Newman Must Come Clean On Budget Job Cuts: Pitt

Media Release.

Shadow Treasurer Curtis Pitt says the Premier must reveal the full extent of further job cuts in the upcoming budget.

“In last year’s State Budget, Campbell Newman broke a key election promise and sacked 14,000 workers,” Mr Pitt said.

“In response to the Costello Audit report earlier this month, the Treasurer said a further third of the government workforce – or 66,000 jobs – could go over the next five years."

“The Premier had two occasions in Parliament where he could’ve corrected the Treasurer, but instead he refused to rule the job cuts out."

“Mr Newman has arrogantly broken promises to workers before, thinking his huge majority insulates him from any backlash."

“It now looks like next week’s Budget of big new taxes is also going to include thousands more job cuts.”

Mr Pitt said conflicting media reports this morning showed the Newman Government in pre-budget chaos.

“In The Courier-Mail this morning, the Treasurer tried to say the job cuts were over. On the Brisbane Times website, the Health Minister admitted jobs are set to go from the Health Quality Complaints Commission."

“The Health Minister’s uncovered the Treasurer’s deceitful attempts to hide his job cuts."

“It was the LNP’s cuts to jobs and services that have stalled our economy."

“If Campbell Newman break’s yet more promises, at the same time as raising taxes and increasing the cost of living, it could have dire consequences for the Queensland economy.”