Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2021

Did not oppose the bills but strongly criticised the government's spending priorities, lack of support for small businesses during the Omicron wave, red tape burden, and alleged corruption involving the Deputy Premier and Anacta Strategies lobbying.

“This government time after time has imposed measures that cost businesses, cost livelihoods, cost families and without any transparency around the reasons or outcomes of these measures.”— 2022-02-23View Hansard

As Treasurer, moved the second reading and outlined the unforeseen expenditure of $449 million across six departments, emphasising Queensland's strong economic recovery and noting the unforeseen expenditure was less than half the prior year.

“This year's unforeseen expenditure is less than half the amount of unforeseen expenditure incurred in the 2019-20 financial year; is just 0.74 per cent of total appropriations, which is less than half the average of the past decade.”— 2022-02-22View Hansard

Supported the bills, defending the government's economic management, Keynesian intervention during COVID-19, and investment in cycling infrastructure, schools, and jobs programs including Skilling Queenslanders for Work.

“The past two years have been a resounding reinforcement of Keynesian economics and the need for government intervention in the economy.”— 2022-02-23View Hansard

As Deputy Leader of the Opposition, stated the LNP will not oppose the bills but heavily criticised the government's financial management, including the inflated Titles Registry valuation, 10 new taxes, and lack of budget strategy.

“The opposition will not be opposing the bills. I note that there were no submissions to the committee's consideration of the bills.”— 2022-02-22View Hansard

Stated the LNP will not oppose the bills as the money has already been spent, but criticised the government's poor economic management, rising debt, lack of support for small businesses during Omicron, inadequate mental health funding, failure to fund SMA testing, and the human cost of border policies.

“The LNP will not be opposing the bills. The money has already been spent by the Labor government, but there are several concerning trends to which I wish to draw this parliament's attention.”— 2022-02-23View Hansard

As committee chair, supported the bills and argued that much of the unforeseen expenditure was due to changes in Commonwealth payment timing rather than poor budgeting, highlighting strong economic growth and employment figures.

“Unfortunately, the member's misguided attack was an attack on the Commonwealth government, with their changes in payment schedules.”— 2022-02-22View Hansard

Supported the bills, defending the government's strong COVID-19 health response as the foundation for economic recovery, citing strong employment growth, low unemployment, and economic data outperforming the national average.

“The appropriation bills reflect the Palaszczuk government's robust economic management. The unforeseen expenditure which was incurred by six departments for the 2020-21 financial year represents only 0.74 per cent of the budgeted appropriation.”— 2022-02-23View Hansard

Did not oppose the bills but criticised the growing state debt of $130 billion and questioned the integrity of the Titles Registry valuation, calling on the Treasurer to table supporting documents.

“Where in the world of integrity can we say, 'This is worth $7.5 billion,' without backing it up with the documents to prove that it was worth $7.5 billion?”— 2022-02-22View Hansard

Stated the LNP will not oppose the bills but criticised the government's fiscal management, noting Queensland ranks fifth of eight jurisdictions for economic performance and questioning the Treasurer's ability to explain capitalisation of income. Acknowledged that government debt is not inherently bad but criticised borrowing for operational expenses.

“There is nothing wrong with debt. Debt is not bad at all. It depends on how that debt is used. If you are using it to borrow to produce income-producing assets—big tick—there is nothing wrong with that.”— 2022-02-23View Hansard

Supported the bills as a new committee member, explaining the annual process of reconciling unforeseen expenditure and noting the key drivers including COVID-19 quarantine costs and out-of-home care demand.

“I would point out to the assembled members that that amount is the second lowest lapsed amount in the past decade and it actually represents only about 2.35 per cent of the total budget.”— 2022-02-22View Hansard

Supported the bills, arguing Labor are the best economic managers, citing strong economic data including job creation, export growth, household spending, and predicting a return to surplus in 2024-25.

“In 2022 there is a new truism in politics, and that is the economy will always be stronger under Labor and the best economic managers are Labor.”— 2022-02-23View Hansard

Did not oppose the bills but criticised the government's financial management, falling business confidence, and lack of small business support, arguing debt and economic mismanagement are part of Labor's DNA.

“Debt and economic mismanagement are part of Labor's DNA. When they run out of money, they come after yours.”— 2022-02-22View Hansard

Did not oppose the bills but used the debate to highlight the government's failure to invest in infrastructure in the fast-growing Coomera electorate, calling for the second M1, exit upgrades, a northern Gold Coast hospital, Pimpama railway station, and more bus services.

“We desperately need that. The state seat of Coomera is the fastest growing region in Queensland, and that is centred on Pimpama itself.”— 2022-02-23View Hansard

Supported the bills, highlighting the unforeseen expenditure was below the decade average and emphasising Queensland's strong economic recovery, low unemployment and growth in the Hervey Bay electorate.

“The difference in fiscal management between the Palaszczuk government and those opposite is quite evident. Under the Palaszczuk government the state of Queensland continues to power ahead.”— 2022-02-22View Hansard

As Minister for Transport and Main Roads, strongly supported the bills, citing strong economic data, record investment in road and rail infrastructure, and job creation, while attacking the LNP's record of cutting services when in government.

“Economic growth is at 6.1 per cent—a six in front of it—compared to the national economy growth of 3.9 per cent.”— 2022-02-23View Hansard

Did not oppose the bills but criticised the Palaszczuk government for failing to control spending, highlighting Queensland's fifth-place ranking in the CommSec State of the States report and the need for infrastructure investment in the Moggill electorate.

“It is incredible, but perhaps not surprising, that the Labor Treasurer—who only had to prepare a budget for seven months due to the commencement of the 57th Parliament—was still unable to control the spending of the Palaszczuk state Labor government.”— 2022-02-22View Hansard

Did not formally oppose the bills but used the debate to call for heavy passenger rail on the Sunshine Coast, criticise the cancellation of the Caloundra youth jail as a political fix, attack additional border policing expenditure, and demand answers on government legal spending for Jackie Trad.

“I am not going to be bullied and intimidated by a Labor Attorney-General who says that I should not have raised these matters. If I had the chance to do what I did yesterday again, I would.”— 2022-02-23View Hansard

As Minister for Agriculture, supported the bills and highlighted the government's strategic investments during the pandemic including agriculture coordination, border arrangements for Pacific workers, and strong employment growth.

“Our government has acted firmly and decisively to manage the economic impacts of the pandemic. Most importantly, it has acted in the direct interests of the people of Queensland.”— 2022-02-22View Hansard

Did not oppose the bills but criticised the government's lack of transparency, particularly regarding the Wellcamp quarantine facility costs, and highlighted concerns about the child safety and youth justice systems.

“There is only one reason the government will not disclose the details of this arrangement and that is because there is something they do not want the public to know.”— 2022-02-22View Hansard

Supported the bills as Assistant Minister for Treasury, highlighting Queensland's economic growth, housing investment including the $1 billion Housing Investment Fund, and skills training programs in the Ipswich region.

“Our economy in Queensland is going from strength to strength, and isn't that driving some of those opposite completely mad?”— 2022-02-22View Hansard

Did not oppose the bills but criticised the Treasurer's budget forecasting and lack of transparency, calling for urgent funding for the Blackwater Hospital campus upgrade and highlighting delayed elective surgeries.

“I do not think the Treasurer is, either. As I said when we debated the 2021 budget, this was a fairytale.”— 2022-02-22View Hansard

Supported the bills, highlighting Queensland's strong economic performance including 6.1 per cent growth, record investment in tourism and the new Cairns Regional Trade Distribution Centre.

“All this has been achieved by a government that listens to the science and makes sound decisions based on that science, unlike those opposite who never understood the science and called for the borders to be opened 64 times.”— 2022-02-22View Hansard

Did not oppose the bills but criticised the Treasurer for overspending and underdelivering, highlighting the government's failure to support small and family businesses during the Omicron wave and growing state debt.

“As we have seen time and time again in recent years, this Labor state government is borrowing to pay for recurrent operational expenditures, just as it is in this bill, not on infrastructure, not on investment to grow the state.”— 2022-02-22View Hansard

Supported the bills, noting the unforeseen expenditure was well below the decade average and below the LNP peak, and highlighted local economic development including Neogen's genomic centre and Australia Post's parcel facility.

“This unforeseen expenditure is less than half the amount incurred in the 2019-20 financial year, representing just 0.74 per cent of total appropriations.”— 2022-02-22View Hansard

Did not oppose the bills but strongly criticised the government's budget management, including the sevenfold increase in debt from $4 billion to $28 billion after the 2020 election, and called for infrastructure investment including flood gauges and bridge funding in her electorate.

“Why should the people of Queensland trust the Palaszczuk government when it comes to anything to do with figures, budgets, appropriations or anything?”— 2022-02-22View Hansard

Supported the bills, noting it is an annual process, and highlighted Queensland's nation-leading economic performance including interstate migration, economic growth and path back to surplus.

“Every year some MPs are surprised by this bill and every year I am surprised that they are surprised. It is an annual process and it should not come as a shock.”— 2022-02-22View Hansard

Supported the bills as the Greens believe government should fund services, but questioned why the political will to move $450 million exists for overspends but not for properly funding housing, public education and health systems.

“There is political will to move this money around at the stroke of a pen with half a day's debate when we are constantly told we do not have enough money to properly fund our public services.”— 2022-02-22View Hansard

Supported the bills, highlighting the government's investment in regional Queensland including Skilling Queenslanders for Work, food processing, tourism innovation and record low unemployment at 4.4 per cent.

“Thank goodness that the member for Woodridge is in charge of the budget. Thank goodness it is a Labor budget that is being delivered in the regions.”— 2022-02-22View Hansard

Did not oppose the bills but questioned spending priorities, highlighting youth crime in Goondiwindi, unresolved property damage from QFES fire break activities, and arguing that governments do not create jobs but the private sector does.

“Governments do not create jobs; the private sector does and I would say that the private sector has to a large extent done so in spite of the activities of the Labor government.”— 2022-02-22View Hansard

As Minister for Tourism, supported the bills and highlighted over $1.1 billion in economic recovery funding for the tourism sector, including the $200 million joint investment to secure international flights to Queensland.

“The confidence from the response of this government to the health crisis has laid the groundwork for continued jobs growth, led by great work being done in the private sector.”— 2022-02-22View Hansard

Did not oppose the bills but criticised the amount of unforeseen expenditure as significant, arguing businesses would go broke if they ran their budgets like the Labor government, and credited the federal government for keeping tourism businesses alive through JobKeeper.

“What business in Queensland could afford to run their budget every year, year in, year out, like the Labor government does here in Queensland where unforeseen and supplemental expenditure is quite significant?”— 2022-02-22View Hansard