Appropriation (Parliament) Bill 2022

As Economics and Governance Committee chair, endorsed the committee's recommendation that expenditure be agreed without amendment, praising parliament's modernisation efforts and investment in services.

“I recognise the important role the Speaker and Clerk play in administering this budget, but I also recognise that it is about much more than the simple historic preservation of this incredible building.”— 2022-08-16View Hansard

Acknowledged parliamentary staff work but raised concerns about committee structure, integrity bodies independence, and taxpayer money spent on legal matters. Criticised government on health, housing, youth crime and integrity issues.

“We would love it if the deputy chairs could assist us a bit more to ensure we got a few more questions in. Perhaps we did not quite see the protection racket from chairs that we have seen in previous years, but it still raised its head at various points.”— 2022-08-16View Hansard

Praised Parliamentary Service and Speaker for heritage building upgrades, but raised concerns about legal costs in the Carne matter and supported reforms to make integrity bodies more independent of government.

“I am hoping that, even though there is a cost to this parliament, we do pursue the matter that the parliament is the pre-eminent body for the rule of law in Queensland.”— 2022-08-16View Hansard

Strongly criticised the Treasurer for failing to control wasteful spending, breaking promises on new taxes, and highlighted cost blowouts including Wellcamp, Cross River Rail and advertising spending.

“The failures of the Treasurer's colleagues have forced him to shred his own credibility and break that promise. It is the wasteful spending—an avalanche of wasting spending—that has been unveiled in this estimates process.”— 2022-08-16View Hansard

Defended the estimates process and supported the budget, criticising opposition members for focusing on laptops and conspiracy theories rather than genuine budget scrutiny.

“Over on the opposition side, I am sure there is a member who is capable of structuring a question. I believe that the member for Ninderry is trained as an investigator and knows how to ask a question that is not leading and that does not contain inferences or imputations.”— 2022-08-16View Hansard

Attacked the government for waste, secrecy and broken promises including 26 times breaking promises not to increase taxes. Criticised sovereign risk and lack of transparency on integrity matters.

“Waste, secrecy and dodgy deals. Dodgy deals for mates are in the DNA of this tired, third-term Labor government. So are broken promises. This government has become a sovereign risk to the reputation of this state for investment by business.”— 2022-08-16View Hansard

Endorsed the committee recommendation to agree to expenditure without amendment, praising the budget's investment in health, jobs and regional Queensland including Hervey Bay Hospital.

“The Economics and Governance Committee report shows clearly where the focus is with this government. It is about ensuring that the work that has been done in the last two budgets continues to roll over into this year and beyond.”— 2022-08-16View Hansard

Supported the budget particularly highlighting veterans' affairs funding including traineeships, employment pathways and the new Queensland Veterans' Council.

“We are continuing to roll out our commitment of $10 million in funding over four years to provide additional support to veterans, their families and ex-service organisations.”— 2022-08-16View Hansard

Criticised government for lack of accountability, wasteful spending including $200 million on Wellcamp, blown-out projects, and failure to meet expectations on essential services.

“The Palaszczuk government's extraordinary incompetence was exposed throughout the estimates process, which revealed that an extra $3 billion of taxpayer money has been wasted.”— 2022-08-16View Hansard

Supported the budget, highlighting the Resilient Homes Fund achievements and biosecurity funding, while criticising opposition for poor quality questions during estimates.

“During estimates we learned that there were 4,200 expressions of interest: 427 are looking for buyback; 667 are unsure of their options, 1,500 are looking for a refit; and 1,200 are looking for house raising.”— 2022-08-16View Hansard

Criticised the water minister for insufficient funding for Paradise Dam restoration and questioned ministerial responses about dam funding requests from regional councils.

“Let us talk about Paradise Dam. I am more than happy to do that. Where is the money? Show me the money! There is $30 million allocated for a $1.2 billion restoration project.”— 2022-08-16View Hansard

Criticised the government's gas reserve policy, questioned Olympics spending priorities over regional health infrastructure, and called for immediate action on CopperString and water projects.

“Whilst we have only 10 renal chairs in the Mount Isa Hospital when Alice Springs has over 60 for a similar footprint and we are treating the Olympic Games as a priority, I will not agree with it.”— 2022-08-16View Hansard

As Education, Employment and Training Committee chair, recommended the proposed expenditure be agreed to and praised the rigorous estimates process.

“The committee has recommended the proposed expenditure, as detailed in the Appropriation Bill 2022, be agreed to.”— 2022-08-16View Hansard

As shadow education minister, criticised education spending management, failures in teacher workforce planning, and integrity issues including the director-general not reading the CCC report on the Hunt/Trad matter.

“Under the Palaszczuk state Labor government a raft of integrity, accountability and transparency issues continue to grow and plague the Department of Education.”— 2022-08-16View Hansard

Praised budget allocations for TAFE and schools in his electorate, but raised concerns about teachers suspended during COVID vaccine mandates and country racing funding.

“Regional Queensland needs a boost—a shot in the arm—when it comes to TAFE services. As we saw the rise of the private RTOs back in the day, we saw TAFE whittled away to what we see now, which is not acceptable in regional Queensland.”— 2022-08-16View Hansard

Supported the budget as Education, Employment and Training Committee member, highlighting investment in schools and TAFE.

“We have invested massive amounts of money in infrastructure—roads, schools and water infrastructure.”— 2022-08-16View Hansard

Spoke on the Health and Environment Committee report, supporting the government's health budget and investment in health services.

“The committee had the opportunity to hear ministers respond to a range of questions put to them by all those who attended.”— 2022-08-16View Hansard

Attacked the health budget as flimsy and shambolic, criticising the satellite hospitals program as over budget and delayed, and highlighting ambulance ramping at 45 per cent.

“There is no more evidence than in the health and ambulance services portfolio, which is now of course shackled with an incompetent and embattled minister at its helm.”— 2022-08-16View Hansard

Supported the Health and Environment Committee report and the government's health investments.

“The committee has recommended the proposed expenditure be agreed to.”— 2022-08-16View Hansard

Defended the budget's record health investment, praised satellite hospitals and infrastructure in her electorate, and criticised the LNP for sacking 4,000 health workers when in government.

“I am so proud of our half a billion dollar investment in health infrastructure in and around my Pumicestone communities.”— 2022-08-16View Hansard