Appropriation (Parliament) Bill (No. 2) 2018

As Treasurer, moved the second reading and replied to the debate. Defended the bills as containing no new taxes, emphasised that most unforeseen expenditure was due to Commonwealth funding timing, and outlined the benefits of e-conveyancing, turbo yeast restrictions, and cultural heritage amendments.

“I set out at the beginning of the debate by way of clarity that the Revenue and Other Legislation Amendment Bill does not contain any new revenue measures or tax increases. Rather, it contains various administrative amendments to improve governance.”— 2018-10-30View Hansard

As Treasurer, introduced and moved the bills, defending supplementary appropriation as standard practice and emphasising debt repayment and fiscal responsibility.

“This bill continues Labor's record of responsible fiscal management which has delivered lower debt, higher growth and more jobs.”— 2017-10-12View Hansard

As Deputy Opposition Leader, criticised the government's fiscal management, unforeseen expenditure and record debt trajectory, but confirmed the LNP would guarantee supply and support the bills.

“We recognise and support the fact that more money is required. We recognise that there is unintended expenditure. Of course we will always guarantee supply so we will support this bill.”— 2018-10-30View Hansard

As chair of the Economics and Governance Committee, commended the bills and outlined the committee's examination, including the trip to Mornington Island to hear about homemade alcohol issues and the committee's consideration of e-conveyancing, cultural heritage amendments and appropriation matters.

“The committee recommended that all of these bills be passed.”— 2018-10-30View Hansard

Stated the LNP would not oppose the bills, but used the debate to criticise Labor's fiscal management, alleged raids on superannuation and long service leave, and Queensland's rising debt.

“Although the LNP will not be opposing this bill, I again use this opportunity to highlight the financial recklessness of this Labor government and this Treasurer.”— 2017-10-12View Hansard

As a committee member, supported all three bills and highlighted the benefits of e-conveyancing, charitable institution amendments, SPER improvements and the turbo yeast provisions.

“I am pleased to note the committee supports these bills and recommends that they be passed.”— 2018-10-30View Hansard

Spoke in favour of the bills, outlining the statutory basis for supplementary appropriation and highlighting the Palaszczuk government's debt reduction achievements.

“I rise to speak in favour of the Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2017 and the Appropriation (Parliament) Bill (No. 2) 2017, which provide for supplementary appropriation for unforeseen expenditure that occurred in the 2016-17 financial year.”— 2017-10-12View Hansard

As a committee member who visited Mornington Island, supported all bills and provided detailed account of the devastating effects of homemade alcohol on Indigenous communities, including children as young as six knowing the recipe.

“What is disturbing is that children as young as six know the recipe to brew.”— 2018-10-30View Hansard

As a Finance and Administration Committee member, supported the bills while criticising Labor's reliance on the coal price windfall and questioning Cross River Rail priorities.

“The Finance and Administration Committee supports the passing of these bills... We will be supporting the bill.”— 2017-10-12View Hansard

Supported the turbo yeast amendments but raised concerns about the practical difficulty for police proving intent. Accepted the retrospective 'last claim standing' provisions on balance. Criticised the government's fiscal management in relation to the appropriation bills.

“I do have some concerns around the legislation and the requirement for police to prove that the person found in possession of this yeast had it with the intent to produce alcohol.”— 2018-10-30View Hansard

As assistant Treasurer, supported all bills, highlighting e-conveyancing benefits, primary producer succession planning, and the turbo yeast crackdown.

“These are bills that are all about getting on with the job of governing in Queensland, focusing on growing jobs and also delivering infrastructure in this wonderful state.”— 2018-10-30View Hansard

Criticised the government's fiscal management including rising debt, unemployment and taxes, but did not explicitly oppose the appropriation bills. Argued infrastructure spending was largely due to federal coalition and former LNP government initiatives.

“If there was an opportunity through increased taxes and increased funding to see an improvement in some of the key indicators in the state, we might forgive them.”— 2018-10-30View Hansard

Did not oppose the bills but criticised Labor's historical fiscal management, alleged superannuation raids, and cuts to Toowoomba and Darling Downs infrastructure spending.

“This really is a return to the days of Labor treasurer Andrew Fraser where it was guesswork, concealment and a litany of mismanagement of Queensland's budget.”— 2017-10-12View Hansard

As Minister for Transport, supported all bills and detailed the transport infrastructure projects that benefited from accelerated funding, defending the government's economic record on job creation and investment.

“We can see that works of $305 million in the area of Transport and Main Roads have been accelerated from the 2018-19 financial year to the 2017-18 financial year. We are getting a lot of infrastructure done.”— 2018-10-30View Hansard

Supported the bills, highlighted the Palaszczuk government's debt reduction and opposed per capita GST allocations advocated by One Nation.

“I rise to speak in support of the Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2017 and the Appropriation (Parliament) Bill (No. 2) 2017.”— 2017-10-12View Hansard

Raised specific SPER concerns about constituents waiting over eight years for court ordered restitution of debt. Criticised the government's fiscal management including the police budget cuts, rising crime and unemployment.

“After more than eight years and a court ordered debt and constituents who cannot get an answer from SPER and a substantial amount of the debt that is ballooning in SPER belonging to people just like my constituents, we need to see better answers.”— 2018-10-30View Hansard

Confirmed the LNP would not oppose the bills but criticised rising state debt and alleged the government had short-changed the Roma Hospital project.

“As we heard earlier from the shadow minister, the LNP opposition will not be opposing these bills.”— 2017-10-12View Hansard

Supported all bills, rebutted opposition claims about debt and unforeseen expenditure by noting debt increased under the LNP and that unforeseen expenditure was below the five-year average.

“It is very interesting to note that unforeseen expenditure is below the annual average of $637 million over the previous five years.”— 2018-10-30View Hansard

Spoke in support of the bills, emphasising the importance of protecting Queensland's GST share and opposing One Nation's per capita distribution proposals.

“I rise to speak in support of the Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2017 and the Appropriation (Parliament) Bill (No. 2) 2017.”— 2017-10-12View Hansard

Criticised the government's fiscal management and rising debt trajectory but explicitly stated the LNP supports the bills, albeit with keen reservations about how the money will be spent.

“Having said all of that, we support the bills, but with the keenest of reservations as to how the Labor Party might spend the money that is appropriated.”— 2018-10-30View Hansard

Criticised the government's debt management, noting that at $83 billion it would take 83 years of $1 billion surpluses to pay down the debt. Raised concerns about police budget cuts and the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing toll but did not explicitly oppose the bills.

“If we had a genuine surplus in this state of $1 billion each and every year it would take 83 years to pay down the debt Labor has racked up for Queensland.”— 2018-10-30View Hansard

Acknowledged the bills would pass but used the debate to criticise Labor's management of state finances and failures to deliver infrastructure in Moggill electorate.

“As is convention, we know that these bills will pass through the Queensland parliament today, but as these bills pertain to budgetary and state finance matters I wish to make a few comments with respect to state finances and my electorate of Moggill.”— 2017-10-12View Hansard

Criticised the pattern of unforeseen expenditure and its impact on electricity prices affecting farmers. Described the devastating hailstorm in the Fassifern Valley and urged the government to consider electricity cost relief for agricultural producers.

“One of the most badly affected farmers said to me that they simply do not have that resilience in their business anymore. One of the key reasons for that is the exorbitant price they are paying for electricity.”— 2018-10-30View Hansard

As former Treasurer, criticised the government's fiscal management extensively, noting that debt under the LNP ended $2 billion less than projected. Supported the existence of Appropriation Bill (No. 2) as a transparency measure that the LNP government had restored.

“One of the things the LNP government did to increase transparency and openness and to provide appropriate reporting was reintroduce Appropriation Bill (No. 2), the bill we are debating today.”— 2018-10-30View Hansard