Household Accounts Hold Newman To Account

Media Release

Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk says Queenslanders should start keeping their household services bills to see how badly the Newman Government breaks its promises to cut the cost of living.

“This Budget has proven to be the Budget of broken promises, especially on cost of living,” Ms Palaszczuk said."
“That’s why I’m calling on all householders to use a shoebox, a bottom drawer or even just a bulldog clip to keep the bills for the services whose costs the Premier promised to reduce."
“Queenslanders should keep their accounts to hold Campbell Newman to account in the lead-up to the next state election."
“He made iron-clad promises before the 2012 election that he would cut the cost of living for average households by at least $330."
“That promise was almost wiped out by last week’s rise in electricity bills alone, let alone all the big, new tax increases in Tuesday’s State Budget."
“It was Mr Newman who made promises to reduce household bills, and it is Mr Newman who must be held to account for breaking each of them,” she said.
Ms Palaszczuk said householders should keep their latest services and utilities bills and all subsequent bills received between now and the next state election.
“Householders should keep bills showing their power, water, and vehicle rego costs — all of which the Premier promised to reduce,” she said.
“In addition they should keep bills for their vehicle, home-and-contents, life, and professional indemnity insurance policies — all of which will be subject to higher taxes in the 2013 State Budget."
“Local council rates bills should also be kept to keep track of the rises in state government fire and emergency services levies.”
Ms Palaszczuk said the Newman Government was a serial offender when it came to breaking election promises.
“Lowering the cost of living was the centrepiece of the Premier’s campaign leading up to the last state election,” she said.
“He has failed miserably to keep those promises but arrogantly believes his party’s huge majority insulates his government from any backlash."
“He made those promises, he must take responsibility for breaking them, and he must be held to account at the next election,” she said.