Appropriation (Parliament) (Supplementary 2023–2024) Bill 2024

Defended the appropriation bills as necessary for legitimate unforeseen expenditure including natural disasters, disability education funding, and emergency services, arguing the LNP's criticism of 'reckless waste' would apply to essential services.

“These appropriation bills relate to unforeseen expenditure. It is additional appropriation for emergent needs, like a natural disaster.”— 2025-03-14View Hansard

As Treasurer, moved the bills and strongly criticised the former Labor government's fiscal management, describing the $9 billion overspend as 'fiscal vandalism' and arguing Labor lost control of the budget.

“If there is one number that shows the depth of their deceit, it is that those opposite, when they were in government, knew that expenses grew at 6.6 per cent for the first nine years, but in their last budget they pretended they were going to grow at 1.4 per cent for the next four years.”— 2025-03-13View Hansard

As Treasurer, moved the second reading and supports the bills as a legal requirement to appropriate unforeseen expenditure from 2023-24, while strongly criticising the former Labor government's fiscal management that led to the record $9 billion in unforeseen expenditure.

“The purpose of these bills that have been cognated tonight is to provide for additional supplementary appropriations for unforeseen expenditure that occurred in the 2023-24 financial year under the previous government.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

As Treasurer, moved the second reading and supports the bills as a legal requirement to appropriate unforeseen expenditure from 2023-24, while strongly criticising the former Labor government's fiscal management that led to the record $9 billion in unforeseen expenditure.

“This is the final sorry chapter in the economic mismanagement of those opposite. It is a very sorry history.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Supported the bills while strongly criticising Labor's fiscal management, describing the $9.5 billion total unforeseen expenditure as evidence of incompetent administration and 'fiscal vandalism'.

“This blowout of unforeseen expenditure is demonstration of an incompetent administration unable to manage Queenslanders' hard-earned money and unable to deliver on the core responsibilities of a state government such as health, housing and education.”— 2025-03-14View Hansard

As Minister for Finance, supported the bills while criticising the former Labor government's spending as 'fiscal vandalism' and emphasising the need to restore fiscal discipline under the new LNP government.

“Today we are not simply endorsing expenditures; we are holding a government to account for its missteps and for a mismanagement that has left Queensland grappling with challenges in health care, education, housing and public safety.”— 2025-03-13View Hansard

Defended unforeseen expenditure as a normal part of government for dealing with unpredictable events like COVID and natural disasters, citing Labor's effective response to the global financial crisis as a benchmark.

“Let's look at the history of Labor governments, not only in this state but also in the nation, and how they have dealt with unforeseen matters—whether they be natural disasters; COVID, which is the worst pandemic that this state has seen in a century.”— 2025-03-14View Hansard

Defended Labor's economic record, arguing that net debt was halved during 2023-24 and that cost-of-living measures like the $1,000 electricity rebate benefited ordinary Queenslanders.

“Net debt in the 2023-24 financial year was halved, from about $12.2 billion to $5.7 billion, and that net debt is lower than in the last year of the Newman government.”— 2025-03-13View Hansard

Supported the bill while criticising the previous government's fiscal management, emphasising the cumulative $9 billion in supplementary appropriations and promising the new government would respect taxpayer dollars.

“We have never had a situation like this before. Labor had 10 years in government and they abused that trust with additional taxes they completely misled the public about.”— 2025-03-14View Hansard

As Chair of the Governance, Energy and Finance Committee, supported the bills while highlighting the total $9.5 billion overspend and contrasting it with the responsible fiscal management expected under the new LNP government.

“The total number for the people of Queensland—and I will read it out in long form for them—is $9,549,747,000. That is 11.6 per cent over.”— 2025-03-13View Hansard

Criticised both sides for cost blowouts while questioning why projects in Queensland are so expensive, calling for reduced bureaucratic red tape and better value for taxpayer money regardless of which party is in government.

“It is not the state's money. We need to remind people in this House that it is not the state's money. It is the money of the people of Queensland we are wasting.”— 2025-03-14View Hansard

Defended Labor's cost-of-living measures included in the appropriation, including the $1,000 electricity rebate and FairPlay vouchers, arguing these helped real families in her electorate.

“Labor governments are good economic managers. Not only are we good economic managers; we actually care about people whilst being good economic managers.”— 2025-03-13View Hansard

Supported the bill while contrasting Labor's billion-dollar supplementary appropriations with smaller adjustments under the previous LNP government, describing the former treasurer as the most irresponsible in Queensland history.

“The Financial Review called Labor's last budget a 'clown show'.”— 2025-03-14View Hansard

Strongly criticised the former Labor government's fiscal management as 'financial destruction' and supported the bills as necessary to authorise the unforeseen expenditure while commending the new Treasurer's work.

“These bills, which seek formal authorisation for the unforeseen expenditure incurred during the 2023-24 financial year, are nothing short of a final indictment on the economic recklessness and incompetence of the former administration.”— 2025-03-13View Hansard

Supported the bill as necessary to address Labor's legacy of budget blowouts, criticising the former government for receiving $70 billion in unexpected revenue but still failing to deliver promised projects in regional Queensland.

“The former Labor government's energy rebate policy means that Queenslanders are now seeing the highest electricity bills they have ever seen.”— 2025-03-14View Hansard

As Shadow Treasurer, announced Labor opposition will support providing supply to the government, while criticising the LNP for playing politics and causing the credit rating outlook downgrade.

“The Labor opposition will always stand to deliver what the people of Queensland need. We recognise the necessity of the appropriation bills listed and will support providing supply to the government.”— 2025-03-13View Hansard

Supported the bill while praising the new Treasurer's financial experience and criticising Labor's fiscal discipline, citing warnings from credit rating agencies about the previous government's spending.

“Credit ratings agencies warned of the 'waning fiscal discipline' and the 'loose fiscal discipline' that the former Queensland government was employing.”— 2025-03-14View Hansard

Supported the bills while emphasising that appropriation bills fund emergent situations like natural disasters, and criticised the LNP's cuts to energy projects and rebates.

“Appropriation bills such as the ones the House is considering at the moment relate to a broad range of expenditure. It can be unforeseen expenditure and it can be expenditure that is required for emergent situations, particularly things such as responding to natural disasters.”— 2025-03-13View Hansard

Supported the bill while criticising Labor's failure to budget for core services and maintain infrastructure, arguing the interest payments on debt are preventing investment in rural and regional roads.

“Whether you are a household with a single, double or part income, whether you are a small business or whether you are a multi-national corporation, the principles of budgeting are to expect the unexpected to the best of your ability.”— 2025-03-14View Hansard

Supported the bills and criticised the former Labor government's record overspend, while committing to deliver the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program in his electorate on time and on budget.

“The bills approve Labor's unforeseen expenditure from 2023-24. This is an annual process under the Financial Accountability Act 2009 to finalise the departmental appropriations at the end of each financial year.”— 2025-03-13View Hansard

Defended Labor's economic record including job creation, infrastructure investment, supporting the public service, and effective COVID response, while criticising the LNP for planning to cut renewable energy projects.

“If you want to improve the economy of a state, you create jobs. How did we create jobs? We trained people, we employed people and we built things.”— 2025-03-14View Hansard

Noted Labor opposition supports providing supply, while criticising the LNP for political pointscoring that put the state's credit rating at risk and for labelling unforeseen expenditure as blowouts.

“Unforeseen expenditure, which is what we are debating here today, is not a blowout. The Acting Under Treasurer advised the committee of just that—unforeseen expenditure is not a blowout.”— 2025-03-13View Hansard

Supported the bill while highlighting transport project cost blowouts inherited from Labor, including Cross River Rail and Gold Coast Light Rail, and criticising the CFMEU's influence on construction costs.

“We knew that it was bad when we were in opposition, but I have to tell the House that it is even worse than we could have imagined.”— 2025-03-14View Hansard

Supported the bills while comparing unforeseen expenditure across governments, noting the LNP's $12 million in 2014-15 versus Labor's $2.27 billion in 2017, and criticising Labor's fiscal management.

“I can give members an example on the Gold Coast: light rail, through the BPIC process, was an extra $250 million in the previous budget and last year, a month before the election, there was another $320 million for light rail 3.”— 2025-03-13View Hansard

Supported the bill while detailing the corrective services crisis inherited from Labor, including the Lockyer Valley prison cost blowouts and prison overcrowding at almost 150% capacity.

“This bill cements one undeniable legacy for the member for Woodridge: he was the worst treasurer in Queensland's history.”— 2025-03-14View Hansard

Supported the appropriation for essential services while criticising the LNP government for intentionally inflating unforeseen expenditure figures and manufacturing a fiscal crisis to justify future cuts.

“The passing of these appropriation bills is crucial to keeping Queensland moving. As the shadow treasurer has stated, we will be supporting the bills.”— 2025-03-13View Hansard

Supported the bill while criticising Labor's economic mismanagement and QTRIP underspend on regional roads, calling the third supplementary appropriation evidence of poor fiscal control.

“The word 'Labor' is a byword for economic backwardness—taxes, debt and unemployment.”— 2025-03-14View Hansard

Supported the bills while criticising Labor's decade of fiscal mismanagement and emphasising that the Crisafulli government respects taxpayers' money.

“This bill provides closure on the final chapter of the Palaszczuk-Miles Labor government's budget, and the numbers speak for themselves. There is unforeseen expenditure in this bill alone of $1.128 billion.”— 2025-03-13View Hansard

Supported the bill while highlighting the Wangetti Trail project as an example of Labor's cost blowouts in tourism, and outlining new LNP commitments for the Glass House electorate.

“Under Labor, locals had started calling the Wangetti Trail the 'Wrong-getti Trail'. It has become the most expensive footpath in Australia.”— 2025-03-14View Hansard

Endorsed the passage of the bills to complete appropriation for 2023-24, while defending Labor's record including halving net debt and criticising the LNP for labelling unforeseen expenditure as blowouts.

“The Labor opposition endorses the passage of these bills as they complete the appropriation for the 2023-24 financial year which marks the final full financial year of a Labor government.”— 2025-03-13View Hansard

Supported the bill while criticising the Department of Education's $163.5 million in unforeseen expenditure and Labor's handling of education and arts funding.

“The former government's handling of education funding was nothing short of negligent.”— 2025-03-14View Hansard

Supported the bills as necessary for financial accountability while criticising the former Labor government's unforeseen expenditure as representing a decade of reckless financial mismanagement.

“This appropriation bill will release the additional funds needed for the much needed Redcliffe Hospital expansion plan and other health related projects across Queensland.”— 2025-03-13View Hansard

Supported the bill while criticising Labor's lack of support for agriculture and fisheries, and detailing the unforeseen expenditure across multiple departments.

“This bill cements the legacy of the former Labor government as the worst money managers in Queensland's history.”— 2025-03-14View Hansard

Supported the bills while defending Labor's record of halving net debt and delivering cost-of-living relief through the cheaper power act, and criticising the LNP's first four months for causing a credit rating downgrade.

“This bill brings to a close the appropriation process for the 2023-24 financial year—a year where Labor delivered a budget that halved net debt and a budget that was absolutely on the side of Queenslanders.”— 2025-03-13View Hansard

Supported the bill while detailing the Pioneer-Burdekin project's impact on regional communities and the child safety crisis with 91 unfunded frontline positions and a $461 million residential care black hole.

“When I was sworn in as the minister, from the first incoming briefings we uncovered things with regard to our workforce that I was so surprised at. Those opposite talk about their respect for the Public Service... however, we discovered that 91 frontline staffing positions were not funded beyond Christmas.”— 2025-03-14View Hansard

Supported the bills as routine expenditure appropriation while defending Labor's funding of frontline services and questioning why the new Bundaberg Hospital is under review if it is on time and on budget.

“Basically, the way that appropriation bills go is that we get up and say, 'What a great Labor budget,' and then the LNP get up and say, 'What a bad Labor budget,' and then we keep going through the whole charade.”— 2025-03-13View Hansard

Supported the bill while comparing Labor and LNP unforeseen expenditure records, highlighting the $12 billion health budget black hole and chronic underfunding of Queensland Health programs.

“Respect for money is not something that is said lazily or easily. Respect for money takes work and effort. It involves reading the budget papers, knowing what your budget submissions are and controlling the costs and expenses.”— 2025-03-14View Hansard

As Minister for Housing, supported the bills while criticising Labor's housing record including the Housing Investment Fund which he said failed to complete a single new home during Labor's time in office.

“The Appropriation (Supplementary 2023-2024) Bill represents the latest example of Labor's 10 years of fiscal vandalism in Queensland, revealing the final part of their record $9 billion overspend last financial year.”— 2025-03-13View Hansard

Supported the bill while criticising Labor's poor management and lack of fiscal discipline, illustrating the $9 billion unforeseen expenditure as equivalent to $1 million per hour or 25 tanks of fuel for every car in Queensland.

“Poor management, poor provisioning and poor control is no way to treat Queensland taxpayers' money.”— 2025-03-14View Hansard

Supported the bills while emphasising that net debt was halved under Labor and defending the $1,000 energy rebate as vital cost-of-living relief that the LNP have now axed.

“We see in this bill the evidence that net debt was more than halved, from $12 billion to $5.7 billion—lower, in fact, than in the last year of the Newman government.”— 2025-03-13View Hansard

As Treasurer, moved the bills and summed up the debate, describing them as the 'full stop on Labor's 10 years of fiscal vandalism' while detailing capital project blowouts and unfunded service delivery commitments.

“These bills before the House are the full stop on Labor's 10 years of fiscal vandalism.”— 2025-03-14View Hansard

Supported the bills while criticising Labor's record unforeseen expenditure and emphasising that the Crisafulli government will restore fiscal responsibility.

“The former Labor government are record breakers. Labor governments are infamous for not being able to manage money, but the former government have taken that challenge and they have gone above and beyond.”— 2025-03-13View Hansard

Supported the bills while criticising the LNP for using the Campbell Newman playbook of blaming the previous government to justify cuts, and noting that S&P blamed the LNP's fiscal uncertainty for the credit outlook downgrade.

“It is as a result of the irresponsible actions of those opposite that now Queensland's credit rating has been downgraded.”— 2025-03-13View Hansard

Supported the bills while criticising the former Labor government for burdening Queensland with debt and deficit, and committing to the LNP's promise to respect taxpayers' money.

“Yet what we have learned in these bills is that the former Palaszczuk-Miles Labor government felt no burden. It is arguable they felt nothing at all for the plight of hardworking Queenslanders because with reckless abandon they smashed the piggy bank.”— 2025-03-13View Hansard

Supported the bills while arguing that unforeseen expenditure is legitimate when it funds essential services and cost-of-living relief like the $1,000 electricity rebate, and criticised the LNP for contradictory arguments.

“They cannot have it both ways. They cannot on one hand say that the unforeseen expenditure which is covered by these appropriation bills is irresponsible financial management, they cannot say that they are cost blowouts, and they cannot say that they are reckless waste and then on the other hand say these things are essential services and necessary.”— 2025-03-13View Hansard

Criticised the government for showing 'disrespect' to teachers, the arts sector, First Nations communities, and women, arguing the budget represents broken promises and lack of accountability.

“From a government that promised transparency and accountability, coming up to almost a year in office, what we see is not respect for Queenslanders but an endless string of broken promises and deliberate avoidance.”— 2025-08-27View Hansard

Expressed support for the estimates process and some initiatives like child safety training, but raised concerns about blue card system inconsistencies and questioned eligibility criteria for workforce funding.

“I truly believe that women do need a hand to get back into the workforce after childbirth, but males who are in that same position should also get the same opportunities as women in this state.”— 2025-08-27View Hansard

Defended government reforms in child safety including the commission of inquiry, criticised the previous Labor government's residential care system, and outlined work on domestic and family violence strategy.

“What we inherited from the previous Labor government was nothing short of a system in crisis.”— 2025-08-27View Hansard

Criticised the Minister for Women's performance at estimates, particularly around reproductive health positions and women's economic security, arguing the government is failing Queensland women.

“The truth is that the LNP is not serious about closing the gender pay gap. They are not serious about supporting women to return to work.”— 2025-08-27View Hansard

Praised government initiatives on bullying in schools, education infrastructure investment, and domestic and family violence services, arguing the government is delivering real outcomes after Labor's neglect.

“What we have achieved in 10 months is more than the Labor government could do in 10 years. We are fixing Labor's mess.”— 2025-08-27View Hansard

Criticised the Arts Minister for interfering in independent literary awards, cancelling First Nations cultural centres, vetoing the naming of a theatre after Oodgeroo Noonuccal, and raised concerns about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister's use of Closing the Gap funds without guidelines.

“This is a $37 million spend based simply on private conversations and her personal preferences—no transparency, no accountability, a virtual slush fund.”— 2025-08-27View Hansard

Praised the government's record investment in education infrastructure, particularly funding for schools in the Redlands electorate including the Redland District Special School expansion.

“When the Crisafulli government came to office, we inherited an education system under real strain.”— 2025-08-27View Hansard

Strongly defended the government's position on water infrastructure including Emu Swamp Dam, arguing the previous Labor government withdrew federal funding and failed regional communities on water security.

“Labor builds shoddy dams. If they build dams, they have to be pulled down, or they do not build dams at all. My community will never be deluded into thinking that the Labor government have been their friend.”— 2025-08-27View Hansard

Criticised the Small Business Minister for late payments to small businesses, appointing LNP donors to advisory councils, and the CCTV grant program that excluded a business owner used in its own announcement.

“This is cronyism dressed up as consultation.”— 2025-08-27View Hansard

Defended the new department's focus on small business, customer services and open data, highlighting the $130 million allocation for the Small and Family Business First Action Statement and cybersecurity support.

“After a decade of Labor's failure to invest in ICT systems, a bold agenda is well and truly required.”— 2025-08-27View Hansard

Criticised the government for breaking estimates reform promises, failing to commit to a second Bundaberg fire station, interfering with Fire Department policies on traditional owner acknowledgements, and appointing LNP operatives to disaster recovery roles.

“The government's tactic of interjections was so bad, often with multiple points of order from government MPs on the same matter.”— 2025-08-27View Hansard

Defended government delivery on local government, water, fire, disaster recovery and volunteers, criticising Labor for asking few questions on water policy and key portfolio areas during estimates.

“Labor presided over 10 years of decline. The Crisafulli LNP government in 10 months have focused on delivery.”— 2025-08-27View Hansard

Criticised the government for appointing LNP donors to advisory bodies, stripping acknowledgements of traditional owners from fire station plaques, and lacking transparency on the Troy Thompson report.

“Accountability demands clarity.”— 2025-08-27View Hansard

Praised the Secure Communities Partnership Program for small businesses affected by crime, the government's commitment to reducing red tape for small businesses, and disaster recovery support for North Queensland.

“After a decade of decline under Labor, a fresh start is what this budget delivers.”— 2025-08-27View Hansard

Criticised the government for not funding the second Bundaberg fire station despite Labor's previous commitment, and for excluding a crime victim from the CCTV grant program despite using him in the announcement.

“The commissioner said that there was no plan to deliver a second fire station in the forward timetable.”— 2025-08-27View Hansard

Praised the estimates process for openness and transparency, and highlighted the $130 million budget allocation for small businesses including crime prevention measures and cybersecurity support.

“This year's estimates process was adjudicated with the highest level of impartiality, reinforcing the decision by the Premier to revolutionise estimates by creating an open and transparent process.”— 2025-08-27View Hansard

Criticised the government for not funding Emu Swamp Dam despite previous advocacy, not building the second Bundaberg fire station, and removing energy rebates for small businesses.

“What we learned through the estimates process is that the LNP cannot keep their promises and they cannot keep their word.”— 2025-08-27View Hansard

Praised the government's investment in water security including Barlil and Cooranga weirs, Paradise Dam rebuild, and fire station construction at Biggenden and Bell.

“We have only been in government for 10 months and we have already delivered a lot more for the people of Callide than we saw in a decade of decline under the previous Labor government.”— 2025-08-27View Hansard

Criticised the government for not proceeding with the second Bundaberg fire station and for removing acknowledgement of traditional owners from the Drayton fire station plaque contrary to government policy.

“To hear through this estimates process that there will be no commitment from this government to build that fire station within this term of government is not only disappointing from a community safety point of view; it ignores the pleas of local firefighters in Bundaberg.”— 2025-08-27View Hansard