Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2018

As Treasurer, moved the second reading and replied to the debate. Defended the bills as containing no new taxes, emphasised that most unforeseen expenditure was due to Commonwealth funding timing, and outlined the benefits of e-conveyancing, turbo yeast restrictions, and cultural heritage amendments.

“I set out at the beginning of the debate by way of clarity that the Revenue and Other Legislation Amendment Bill does not contain any new revenue measures or tax increases. Rather, it contains various administrative amendments to improve governance.”— 2018-10-30View Hansard

As Deputy Opposition Leader, criticised the government's fiscal management, unforeseen expenditure and record debt trajectory, but confirmed the LNP would guarantee supply and support the bills.

“We recognise and support the fact that more money is required. We recognise that there is unintended expenditure. Of course we will always guarantee supply so we will support this bill.”— 2018-10-30View Hansard

As chair of the Economics and Governance Committee, commended the bills and outlined the committee's examination, including the trip to Mornington Island to hear about homemade alcohol issues and the committee's consideration of e-conveyancing, cultural heritage amendments and appropriation matters.

“The committee recommended that all of these bills be passed.”— 2018-10-30View Hansard

As a committee member, supported all three bills and highlighted the benefits of e-conveyancing, charitable institution amendments, SPER improvements and the turbo yeast provisions.

“I am pleased to note the committee supports these bills and recommends that they be passed.”— 2018-10-30View Hansard

As a committee member who visited Mornington Island, supported all bills and provided detailed account of the devastating effects of homemade alcohol on Indigenous communities, including children as young as six knowing the recipe.

“What is disturbing is that children as young as six know the recipe to brew.”— 2018-10-30View Hansard

Supported the turbo yeast amendments but raised concerns about the practical difficulty for police proving intent. Accepted the retrospective 'last claim standing' provisions on balance. Criticised the government's fiscal management in relation to the appropriation bills.

“I do have some concerns around the legislation and the requirement for police to prove that the person found in possession of this yeast had it with the intent to produce alcohol.”— 2018-10-30View Hansard

As assistant Treasurer, supported all bills, highlighting e-conveyancing benefits, primary producer succession planning, and the turbo yeast crackdown.

“These are bills that are all about getting on with the job of governing in Queensland, focusing on growing jobs and also delivering infrastructure in this wonderful state.”— 2018-10-30View Hansard

Criticised the government's fiscal management including rising debt, unemployment and taxes, but did not explicitly oppose the appropriation bills. Argued infrastructure spending was largely due to federal coalition and former LNP government initiatives.

“If there was an opportunity through increased taxes and increased funding to see an improvement in some of the key indicators in the state, we might forgive them.”— 2018-10-30View Hansard

As Minister for Transport, supported all bills and detailed the transport infrastructure projects that benefited from accelerated funding, defending the government's economic record on job creation and investment.

“We can see that works of $305 million in the area of Transport and Main Roads have been accelerated from the 2018-19 financial year to the 2017-18 financial year. We are getting a lot of infrastructure done.”— 2018-10-30View Hansard

Raised specific SPER concerns about constituents waiting over eight years for court ordered restitution of debt. Criticised the government's fiscal management including the police budget cuts, rising crime and unemployment.

“After more than eight years and a court ordered debt and constituents who cannot get an answer from SPER and a substantial amount of the debt that is ballooning in SPER belonging to people just like my constituents, we need to see better answers.”— 2018-10-30View Hansard

Supported all bills, rebutted opposition claims about debt and unforeseen expenditure by noting debt increased under the LNP and that unforeseen expenditure was below the five-year average.

“It is very interesting to note that unforeseen expenditure is below the annual average of $637 million over the previous five years.”— 2018-10-30View Hansard

Criticised the government's fiscal management and rising debt trajectory but explicitly stated the LNP supports the bills, albeit with keen reservations about how the money will be spent.

“Having said all of that, we support the bills, but with the keenest of reservations as to how the Labor Party might spend the money that is appropriated.”— 2018-10-30View Hansard

Criticised the government's debt management, noting that at $83 billion it would take 83 years of $1 billion surpluses to pay down the debt. Raised concerns about police budget cuts and the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing toll but did not explicitly oppose the bills.

“If we had a genuine surplus in this state of $1 billion each and every year it would take 83 years to pay down the debt Labor has racked up for Queensland.”— 2018-10-30View Hansard

Criticised the pattern of unforeseen expenditure and its impact on electricity prices affecting farmers. Described the devastating hailstorm in the Fassifern Valley and urged the government to consider electricity cost relief for agricultural producers.

“One of the most badly affected farmers said to me that they simply do not have that resilience in their business anymore. One of the key reasons for that is the exorbitant price they are paying for electricity.”— 2018-10-30View Hansard

As former Treasurer, criticised the government's fiscal management extensively, noting that debt under the LNP ended $2 billion less than projected. Supported the existence of Appropriation Bill (No. 2) as a transparency measure that the LNP government had restored.

“One of the things the LNP government did to increase transparency and openness and to provide appropriate reporting was reintroduce Appropriation Bill (No. 2), the bill we are debating today.”— 2018-10-30View Hansard

Supported the turbo yeast provisions but argued two elements were missing: enforcement against sly grogging and addressing the rise of ice in Indigenous communities. Criticised the government's fiscal record and rising debt.

“Unless we address the elephant in the room and the need for enforcement around sly grogging and ice in these communities, let me tell you that dealing with turbo yeast ain't going to turbocharge the effort to improve these Indigenous communities.”— 2018-10-30View Hansard