Appropriation Bill 2016

Treasurer defended the government's second budget as delivering a forecast $867 million surplus, the largest in a decade, through a whole-of-balance-sheet approach using superannuation surplus and no asset sales.

“We have done all that without the need for asset sales, without the need for mass sackings and without the need for cuts to services, which is something that the former government said could not be done.”— 2016-08-16View Hansard

Premier defended the budget as focused on jobs, infrastructure and restoring front-line services following LNP cuts, highlighting the $100 million Back to Work program and $40 billion capital works program.

“It was a budget framed in difficult times but with an eye on the future... my government has been steadfastly focused on jobs.”— 2016-08-16View Hansard

Leader of the Opposition criticised the budget as 'raids, rip-offs and writedowns' with unemployment above six per cent, debt rising towards $80 billion and no clear economic vision.

“The Palaszczuk government's second budget is again a budget of raids, rip-offs and writedowns. It is a budget that is based on short-sighted hollow-log raids instead of outlining a clear economic vision for Queensland.”— 2016-08-16View Hansard

Shadow Treasurer attacked the budget's $4 billion raid on public service superannuation, claiming the State Actuary only recommended $2 billion, and said unemployment is forecast to rise.

“It is a budget that promises less debt but delivers more debt with debt forecast to go up to just under $80 billion. It is a budget that sees public sector expenses increase at more than four times the inflation rate.”— 2016-08-16View Hansard

Criticised the budget's employment policies, particularly the Back to Work program's exclusion of Toowoomba, Ipswich and the Sunshine Coast, and attacked the Employment Minister's meetings with CFMEU's Michael Ravbar.

“This was the second Palaszczuk government budget, delivered by this Treasurer, that is full of raids, rip-offs and writedowns. Business confidence is at an all-time low.”— 2016-08-16View Hansard

Criticised the Treasurer's $4 billion raid on public servants' defined benefit superannuation scheme as politically motivated against State Actuary advice of $2 billion maximum.

“The Treasurer did a great job in highlighting that the $4 billion raid on the defined benefit scheme for public servants was absolutely a political move.”— 2016-08-16View Hansard

Defended the budget as a 'gold medal winning performance' focused on growth, innovation and jobs while being fiscally prudent and responsible.

“This budget is on target and focused on growth, innovation and jobs. At the same time, it is fiscally prudent and responsible.”— 2016-08-16View Hansard

Minister for Employment defended the Back to Work regional jobs package and industrial relations reforms restoring fairness to Queensland workplaces.

“Back to Work aims to give the unemployed in the regions a greater opportunity at getting a new job. That is a great thing. That is why it is regionally targeted and far superior to any alternative plans of those opposite.”— 2016-08-16View Hansard

Criticised the racing budget for decimating industry confidence, citing board sackings, cuts to country racing prize money and a ballooning bureaucracy in the new integrity body.

“This year's budget, carrying on from last year's budget in relation to the racing industry, really sets out a budget which has decimated confidence in the Queensland racing industry over the last 18 months.”— 2016-08-16View Hansard

Criticised the infrastructure budget for hiding costs of the Cross River Rail project and failing to deliver major new projects in Redland city.

“The Palaszczuk Labor government's second budget is best characterised as a budget of raids, writedowns and rip-offs with no long-term cohesive economic plan to create jobs and grow the Queensland economy.”— 2016-08-16View Hansard

Minister for Energy defended the merger of Ergon and Energex into Energy Queensland, claiming $562 million in savings, and highlighted stabilisation of electricity prices at 1.2 per cent average annual increase.

“I can confirm that the merger of Ergon and Energex into Energy Queensland will save $562 million over the next five years.”— 2016-08-16View Hansard

Minister for Transport defended the Fairer Fares package making public transport cheaper for 93 per cent of Queenslanders and highlighted Commonwealth Games preparations.

“This package makes fares cheaper for 93 per cent of Queenslanders while simplifying the TransLink zone boundaries from 23 down to eight.”— 2016-08-16View Hansard

Criticised the Transport budget's Accelerated Works Program as only delivering one-month accelerations and attacked wasteful spending on an app duplicating RACQ services and driverless car infrastructure.

“I guess the only thing we and Queenslanders learned is that this is another typical Labor budget.”— 2016-08-16View Hansard

Attacked the government's handling of energy deregulation, claiming the Minister delayed it for a year then failed to implement an education program, leaving consumers in the dark.

“They delayed the whole process by a year. They blamed the lack of an education program for that... They do not care about electricity prices. They do not care that businesses are going broke.”— 2016-08-16View Hansard

Criticised the Commonwealth Games budget for maintaining 61 coordinating staff in Brisbane rather than the Gold Coast and for CFMEU-driven delays to the Carrara Sports Precinct.

“For a government that has been speaking about regionalising the Public Service for some time, that is of great concern. It does seem like there is a shadow bureaucracy in Brisbane working to supposedly supervise the work of Goldoc.”— 2016-08-16View Hansard

Acknowledged positive local initiatives in Aurukun but called for better coordination and key performance indicators across Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and multicultural affairs programs.

“We need to make sure that people are effectively serviced and that those things are measured.”— 2016-08-16View Hansard

Committee chair praised the government's infrastructure push including Queen's Wharf casino development, projected to create 3,000 to 8,000 jobs.

“I see the development of Queen's Wharf casino as being the most exciting development Brisbane has been a part of since South Bank.”— 2016-08-16View Hansard

Praised the $1.25 million Frenchville State School funding and $2.3 million Keppel Bay moorings funding from the Significant Regional Infrastructure Fund.

“The Deputy Premier outlined the Palaszczuk government's infrastructure plan and how it is guiding the rollout of Queensland's $10.7 billion Capital Works Program which will, in turn, support more than 31,000 jobs.”— 2016-08-16View Hansard

Shadow minister for planning criticised the government's planning system for being caught up in review and delay, failing to provide business certainty needed for job creation.

“She and this government are continually caught up in a process of review and delay. They are totally unconscious of the certainty and the practicality that business and its consequential job-creating prospects demand.”— 2016-08-16View Hansard

Attacked Energy Queensland for having no staff visible at estimates and the minister's inability to provide costs of Burdekin Falls Dam water to Ross River Dam.

“The government has no business case whatsoever for the new energy service business.”— 2016-08-16View Hansard

Criticised the Minister for Energy's failure to launch an education campaign before electricity deregulation took effect, resulting in consumer disadvantage.

“Queensland families have missed out on a year of savings due to the deregulation delays and a seeming lack of interest.”— 2016-08-16View Hansard

Praised the government's renewable energy push with Solar 120 project, multiple solar and wind farms, and the Fairer Fares public transport package.

“Turning the sunshine state into the solar state. I think that that is one of the greatest achievements so far in the Palaszczuk government.”— 2016-08-16View Hansard

Called for a royal commission into black lung disease (pneumoconiosis) among coal miners while supporting the overall budget direction.

“I will not rest until a royal commission on black lung is instituted here in Queensland.”— 2016-08-16View Hansard

Criticised the budget's 2.5 per cent cut to agricultural spending, lack of support for front-line biosecurity staff, and concerns over BJD protected zone removal without consultation.

“The raw figures show a 2.5 per cent cut to agricultural spending which equates to a real cut of $5 million in the forward estimates. It is hardly a glowing endorsement of the importance that the agricultural sector plays in Queensland's economy.”— 2016-06-17View Hansard

Treasurer moved the second reading of the 2016-17 budget bills, supporting the Palaszczuk government's second budget focused on innovation, investment and infrastructure.

“I move that the bills be now read a second time.”— 2016-06-16View Hansard

Supported the budget as delivering on jobs, education, health services and infrastructure including Fairer Fares public transport reductions and school funding in the Kallangur electorate.

“I rise today to speak in support of the second budget from the Palaszczuk Labor government... a budget that delivers on jobs, that delivers on education and health services for Queenslanders.”— 2016-06-17View Hansard

Leader of the Opposition delivered the budget reply, condemning the budget as built on hope and deception, with unsustainable spending increases, a reckless $4 billion raid on public service superannuation, and a collapse in infrastructure investment.

“The 2016-17 budget is a budget based on hope—hope that the government's heroic predictions will come true... This budget is a miserable failure... This is a failed budget that has failed the people of Queensland.”— 2016-06-16View Hansard

Attacked the budget's raid on the defined benefit superannuation fund as a scandalous risk to public servants' entitlements and condemned the rego increase and housing policy.

“The budget injects funds from the Queensland public servants' defined benefit fund into government owned corporations to seek project finance from the private sector. The government is continuing to spend as only Labor can—with no plan for the future.”— 2016-06-17View Hansard

Supported the budget as a great Labor budget delivering funding for Far North Queensland including $34.2 million for the Bill Fulton Bridge, Smithfield Fire Station and tourism funding.

“I congratulate our Treasurer on a great budget—a great Labor budget, one well received in my region of tropical North Queensland and Barron River.”— 2016-06-16View Hansard

Minister for Innovation defended the $405 million Accelerating Advance Queensland program as positioning Queensland as the national innovation leader.

“This is a budget which is all about innovation, investment and infrastructure. It is a budget which is clearly designed to create jobs and get Queenslanders back to work.”— 2016-06-17View Hansard

Shadow Treasurer condemned the budget as having recklessly ignored State Actuary advice, calling it a 'budget of raids, rip-offs and writedowns' with unemployment rising to 6.4 per cent.

“This is a reckless performance by a reckless government and a reckless Treasurer... What this budget has confirmed is that Queenslanders have no faith in this Palaszczuk-Pitt Labor government.”— 2016-06-16View Hansard

Shadow minister for corrective services and police attacked the budget for failing to deal with prison overcrowding, shortage of police vehicles, and delivering nothing for Everton schools.

“This budget has been incredibly disappointing. This budget does not live up to any of its promises. All it does is deliver more debt, more deficit and more decline in infrastructure.”— 2016-06-17View Hansard

Minister for State Development defended the $478 million State Development budget allocation including the $40 million Industry Attraction Fund and $375 million Building our Regions program.

“The Palaszczuk government's 2016-17 budget delivers for the two important portfolios of State Development and Natural Resources and Mines. It delivers the opportunity to grow the economy in jobs through innovation, investment and infrastructure.”— 2016-06-16View Hansard

Minister for Communities defended the $200 million domestic and family violence package and investment in community services, Good Money stores and neighbourhood centres.

“The outcomes of the 2016-17 budget will mean a better working, more inclusive and more prosperous Queensland.”— 2016-06-17View Hansard

KAP member welcomed funding for his electorate including the Dimbulah Primary Healthcare Clinic, Atherton Hospital upgrades, Charters Towers DV shelter, and Gregory Development Road/Cape River Bridge.

“Overall, I believe this is a good budget. People may say that I am deluded, but what I have delivered is a good win.”— 2016-06-16View Hansard

Shadow minister for natural resources criticised Labor's $4 billion raid on public service superannuation as scandalous and attacked vegetation management satellite imagery as targeting farmers.

“Queenslanders should be concerned about the raids, the rip-offs and the writedowns in the Palaszczuk government's second budget. Labor's second budget demonstrates that it is incapable of delivering a long-term economic plan.”— 2016-06-17View Hansard

Supported the budget as delivering $435 million in infrastructure supporting 1,500 jobs in Mackay-Mirani-Whitsunday region, plus school funding and Bruce Highway upgrades.

“Queensland: beautiful one day, perfect the next—and getting better every week under the Palaszczuk government.”— 2016-06-16View Hansard

Praised $35 million for Mount Lindesay Highway upgrades, Fairer Fares package, school funding and health services for the Logan electorate.

“This government is investing $35 million in the Mount Lindesay Highway... it is seven times the investment that the Treasurer and now opposition leader made over three years of the Newman-Nicholls government.”— 2016-06-17View Hansard

Shadow minister for transport attacked the budget for thawing no 18-month infrastructure freeze, cutting cycling grants by $9 million, and deferring Bruce Highway upgrades.

“The Palaszczuk Labor government continues to be a do-nothing government, asleep at the wheel. All we have seen in the Palaszczuk government's second disappointing budget is road upgrade projects across Queensland being deferred.”— 2016-06-16View Hansard

Characterised the budget as 'unbelievable' with projections nobody believed, and attacked the $4 billion 'repatriation' of superannuation funds as a second fiddle in two years.

“This budget is characterised by the sheer unbelievability of a number of its key elements... The Treasurer is not repatriating lost funds; he is sticking his hand into the last hollow log that the government can find.”— 2016-06-17View Hansard

Supported the budget as delivering $12.7 million for a bayside community health centre, Fairer Fares public transport reductions, and school funding for the Lytton electorate.

“This great Labor budget is responding to the needs of Queenslanders, setting out a clear economic plan, growing innovation, attracting investment and building infrastructure.”— 2016-06-16View Hansard

Treasurer in reply defended the budget as a back-to-work budget based on innovation, investment and infrastructure delivering jobs across every region of Queensland.

“This is a back-to-work budget to advance Queensland's economy. This budget sets out a clear path for job creation based on three priorities.”— 2016-06-17View Hansard

Condemned the budget as short of economic ability, devoid of vision, and including a $4 billion raid on public servants' defined benefit superannuation fund as an ill-considered short-term response.

“This budget shows the government up for what they are: short of economic ability, devoid of any vision... This budget tries to ignore and skirt around the challenges facing Queensland and Queenslanders.”— 2016-06-16View Hansard

Attacked the budget as spiteful to Redland City, noting North Stradbroke Island received only $20 million after closure of sandmining while comparable cities received $33.5 million for tourism.

“This a spiteful budget from the Palaszczuk Labor government for all of Redland City... The level of incompetence, ineptitude and indolence from this Palaszczuk Labor government is simply staggering.”— 2016-06-16View Hansard

Supported the budget as delivering for Pumicestone including the $4 million Caboolture Hospital car park, $7.8 million police station upgrades, and school funding.

“This budget is a budget for all Queenslanders and, more importantly, it delivers for the people of Pumicestone.”— 2016-06-16View Hansard

Criticised the budget as disappointing for Hervey Bay with $400 million less in Wide Bay infrastructure, and concerns over Fraser Island World Heritage extension impacting fishing industries.

“I must admit that it is a very disappointing budget for Hervey Bay... This useless budget is a real disappointment. It is one of the worst budgets I have ever seen in my lifetime.”— 2016-06-16View Hansard

Supported the budget, highlighting funding for 13 local schools including Balmoral State High School's $1 million refurbishment, and the $4.245 million for Murarrie and Cannon Hill station car parking.

“I rise to wholeheartedly support the Queensland budget... I am so excited about this budget that, if I had to pick my favourite things about it, I almost would not even know where to start.”— 2016-06-16View Hansard