Labor’s inability to properly manage the state’s finances has again been laid bare, with the 2017-18 State Budget showing a blow-out in debt, deficits and expenses growth.
LNP Shadow Treasurer Scott Emerson said Labor’s reckless approach to financial management was obvious in the huge growth in expenses above previous budget forecasts.
“Expenses have blown out by 7.2 per cent in 2016-17, or $3.6 billion, under Labor – way above previous budget forecasts and more than four times the inflation rate,” Mr Emerson said.
“Employee expenses continue to grow out of control, with the Palaszczuk Government once again missing its previous forecasts for employee expenses growth as the number of public servants surged again.
“Total employee costs have blown out by a whopping $5.6 billion, but despite paying more Queenslanders are getting less with a continuing child safety crisis, a rail fail, crime rates on the rise and the return of ambulance ramping.”
Mr Emerson said Treasurer Curtis Pitt had embarrassingly been forced to admit he’d broken the fiscal principle he introduced at the last State Budget.
“Mr Pitt stood hand on heart and pledged to link growth in the public service to population growth – but his own budget papers show him missing the mark,” he said.
“Nothing illustrates this Treasurer’s inadequacies more than the fact he’s broken his very own promise in its very first year.
“This is just more proof he can’t be trusted to properly manage the budget and his promises aren’t to be believed.
“While expenses are growing out of control, revenue forecasts next year are being revised down and it’s Queenslanders who are going to have to pick up the tab.
“Queenslanders deserve better than a government that still has no coherent economic plan and quite clearly can’t manage the budget.”
BUDGET FACTS:
