What’s The Next Hole in the LNP’s Budget?

Media Release.

Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk says the LNP’s first State Budget is in tatters just more than a week after it was delivered.

“The latest blow to the credibility of the LNP’s first State Budget is the review of the $400 ceiling on payments under the taxi subsidy scheme,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“These savage and callous cuts to what is unquestionably a frontline service have caused fear, distress and uncertainty across the state especially among Queenslanders with a disability.

“To end that fear and uncertainty the Transport Minister, Scott Emerson, needs to scrap the ceiling today. He doesn’t need a review to do that.”

Ms Palaszczuk said Mr Emerson’s announcement was the second example in one day of the Newman Government back-tracking on supposedly essential State Budget decisions.

“Community Safety Minister Dempsey also back-tracked on closures of Rural Fire Service offices and is now just waffling on RFS job cuts,” she said.

“The $400 ceiling on the taxi subsidy and the RFS cuts were both presented as being integral to the LNP’s financial strategy and its 2012 State Budget.

“Now we find both decisions are more than dispensable when the Premier and his Treasurer are facing a backbench revolt over their mass sackings and savage cuts to frontline services.”