economic community representatives spoke to the committee about the bill.

“When I questioned him I said, 'Sorry, Deputy Under Treasurer. That is $3 million. We are actually talking about $3 billion in savings, so where are they?'”— 2021-05-25View Hansard

Supported the bill for increasing government efficiency, protecting assets from privatisation and allowing proper recognition of assets by ratings agencies. Criticised the LNP's Commission of Audit as a privatisation blueprint.

“The bill aims to increase the efficiency of government by reducing the number of statutory authorities, improving the way fees and charges are set and reducing the cost of government advertising.”— 2021-05-27View Hansard

Opposed the bill as a total con job, arguing the $4.1 billion valuation of the Titles Registry is artificially inflated, the bill achieves no real savings, and it reduces transparency by scrapping the Queensland Productivity Commission and removing print newspaper advertising requirements.

“This bill cements Queensland's abysmal economic position and will only continue to promote intergenerational debt that our children and our grandchildren will have to suffer under for years to come.”— 2021-05-26View Hansard

Supported the bill, detailing the transfer of the Titles Registry to the Future Fund and drawing on her experience as a former police officer to explain how the Public Safety Business Agency failed to deliver on its promises of efficiency.

“More importantly the passage of this bill, which enables the transfer of the Titles Registry into the Future Fund, will mean that it is not an asset that can be sold.”— 2021-05-25View Hansard

Supported the bill as underpinning the government's economic recovery plan, contrasting it with the LNP Newman era's approach of sacking health workers and closing hospitals.

“Our Palaszczuk government is about doing business better, doing business smarter and making sure that Queenslanders' money is working hard for them.”— 2021-05-27View Hansard

Supported the bill as protecting Queensland from the LNP's agenda to cut, sack and sell, highlighting the abolition of the PSBA and the protection of the Titles Registry from privatisation.

“At its core, the bill is about removing redundancies such as the PSBA and returning the workforce to the departments in which they belong.”— 2021-05-26View Hansard

Opposed the bill as a committee member, arguing it was Labor's finest work in spin, with heavily inflated Titles Registry valuations and only $3 million identified from the promised $3 billion in savings. Called the bill a 'cover-up' rather than reform.

“As a member of the committee that reviewed the bill and considered 15 stakeholder submissions and attended public hearings, I can say that it does absolutely none of those things.”— 2021-05-25View Hansard

Supported the bill as protecting Queensland from the LNP's cut, sack and sell agenda. Highlighted personal experience of public service cuts under the Newman government and defended securing the Titles Registry in public ownership.

“It is no wonder the LNP complains about putting the Titles Registry in the Future Fund, because it means it cannot sell off the Titles Registry. The Titles Registry will be secured in public ownership.”— 2021-05-27View Hansard

Firmly opposed the bill as misleadingly titled, criticising the unexplained $4.1 billion valuation of the Titles Registry, the abolition of the Queensland Productivity Commission, and arguing the government is simultaneously selling off agricultural land assets.

“The LNP opposition firmly opposes this bill. Firstly, the name of the bill is misleading.”— 2021-05-26View Hansard

Supported the bill as demonstrating prudent fiscal responsibility, arguing it secures the Titles Registry in public ownership and prevents future LNP asset sales.

“With this bill the Titles Registry is placed, rightly so, into the state's Future Fund—working for all Queenslanders and making sure that the Queensland taxpayer will get the full value of the Titles Registry on the people's balance sheet.”— 2021-05-25View Hansard

Opposed the bill as misleading, arguing the $3 million savings over three days of debate was insignificant and criticised the questionable $4.2 billion Titles Registry valuation compared to interstate equivalents.

“I find it incredible that we put a bill together to save around $3 million. We have spent almost three days debating a way to save $3 million. Surely we could save a lot more than the $3 million this bill talks about.”— 2021-05-27View Hansard

Supported the bill as protecting the Titles Registry against privatisation by a future LNP government and implementing sensible savings measures without cutting frontline services.

“This bill protects the Titles Registry against privatisation by a future LNP government.”— 2021-05-26View Hansard

Called the bill a 'Clayton's bill' and 'the greatest con' brought to parliament, arguing it merely shuffles money from one side of the balance sheet to another without reducing debt, and criticised the abolition of the Productivity Commission and Building Queensland.

“This is from a government that supposedly has an economic plan. We have the second worst unemployment rate. We vary between the worst and the second worst unemployment rate in the country.”— 2021-05-25View Hansard

Supported the bill for delivering sensible savings, reducing debt and protecting Queensland from the LNP's cut, sack and sell agenda. Itemised the savings from each body being integrated.

“The Debt Reduction and Savings Bill achieves sensible and prudent savings. It reduces debt, which will help the Palaszczuk government's economic recovery from the effects of the pandemic.”— 2021-05-27View Hansard

Opposed the bill, arguing for building assets rather than selling them, criticising the removal of print advertising requirements as devastating for regional newspapers, and advocating for water infrastructure investment to reduce debt.

“If the government wants to get rid of debt, they have to retain their assets; they have to build their assets.”— 2021-05-26View Hansard

Supported the bill, arguing only Labor can be trusted to make prudent savings without hurting Queenslanders, and that the bill protects the Titles Registry from LNP privatisation.

“Only Labor can be trusted to make sensible and prudent savings in a way that does not hurt Queenslanders.”— 2021-05-25View Hansard

Opposed the bill as one of the most misleading ever before the House, questioning the Titles Registry valuation, criticising the abolition of the Productivity Commission and Building Queensland, and opposing the removal of print newspaper notice requirements.

“Margaret Thatcher famously said socialists are happy until they run out of other people's money. This very much reflects the economy in Queensland and the Palaszczuk Labor government.”— 2021-05-27View Hansard

Supported the bill as implementing sensible debt reduction and savings measures including the Titles Registry transfer, abolition of statutory bodies, and modernisation of advertising requirements with appropriate regional exemptions.

“The inclusion of the Queensland Titles Registry in the Debt Retirement Fund will improve the state's debt-to-revenue ratio when assessed by rating agencies and demonstrates the Palaszczuk government's measured and responsible plan to invest today to pay down state debt into the future.”— 2021-05-26View Hansard

Opposed the bill, expressing serious concern about the corporatisation of the Titles Registry including the loss of judicial review rights, potential fraud risks, and data security issues. Also opposed the abolition of the Productivity Commission and removal of print advertising requirements.

“Every tenet of best practice accounting and sound economic decision-making has been tossed overboard with this bill—and for what? A paltry $3 million per year over four years when Queensland's interest bill on its debt is $3 billion and rising.”— 2021-05-25View Hansard

Supported the bill, noting that the Greens were more fiscally responsible than the LNP on this bill. Criticised the LNP for offering no alternative debt reduction plan beyond cuts and privatisation.

“Today we will see that the Greens are more fiscally responsible than the LNP when it comes to government debt. I did not think I would ever see—when there was a chance to save some money and make smaller government—the Queensland Greens being more responsible than the LNP.”— 2021-05-27View Hansard

Strongly opposed the bill as a con and disgrace, arguing spending and debt keep going up despite the bill's title, criticising the abolition of the Queensland Productivity Commission and removal of newspaper advertising requirements.

“This bill is not just a con; it is an absolute disgrace. It shows the Labor government as a party of charlatans, fraudsters and masters of trickery.”— 2021-05-26View Hansard

Supported the bill, contrasting Labor's approach with the LNP's record of cuts in the Mackay region, and highlighting government investment in local roads, hospitals and schools.

“It is important that we put sensible measures in place to ensure communities are protected from the cutting of services, job losses and the threat of the sell-off of our publicly owned assets while reducing government debt.”— 2021-05-25View Hansard

Opposed the bill as smoke and mirrors, arguing the $4.1 billion Titles Registry valuation is inflated and the ratings agencies will see through it. Also opposed abolishing the Productivity Commission and Building Queensland.

“I do not support the capitalisation of the Titles Registry. I ask the minister to tell us how much the Titles Registry earns in a year so that we can get an idea of what sort of multiple he has put on the Titles Registry.”— 2021-05-27View Hansard

Supported the bill, arguing the LNP opposes it because it prevents them from selling the Titles Registry, and defending the abolition of the PSBA as welcomed by its own employees.

“One thing I have noticed from listening to the speeches today from my opponents is that they love to put public money in private pockets.”— 2021-05-26View Hansard

Opposed the bill as a continuation of Labor's 'smoke and mirrors' economic strategy, arguing the debt reduction amounts to mere debt offsetting and that abolishing the Queensland Productivity Commission removes important independent economic oversight.

“The measures contained within this legislation have less to do with debt reduction and more to do with debt offsetting.”— 2021-05-25View Hansard

As Treasurer, delivered the reply speech defending the bill's debt reduction and savings measures. Cited Moody's favourable assessment of the Queensland Future Fund, rebutted LNP claims about the Titles Registry valuation and attacked the opposition's record on privatisation.

“This bill proves the opposite. The fact that the Queensland Titles Registry is valued so much more highly than those privatised in New South Wales and Victoria shows that if an asset seems worth selling then it is worth keeping in the hands of the people of Queensland.”— 2021-05-27View Hansard

Expressed concern about the bill's impact on independence and transparency through the abolition of Building Queensland and the Queensland Productivity Commission, while acknowledging some sensible elements like the PSBA reintegration and Titles Registry protections.

“Creating a less than robust system of government by slowly diluting previous reforms is not where we should be going; hence, it is difficult to support this bill.”— 2021-05-26View Hansard

Supported the bill as containing sensible debt reduction and savings measures, contrasting Labor's approach to indexing fees with inflation against the LNP's 3.5 per cent annual increases.

“This bill is about savings our way. These are fair and sensible measures that will help Queensland recover from COVID without hurting the most vulnerable in our community.”— 2021-05-25View Hansard

Supported the bill as achieving savings without cutting frontline services, highlighting the government's commitment to hiring additional nurses, doctors, police and teachers.

“I want to make it extremely clear that this is not about sacking staff or cutting frontline services.”— 2021-05-26View Hansard

Criticised the bill as missing the point on genuine debt reduction, arguing the government should be investing in industry-enabling infrastructure like CopperString, dams and biofuels rather than shuffling balance sheet items. Also opposed the removal of print advertising requirements as damaging to regional newspapers.

“When talking about debt reduction and savings, I think the bill completely misses the point because there is so much opportunity in this state.”— 2021-05-25View Hansard

Supported the bill reluctantly as containing some small improvements, but criticised it as incredibly unambitious, objected to the loss of independence of the Queensland Productivity Commission, and argued the government should pursue much bolder revenue measures like a bank levy and increased mining royalties.

“The Greens will support this bill today because it contains some small improvements, but I emphasise that Queensland needs this government to have more ambition than this bill.”— 2021-05-26View Hansard

Supported the bill as enabling good economic management, contrasting Labor's investment in education with the LNP's attempted school closures and sell-offs.

“Whether those opposite like it or not, in this bill we have a plan and it will allow the government to pursue the following priorities.”— 2021-05-25View Hansard

Supported the bill as delivering savings without cutting services, sacking public servants or selling assets, highlighting the protection of the Titles Registry in public ownership.

“The measures outlined by the Treasurer are aimed at providing significant savings, importantly without the need to cut services, sack public servants or sell Queensland assets.”— 2021-05-26View Hansard

Opposed the bill as a 'tragedy' rather than comedy, criticising the government for abolishing bodies it created only a few years earlier (Building Queensland and the Productivity Commission) because they produced reports the government did not like.

“They created the statutory or independent bodies but then get answers they do not like so they get rid of them.”— 2021-05-25View Hansard

Strongly opposed the bill as an accounting sleight of hand to avoid a credit rating downgrade, arguing the $4.1 billion Titles Registry valuation is unsupported, the bill reduces no debt, and the abolition of Building Queensland and the QPC is factional score-settling within Labor.

“This bill is purely and simply an accounting sleight of hand to avoid an otherwise inevitable ratings downgrade.”— 2021-05-26View Hansard

Supported the bill as a continuation of the government's strong economic management, defending the modernisation of public notice advertising and the integration of the Productivity Commission into Treasury.

“The Palaszczuk government delivered five consecutive surplus budgets before the global coronavirus pandemic changed economies right across the world.”— 2021-05-25View Hansard

Supported the bill as reducing the burden of debt and delivering savings so the government can invest in services, contrasting Labor's prudent approach with the LNP's history of cutting frontline workers.

“Unlike those opposite, we do not pursue savings and debt reduction as an end in itself. We do not cut doctors, nurses and midwives, we do not cut teachers and we do not cut police.”— 2021-05-26View Hansard

Opposed the bill, questioning how the government can save money while borrowing $130 billion, and criticising the lack of transparency in government committees under Labor.

“The fundamental question on this bill is: can you trust Labor to save money?”— 2021-05-25View Hansard

Opposed the bill as bad legislation that reduces transparency and oversight, criticising the unsupportable $4.1 billion Titles Registry valuation, the abolition of the NIISQ board, and the removal of print advertising requirements for regional newspapers.

“From the outset it must be said that the Debt Reduction and Savings Bill is another illustration of the financial incompetence of this government.”— 2021-05-26View Hansard

Supported the bill as defending Queensland against the LNP's cut, sack and sell agenda, drawing on personal experience as a former corrective services officer who witnessed colleagues being made redundant under the Newman government.

“I will never forget their faces as they were handed those white envelopes. Every one of them—male and female, young and old—burst into tears before they had even started to open them.”— 2021-05-25View Hansard

Supported the bill as introducing changes to increase efficiency and help pay down debt without cutting frontline services, tabling evidence of the Newman government's $10 billion in asset sales.

“This bill introduces changes to existing machinery of government arrangements that will increase efficiency to help pay down debt and save money.”— 2021-05-26View Hansard

Opposed the bill as a qualified valuer, arguing there was no basis for the $4.1 billion Titles Registry valuation and questioning the valuation methodology used. Noted the bill does nothing to address structural economic issues.

“Let's be very clear here: the Treasurer's establishment of Registry Co is being used to offset debt rather than pay debt down in order to improve the debt-to-revenue ratio.”— 2021-05-25View Hansard

Opposed the bill as deceptively named, arguing it achieves neither debt reduction nor savings, criticising the dismantling of the independent Queensland Productivity Commission and the unsupported $4.1 billion Titles Registry valuation.

“This is a bill that demonstrates that this state Labor government has a failure to plan and a failure to tackle the difficult issues with anything other than political spin.”— 2021-05-26View Hansard

Supported the bill as representing Labor's approach to sensible fiscal management, contrasting it with the LNP's cuts to health workers in the Metro North region.

“The Premier and Treasurer have shown that you can deliver important social and legislative changes and be fiscally responsible.”— 2021-05-25View Hansard

Supported the bill as protecting Queensland from the LNP's agenda to cut, sack and sell, highlighting that putting the Titles Registry in the Future Fund prevents its privatisation.

“It is no wonder the LNP wants to complain about putting the Titles Registry in the Future Fund because it means that it cannot get its grubby little hands on the Titles Registry and sell it off.”— 2021-05-26View Hansard

Called the bill 'complete and utter fiction', questioning the $4.1 billion Titles Registry valuation and arguing that $5.7 billion in the Future Fund cannot meaningfully service a $3 billion annual interest bill. Opposed the removal of print advertising requirements for regional newspapers.

“Our current debt is over $100 billion and is tracking to $130 billion. The interest bill on that is more than $3 billion. They are telling me that somehow the interest on $5.7 billion is going to pay down an annual debt bill of more $3 billion.”— 2021-05-25View Hansard

Supported the bill, highlighting how his department is contributing to savings through innovation in the Titles Registry, quarry management streamlining, and the Rural Water Futures digital program.

“We can deliver those savings through innovation. We can deliver them in a way that means better services for Queenslanders and smarter ways of working for our staff.”— 2021-05-26View Hansard

Supported the bill, noting the importance of cultural heritage print exemptions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and welcoming the reintegration of the PSBA into emergency services from his experience as former fire minister.

“They always saw themselves as mechanics for the fire service, and they feel very proud of that.”— 2021-05-25View Hansard

Supported the bill as responsible debt management, sharing the story of a constituent sacked by the Newman government and contrasting Labor's approach with the LNP's austerity measures.

“We will manage debt responsibly over the ensuing years through the Debt Reduction and Savings Bill 2021.”— 2021-05-26View Hansard

Opposed the bill as doing nothing to reduce debt, criticising the abolition of the Queensland Productivity Commission and Building Queensland, and expressing concern about delays to the promised new Bundaberg hospital.

“Although it is called the Debt Reduction and Savings Bill, I note there was not a single submission by an economic or other business representative, and that is a strong statement in itself.”— 2021-05-25View Hansard

Supported the bill as protecting Queensland's public assets against privatisation, highlighting government investment in her electorate's remote communities during COVID-19.

“This bill is important because it protects Queensland's public assets against privatisation by a future LNP government.”— 2021-05-26View Hansard

Supported the bill as enabling the government's economic recovery plan, highlighting achievements in skills training and small business support, and welcoming the establishment of the Office of Productivity and Red Tape Reduction.

“How could anyone be opposing a bill that reduces debt, delivers savings and creates jobs for Queenslanders?”— 2021-05-25View Hansard

Opposed the bill, arguing it does nothing to reduce Queensland's debt and criticising the abolition of the Queensland Productivity Commission and removal of print advertising requirements for regional newspapers. Also criticised Labor for closing the Longreach Pastoral College and Emerald Agricultural College.

“However, there is nothing anywhere in this bill that will actually reduce Queensland's debt.”— 2021-05-25View Hansard

Supported the bill, emphasising the transfer of the Titles Registry to the Future Fund and the government's commitment to frontline services in North Queensland.

“The inclusion of the Queensland Titles Registry in the Debt Retirement Fund will improve the state's debt-to-revenue ratio when assessed by credit rating agencies.”— 2021-05-25View Hansard

Opposed the bill as misleadingly titled, criticising the loss of independent oversight from the Queensland Productivity Commission and the removal of print advertising requirements as a cruel cut to regional newspapers.

“It is disappointing that this bill will reduce the transparency of oversight bodies, with the closure of two of the few remaining independent bodies to provide economic oversight and advice to government.”— 2021-05-25View Hansard

Supported the bill, contrasting Labor's approach with the LNP's record of cutting social housing construction and funding to tenancy advisory services when in government.

“Unlike the LNP, the Palaszczuk government makes sensible savings that do not cut frontline services and do not hurt Queenslanders.”— 2021-05-25View Hansard