Appropriation (Parliament) Bill 2023

As chair of the Economics and Governance Committee, spoke in favour of the appropriation bills, endorsing the committee's report and supporting investment in democracy including the Cairns sitting of parliament.

“I endorse the report that the committee has released to the parliament and support the Appropriation (Parliament) Bill.”— 2023-08-22View Hansard

Delivered budget reply as Leader of the Opposition, arguing the government cannot be trusted to deliver on promises and has presided over crises in health, crime, housing and cost of living despite record revenue.

“Revenue has never been higher but services have never been worse. The chaos and crisis is sapping Queenslanders' confidence, and the government cannot be trusted to lead us through the challenges we face today.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Expressed support and thanks for parliament staff while criticising the estimates process, questioning the allocation of time for opposition questions and ministerial conduct during hearings.

“At the outset, I put on record our support and thanks to the Acting Speaker and more importantly to the Clerk of the Parliament and to all his staff who do an outstanding job in providing a service.”— 2023-08-22View Hansard

As Shadow Treasurer, supported cost-of-living relief measures but criticised government for failing to address underlying service delivery failures in crime, housing and energy that are driving down living standards.

“Queenslanders need cost-of-living relief now and that is why we support the government's measures, but the more salient question is: why has the Palaszczuk government not fixed the long-term underlying service delivery failures that are driving down Queensland living standards?”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Supported the appropriation for the parliamentary precinct while raising concerns about refurbishment costs, the Peter Carne case legal costs, and maintenance of heritage buildings.

“It is very important that we make sure that they are properly funded and that came through in the estimates process.”— 2023-08-22View Hansard

As Deputy Opposition Leader, described the budget as 'slogans, not solutions' and criticised the government's failures on health, housing, crime and cost of living over nine years.

“The Palaszczuk government has had nine years to deliver, and all we have seen are slogans and no real solutions.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

While speaking to the appropriation bills, strongly criticised the estimates process as favouring the government and called for reforms including limiting government questions during estimates.

“The current estimates process heavily favours the government. It is difficult to justify flying northern members of parliament thousands of kilometres to Brisbane when we get barely a couple of minutes to ask very important questions.”— 2023-08-22View Hansard

Criticised the budget for failing to deliver long-term solutions and specifically failing Gympie with no new hospital funding despite the government's own reports showing urgent need.

“This budget proves that the government does not know how to fix the crisis and chaos it has created. The budget fails to deliver long-term solutions to fix the cost-of-living crisis, the youth crime crisis, the housing crisis and the health crisis.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Sharply criticised the Treasurer's handling of the budget, focusing on cost-of-living crisis, lack of accountability, and broken tax promises while calling for action on service delivery.

“We have just heard a five-minute contribution from the Treasurer of this state and not a single mention of the cost-of-living crisis facing Queenslanders.”— 2023-08-22View Hansard

Strongly supported the budget as responding to cost-of-living challenges while investing in the future, praising electricity rebates, free kindy and progressive coal royalties.

“I am very pleased to speak on the cognate bills and acknowledge my strong support for the state budget delivered by the Queensland Treasurer this week. This is a very strong budget, a budget that responds to the challenges facing Queenslanders right now whilst also investing in their future.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Criticised the government for failing to deliver on housing and health promises despite budget allocations, and accused the Premier of abandoning Coaldrake recommendations on integrity.

“One of the most disappointing things about this state Labor government is that they claim to have assigned resources to areas such as housing and then failed to build the houses.”— 2023-08-22View Hansard

As Shadow Housing Minister, criticised the government for failing to deliver on housing promises while nearly 50,000 Queenslanders wait on the public housing list.

“This is a government that cannot deliver on the promises that they make. This year they boast about the record revenue that they have received, but our services have gone backwards.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Defended the estimates process and criticised opposition questioning as focusing on political matters rather than genuine budget scrutiny, highlighting irrelevant questions about government aircraft.

“I can see very little relevance in the majority of the opposition's questions—'relevant to the examination of the appropriation being considered'.”— 2023-08-22View Hansard

Argued the budget confirms Queenslanders can no longer trust Labor, with government services at their worst despite revenue being at its highest, and debt heading to $147 billion.

“At a time when state government revenue has never been higher, unfortunately state government services have never been worse.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Criticised the estimates process for allowing ministers to avoid answering questions directly while acknowledging progress on PCYC funding for his electorate.

“If a question is asked and properly answered, we are not going to repeat the question. If a question is asked and the minister, the Premier or the director-general decides... to go off on another tangent and talk about something else completely different, that is not okay.”— 2023-08-22View Hansard

Supported the appropriation bills, praising cost-of-living measures including $550 electricity rebates for all households and $1,000+ for vulnerable Queenslanders, plus free kindy.

“I rise to speak in support of the appropriation bills. There will be a $550 electricity rebate for every Queensland household, that is, over two million households. For vulnerable Queenslanders the rebate will be $700 per household.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Praised the government's budget as delivering record cost-of-living assistance, better services and infrastructure including the Hervey Bay hospital, and dismissed opposition criticism.

“The 2023-24 budget has delivered a record investment of $8.2 billion in cost-of-living assistance packages to tackle the national cost of living to Queensland families and businesses.”— 2023-08-22View Hansard

Acknowledged positives in the budget including local infrastructure funding for his electorate, but expressed concerns about some spending priorities and need for more regional investment.

“In speaking to the appropriation bills I would like to say that there are definitely some positives to the budget and there are also some negatives. I want to highlight some of the positives.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Defended the estimates process noting non-government members received twice as much questioning time, highlighted the $8.2 billion cost-of-living relief package and infrastructure investments.

“There is $8.2 billion in cost-of-living relief measures. That includes a $550 electricity rebate for every Queensland household and $1,072 for all eligible pensioners.”— 2023-08-22View Hansard

Strongly supported the budget, criticising the opposition's hypocrisy and praising cost-of-living relief including electricity rebates and concessions for the Redlands community.

“I am really proud of this budget. I know how much concessions and rebates mean to our Redlands community.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Criticised the government for budget blowouts and lack of infrastructure planning, particularly attacking the Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro announcement as a 'hoax' with contradictory ministerial statements.

“We know that this is a government that has lost control of the books; they have lost control of the budget in Queensland. We know that from seeing blowout after blowout.”— 2023-08-22View Hansard

Criticised the budget for failing to properly fund announcements, with ambulance ramping at record levels, fewer police, and state debt heading to $147 billion despite doubled tax revenue.

“Chaos and crisis is all this government is bringing to Queensland. Revenue has never been higher but services have never been worse.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Criticised the Agriculture Minister for failing to address biosecurity risks, fire ants, timber shortages, and labour shortages, arguing these failures contribute to cost-of-living and housing crises.

“The minister's failures not only impact the industries they relate to but also the cost-of-living crisis, the housing crisis and the health crisis.”— 2023-08-22View Hansard

Enthusiastically supported the budget as the best Labor has delivered in decades, praising cost-of-living measures including free kindy and electricity rebates for Thuringowa residents.

“I rise to support the Appropriation Bill 2023. I want to first congratulate the Treasurer for this budget—the best budget the Labor government has delivered in decades. It looks after Queenslanders.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Criticised the government's handling of local government issues, particularly delayed conflict of interest reforms and the Bundaberg flood levee being over budget by 119 per cent and three years late.

“Some 755 days ago at the 2021 estimates, the government lauded how they would reform the onerous conflict of interest requirements placed on mayors and councillors. This is the third estimates that has passed and we have seen no reform.”— 2023-08-22View Hansard

Former Opposition Leader criticised the budget for reducing police numbers while increasing media staff, arguing the government has lost its way on health, housing, crime and cost of living.

“In this budget, police officer numbers are down by 72. There are 72 fewer police across Queensland. But how many media spinners in the Premier's department? Up 98.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Praised the budget estimates process and highlighted government achievements in critical minerals, battery industry development, fisheries management, and water infrastructure.

“The goal of the Palaszczuk government is to be a battery industry leader as global demand for new energy storage facilities surge.”— 2023-08-22View Hansard

Strongly supported the budget, praising cost-of-living measures including electricity rebates and free kindy that have been welcomed by Cairns families.

“I want to begin by acknowledging the hard work of the Treasurer and the cabinet and saying what an absolutely fantastic budget this has been. The people of Cairns have welcomed this with open arms.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Criticised the estimates process for allowing ministers to avoid answering questions directly, raised concerns about Olympic infrastructure delays and housing approval shortages.

“The biggest issue that I have with the estimates process... is that the answers provided, particularly in response to opposition questions, are not always directly relevant to the question that is asked.”— 2023-08-22View Hansard

Criticised the budget for failing to deliver for regional communities in Condamine, with inadequate funding for roads, police and housing while the electricity network remains scandal-prone.

“Revenue has never been higher, but services have never been worse. There is no better example of that than Queensland's scandal-prone electricity network.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Enthusiastically supported the budget including cost-of-living relief and the new Bundaberg hospital, while criticising the former federal Liberal government for failing to fund the Bundaberg flood levee.

“The opposition members of the committee agree with passing the 2023-24 budget. Hear, hear, comrades!”— 2023-08-22View Hansard

Supported the budget's record-breaking investments, praising progressive coal royalties that fund free kindy, electricity rebates, hospital beds and social housing.

“This budget supports our commitment to ease national cost-of-living pressures that are impacting Queenslanders while also investing in health care, education, housing, community safety and infrastructure.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Strongly criticised the deterioration of the estimates process, arguing it has become too soft on ministers and prevents proper scrutiny, while acknowledging some better engagement in the water portfolio.

“I have observed a deterioration in the integrity of the estimates committee process. I remember initially I observed ministers sweating under the collar... The profound image I have now is of ministers comfortably walking in, delivering written speeches and written responses and then walking comfortably back out.”— 2023-08-22View Hansard

Criticised the budget for providing the lowest capital investment to the Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday region despite coalminers generating $15 billion in royalties from the area.

“Our greater Whitsunday region, by the government's own admission, received $623.4 million from the capital program—the lowest investment in the capital program in the entire state behind outback Queensland.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Defended the estimates process citing statistics showing non-government members received significantly more time and questions, praised government investment in education infrastructure.

“There were 35 questions from government members and 151 from non-government members. Of those, 46.2 per cent were asked of the minister and 53.8 per cent of the director-general and other officers.”— 2023-08-22View Hansard

Supported the budget for delivering cost-of-living relief directly to vulnerable families and investing in health, housing and roads for the diverse Cook electorate.

“I rise to speak in support of the Appropriation Bill 2023. I acknowledge and thank the Treasurer and Premier for delivering a solid budget that speaks directly to all Queenslanders no matter where they live.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Criticised the Youth Justice Minister and the government's failure to meet apprenticeship completion targets, highlighting that more people quit training than finish it.

“Over the last eight years the Palaszczuk Labor government has never delivered on their completion target for apprenticeships. This is a Labor government that prides itself on training, supposedly, and they have never met their own target for apprenticeship completions.”— 2023-08-22View Hansard

Argued the Premier is throwing money at Queenslanders hoping for favour at the polls, but constituents are ready to take out frustrations on Labor due to crime, homelessness and ambulance ramping.

“Queenslanders will remember this Premier—not for the kitchen-table politics this budget promises but for the youth crime crisis, the health crisis and the housing crisis that the Palaszczuk Labor government has allowed to occur over the past decade.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Strongly criticised the Youth Justice Minister's handling of youth crime, citing increasing numbers of serious repeat offenders and failed programs like youth bail houses.

“We have a minister who is so bereft of ideas and solutions to the youth crime crisis... that when she stood in this place to talk on the report she said that we should have used estimates to answer her questions about what our solution is.”— 2023-08-22View Hansard

As KAP Deputy Leader, welcomed some budget measures like free kindy but criticised the failure to return coal royalties to regional towns and the increasing state debt despite record surpluses.

“This year's budget will see $15 billion in coal royalties returned to Queensland. That is something we should all be celebrating. In the same breath, we should be seeing that money returned to the places where that money was generated.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Defended the government's record on education and training, criticising the LNP for previously cutting TAFE teachers and Skilling Queenslanders for Work programs.

“You do not improve education and training results in this state by sacking TAFE teachers. In terms of Skilling Queenslanders for Work, we had many questions on the day.”— 2023-08-22View Hansard

Enthusiastically supported the budget, highlighting local projects for Pine Rivers including Eatons Crossing Road upgrade, Bray Park State High School building and Lawnton Ambulance Station.

“What a ripper of a budget this one is. Can I start off by congratulating the Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment on a fantastic budget for Queensland.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Raised concerns about QRIC's high staff turnover rate of 24.6 per cent and the departure of senior staff, as well as the jockey shortage affecting race meets across Queensland.

“If I were the head of an organisation where the attrition rate was 24.6 per cent, I would be very concerned about the workplace culture.”— 2023-08-22View Hansard

As Shadow Health Minister, argued Queensland Health is in crisis with the worst ambulance ramping in the country, patients dying waiting for ambulances, and grandparents suffering delayed surgeries.

“Those opposite might not like hearing it but Queensland Health is in crisis. The patients waiting on ramps and in overflowing emergency departments know it. The staff, my colleagues, working triple and double shifts scrambling to find a bed for a sick or injured Queenslander know it.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Praised the fair conduct of the Education, Employment and Training Committee estimates process, highlighted issues of rural education and agricultural training in regional areas.

“In terms of how the committee process played out during the estimates hearing, I acknowledge our chair, the member for Redlands, and our deputy chair for the way they conducted themselves on the day.”— 2023-08-22View Hansard

Criticised the budget for returning only 0.29% of coal royalties to the Bowen Basin region despite it producing the lion's share of mining revenue, with Moranbah Hospital adding no new beds.

“It is an undeniable fact that the lion's share of those mining royalties are produced in the Burdekin electorate. What does that project look like compared with the contribution from the people who actually live and work in Moranbah? It equates to a paltry 0.29 per cent of the royalties produced in regional Queensland.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Praised the record $17.8 billion education budget, highlighting programs including free kindy, Trade to Teach, and investments in regional schools in Central Queensland.

“The Queensland education system is delivering world-class education to our Queensland students, no matter where they live.”— 2023-08-22View Hansard

Strongly supported the budget and progressive coal royalties, praising the biggest surplus in Australia's history and cost-of-living measures for Keppel families.

“I rise today to speak in support of the Appropriation Bill 2023. In doing so, I congratulate the Premier and the Treasurer on delivering a cracker of a budget.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

As Health and Environment Committee chair, defended the fair conduct of estimates and praised record health investments including $538 million for Townsville University Hospital.

“All up, non-government members had four hours and nine minutes to ask questions versus government time of two hours and three minutes... non-government members asked 197 questions and government members asked only 33.”— 2023-08-22View Hansard

As former Treasurer, excoriated Labor's record of 'chicanery and deceit' including broken promises on taxes, raids on superannuation funds, and state debt heading to $147 billion.

“Let me tell you who else I listened to: I listened to the then treasurer of Queensland before the last election say on 26 separate occasions that there would be no new or increased taxes. What did he do? In typical Labor form, like his predecessors before him, he immediately broke his commitment to the people of Queensland.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Strongly criticised the government's handling of the health crisis, citing 45 per cent ambulance ramping (highest in the nation), nearly 60,000 waiting for elective surgery, and the minister's botched website launch.

“If there were a chief symptom of this government being terminal, it is the level of ambulance ramping across Queensland's hospitals—inherited at 15 per cent, doubled before COVID and now it has tripled to 45 per cent.”— 2023-08-22View Hansard

Strongly supported the budget, praising Labor's record of election wins and the $550 electricity rebate guarantee for every Queensland household.

“Queenslanders are watching another fantastic Labor budget delivered by a Labor Treasurer as a member of the Palaszczuk Labor government. Queenslanders love the Palaszczuk Labor government.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Defended the government's health investments including the Redlands satellite hospital, while criticising the opposition's previous record of closing health facilities.

“What are we doing? We are building whole new hospitals, with our satellite hospital delivered... It is only a Labor government that invests in health.”— 2023-08-22View Hansard

Described the budget as a missed opportunity for generational infrastructure investment, criticising excessive public sector growth, cost blowouts, and unrealistic plans kicked into the never-never.

“What a missed opportunity this has been for real generational infrastructure investment that would have shaped our state. We have the same story of excessive growth in the public sector, cost blowouts on every project and delays in key infrastructure projects.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Acknowledged the work of 105,686 health workers but criticised the government for failing to support them and follow up on health inquiry recommendations.

“They are not getting the support that they deserve and that Queenslanders deserve from this Labor government.”— 2023-08-22View Hansard

Supported the cognate bills, highlighting the largest budget surplus ever recorded in Queensland or Australia and unprecedented electricity rebates during high price times.

“This budget provides this support whilst also delivering the largest budget surplus ever recorded in Queensland or Australia—an outstanding achievement. I note those opposite never achieved a budget surplus.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Defended the record $24.2 billion health budget and criticised the previous LNP government for closing the Moreton Bay Nursing Care Unit and Mental Health Unit.

“Queenslanders can always count on the Palaszczuk government to deliver record health budgets... We have delivered a record $24.2 billion, and that represents a 9.6 per cent increase.”— 2023-08-22View Hansard

Criticised the opposition for generating false anger and attacking institutions, defending Labor's investments in hospitals, schools and the Olympics as bringing people together.

“We are actually a party that believes in bringing people together, showing off our great state and being proud of it. What I am disappointed about is that nothing we have heard is about real solutions.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Strongly criticised the worsening healthcare crisis including 45 per cent ambulance ramping, 60,000 waiting for elective surgery, and declining maternity services in regional areas.

“Ambulance ramping has worsened to 45 per cent across Queensland and... there are now almost 60,000 Queenslanders waiting for elective surgery across the state.”— 2023-08-22View Hansard

Criticised the budget as 'more smoke and less mirror' that fails to provide long-term solutions for cost of living, crime, health or housing, with electricity rebates just a temporary one-year fix.

“This budget fails to deliver long-term solutions for the cost of living, it fails to do anything about the youth crime crisis, it fails to fix the health crisis, and it does not do anything to fix the housing crisis.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Congratulated the Treasurer, Premier and cabinet for a budget that supports families, grows businesses, creates jobs and addresses cost-of-living pressures.

“Congratulations to Treasurer Cameron Dick, the Premier and the whole Palaszczuk cabinet for the 2023 budget. It supports families, grows businesses, develops new industry, creates jobs and addresses the cost-of-living pressures.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Described the budget as failing Queenslanders, small business and the Sunshine Coast, with inefficiency and waste while four health ministers have all failed and been promoted.

“This is a budget that fails Queenslanders. It is a budget that fails small and family business, a budget that fails the Sunshine Coast, a budget that fails generations of Queenslanders to come, a budget of inefficiency and of waste with more of the same chaos and crisis.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Enthusiastically supported the budget, particularly free kindy which has generated significant excitement in her community and will benefit all Queensland children.

“I rise with great excitement tonight to speak about this year's budget. I am going to start with one of my favourite announcements—free kindy! You get free kindy, you get free kindy—every Queensland kid gets free kindy!”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Criticised the budget for providing little new for Southern Downs, with most announcements being continuing funding for already-announced projects rather than new investment.

“I looked closely at the budget and it provides not much that is new in my electorate. Most of the announcements are simply continuing funding for projects that have already been announced.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Supported the appropriation and revenue bills for focusing on what matters to Queenslanders and Hervey Bay, with record $8.2 billion in concessions including electricity rebates up to $1,072 for vulnerable households.

“This state budget focuses on the things that matter to Queenslanders and the people of Hervey Bay. It continues to deliver the economic recovery that the people of Queensland and Hervey Bay expect from governments.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Criticised the budget for failing to deliver on long-term issues, noting the Treasurer's 26 broken promises on taxes and services being worse than ever despite record revenue.

“This Palaszczuk Labor budget fails to deliver for Queenslanders on the long-term cost-of-living relief, the youth crime crisis, the health crisis and the housing crisis.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Praised the cost-of-living budget for delivering free kindy and $550 electricity rebates, helping ease the financial pressures felt by families across Queensland.

“What a day to be a Queenslander. This year's state budget is a cost-of-living budget. There is free kindy for all Queenslanders. People in my community are loving this announcement.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

As Shadow Transport Minister, described the budget as a wasted opportunity and squandered $60 billion windfall, with total state debt blowing out to $147 billion.

“Talk about a wasted opportunity. The Treasurer has pocketed an extra $60 billion than he forecast in his first budget, but there is absolutely little to show for it. It is indeed a squandered opportunity.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Thanked the Treasurer, Premier and cabinet for a great budget that delivers cost-of-living relief greater than any other government in Australia.

“I thank Treasurer Cameron Dick, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, and all of the other Queensland cabinet ministers for a great budget.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Criticised the budget for leaving Queenslanders behind, arguing Labor has lost its way and forgotten its own stated values of integrity and abolition of poverty.

“It is a budget that leaves Queenslanders behind. Labor have lost their way.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Thanked the Premier and Treasurer for an amazing budget that sets up Queensland for an exciting future, with cost of living as a deliberate focus delivering the biggest electricity support package in the nation.

“I want to thank the Premier and the Treasurer for an amazing budget that really sets up this state for an exceptionally bright and exciting future.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Argued Queenslanders expected the coal royalties windfall would deliver solutions for crime, health, cost of living and housing, but the budget provides only short-term relief not long-term solutions.

“They had high hopes that the budget would deliver not only short-term relief but also long-term solutions to the multiple crises impacting them. According to the Premier, it is the best budget ever. As we know, like all good stage shows and performances, once the red carpet is put away and the curtain goes down reality sets in.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard

Criticised the budget for failing to fund critical local infrastructure like exit 38 despite a business case being on the minister's desk since 2018, calling it the same issues year after year.

“I feel like a broken record because I talked about these issues last year, the year before and the year before that. The business case has been on the minister's desk since 2018 but there is not one dollar in this budget for exit 38.”— 2023-06-15View Hansard